Blue Mountain Center is a working
community of writers, artists, activists and musicians in the heart of
Adirondacks, the largest state park in the continental US. And it is my
favorite residency. This September, I was able to spend four weeks at BMC once
again. This was my third full-length residency at BMC. I was also there over
the Memorial Day weekend for the mini residency this year, so I felt really
fortunate to be back at BMC again.
The main house at BMC is a
turn-of-the century Adirondack lodge in a pristine and peaceful setting of
woods, lakes and mountains. Eagle Lake is just steps away from the main house,
and it is just beautiful. My past two residencies were in August, and I swam
everyday with my swimming buddy, Henri Cole. I met Henri at BMC in August of
2005. He is a great swimmer and an amazing poet, and he inspired me to swim in
the lake every day. In his sort of unassuming way, he would go into the water,
once in the water, he would transform into a fish, or the Neptune of the Lake
as I often called him. He was so natural in the water that I wonder if he ever
grow any fish scales on his back. In August of 2008, Henri and I were both
residents at the same time again, and we established our rigorous swimming
schedule: swimming twice a day—before lunch and dinner―every day. We were the
BMC swim team. And I cherished every moment when I was in the lake.
This time, it was September. And
Henri was not at BMC. I knew that the temperature was going to drop and the
water would get really cold. Summer is short in Adirondacks, and September in
Adirondacks could get pretty chilly. I was hoping that I could go swimming
as long and as much as possible. I just didn’t know that I would end up
swimming every day! To my surprise, I managed to do so simply because I became
addicted to swimming in the cold water. It was rejuvenating. I was
enjoying the cleansing and healing energy of the water tremendously, and I just
couldn’t have enough of it.
The surrounding nature is
astonishingly beautiful and peaceful, and I enjoy seeing the beauty and being with
the nature. This time around though, I didn’t even fully realize how much my
experience with the lake and the water was influencing my drawing.
Here are some more
shots of the Eagle Lake, my favorite lake in the world.
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| My morning yoga spot |
 |
| One foggy morning |
 |
| ... and lost in the fog |
 |
| Fog clears suddenly and everything is so still. |
 |
| A beautiful work by a resident spider |
 |
| BMC resident, Nancy going for early morning kayaking |
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| Morning mist over the lake |
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| Boat house - the best place to contemplate |
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| Eagle Lake - my spiritual and physical healing place |
The main house at BMC is a
turn-of-the century Adirondack lodge in a pristine and peaceful setting of
woods, lakes and mountains. Eagle Lake is just steps away from the main house,
and it is just beautiful. My past two residencies were in August, and I swam
everyday with my swimming buddy, Henri Cole. I met Henri at BMC in August of
2005. He is a great swimmer and an amazing poet, and he inspired me to swim in
the lake every day. In his sort of unassuming way, he would go into the water,
once in the water, he would transform into a fish, or the Neptune of the Lake
as I often called him. He was so natural in the water that I wonder if he ever
grow any fish scales on his back. In August of 2008, Henri and I were both
residents at the same time again, and we established our rigorous swimming
schedule: swimming twice a day—before lunch and dinner―every day. We were the
BMC swim team. And I cherished every moment when I was in the lake. 
What a special place. You captured it well in both words and images.
ReplyDeleteYour swimming every day -- keeping the lake a tiny bit warmer, which then of course warmed the atmosphere -- probably held off any early snow. Good thing.
Dear Thomas,
DeleteBMC is a very special place. And the Eagle Lake is a such a beautiful lake. I'm so glad that we were both there to experience all the beauty. And seeing your painting-in-progress every time I swim by your boathouse studio was a such a treat. I will always cherish the memory -- and now, I have my very original Thomas Paquette art to remind me of that time. Thank you, my friend.