November, 2012 | heather goff ART

November 30, 2012December 1, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 30, 2012

Today I wanted to draw something sparked by my imagination, not just a quotidian view from my day.

November 29, 2012April 4, 2013

Daily Sketch, November 29, 2012

Still plagued by a head/chest cold, today I indulged in “citron chaud”, fresh squeezed lemon juice, honey and boiling water.

November 28, 2012April 4, 2013

Daily Sketch, November 28, 2012

I am fighting a cold, so made onion soup today. I have heard that onions are a wonderful remedy for colds, and the soup was delicious.

November 27, 2012December 1, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 27, 2012

I witnessed a very tranquil sun rise this morning walking the dog, no wind, the ocean very calm.

November 26, 2012December 1, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 26, 2012

The moon was just rising as I walked the dog in the late afternoon. I was struck by the contrast of the red pine needles under the trees and the blue blue sky.

November 25, 2012December 1, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 25, 2012

When visiting my friend, Frank, I met his cat. A wary tom cat with tremendous attitude.

November 24, 2012December 1, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 24, 2012

We drove to Aquinnah to admire the view and walk on the beach, and came across these stacks of stones left by another.

November 23, 2012December 1, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 23, 2012

Looking towards the late afternoon sun from the cliff overlook in Aquinnah, Martha’s Vineyard. The sky and sea were an endless expanse.

November 21, 2012December 1, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 21, 2012

In the middle of the day when I hear my dog raving, it is usually because the neighbor’s cat is taunting him from the other side of the glass doors. He barks until breathless, and then watches with great focus.

November 20, 2012December 1, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 20, 2012

A mid afternoon walk by Farm Pond with a November sky.

November 19, 2012December 1, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 19. 2012

The crows flew with great cacophony overhead and then settled the bare limbs of winter branches.

November 18, 2012December 2, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 18, 2012

Walking underneath a blustery sky, by ocean, harbor and cedar trees.

November 18, 2012December 2, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 17, 2012

On my way to a 7:30 performance at Dreamland, I was struck by the quiet beauty of the island Theater, now closed for the season, illuminated by the street lamp.

November 17, 2012December 2, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 16, 2012

Returning home on the 8:00 ferry, I observed a young girl with restless energy as she spun and pulled on the railing while waiting for the boat to dock.

November 15, 2012November 16, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 15, 2012

November 13, 2012November 25, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 13, 2012

November 12, 2012November 25, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 12, 2012

November 11, 2012November 25, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 11, 2012

November 10, 2012November 11, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 10, 2012

November 9, 2012November 11, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 9, 2012

November 8, 2012November 11, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 8, 2012

November 7, 2012November 11, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 7, 2012

November 6, 2012November 7, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 6, 2012

November 5, 2012November 7, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 5, 2012

November 5, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 4, 2012

November 3, 2012November 7, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 3, 2012

November 2, 2012November 7, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 2, 2012

November 1, 2012November 1, 2012

Daily Sketch, November 1st, 2012

heathergoffart

863 1,072

living creatively in a creative community

Mar 23

We said goodbye to Frankie today. 💔 I wrote this poem about him several weeks ago.
The Old Dog
by Heather Goff
03/01/23

The old dog trusts blindly
bumping into walls
stuck in corners
until I gently set him right.

18 months gone
his family moving overseas
he joined us
the forgotten puzzle piece
shaped by years to fill their needs
dropped off at a strange house
now the odd one out
welcomed with my sigh of resignation.

Fed and walked with my dogs
he felt for a fit
sunning on the summer deck
by the winter wood stove,
out of the way at first
then gradually underfoot
tripped over more often than not.

The months ground his age up a year
and again
clouding his eyes dark
distilling him to knobby bone
bowed like the uncomfortable arch of the grave,
his gait marionette stiff.

His dependency looped strings to me
tugging my attention:
first the steps to outside,
then the cycle of diapers washed and dried,
stretching soft fleece over his cold frame,
each new task another hook in my chest.

Now the dark hour before dawn,
I lift him cradled to my breast
safe from the resentful nips
of the sleeping host.

And carry him outside
standing vigil
as he presses his back legs down
a stream of liquid staining the ground
then curls further to eliminate
before wide turning
a boat adrift from its mooring
to face the steps.

Entering the house
I gather him close
whispering in his deafness
that I recognize his goodness
and refastening his diaper
I take a moment to rub spine and ears
Then turn to climb back to my slumber
as he circles once and collapses onto his bed.

