deep blue

a first draft + a print update

Spring was deep blue. I mean it in every way you might take the color. Electric and calm, awash and steeled. Profound and sparkling… murky and dark and swirled. I said yes mostly, floated on the surfaces where feeling and tread pulled me. Where you tread into me.

The sun came out. I learned to turn a patch of grey into a swath of sapphire with just its light and my hands. I washed it all out in the sink. The hue only sunk in deeper. Like teeth in a shoulder.

The sun stormed. I walked into heavy night and watched the sky with the whole world. Stood, chin up mouth open as pale white hints danced out from behind the dark. Barely there, I almost had to shake it off, blame my tired eyes for seeing things. Like a love you’re still holding in your chest. 

Nothing worth anything makes itself obvious. I don’t believe that at all, actually.

Come to think of it, I have been holding my palm to my chest a lot lately. The world is so beautiful it hurts, punches holes. It is so ugly and broken it stings, alcohol baths. Maybe I’m trying to lessen the blow. Block the initial impact. Hold it all together. Tamp it down gently with my hand.

The sun set, over and over. Blue hours in fast forward. Did you know certain bodies glow red hot as they drift closer? Torched metals resisting melting point. The navy of night makes it all the brighter. 

Obvious, even.

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I sent a text to a friend the other week that said “I feel like I’ve been living and I like that.” Spring sprung and I was never home, choosing experience over sleep, soaking it all up while it was there, because we all know things get quiet again. If it’s loud and you’re in the mood for loud… yell. You know?

But then of course, things catch up. The bane of our existence and seemingly forever companion (cough, C*vid) got me for the second time. The sun went behind the clouds again. I fell behind, which feels… like right on time these days. But, the seasons are close to turning again and I’m learning a new, magical art process, so here’s what I propose, for you - my lovely Patreon print subscribers…

A cyanotype summer. One for each of the (hopefully) sunny months, May through August. I’ll keep experimenting and send you a couple soon, of course — and by the time fall hits, you’ll have 4, original cyanotype prints. Sound good? I hope so.

Gonna stretch out the deep blue for as long as I can.

P.S. If you’re not already subscribed, sign up *this* month and you’ll get 4 prints for the price of 3, eventually. (I’ll throw in May’s print for free, is what I’m saying, since I’m behind and all.)