Art in a Sense
Smells, sights, textures, tastes, and sounds shape spaces and experiences. Explore your surroundings and your senses further with me via Destination Journal (DJ for short) posts, sensory tours, walks, and workshops.
Want to learn more? Check out my links, email me at dinamackart@yahoo.com
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Yours in adventure,
Dina
Upstairs at the East End
Last month’s Destination Journal brought us to the East End Market for Florida Bookstore Day, organized via indie bookstore Bookmark It. A few sensory notes: coffee, soap, pencils, tape. A great morning of clutter, composition, and conversation with creative and talented women.
This month, visit a farmer’s market, grocery, or bookstore. Do any items in the bins or shelves inspire you? Pick one, have it wrapped, and use the wrapping in your Destination Journal.
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DJ at Florida Bookstore Day
Looking forward to leading a workshop on Saturday, November 15, as part of Florida Bookstore Day!
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The Paper Gallery
Last month’s Destination Journal brought us to The Paper Gallery in College Park, FL. The space is run by Mother/Daughter team, Sue and Angelyn Conklin, who have been in the stationery-greeting card-gift business for over 30 years in the area. The sights of the space included a multitude of cards, journals, colors; smells included a candle of the flowery sort; tastes-coffee from nearby Downtown Credo; sounds; paper being folded and the scurry of their tiny dog; touch-so much paper. They carry Le Pen, pens, in a multitude of colors. This alone makes them a spot to love. I think many return visits and an upcoming Destination Journal, The Alleys of College Park, are definitely in order. Thank you Sue and Angelyn for being such gracious hosts and to my DJ regulars!
This month, visit a paper shop or stationery store. Pick out one card and use it as the surface or the inspiration for your Destination Journal.
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Past Blast for National Book Lovers Day
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Sensory Scene Behind Park Avenue
April’s Sensory Tour gave us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the shops, restaurants, and cooking oil containers of Winter Park, Florida’s, Park Avenue. We tracked smells on the route down the alley, and then listened to the sounds of the space and the evening on the way back. We were fortunate to gain access into an interior, fan-filled, low-ceiling corridor. This gap between buildings led directly to the actual Gap store across the street. Smells along the way included: fresh tortillas from Cocina 214, soap, assorted garbage, oil, cigarettes, jasmine. The alley’s terrain changed as businesses led to private residences and as our eyes glanced above and below the surface. We enjoyed a sensory palette cleansing, and air conditioning, inside Sassafras Sweet Shoppe.
Sounds on the way back included a very squeaky cart wheel, music, conversation, and a serene series of water drips.
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Brain Feast
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Ginger Tea: Cold of February 2014
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Book Markings: 2/14
African Violets – 1/26
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Holding and Unfolding History
This weekend I went to Renningers antiques and flea market for their extravaganza (which is an interesting looking word in my opinion). Typically, I wander around at these types of places, looking for pens or pins or perfumes or books. But this time, I had a goal: find someone’s diary, journal or sketchbook. I didn’t find one. What I did find was a box of correspondence from an estate sale–letters and photos of J.A. Rogers and Helga Rogers. Life lingers in letters. I only purchased a few pieces (was keeping it to a $10 minimum for the day and admission was $4). Some of the letters are typed, others handwritten. One is a letter to J.A. Rogers from Philippa Schuyler. Today’s sensory pleasure is holding and unfolding these thin, vellum letters, bright yellow and linen, stamped with the heads of curly-haired composers, and taking note that the smell of 1960’s letters is the same as 1940’s letters. “Trusting we will meet in the not too distant future accept much love to you…”
Destination Journal 