I do not drive. Nor do I ride a bicycle, skateboard, or scooter. I do not rollerskate unless in a rink, and as a West Coaster I never had occasion to ice skate outside of doors.
I could not tell you why I don't see lampposts, cars, or other pedestrians as I wander through my somewhat confused existence, but I live in my head, focused on my world.
As vehicular transport eludes me and I prefer to walk or take the bus, I found it odd that I should be a part of Portland's Cycle Seen project.
The painting pictured is currently on display in NE Portland at Cup and Saucer as part of a city-wide exhibition featuring bicycle art.
This image was taken from my memories of my trip through Holland with my sis. In Holland there are bicycle freeways taking one out of town and through the pastoral countryside. Without cars to worry me, I was free to ride past the windmills and frolicking baby goats. I most vividly remember my sis shouting out, "This is the best day ever!" as we rode through the Dutch farmlands. Indeed it was.
A bicycle freeway sounds like heaven!
ReplyDeleteooooh! Yes! Bicycling in Holland is indeed the makings of a fabulous day!
ReplyDeleteHave I mentioned lately how much I love your work?
what a gorgeous painting, & a great memory! Reminds me of the scene in "The Ice Storm" when Christina Ricci is riding her bike in utter freedom through town, wearing a cape.
ReplyDeleteI really love this one. Not only do I love bicycle culture but I love bicycles as objects too--so strange if you think about them, but so iconic. What a cool series to be part of!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this post. I especially liked the last part about riding through the Holland countryside with your sister. What a fabulous memory!
ReplyDeleteI love biking! Paris has become a bike friendlier city and it's great!
ReplyDeleteNot sure if my message was sent..anyway, I will repeat myself..
ReplyDeleteLove your painting, as always..
If you bike here, you take your life in your own hands..
Congrats on the display. I've been thinking of purchasing a bicycle for myself lately... and wander into your blog.... timely karma ? :)
ReplyDeletei love this image!
ReplyDeletei usually just walk too!
xo
mary jane
I so want a big pink bike just like the one in your painting (and stripey socks, too...). It is lovely, as always :)
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ReplyDeletei love the colors in the new painting! beautiful! that does sound like the best day ever! and the painting makes me miss my pink bike, and portland, and you. ;) i'll have to go check out the bikes when i get back.
ReplyDeleteI don't drive either, and I love this! :)
ReplyDeleteOk, another reason that I need to visit Holland...riding a bicycle without fear of being run over!
ReplyDeleteI love the picture!
It's a beautiful picture!! How great your work was chosen to be used! Congratulations! I don't ride a bike anymore as it's just too bothersome to carry my mom and two children behind me. (hehe) I can't wait til the kids are a bit older so I can buy another bike. =D
ReplyDeletehiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
ReplyDeleteyou are fantastic!!!
a kiss for you, my dear friend!
god bless u dear
can we exchange our link
r u ready to do?
Kudos on your addition to the Cycle Seen project, what an amazing honor even if you don't really ride!
ReplyDeleteI remember stepping out of the train station in Amsterdam and having my jaw drop at the sight of the probable thousands of bikes tied up outside the doors. It made me realize they are way ahead of us when it comes to letting go of our cars as well as made me question how anyone can find their own bike at the end of the day!
Wonderful tribute!
ReplyDeleteLovely memory, I really love all the bikes in Holland!
Great painting!! Sounds like a lovely day indeed.
ReplyDeletehi cara! thank you so much for visiting our blog. your work is so original, i really love it.
ReplyDeleteLove your drawing. Ah, striped socks!
ReplyDeleteMy sister lives in Amsterdam and it's true it's amazing hoe cycling is a way of life there!
What a beautiful story!!! And I loved your comment about the Shins lead singer. How odd and complimentary all at the same time!
ReplyDeleteI'm sad I never had a chance to ride a bicycle around Amsterdam...but I loved the city so much, so I guess I will have to go back and do it this time.
ReplyDeleteAnd I will be sure to ride my bike with striped socks, because they look fabulous. I love the detail you put into your work.
I love your descriptiveness. There's a large bicycle population here in NYC but the cars still rule the the transportation zone :(
ReplyDeleterosalie: it was!~ i wasn't nervous at all.
ReplyDeleteheather buchanan: thank you!~
heidi: ooh, i'm going to have to watch that movie again. what a wonderful visual...i feel most honored as that is such a beautifully shot movie.
cakespy: thank you. i too love bicycles as objects. especially old bicycles with lots of chrome. i just saw a guy riding a turn of the century bike with the big front wheel and the tiny back one the other day. it was one of the coolest things ever.
tricia: this was was inspired by a picture i took of her as she cycled around. she wanted to make sure the memory was embedded. and indeed it was. thank you!~
a world in a pan: i might even risk the cars for the chance to bike through the streets of paris. a most romantic notion....
rosebud collection: i get scared to bike pretty much anywhere, even in portland where bicycles have their own lanes.
artsychaos: karma indeed. can't wait to see what type of bike is purchased!~
mary jane: yeah pedestrians!~
leakarts: you would looks so cute on a pink bike with stripey socks...i can picture it now.
handmade julz: it totally looks like your bike!~ and portland (and me) miss you too.....
design for mankind: viva la pedestrian revolution!~
waterrose: thank you!~ and holland also boast amazing french fries and steak as well. mmm.....
kilkennycat: great visual...tee hee. and thank you!~
rohit: thank you!~
chucka stone designs: funny...i had the exact same thought when stepping out of that train station myself. i would need a little pager on my bike like they have on cordless phones in order to find it.
pve design: it's so amazing to see bicycles dictating traffic.
krissy: thank you!~
quaint handmade: thank you!~
mary-laure: my sister always wears striped socks. and you my dear are so lucky to have a sis in amsterdam to visit! what lucky ladies you both are to live in such incredible places!...
espionage: thank you!~ and it was totally strange indeed....
tangobaby: bicycling in amsterdam was one of my favorite experiences...if you ever have the chance, it is well worth it. and i'm sure no matter what you wear, you would look fabulous whilst doing it. especially striped socks.
the peach tree: thank you!~ i would be most terrified to even get near a bike in nyc.
Wonderful - looks like a free and fun feeling.
ReplyDeleteOh, I miss public transport and being able to walk everywhere...
ReplyDeleteI love this post, I do. It's so free and inspiring and reminding me of what's out there.
I don't drive either, and I'm very surprised to see another say that! Like looking in a mirror :) People don't believe me when I say I don't drive.
I'll positively be back for more of this :)
I'm the same way1 I'm too much of a space cadet to cycle or drive safely around cars. the bikeway sounds like a dream!
ReplyDeleteI love bicycles. Good when you are in city . It keeps you fit as well .
ReplyDeleteNail fungus