Gathering

By Joanna Keane Lopez

San Rafael Swell

August 28, 2015

During my time at San Rafael, I focused on collecting natural materials. I also played with ideas of shelter and exposure to the forces of nature. I collected natural earthen pigments that range from ironoxide red, ochre yellow, dark purple, cream to chalk white. I collected by hand the cotton from cottonwood seeds that I plan to use for future projects. I also made an unfired clay pot from the mud of the riverside. I planted a baby cactus inside.

  

San Rafael is so beautiful. I found petrified wood stumps, countless animal tracks in the sand, dried up witchy juniper branches, cow carcasses, and other special things I will probably dream of tomorrow.