Summer Splash and Ash. Aug. 19, 2026

It has been an incredible summer so far, y'all. Wonderful people, places, and beauty as long as I don't consider all the other ugliness that has been happening worldwide. I will give a few art-related highlights and updates.

Back in May, I found a one-day event, in Green Lake, Wisconsin.

The drive there was it's own adventure because I insisted on trying to navigate my way there without using GPS on my phone, trying to learn the road names and getting a sense of direction for an area of the state I haven't been to. Upon arrival, it was a beautiful 70 degree day, just before Memorial Day weekend so the touristy parts of the town were in preparation for the summer's visitors. They had a lovely marina area that had some interesting visuals, but the sun was moving quickly as noon approached.

An artist's easel outdoors on a sunny day with a pencil sketch on paper with a small lake marina in the background.

After walking around and scoping out the area, I finally settled on the marina. Cranes and trucks were moving things around, stuff I don't have much of a vocabulary for because watercraft and recreation are still kind of new for me. Seeing docks lifted out of the water and in pickup beds is something a little surreal. Folks getting in and out of their boats and other watercraft, greeting each other as neighbors and friends in the community. The hustle and bustle of this town was fun to be around and as bonus points, I had someone with me throughout the day. This marks the first and only time I was accompanied by someone who wanted to be there with me while I painted. I shall call him Sparks. I don't know that he will continue with these events, as I was very out of practice for this event. Sparks opted to sit nearby and read a book in between little errands to help. I struggled and stressed to frame the finished piece and get everything submitted on time. I literally had one minute to spare at the end. I did not win anything, but at least I got everything done. It was not my finest moments to be shared with someone else, but Sparks was very patient and understanding.

July! It was full blown summer outside and something the Midwest just gives away for free is water. I found a park that featured a splash pad, which was something I was fascinated with when I first encountered them outside of the high desert. They just allow folks to run around in the water for free! As a desert dweller, such a thing is novel and seeing how many families were taking advantage of the outdoors was inspiring. This time, I wanted to turn the pressure down and try something more action oriented and loose. As I set up my easel, a public pool behind me where kiddos were being entertained with music from my own youth: The Beach Boys, the Shangri-Las, Del-Vikings, Four Tops, The Drifters, etc. I dare you to not feel upbeat after listening to this banger.

A watercolor and ink paining of ambiguous families at a park splash pad

Being out of practice and not competing has freed me up from feeling like I have to do things so rigidly. I has much more fun going for this loose and more ambiguous interpretation of a very active scene. It was challenging and fun in part because of the ambiance from all the surrounding stimulation of music, laughter, and splashing.

August! Traveled to Montana and got the chance to enjoy the Yellowstone River as a floater and spectator. As a spectator, I plopped down to capture an area full of activity and summer fun yet again. This time, there were many dogs. Sparks pointed out that unleashed and well-socialized dogs in public spaces was not the norm in more urban areas. It's stuff like that which I appreciate others' recognizing in the different cultural expectations and norms of the rural west vs. the Midwest. I love some of the parts of living out west, but things are on fire. Wildfire smoke penetrates everything most summers for the last decade or more. Such is evident in the painting and photo.

A watercolor painting depicting trees and mountains behind an unfinished river.

Most of the exciting stuff has been happening outside of my art, and my life has often gone in phases of intensity with my art. Things change, y'all. Change can be just like those wildfires found in the western United States. Some folks have begun spending so little time relating to other humans that they now confide exclusively with AI Chatbots. Some folks find themselves frozen with indecision without getting advice from a computer program. Some elements I have been considering with upcoming artwork is revolving around my long-time conflicted relationship with technology and it's continuation of enveloping our time in a questionably consensual manner. I am worried that one of the worst impacts of the pandemic were only partially related to a virus and more related to social and emotional distortion. I think I may be exploring these themes with upcoming artwork. If you were kind enough to take the time to read my less-than-perfect post today -- thank you. It's full of bad grammar and punctuation, because to err is to be hooman.