February 25, 2024: Recycled Art

Starting with something different this week, we'll take a trip to the Museum of the White Mountains at Plymouth State University.  Their current exhibition is exploring the use of recycled items being reimagined into creative objects of art using everything from trash, to items found in yard sales, to pieces of prior artwork the artist had abandoned.  In one example, an artist has created sculptures from old photographic negatives.  There are many incredibly creative works on display, and having obtained permission to use photos of their work, I'll share some of my favorites with a nature theme.

Serenity  by Linn Stillwell

This beautiful night scene was created from used drier sheets, scraps of the artist's prior drawings and paintings, and is composed on cotton rag paper left over from another painting.  (We'll revisit that moon later in this post.)

Ascent to Freedom  by Linda Greenwood

Here, the artist reused wood, metal, paper, and a small tree branch.

Easy Kind of Feeling  by Devin Donohue

This medium is described as "wool needle felted on blanket," a technique that created intriguing textures.  I don't know how it's done, especially the coloring, but it's beautiful.

One more:

Les Fleurs Mysterieux  by Shela Cunningham

This creative transformation of trash into beauty fascinated me and I spent a long time just trying to identify each of the original items which include yogurt lids, wine bottle collars, old netting, even coffee bags.  You can find more information about all the art on display here. 

Did you notice all the artists are women?  That's part of the theme of the exhibition titled Reimagine which runs through March 23rd.  The museum is located on the PSU campus in downtown Plymouth and admission is free.  It's always a quiet, peaceful place to appreciate New Hampshire's culture, history, and creativity.  

Switching now to the wild nature, there was a lot activity around the lake this week.  First off, the local bobcat came by to visit the birdfeeder one afternoon, but finding nothing there to prey upon, it went on its way down to the lake and along the shoreline where I was able to catch a quick picture before it disappeared into the undergrowth.  

It sure looks nice and warm wearing its thick winter fur coat.

Then out on the lake I was attracted to a pair of tracks passing over the lake on a bee-line to a shore where I often see signs of otter activity.

A couple of otters in a fast dash to the restroom.

Following the tracks, sure enough, I came to a spot on the shore where they had scooted around a bit.

And where they have a latrine; I've seen this previously in that very spot. 

Otter scat

There's no mistaking otter scat.  Black and moist and full of fish scales, there's nothing else like it.  After their visit they continued onto land to cross over to another portion of the lake.

The moon was garnering a lot of attention this week, and perhaps the full moon was increasing animal as well as spacecraft activity.  The moon was so bright shining on the snow covered ground that it seemed like daytime in the middle of the night.  The sky was clear enough to see the moon glowing orange as it set in the morning.

The full Snow Moon sets this morning.

A couple of excursions to the mountains were in order considering the nice winter weather this week. 

Smooth trails and blue skies in the Belknap Range.

I saw not another soul on my hike up the back side of Gunstock Mountain, which made it really fun to broach the curve of the summit and find a bee-hive of activity at the top of the ski area. 

Cresting Gunstock summit from the west flank.

I was perfectly happy to take advantage of the deck and picnic tables at the Panorama Pub to enjoy my lunch with a beautiful view of Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountains.

There's an awful lot of blue in the big lake.

Continuing on to Belknap I saw again not another person, but on the top of Belknap I found the shiny new fire tower just erected this fall.

It provides views back to the west, including toward Lake Wicwas, Leavitt Mountain, and the hills on Chase Rd.  I was also pleased to see moose scat near the summit.  

Moose scat right in the trail.

Ah, late February, early March - my favorite time of winter - when the sun is high and warm and the days are getting longer.  Only 23 days until the vernal equinox!

Late Winter Skiing at Green Woodlands in Dorchester.

While you're up near the mountains for your visit to the museum, I hope you can get out to experience this enjoyable part of New Hampshire's winter season!