Maria Coryell-Martin: Expeditionary Art » Field Notes

Hidden Lake Lookout

Maria — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 00:28:00 +0000

Hidden Lake Lookout, built in 1931, restored in 1961

I played hooky last week to hike up to the Hidden Lake peaks in the North Cascades and spend the night at the old fire lookout at 6,890 feet. It was spectacular with brilliant fall colors and panoramic mountain views. The lookout, perched up on top of a granite outcrop, was a treat to stay in. Many thanks to those who helped restore it! I brought up my art kit and had some time for a few sketches before the sunset. Before too long, the clouds closed in and we woke up to snow the next morning!

Check out this short video for an introduction to my art kit and my husband Darin Reid also took some lovely photos. Enjoy! Ah, yes, I’m also still loving hiking, running, and generally exploring in my Vibram Five Fingers KSO minimalist shoes.

Art kit, photo credit: Darin Reid

Looking down on Hidden Lake

Mountain Panorama (Snow King, I think)

Misty Valley- the clouds came in!

If you’re interested in making the hike (either for the day or overnight), the Washington Trails Association has a nice trail description.

Hut Skiing

Maria — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 03:54:18 +0000

Although it’s a warm winter here in the Methow Valley (thanks to El Nino), I’m loving skiing. There’s a wonderful network of groomed trails here for classic and skate skiing, and recently Darin and I explored the Rendezvous trails for the first time. The Rendezvous system includes a number of huts and we spent one night in the lovely Gardner hut with a group of friends. The hut was fantastic- a perfect mix of rustic and comfort with a wood stove and propane for cooking and lights. I woke up early in the morning and enjoyed making several watercolor sketches until my paints (and fingers) froze. Note the ice crystals in my cabin sketch sky…

Climbing in Five Fingers

Maria — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:49:53 +0000

South Arete Summit, 7,807 ft (photo credit Joel Reid)

Last month I enjoyed a beautiful climb up the South Arete of the Early Winter Spires in the North Cascades. Though I love strolling in the high country, I don’t often do technical climbing. Thanks to my brother-in-law and climber extraordinaire Joel Reid for leading the adventure! Our climb was in mid-October and there was already a dusting of snow on the ground. While considering the 1.5 mile+ approach and climb, I opted to wear my KSO Vibram Five Fingers with a pair of Injinji socks. The shoes gave great traction and I was impressed how great my feet and knees felt at the end of the long day. As for the cold, as long I kept moving, I had no problems. I’m excited to try the new KSO Trek model coming in Spring 2010. Learn more about my other minimalist footwear adventures here.

From Hwy 20

Early Winter Spires

Vibram KSO

Operation Ice Bridge

Maria — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:51:33 +0000

People often ask me why I like to paint ice. My father, Seelye Martin, is in large part responsible. He’s a professor in oceanography with the University of Washington and studies sea ice and satellite remote sensing. When I was young, he embarked on several cruises to the Arctic and shared stories of the ice, animals, and darkness. I remember talking through radio-patch phone calls and at home, his two large parkas fill the hall closet. Well, my father is at it again, in the midst of an adventure and wonderful project. He’s down in Punta Arenas, Chile, working as chief scientist for the NASA mission Operation Ice Bridge. With a DC-8 aircraft converted for research, the team is bridging the gap in measurements left from the dying satellite ICESat over regions of West Antarctica and the Peninsula. Flying as low as 1,500 ft. over the ice to collect data, the scientists are using tools such as laser altimeters, a gravimeter, and ice penetrating radar.

Ellsworth mountains, the highest in Antarctica (Seelye Martin)

Learn more about Operation Ice Bridge!

Ice Bridge Mascot

Listen to an NPR story

Official Blog

Twitter

YouTube

Toe Shoes in the Mountains

Maria — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:45:29 +0000

This past week I completed my first backpack wearing only my Vibram FiveFingers Sprint toe shoes on my feet along with a pair of Injinji toe socks. I’ve worn FiveFingers for a couple of years ago and am delighted by how they’ve strengthened my feet. My sweetie Darin Reid and I left Stehekin at the head of Lake Chelan (1200 ft.) in the North Cascade Mountains and completed a two night backpack for 21 miles, climbing up to 7400 ft. My feet felt remarkably good as I scrambled over and around logs in burned regions of the hillside, traversed boulder fields, and crossed snow patches. My shoes did show some extra wear, particularly between the toes from the debris and abrasion, but it did not affect their performance. For up the mountains and down, I had no blisters, no knee pain, and the delight of the world beneath my feet!

photo credit: Darin Reid

I invite you to read my other posts on my toe shoes and you can learn how others are enjoying their Vibram FiveFingers at www.birthdayshoes.com

Radio Interview

Maria — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:51:54 +0000

Painting in Antarctica (photo credit: Akos Hivokovics)

Last week I had the pleasure of speaking with Kirsten Murphy, the co-host of a weekly radio show in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, called “Ends of the Earth.” The program is broadcast to more than 30 aboriginal communities through the Native Communications Society and focuses on climate change and sovereignty from a scientific, aboriginal, and artistic perspective. Kirsten included an excerpt from our conversation about my project, “Portraits of Ice” and painting in Polar regions on their Monday, June 8th broadcast. I’ve included the clip below, or you may listen their full archived show (I’m just over halfway through the program).

Download audio file (interview.mp3)

Hooky

Maria — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:42:09 +0000

Yesterday was hot in Seattle- weather reports said at least 90 degrees (which may seem wimpy to some of you). I have a low heat tolerance and finally gave up on puttering in my office and studio to play hooky with my sweetie. Thank you to the Northwest Outdoor Center for the kayaks!

Custom Wedding Rings (Part II)

Maria — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:11:34 +0000

In March, I posted here about my wonderful metalsmith friend, Colin Kippen, who is making wedding rings for me and Darin Reid (my sweetie and web designer extraordinaire). Back then we had Darin’s design finalized, and now we have mine! I’m quite excited about it. The carved wax model fits well and is comfortable. Next Colin will cast both rings in silver and we’ll have the final versions.

My wax ring

Darin's wax ring

Wilderness First Responder

Maria — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:26:37 +0000

Methow Valley Sketch

I’m settling into my routine now after a great Wilderness First Responder (WFR) class in the Methow Valley, one of my favorite regions. Paul Nicolazzo, founder of the Wilderness Medicine Training Center (WMTC), taught the 80-hour course and was an inspiring instructor. I chose to take the class with WMTC in part because they offer distance-learning programs for which the academic studies are completed at home and exams are taken online. This meant I had five days of practical studies instead of the eight to ten days other courses may take when they include the academics on-site. The distance format allowed me to pace myself with the material and I felt well-prepared for the practical sessions (which included many scenarios and fake blood). I highly recommended the WFR course to anyone who spends time in remote regions.

Great Weekend and Learning to Save Lives

Maria — Fri, 15 May 2009 03:48:25 +0000

I’m catching up from a great (although busy!) last week. Thank you to everyone who came out to the Greenwood Phinney Artwalk as well as my Daniel Smith demo! Check out MacKenzie McAninch’s blog post on the Artwalk. All good fun.

Right now in addition to my regular art endeavors, I’m learning to save lives by taking a distance learning Wilderness First Responder course through the Wilderness Medicine Training Center. I’m studying this week at home and will be in Mazama, WA (one of my favorite regions) May 21 – 27 for the practical exam. As an Expeditionary Artist, I endeavor to be able-bodied and capable! On that note, I thought I’d share a couple of my affirmations (and a bird for spring…) that I use to keep perspective and focus. What are your affirmations?