All posts by Cara

Far West Texas

July 13, 2022 Cara 5 Comments

The high desert in Far West Texas has a certain something that calls to me, and though it’s been less than a year since I’d camped in The Davis Mountains and Marfa, I wanted to go back.

The weather was good, the crowds were low, I had the time and so did my boyfriend, so we packed up the car and headed west.

We took our time exploring Marfa. We stayed a few days in the middle of the week, enjoying the empty feeling of the place (though tracking down meals became a game of cat and mouse), and took day trips to swim in Balmorhea Pool, attend a Star Party at the McDonald Observatory, and check out some art installations along Highway 90.

Soaking up the things that make Marfa different.

A yucca plant at El Cosmico. — We stayed at El Cosmico, a hip hotel/campground that offers unusual lodging like teepees, yurts, and travel trailers.

Our teepee at El Cosmico. — We got a teepee which felt incredibly romantic…until I was startled by a camel spider who decided to hang out on the canvas wall all night (I had never seen one before and thought it looked seriously creepy. Like if a scorpion and a tarantula had a baby!). Luckily, it had moved on by the morning.

Toes sticking out of hot tub. — One night was spent soaking in one of El Cosmico’s wood-fired Dutch hot tubs. It was perfection!

A nightime view of the observatory. — The McDonald Observatory during their Star Party, where we got the chance to look at stars through several large telescopes.

Spotted along Highway 90: “The Giant Marfa Mural” by John Cerney.

After Marfa, we headed to Big Bend National Park for two days of camping and hiking, stopping in Terlingua on the way.

Cemetery in Terlingua Ghost Town — Terlingua Ghost Town’s cemetery, which is still actively used. We found many types of offerings to the dead, but beer and liquor were the most popular.

Stunning views while hiking the Hot Springs Canyon Trail in Big Bend.

A yucca along the trail in Big Bend. — I took so many pictures while hiking! How could I not, surrounded by beauty like this? I’m excited to begin working on a series of paintings inspired by this trip.

The Rio Grande along the Hot Springs Canyon trail in Big Bend — The Rio Grande brings life to the arid landscape. We even spied some wild horses near its banks.

The sun set at Langford Hot Springs. — We arrived at the hot springs just in time to catch the sunset.

A blooming cactus on the hike into Santa Elena Canyon. — Blooming cactus along the hike into Santa Elena Canyon.

Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park — The Rio Grande running through Santa Elena Canyon. The Rio Grande marks the border between the US and Mexico and we heard many hikers, wading out into the river, joking that they’d crossed over (Mexico on the left, the US on the right). Of course, even if you did cross over, there’d be nothing around for miles except dry, sun-scorched desert.

At the Chisos Basin campground, stars were visible down to the horizon, even with the moon out.

On our way out of Big Bend we stopped in Marathon, which proved to be much cuter and friendlier than expected. I was so charmed by it, I decided that I must return on my next trip out west. From there, we made our way east and then to a little-known and very remote state park along Devils River.

We stayed two nights and enjoyed a spectacular night sky. The river is difficult to reach (the campsite was miles down a rutted dirt road, offered no water or even a toilet, and an additional drive and then mile-something hike was required to reach the river) which meant that we only had one day to enjoy the water.

So, we packed up our snorkels, a big lunch, some wine, lots of water, and headed through the desert in search of the river.

Devils River State Natural Area — The glorious Devils River, an oasis at the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert.

A selfie by the spring at Devils River — The whole day was spent hiking, swimming, picnicking, and snorkeling. I was thrilled! The perfect end to a week in the desert.

This was such an inspiring trip, by its end I felt filled up with ideas and a drive to create. I also felt a shift in my personal life become solidified. There’s a simplicity in the desert that I’ve been longing for. I think it’s one of the reasons I always want to go back. Every time, I feel a little clearer on what I want, what I want to create, and who I want to be.

Surrounded by nothing but desert, time stretches out and I get more in tune with my thoughts and feelings. It’s a wonderful thing to realize and to know that if I’m ever feeling frazzled and lost I can always travel west and return to myself.

Magic Eye

May 18, 2022 Cara

I’m excited to announce that I’ll be bringing my installation art piece Magic Eye to the Burning Flipside art and music festival this month!

Magic Eye was, in part, inspired by my own experiences with art at Burning Flipside, so it feels fitting that it’s getting to be part of the party.

I appreciate how people interact with art at these events: sometimes using it as a place to meet, pause on their way somewhere, or even a destination – a place to hangout and where they might meet new friends, who were also drawn in by the colors or lights. It serves as a way to build instant connection between strangers, giving them something to talk about. And it can be a point of reference that helps people navigate the unfamiliar festival grounds.