For how can I not love
the one who needs so much
yet asks for nothing.

We said goodbye to Frankie today. 💔 I wrote this poem about him several weeks ago.
The Old Dog
by Heather Goff
03/01/23

The old dog trusts blindly
bumping into walls
stuck in corners
until I gently set him right.

18 months gone
his family moving overseas
he joined us
the forgotten puzzle piece
shaped by years to fill their needs
dropped off at a strange house
now the odd one out
welcomed with my sigh of resignation.

Fed and walked with my dogs
he felt for a fit
sunning on the summer deck
by the winter wood stove,
out of the way at first
then gradually underfoot
tripped over more often than not.

The months ground his age up a year
and again
clouding his eyes dark
distilling him to knobby bone
bowed like the uncomfortable arch of the grave,
his gait marionette stiff.

His dependency looped strings to me
tugging my attention:
first the steps to outside,
then the cycle of diapers washed and dried,
stretching soft fleece over his cold frame,
each new task another hook in my chest.

Now the dark hour before dawn,
I lift him cradled to my breast
safe from the resentful nips
of the sleeping host.

And carry him outside
standing vigil
as he presses his back legs down
a stream of liquid staining the ground
then curls further to eliminate
before wide turning
a boat adrift from its mooring
to face the steps.

Entering the house
I gather him close
whispering in his deafness
that I recognize his goodness
and refastening his diaper
I take a moment to rub spine and ears
Then turn to climb back to my slumber
as he circles once and collapses onto his bed.

For how can I not love
the one who needs so much
yet asks for nothing. ...

75 24

Mar 21

I don’t know if any of you are like me but when I am confronted with a blank store-bought pad of expensive paper, I freeze up and that’s why I’ve always been so much more comfortable experimenting and working on craft paper or cut-up paper bags even because it just allows me to release.

I revisited a daily practice over a month ago of drawing and experimenting everyday in a journal and I made myself a junk Journal out of cardboard and craft paper, just to give myself freedom to do whatever I want and not worry about wasting expensive precious supplies.

It’s been so fantastic and liberating, I’m really grateful and I’m hoping to continue every day just doing something in the journal because I think it’s helping massage those creative muscles and helping me improve my drawing as well. I’m amazed how often I need reminding about the importance of a daily practice.

I don’t know if any of you are like me but when I am confronted with a blank store-bought pad of expensive paper, I freeze up and that’s why I’ve always been so much more comfortable experimenting and working on craft paper or cut-up paper bags even because it just allows me to release.

I revisited a daily practice over a month ago of drawing and experimenting everyday in a journal and I made myself a junk Journal out of cardboard and craft paper, just to give myself freedom to do whatever I want and not worry about wasting expensive precious supplies.

It’s been so fantastic and liberating, I’m really grateful and I’m hoping to continue every day just doing something in the journal because I think it’s helping massage those creative muscles and helping me improve my drawing as well. I’m amazed how often I need reminding about the importance of a daily practice. ...

43 4

Mar 18

February and March on the island are very introspective times. Donald Nitche runs a bimonthly poetry drop-in via zoom in the winter with the help of a grant from the Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council and our local libraries and I had the good fortune to join the mid February session. It opened a flood gate of poems in me, and here is one of them.

THE REAR VIEW MIRROR 
I look up from the road’s curve,
rimmed with stone walls, leaning trees,
and history

to see your bumper in my rear-view mirror,
muscled as a bully,
the proud logo centered.

And I wish you wouldn’t.
crowd and push me faster
with your impatience.

Don’t you realize how hard I’ve worked at slowing down? on these country lanes in this small community,

the struggle to unclench lists of expectations propelling me always past the now,
to fight free of the hurry-up current
and find the quiet, unique, drift
of a hometown,

to look up, allowing my gaze to be an invitation,
and listen for the layered notes of the story outside my head -
a shared harmony.

to notice that connection is as necessary and profound as breath.

I am opening a space inside myself, expansive enough to hold us all,
with room for conversation and kindness,
for messiness and reverence,
a cathedral of stillness and wonder.

Please do not hurry me.
I am going the speed limit.

Heather Goff ...

65 19

Mar 4

Yesterday, I did a quick watercolor study of what I saw when this young girl held her kitten - today, I attempted to draw what I felt when I saw her holding her kitten.

Yesterday, I did a quick watercolor study of what I saw when this young girl held her kitten - today, I attempted to draw what I felt when I saw her holding her kitten. ...

