Here comes the next issue of Treehouse, the first of this calendar year! As is customary for January, I was preoccupied with all matters and notions of time. Time keeping, time passing, time holding. The time of time, January.
Oh, the cover is really exciting. For January I worked with Arrowsic-based artist Carla Weeks, whose rhythmic compositions felt just-right for this time-keeping moment of the year. Part of what I love best about Carla’s work is her sense of color, so translating the work for the Risograph printer was a fun challenge. The resulting prints are really beautiful, I can’t wait for you to see them. Big shouts to my greatest pen pals at Risolve Studio for a bit of handholding here.
And! As luck would have it, you can see these very same works right now at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockland, Maine. Carla’s show, On This Island, will be on-view until May 5th. After spending so much screen time examining and tweaking and scrutinizing the works for printing, it was a weird and funny feeling for me to see them in real life. Like running into an old friend or a celebrity or a celebrity that you can’t quite place so you think maybe they are an old friend.
Inside! I whipped up a cozy little project for you. After an easily-avoided and somewhat bone-headed back injury in December, my hot water bottle became a major player and crucial part of the days. And so I’ve honored my scalding hot, daily companion with a cover, made from a sweater that was full of holes and on its last days (as a sweater! reborn as water bottle cover!).
Although I personally technically consider this a February thing, unexpected light is always a welcome treat when it’s dark (and especially if it’s gloomy) outside. I have no idea why, but I’ve always had little hanging window prisms in my life. And I hope I always do! They really add a bit of magic here and there, just where you might want it.
My last little collection of photos for this issue consists of a few snapshots that show time passing all at one: Out-grown pants, well-worn lipstick, stratified old latte glass, and the classic standby, thoroughly rotted tree.
Here we go, 2024!
If this recent article resonated with you (hello), here are a bunch of Kei Trucks all around the internet. (LINK, LINK, LINK, LINK, LINK)
Here is a 12,000 square foot mansion for sale that’s under 1 million dollars because guess what, it’s in Presque Isle, Maine. Paywalled, but just subscribe to the BDN already will ‘ya. (LINK)
Although I’m still pretty excited about the idea of starting seeds in manure plant pots, the no-cost, no-waste, no-shipping option presented by soil blocking is very, very appealing. Shout out to Alysse for the tip. (LINK)