I’ve been fascinated by optical illusions since I was a child, and became enamored with color theory in art school, and I’ve been experimenting with ways to combine these two concepts for years.

In 2015, I began collecting images of optical illusions after realizing that I wanted to use them in an installation art piece.

In 2018, I incorporated color theory and dynamic light into the concept and began adding colors to the illusions, printing them out, and testing the effects of lighting with a color-changing LED strip.

In early 2020, I developed one of my designs into two tapestries which acted as walls for an interactive art installation at the FreezerBurn Texas arts event.

In 2021, I applied for a Fuel For The Arts grant to create more tapestries and build a frame to display them. I was asked to change my design to a more 3D shape and I immediately knew it would be a pyramid.

Testing and perfecting the construction in my living room. I used PVC pipes to build the frame and attached the tapestries with large rubber-tipped clamps.

magic eye at artic expedition — The final form, installed at the Artic Expedition drive-thru art exhibition in 2021.

Magic Eye comes alive at night.

There was just one thing I wanted to add: a place to sit. I dreamed of floor cushions or some astroturf to place around the perimeter, so that viewers have the option to rest while enjoying the art.

As luck would have it, a friend’s neighbor recently tossed out scraps of some very high-end astroturf, and I repurposed it into triangular patches, perfectly fitted to the art. I can’t wait to see it all together!

COMING UP

Join me on Wednesday, May 18th, from 7-9pm at Dear Diary Coffee, where I’ll be celebrating the end of my solo art show featuring paintings from my Iconic Texas series. We’ll have art prints, coffee, and other non-alcoholic drinks to purchase, and feel free to BYOB.

And on Saturday, May 21st, from 6-10pm, you can catch me live painting at a free art party at Distribution Hall. Come find me outside under the live oak trees!

IN OTHER NEWS

I recently returned from a week-long road trip to Marfa, Terlingua, Big Bend, and Devils River. I did so much and took so many pictures that it’s taking me some time to comb through them all – but I’m excited to share them soon!

Thanks for reading!

Rain Barrel

April 12, 2022 Cara

I was recently commissioned to paint a plastic rainwater collection barrel for a home in South Austin. This was my first time painting on plastic and for an exterior installation and I was nervous about getting the materials right. But after much research, and repeated trips to paint stores, I found the solution and got to work. Check out the images below to see the results!

The client wanted a botanical scene that incorporated elements from the Sonoran Desert. I used one of the photos I took at Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona as a reference.

Drawing the outlines with an India ink pen.

After taping off the edges and preparing the barrel with Insl-X Stix primer, I drew outlines on the barrel with pencil and then used artist acrylics to paint them in.

After a thin layer of magenta was applied, I painted in the bright colors of the cacti and sunset.

Finally, I went back over the black outlines and, after waiting a few days for the paint to fully dry, sealed the barrel with two layers of General Finishes Exterior 450 water-based topcoat.

NEW!

Check out the new coffee featuring my artwork at Dear Diary Coffeehouse! Now available for order online or in store. And while you’re there, take a look at paintings from my Iconic Texas series, hanging in the shop through May.

COMING UP

My painting Flomot Longhorns will be on display as part of the Array exhibit at Art For The People Gallery, April 16 – June 24, 2022
Join me for the Artists Reception: Saturday, April 23, 12-1:30pm
1711 S. 1st St., Austin, Texas 78704

I’m featured in the upcoming issue of Almost Real Things and we’ll be celebrating with a free music and art event: Almost Real Things: Worth It LIVE!, May 21, 6–10pm
Distribution Hall, 1500 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78702

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO

Working Through Anxiety In The Creative Process by Lisa Congdon

I’ve Been Working My Ass Off for You to Make that Profit? by Freakonomics Radio

The Dune audiobook, available for free via various public libraries.

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Colorado Bend

October 26, 2021 Cara 2 Comments

When you get a Texas State Parks pass, you receive a booklet with a map of all the state parks. While recently perusing the map I realized that there are a few parks close to Austin that I haven’t visited yet. The description of Colorado Bend jumped out at me – a 70-foot waterfall?!

So, I made a reservation for a couple nights and grabbed a friend.

We arrived on a Sunday and the park was busy, but by Tuesday it’d emptied out. It’s a small campground but we were luck to find ourselves in a pretty secluded spot near the river.

Wildlife was everywhere! Deer and armadillos greeted us and at night we were entertained and annoyed by javelinas and raccoons.

I was delighted by the diversity of the park. We went kayaking in the river, hiked to a waterfall and around a cave, and swam in a spring. We saw people fishing and heard that someone caught an enormous catfish. We watched the full moon rise and wondered how the stars might look on a darker night.

This is definitely a park that I’ll be returning to.

