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:

Alicia C said...

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

Nordljus said...

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.

scrappyjacky said...

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

aprilmariecole.blogspot.com said...

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

Linda Richardson said...

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

Scrappi Sandi said...

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

Missus Wookie said...

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

humel said...

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

Šolanje na domu-Waldorf said...

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

soulbrush said...

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

Carolyn Dube said...

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....

Anne Manda said...

Wonderful and interesting, love this pretty piece! HPPF!

JKW said...

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

denthe said...

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.

carlarey said...

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.

carol l mckenna said...

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

Debbie said...

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

Marji said...

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

GlorV1 said...

Interesting and love the colors.

Faye said...

Beautiful painting with such soothing colors.

Kokopelli said...

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

Mary C. Nasser said...

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

Tammie Lee said...

such a sweet piece
it feels a little zen to me

kristin maynes said...

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

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

lovely piece!

Lynn Cohen said...

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.

Carola Bartz said...

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.

~*~Patty S said...

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

Giggles said...

Very pretty work!!

Hugs Giggles

Unknown said...

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

Gloria j Zucaro said...

as you pass by add another rock, beautiful

aimee said...

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!