Artist at Exit 0 Riverblog

Sunday was absolutely glorious and the river level had dropped as quickly as it had risen.  My youngest son Adam came with me today and we shared an adventure in exploring and creating art.  After the river goes down, it’s always fun to see how the landscape has been changed and what new stuff has washed up.  Here’s an image of Adam and the “giant plug from the bottom of the river”.  The air was full of cottonwood fluff and birds were everywhere.  Saw two more new species for me, the Red-eyed Vireo and the Black-throated Green Warbler.  Both are supposedly common species, but you would be surprised at how little they show themselves.

Adam is the artist in the family and has an amazing ability to focus on projects when he wants to.  Lately, he has been on an extended Godzilla, King  of the Monsters kick.  He collects the action figures and watches the movies and makes all kinds of art based on the characters and story lines.  Today he started things off with a sand drawing.

He has seen me make stuff from Styrofoam for years and naturally he has to try his hand at it too.  We call these small sculptures “Foamies” and here is his Godzilla…now in three dimensions.  It’s made from polystyrene, sticks, and nuts.  I helped where the use of a knife was needed.  Adam’s older brother, Michael used to come out with me when he was younger and we would have similar adventures making things.  It’s important to bring your kids outdoors if you ever expect them to develop a love for it.

Adam wasn’t the only one enjoying himself!  I gathered materials and made this figure I called the “Time Keeper” based on the plastic clock filled with water hanging around his neck.  The riverbank is still muddy in places.  If you are not careful you can walk right out of your stuck in the mud shoes.  The first photos I took of this figure were by this barge rope.  I’m not sure what the blue material its body is composed of, but it’s not true polystyrene foam.  I was able to locate many of the larger pieces I had put away for safe keeping…the river did move them, but not far away.

This is where I left the “Time Keeper”.  I wonder when I next return to the Falls if he will still be there?  His body was water-logged and he needs to dry out a bit.  He’s in the Willow Habitat by the fixed wier dam.  The coming week promises a few good days and we shall see!