Hi Friends + Family,

There are only a few hundred of you on this old, very slowly growing list, from all parts and times of my life. And I’d really like to stay connected with all of you, so here goes another digital attempt at doing so.

For many years, I have been making work and keeping a creative journal that only a few people know about. It’s where I catalog the ideas and inspiration I get from reading, looking, listening, and writing. I’d like to share some of this inspiration, and other stuff I find interesting. So if you enjoy this, pass it on. Or just drop me a note to let me know how you’re doing.

Thanks + hope you’re well,

Jamie

…and if you’re already inspired enough, just hit the unsubscribe link at the bottom.

Seen / Heard / Felt

I’ve always heard about John Cage, but never really knew much about him. Turns out when he wasn’t rewriting the rules of music composition he really (really) loved foraging for mushrooms. He also loved writing about them, eating them, and occasionally poisoning himself and friends with them. And in the back of this beautifully designed and crafted art book is a stunning print portfolio of (you guessed it) mushrooms.

This is an unusual book in that it doesn’t refer directly to much of Cage’s musical work. But through it I understood that mushrooms and musical concepts are both elusive, and that finding the good stuff requires a heightened sense of observation. So while this is partly a book about looking for mushrooms, it’s also a book about the importance of continually honing our observational skills.

Cage believed that ideas and art are sort of like fungus — they are plentiful and around us at all times. And if you practice looking, you’ll eventually be surprised what you can see growing on the ground right under your feet. I’d have to agree.

The Colorado Trail traverses southwest from Denver to Durango, over 486 miles of varied, mountainous terrain. I’ve traveled various parts of the trail, and I always love seeing these little trail markers in all their funny variations. Some are new, some are old, but the general shape — with the false peak — is the same. This little one at Buffalo Creek is one of my favorites.

Thanks for reading,

Jamie

jamie@jamiekripke.com
jamiekripke.com/art
415 215 9044