Way Out West

I was fortunate enough to participate in a June artist-in-residency at the Mystery Ranch in Searchlight, Nevada. I was also able to take a road trip to Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave National Preserve, and Death Valley National Park. I modeled and photographed 12 masks in these parks and at the Mystery Ranch. This was my 7th artist-in-residency and my first time visiting the Mojave desert area. Many thanks to Kim Garrison for inviting me to the Ranch! During June and July, all my mask sales will benefit the Mystery Ranch arts and science programing.

Skull Rock at Joshua Tree National Park

Camera Obscura house at the Mystery Ranch

Dante’s View overlook at Death Valley National Park. Badwater Basin (-282 ft sea level) seen below.

Mari Lwyd horse mask at Joshua Tree National Park. Modeled by Thom Maurer.

Sullivan's Island Creatures

New photographs from Sullivan’s Island and The Isle of Palms, which is near Charleston, South Carolina. Sullivan’s is a beautiful historic island that is known for Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Gold Bug”. Poe set the story on the island because he knew it well….he was stationed on the island at Fort Moultrie while enlisted in the Army. If you stand at Moultrie’s shoreline you can see Fort Sumter (famous for the very first shots of the American Civil War). I think you could probably swim from one Fort to the other if you were in decent shape. I recommend visiting the Forts and getting some information from the Park Rangers…very helpful. Here are a few of my masked photos from the trip.

Goldbug Mask

Bandelier National Monument Artist-In-Residency

I was honored to be selected as an Artist-In-Residence at Bandelier National Monument (New Mexico) for the first two weeks of October. This is my fifth park residency since 2016. During the residency I lived in the park, held demonstrations, and (of course) modeled my masks in the beautiful park. Bandelier is a gorgeous place with a rich Native American history. I also enjoyed exploring Santa Fe and nearby Los Alamos. I highly recommend the residency!

Bandelier AIR Selection Committee Chair Carolyn Florek with Jym.

Summer in the Rocky Mountains

I was lucky enough to spend three weeks camping and making artwork in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado this summer.  I first visited Rocky Mountain National Park in 2015 and it was the first western park that connected my creativity to the natural world.  It was great to revisit places in the park like Moraine Valley, Trail Ridge Road, and Alberta Falls.  I also explored new wilderness areas in the White River National Forest in the Aspen area.  You can see my Colorado masked model photos at my instagram page.  

Big Cypress National Preserve Artist-In-Residency

I was honored to be selected as the March Artist-In-Residence for Big Cypress National Preserve in South Florida.  Big Cypress Preserve shares a contiguous ecosystem with the Everglades so I was able to work and play in one of the largest areas of protected land in the North American lower 48.  I took a boat ride out amongst the mangrove islands, hiked into chest deep swamps, and explored the nearby Miami art scene.  At the end of the residency I had an Art Show / "Meet and Greet" at the Swamp Welcome Center.  This is my fourth National Park Service Artist-In-Residency in three years.  

Craters of the Moon National Monument Artist-In-Residency

I was honored to be an Artist-In-Resident at Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho. The park is a fascinating volcanic landscape with black rock and open lava tube caves. For my residency I focused on bat masks. I was able to finish a pallid bat mask and donate it to the park. The mask will be on display at the visitor's center. Follow my photography mask sessions on my Instagram account or check back here for updates. This was my third National Park Service Artist-In-Residency.

Mask painting demonstration at the Visitor's Center

Home in the park for my Artist-In-Residency

'Inferno Cone' - Cinder Cone Volcano 

'Indian Tunnel' lava tube cave