COMING UP

The Austin Studio Tour is returning this year and will be bigger than ever! We’re combining East and West Austin into one citywide art event that spans three weekends in November. The Studio Tour is a free event, with in-person and virtual activities. Look out for me (#123) in the catalog and online.

My solo art exhibition Iconic Texas is opening on Saturday, November 6th at the Dougherty Arts Center! The show will feature 18 acrylic paintings inspired by my experiences camping and hiking in Texas’ public parks and will run until January 8th. For up-to-date information about visiting the gallery, please check their website or call 512-974-4000.

MORE GOOD STUFF

If you’ve been following me, you know that I’ve recently gotten into meditation. I’ve tried explaining its benefits and how I relate to it, but have often struggled. This episode of How To Build A Happy Life does a great job explaining the how and why of meditation.

I’m loving the Heavy Metal episode of Radiolab for its exploration of curiosity, history, science, and an unexpected look at the Meteor Crater I visited in 2019.

Want something spooky to read? Check out The Necromancer’s House for an unforgettably weird and wild ride.

Stretching Myself

October 5, 2021 Cara 2 Comments

After years of fighting self-doubt and working toward a healthy work/life balance, I hit my stride in my art studio. This summer I found myself painting almost daily and feeling more confident in my ideas and imagery. And there’s something that happens when you achieve a goal: you immediately set a bigger one. For me, this came in the form of the largest painting I’ve ever made and an experimental, interactive art piece.

The big painting was inspired by my recent trip to Caprock Canyons State Park. It’s a landscape of the canyons on three canvases, totaling 30″x70″ in size. It took weeks to complete and will be the highlight of my upcoming Iconic Texas art show. A few years ago I wouldn’t have dreamed of painting something so big, but now I want to go even bigger! I’m incredibly proud of myself and the progress I’ve made since I decided to try making art full-time.

A photo I took while hiking at Caprock Canyons.

The finished painting: *Caprock Canyons*, acrylic on canvas, 30″x70″

So, I went bigger. And I also went weirder!

I’ve been experimenting with black light paint and ways to create interactive or installation art for events. And one night, my friend Laura and I were chatting and came up with “black light paint-by-number” as a potential party activity.

I immediately fell in love with this concept and asked my friend Chase if I could use one of his drawings as imagery – he sent me a crab/fish monster! Perfect for the neon colors in black light paint and the upcoming spooky Halloween season. So, I planned out the painting and rounded up the supplies and did a test run outside my friend’s house.

It was a hit! I’m excited to refine the process and have it available as a fun activity for future events.

Resizing and painting the outlines on canvas.

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Neill-Cochran House Museum for Austin Museum Day! It was a beautiful afternoon of art and music and it was wonderful to meet so many new people.

I’ve been busy filling my shop with art prints, mugs, and a shirt that celebrates Austin’s Barton Creek Greenbelt (my favorite place to hike). Head over to my shop page to see what’s new. And if there’s something that you want to see (like sticker packs), please leave a comment below. Thanks!

Davis Mountains

August 20, 2021 Cara

Every year, I go camping during the Perseids meteor shower. It’s an easy way to see shooting stars because you don’t need special equipment or to look in a specific direction, and the peak of the shower lasts for days. It also happens during the summer, which makes it a great time for sitting outside while staying up all night.

The last few years I’ve been exploring Texas’s dark sky parks (where the Milky Way is easily visible) and this year I chose Davis Mountains State Park.

The park is lovely, full of wildlife, and there’s a lot to do in the area. My friends and I took day trips to Marfa (for lunch and shopping), Balmorhea State Park (which has a huge spring-fed pool), the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute (botanical gardens with hiking trails), and the McDonald Observatory (for a tour of the telescopes).

I’ve adored the nearby city of Marfa since I passed through it on my way back from the Grand Canyon in 2019, and decided to end the trip with a night at a unique hotel/campground there called El Cosmico.

After this trip, I’m totally in love and already dreaming of my next adventure out west…where things are just a little bit weirder, the stars are brighter, and the air smells like sage.

View from the Indian Lodge Trail at Davis Mountains State Park

A rainbow greeted us as we returned to our campsite.

A scorpion glows under a black light flashlight. We also encountered mule deer, javelina, and some very friendly (too friendly!) skunks.

The huge spring-fed pool at Balmorhea State Park. The water was clear and comfortable. Fish and turtles swam among us.

On the trail at the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute.

Sassy selfi among the succulents in the Chihuahuan Desert greenhouse.

One of my favorite spots in Marfa. Nearby, you’ll find an art-filled vending machine.

Unusual seating options at the Planet Marfa beer garden include a school bus, mini rooftop patio, and this teepee.

El Cosmico delights with trailers, teepees, yurts, tents, and more…all beautifully decorated.

