INK TRACES
Dissatisfied with the limitations of a traditional journal, I developed a process in which vellum pages—inscribed with project observations and questions—are submerged in the tide. As ink disperses and water intervenes, the page records a dual authorship. The resulting trace captures the intersection between intention and response, where language dissolves into material evidence of contact.
TRUE NAVIGATION BEGINS IN THE HEART
Retrieved from the ocean, folded, and dried, these pages bear the physical imprint of their immersion. Ink dispersal and overlap create patterns that reflect both written intention and environmental intervention. The work captures a point of convergence, where recorded thought and tidal movement become inseparable.
SHORT FILM ”INK TRACES”
WALK ON BEACH
Illustrating the genesis of the INK TRACES pictures, the film shares my ritual of washing journal pages as I continue to invite the ocean to leave its imprint upon my own. Some pages are lucky to return while others are stolen by the tides.
DRIED INK TRACE TRANSCRIPTION
12.29.20 @ 5:11pm
Sunset @ Wild Moor…
Started back on Wood Block today. Haven’t touched since before my Oct. 27th surgery. Took 2 days just to sink back into it. Jesus that shit is complicated! I looked at the version 1 w/ the ‘concept H2O’ and it’s stunning (for me @ least) to see the change.
Then you could even go back to the summer of 2018 for the original idea & it kinda blows my mind.
There’s def. something about pushing an idea forward – whether it be shooting splashes, etc. that’s worth the time if you do the work.
But at this rate I fear I won’t have anything to show by the end of 2021! I desperately want to get the site up to walk people thru it all but the ‘all’ is so far from close to even the ‘beginning of done’ it frightens me.BUT, I looked back @ the binders (2) & prior notebook (WB only) & cannot believe how much I’ve already done.
- OR -
At least how much I’ve figured out. Can’t wait to move past the WB print & statement…
Then what’s next?
ONE GOOD SPLASH
With the terrain constantly fluctuating, I’m always seeking new sites to wash my journal pages. Summers bring calm waters carrying sand, while the winter storms chisel beaches down to their bare bones. Both offer ample opportunities for original ideas, but I’ll admit that waves breaking over tide pools are my personal favorite. If I’m fortunate, the sea doesn’t take the paper along with it.