In January 2023, I had the opportunity to join other artist colleagues for a week-long residency at Centrum in Port Townsend, WA. This magical site, repurposed from a former military fort, now serves as home for many different organizations including this one that supports the work of artists, writers and musicians. It is surrounded by nature... the Salish Sea, forest paths and boggy meadows, and hillsides covered in Pacific madrone trees. These are among my favorite trees, harkening back to my childhood home where a madrone anchored the front yard.
 
At my residency, I couldn't get enough pictures and sketches of them. Then, on a walk from our lodgings to the studio, I took a less-used path and was charmed by this view. The tent cabin was not in use, part of summer lodgings offered there, but it made me think of the many happy times I've camped in nature. I started this little mosaic based on that view, and then several months later I completed it while staying at another "residency" of sorts, my sister's house in Portland while housesitting for a couple weeks. It was very cold in January in Port Townsend, blazing hot in Portland just 5 months later, and this little mosaic transported me to an imaginary campsite in both places.

'Campsite' is a mosaic of handcut glass smalti from the Perdomo factory, ungrouted in the traditional style, on a handmade substrate. 8"h x 12"w. Wired to hang and signed on the back.
 
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