74 7

Mar 2

A quick watercolor and ink sketch of Bill and the dogs. My pack. 💕💕

A quick watercolor and ink sketch of Bill and the dogs. My pack. 💕💕 ...

53 4

Feb 28

I set up one of our outdoor folding tables next to the wood stove and when I sit at it, I feel like I’m sitting in a cafe somewhere. It’s been a great spot to write and sketch. 😊

I set up one of our outdoor folding tables next to the wood stove and when I sit at it, I feel like I’m sitting in a cafe somewhere. It’s been a great spot to write and sketch. 😊 ...

101 8

Feb 27

My eldest granddaughter stayed with us for her school break and her sisters and mom joined her for the weekend. I had a lovely week of baking, UNO, and sketching young models.

My eldest granddaughter stayed with us for her school break and her sisters and mom joined her for the weekend. I had a lovely week of baking, UNO, and sketching young models. ...

29 0

Feb 6

Bill and Ossian - inspired by a lovely walk we had with the dogs this afternoon. 💕

Bill and Ossian - inspired by a lovely walk we had with the dogs this afternoon. 💕 ...

46 2

Feb 2

Linoleum cut. My Covid/winter hair style.

Linoleum cut. My Covid/winter hair style. ...

46 1

Jan 15

Some incredibly talented customers of mine built a cocktail table and inset some of my painterly tile series in it!! 😊

Some incredibly talented customers of mine built a cocktail table and inset some of my painterly tile series in it!! 😊 ...

25 0

Jan 15

Little dog - Big dog

Little dog - Big dog ...

23 0

Jan 10

I am honored to have some if my tapestry tile designs installed as accents in this kitchen!!

I am honored to have some if my tapestry tile designs installed as accents in this kitchen!! ...

41 2

Jan 9

One thing I love about cold, raw, wet days is the excuse to light a fire in the morning. It makes the house so cozy! The dogs love it too. 💕💕

One thing I love about cold, raw, wet days is the excuse to light a fire in the morning. It makes the house so cozy! The dogs love it too. 💕💕 ...

49 2

Jan 8

A fireplace surround created using my painterly tiles for accents. I am honored to be featured in this family’s home.

A fireplace surround created using my painterly tiles for accents. I am honored to be featured in this family’s home. ...

70 7

Dec 24

Our shop is open until 4pm today and our sculpture trail is magical in the snow. Our road, however, is not plowed so please visit only if you have 4 wheel drive or if you are walking from a landbank trail parking.

Our shop is open until 4pm today and our sculpture trail is magical in the snow. Our road, however, is not plowed so please visit only if you have 4 wheel drive or if you are walking from a landbank trail parking. ...

60 0

Dec 20

This year’s (first batch of) gingerbread cookies are inspired by the Solstice and our Sculpture Trail. Castles, dragons, suns, moons…

This year’s (first batch of) gingerbread cookies are inspired by the Solstice and our Sculpture Trail. Castles, dragons, suns, moons… ...

80 9

Oct 31

Work in progress: painting with amaco underglazes on earthenware. The colors will change significantly once fired.

Work in progress: painting with amaco underglazes on earthenware. The colors will change significantly once fired. ...

56 4

Oct 24

What a wonderful six days I had traveling from Portland Maine to Brooklyn New York to visit my children. I am replete with experiences from the quintessential Maine salvage warehouse to contemporary art shows in Manhattan - all with the joy of connecting with my kids. 💕💕💕

What a wonderful six days I had traveling from Portland Maine to Brooklyn New York to visit my children. I am replete with experiences from the quintessential Maine salvage warehouse to contemporary art shows in Manhattan - all with the joy of connecting with my kids. 💕💕💕 ...

66 3

Oct 16

We have sold all of the eyes in the shop! It is past time to start a new batch. I poured a plaster mold of the original carvings that I did so that I can make multiples. I press clay into the mold, stamp them, and inset the high fire wire in the back at this stage so that a hanging wire can be strung after they are fired. After they are pried out of the mold, I trim them and clean them up and sometimes add to them.

We have sold all of the eyes in the shop! It is past time to start a new batch. I poured a plaster mold of the original carvings that I did so that I can make multiples. I press clay into the mold, stamp them, and inset the high fire wire in the back at this stage so that a hanging wire can be strung after they are fired. After they are pried out of the mold, I trim them and clean them up and sometimes add to them. ...

31 1

Oct 10

Our shop is open today, October 10th from 11-5. 💕💕

Our shop is open today, October 10th from 11-5. 💕💕 ...

35 3

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