My First EcoMemory

In Fall of 2017, I made an EcoMemory artwork based on my Senior Honors Geology Project when I was a student at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. My professor, Dr. Palmquist and I did field work for this project on a small rock island right off the shore in Lake Superior near Marquette, Michigan. I never forgot the beauty of the lake and those gorgeous dark rocks with pink mineral veins (in geology called dikes). I captured the feeling in this piece entitled "Partridge Point in Lake Superior."  I presented the artwork to Dr. Palmquist  and this is what he had to say about it.

When I see your EcoMemory in the entry of our home, I reconnect with that special place. The colors of Lake Superior bring to mind the many moods of that lake. The colors and patterns of the land display the billions of years of geologic history which contribute to the 'essence' of the place.

I am very pleased that you have used your college Honors Project for your EcoMemory prototype.  That area has a special aura for me too! There is a Spirit of Place that abounds there... an essence.  Just to the north of your area is a gorgeous cobble/boulder beach which I admired and felt that if it was more accessible, more people would be able to enjoy the diverse sizes, shapes, textures and colors of the boulders.  Many years later, Carol and I were enjoying a Winter getaway in Scottsdale, AZ.  On Art Night, the many art galleries have open houses. As we walked along, we could see a window in a corner gallery that showed the sculptures consisting of boulders arranged in harmonious and balanced arrangements. We entered and the gallery owner described the method used by the artist.  I immediately remembered the Lake Superior beach.  I told Carol, "I know where I can find the materials, and I can do that."  In fact, I did. I had a show called 'Stones in the Mudd' in the Seeley Mudd library at Lawrence University  (Click HERE to learn more about the art show) which attracted around a hundred people and served wine and cheese like the Scottsdale galleries.  Who would have thought this old geologist would have an art show?

-Dr. John Palmquist from Appleton, Wisconsin

P.S. I am not surprised that he is an artist. Geologists work with geometric shapes and colors in rocks and minerals all the time. It seems like a natural fit.