Rain and Snow and… Yellow Anthotype Surprise!

So, its been raining here quite a bit.  Rain = no sun.  Which = no anthotypes.  I put them out whenever a bit of sun pokes through (which is now actually) but more on anthotypes later.

When it rains in the Bay Area that means it snows up in Tahoe!  For those of you who don’t know, my husband and I really like to ski and we spend a lot of time in Tahoe.  I usually transport my current anthotype in the car with us and place it out in the sun while we ski… that way I’m making art AND having fun!  But this time I didn’t even bother as there was just snow, snow, and more snow in the forecast.  Tahoe is having a truly epic season with this storm dumping 100″ in just 4 days.  What is really amazing about this – I know 100″ is amazing enough – is that this is the fourth time a storm has brought 100″ this season!  So what does that look like?  See exhibit “a” and “b” below.  I put myself in this photo (Bow is taking the picture from inside the car) to give you some perspective.  Oh yeah, I am 5’4″…

Please note where the snow bank is in relationship to the power lines (in both photos really).  In some places the power line is even buried by the snow!

So I’m a bit distracted by this crazy snow, and there is meant to be another 4-6 feet falling this week.  Wow!  But for now we are back in the Bay Area so back to the art…

The good news:  I was able to send in an artist statement explaining my process and photos of my anthotypes to the Mill Valley Art Commission’s call for artists.  I am very excited about this as now they are up for review!

So the 5 examples of my art that they received were:

Orchid on Tulip

Summer Beet

Winter Pomegranate

The purple potatoes were not completely done so I sent in these photos:

Progress!  They are coming through!

And…. also in progress… Nine Bean Soup!

Known to you as “Yellow Surprise.”

So why a surprise?  And why yellow you may ask?

As you know, I value the opportunity to interact with my community when choosing plants to make dyes with at the farmer’s market.  The most exciting connection I have made is with an organization called Curry Without Worry; in addition to selling foods at local markets, they feed the hungry a traditional Nepalese meal in the San Francisco Civic Center.  One of the foods they sell at the market is their nine bean soup.

They sell it in ready-to-eat form and in take-it-home-and-make-it-yourself form.

I used the curry spice and the dried beans from the take-it-home-and-make-it-yourself package as the subject of my yellow surprise anthotype.

In taking this one step further, I am excited to support Curry Without Worry and will donate 20% of my anthotype sales to them.

Thus beginning a new era for me where I am able to connect with my community through food, make art and support non-profit organizations.

You can help me support Curry Without Worry by buying an anthotype print from my website: www.saraguren.com

or you can contact me directly: sara@saraguren.com

They come matted and mounted to standard framing sizes and are priced at $75 each.