Thursday, October 4, 2012

PPF: Cairns in the Field

As I posted yesterday,  I'm very much drawn to the idea of cairns. I was thrilled to read the  personal, reflective comments left by others who are also drawn to the special meanings held in a simple pile of stones.  So, I thought I would share, as well. One of the most affecting books I have ever read is Stones for Ibarra by Harriet Doerr, which ends with the construction of a cairn. I'm sure that's one reason I find cairns so meaningful.
This is the first art journal page I've made incorporating cairns.  It was a bit of a struggle, and it feels a little overworked, but, in the end, I'm okay with the arts and crafts vibe.  I'm sure you'll see more cairns from me in the future! 
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I'm posting this to Paint Party Friday.  For more painterly goodness, check out this link.

32 comments:

  1. beautiful painting! this is interesting - I live by various rivers - hiking swimming rafting spots - and I always see these piles or rocks - I mean, EVERYWHERE - and I had no idea they had a name until I read this post! cool

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  2. Beautiful colours, it is full of energy yet calming. I've seen these piles of stones a lot up in the mountains, but never knew they had a name or what they meant, I just liked how they looked and that people took the time to create them. Looking forward to see and learn more about them.

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  3. I love seeing these piles of stones as well....and never knew they were called cairns.A lovely page,Rinda.

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  4. This is is a very lovely journal page, delicate and beautiful!
    THank you for sharing your thoughts & talents. :]

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  5. Lovely journal page! And I love your quote from Frank Lloyd Wright ( side bar) one of my all time favourite architects!

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  6. Not overworked at all! I'm very interested in the book you mentioned & am now off to check the link! TFS! :D

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  7. I'm almost always ok with an arts and crafts vibe myself. I like the movement in the stems and flowers against the stones.

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  8. I really like this - the shape of the flower stems suggests movement and the cairns add stillness :)

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  9. So sweet! Love the warm colors in the background. :)

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  10. Love the way you've shown your cairns. Hope to see lots more. Happy PPF.

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  11. I love how you have tucked the cairns in there. I am excited any time I find one and have such respect for people who can build them more than 2 high- that would be me. But I did get a 3 rock one to stay once....

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  12. Wonderful and interesting, love this pretty piece! HPPF!

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  13. I appreciate the explanation. The picture is interesting and wondrous. Blessings, Janet PPF

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  14. I thought you were talking about Cairns in Australia ☺ Obviously, I'm not familiar with piling stones... But I do like the pictures you took, and your journalpage.

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  15. Cairns are such magical things. I can't think of a better way to leave a mark of your passing through a place.

    I'd love to see you do a whole series of Cairn paintings.

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  16. That book was wonderful and love your depictions of cairns ~ well done journal page ~ (A Creative Harbor)

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  17. Your colors here are so beautiful. I haven't thought about cairns much before, honestly, but it's an interesting theme.

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  18. I love finding little stacks of rocks left by fellow travellers. They seem so mysterious. Your painting is lovely. Happy PPF

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  19. Interesting and love the colors.

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  20. Beautiful painting with such soothing colors.

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  21. Cairns? What's that I thought? Then I realized: ah, know them as Inukshuk. Thanks for sharing. Wonderful art. Happy PPF!

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  22. Gorgeous art journal page!
    I am so drawn to cairns, too. :)
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  23. such a sweet piece
    it feels a little zen to me

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  24. Lovely painting! I don't know much about cairns, I think I should read up on them. :) HPPF!

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  25. We saw the rocks piled this way at the Medicine Wheel when we visited last week. Was that in Wyoming? I think so. We went so many places.
    Native Americans use them in their sacred places.

    Your art piece is truly lovely.
    I was going to say "it rocks" but thought better of that pun.

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  26. This painting is beautiful, Rinda. We have seen many of these cairns, especially in the Southwest. They often mark a way over rocky ground there so that you don't get lost. We also saw quite a few of them along the beaches in the Pacific Northwest. I will check out the book you mentioned in your post.

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  27. your journal page is lovely...I too connect with rocks and stacking them is something I find pleasing

    several years ago we came upon a guy by the water is Sausilito ... watching him create and balance rocks was mesmerizing...I did a bbb (blogblogblog) post

    here

    can't believe it was four years ago already!
    Happy Weekend dear Rinda
    oxo

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  28. oh this is so pretty!!! wonderful work!!!

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  29. as you pass by add another rock, beautiful

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  30. I would absolutely love to see your PPF pieces on a huge wall... I just love how you create a visual theme around just a few words... it just pulls the eye right in and makes me want to know more about your theme. Thanks for the book recommendation -- it sounds terrific!

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