An exquisite shop in an enchanting town

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We were hot, sweaty, and a bit jagged, after having just arrived on the “jeep-boat-jeep”  from Monte Verde, Costa Rica. One of the first things we were told when we got to Essence Arenal Organic Farm and Hotel, was to go around the corner to La Gavilana art gallery and shop. Hotel concierge Vanessa, (the once ice skating girl from Chicago, now expat) said, “it’s owned by an American girl and it’s very nice.”

A million shades of green

What can I say about the rainforest? It is beyond describing. Hiking through the Santa Elena forest for 4 hours was transforming. The sound of the rainforest birds and animals is unlike anything else I have heard. The two of us were almost the only humans within sight for hours. We walked looking up at amazing trees, vines, bromeliads, birds, and butterflies. we walked looking down at beetles, centipedes, and ants. I felt a detoxification and healing happen as we were immersed in the magic of hundred year old trees. I picked one beauty, I think a Ficus, to have an energy exchange with – what a moment of purification and gratitude.

Jungle night life

Who knows what goes on in the dark? Well we have a better idea after going on a night hike in Monte Verde, Costa Rica.

A group of 14 of us, (including an infant), tramped up and down hills with flashlights for 3 hours. Costa Rican guide Alex was a terrific spotter, and a funny guy. Surprisingly we came upon a fair amount of critters. I know we would have never seen the viper in strike position on the tree branch on our own. We wouldn’t have known Mrs. Tarantula was in that hole in the dirt. And I finally got to see a sloth in the wild! The two toed variety was hanging upside down munching down on leaves.

My partner almost got lost when he was videoing leaf cutter ants on his hands and knees. He accidentally joined another tour group in the dark. After I yelled his name to no avail, our guide had to go retrieve him. After that episode our leader started counting our group every few minutes.

In addition to the sloth, the other exciting furry mammals we got to spy on were olingo, kinkajou, and coati – kinda raccoon-monkey-catlike beings that were all crawling around high up in the trees. Then there were the lizards, frogs, and lightning bugs.

It was all a great time running around in the dark like in a “Blair Witch” movie episode,
but more educational and fun!

Kinkajou

Early morning nature

Before the voices of the hawkers,the zooming of the cars, before the booming of the reggae music;

Costa Rican arty fox

It’s always a delight to find a fox! This one is part of a series of painted metal animals on a walking street in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Wild oysters in Costa Rica

As you may know about me, I love oysters! Not only do I like to eat them, but I use their shells extensively in my art work. They are a symbol of my father’s family and the time they farmed oysters in Washington.

Joy of Costa Rica so far

On the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, I’m in the heart of Gaia. The warm ocean, sunshine, and lush vegetation melted away all my tension, worries, and jadedness.

7:30am walk in Montezuma, Costa Rica

Massive graveyards of crustations, a shell collectors paradise; itty bitty frogs freeze like little pebbles when they think you’re looking and then continue their leap crossing where a creek meets the ocean; a lone pelican dives with precision while the morning sun places hide and seek with the clouds, and warm waves crash on soft white sand. Oh look! now a pelican friend joins in the feasting. In the background my ears pick up birds and bugs that chirp, caw, rattle, and sing different tunes than on my northern Pacific coastside.

12 mandalas for the year 2013

My friend Elsah Cort emailed me about a mandala process. On the first day of January you create one mandala and name it, on the 2nd day you make another mandala, and you keep going making mandalas until the twelfth day. These mandalas then represent the 12 months of the year in the order you created them.

Using technology and art to give children different perspectives

An amazing artist demonstrates how his own life influences his art and children’s books.