Next time, I’m totally staying in a teepee or yurt!

COMING UP!

Find me at the Neill-Cochran House Museum for a pop-up art market on Saturday, September 19th between 11am and 3pm, as part of Austin Museum Day.

Possum Kingdom

July 27, 2021 Cara 1 Comment

This summer has been full of adventure and art. I’ve been busy exploring new places, meeting new people, and I feel like I’ve finally found a good rhythm in my studio.

Here’s a taste of what I’ve been up to:

Sunset over Possum Kingdom Lake. I went camping at the state park for a couple nights and enjoyed the quiet of a lake right before the July 4th weekend.

One side of the rock formation know as “Hell’s Gate” in Possum Kingdom Lake, which was alive with cliff swallows darting in and out of their nests.

My friend convinced me that we should rent a small pontoon boat for the day and I’ll be forever grateful – it was so much fun!

Possum Kingdom State Park is small but has everything you’d want for a weekend on the lake. There are boat rentals, fishing supplies, and even a few short hiking trails which offer nice views. I saw lots of deer, but not a single possum.

Back in Austin:

My art installation “Magic Eye” added a little something extra to a private event.

At night it glows different colors, which creates the appearance of movement in the optical illusions.

Drawing the outline for a stylized painting of Hamilton Pool (a popular swimming destination just outside of Austin).

“Hamilton Pool”, acrylic on canvas, 20″x24″

Live painting at an event in West Lake Hills.

The finished painting: “Flomot Longhorns”, acrylic on canvas, 20″x30″

I’m painting just about every day and currently planning a camping trip to Davis Mountains State Park, which is close enough to Marfa to do day trips. I can’t wait to explore the area and see shooting stars move across that clear night sky.

Mark your calendars: I finally got the dates for my first solo exhibition! Iconic Texas is scheduled to be on display at the Julia C. Butridge Gallery November 6, 2021 through January 8, 2022.

Cactus Flowers

June 25, 2021 Cara

Something special happened this year, and maybe it’s something that happens every year, but this was the first time I’d noticed it. The blooming prickly pear cacti were absolutely gorgeous!

I was inspired by the cacti at Allen Park in Austin and decided to paint them. But I seemed to accidentally follow the path of cacti bloom west to Enchanted Rock and then north to Caprock Canyons, where I was blown away by the number and color of the flowers…

Working on the painting, based off of the outlines I drew.

The final painting “Blooming Cactus”, acrylic on canvas, 30″x30″, part of my Iconic Texas series, which seeks to highlight The Lone Star State’s public parks.

The flowering prickly pear cacti at Enchanted Rock State Park, Fredericksburg, Texas.

The prickly pears at Caprock Canyons State Park, Quitaque, Texas.

…They were just so absolutely stunning, I think I need to make more of these paintings!

COMING UP!
Art For The People Gallery will be hosting an opening reception for their THRIVE! exhibit on Saturday, July 10th from 3-6pm. I’m thrilled to have some art included in the exhibition and to be attending their first reception of the year! Come celebrate with us!

The event is free and BYOB! And if you can’t make it to the reception, the exhibit will be on display until September 30th.

Space Cat

June 11, 2021 Cara

I’ve been curious about black light reactive paint for a while but it wasn’t until a friend asked me about commissioning a painting of a “black light cat” that I put in the effort to learn the medium. It took a lot of practice to figure out how to mix the paint to get the right colors in both natural and UV light, but I think I did pretty good for a first try!

I used an Ampersand Art Board instead of canvas, because of the clean, flat texture and the attractive raw wood edges that make framing unnecessary.

As usual, I did a lot of the planning for the painting on the computer, and was so happy with the digital version that I decided to make it available as art prints and tote bags on my shop.

The original design, created in Adobe Illustrator.

I was delighted to be able to gift the original painting to my friend on his wedding day…and thrilled to be able to attend! The wedding was the first time in months that I’d seen many of my friends, and since then I’ve done a lot of catching up, traveling, and eating out. It feels fantastic to finally be getting back to normal.

Art events are starting back up too!

I’ll have two paintings included in the THRIVE! group show at Art For The People Gallery, on display June 19 – September 30, and viewable on their online shop.

Hopefully, we’ll get to start having opening receptions again soon. I can’t wait!

Getting Back Out There

April 21, 2021 Cara

I don’t know about you, but this April has been busy. It feels like the world is reopening, and just in time for some beautiful spring weather!

The drive-thru art event ARTic Expedition took place (where I debuted my dynamic-light and fabric sculpture “Magic Eye”), I went camping with friends, and I got down to the Gulf Coast for some time with my family.

I’m looking forward to more outdoor social time and camping trips before the infamous Texas Summer begins. Bring on the sunshine, fun, and relaxation!