Under the broken tree's arms. | 44.957598/-92.503229

2023

27" x 21"     soil, acrylic binder, canvas  

May 3, 2023

Temperature: 61°, but it feels warmer.

Wind: 3 mph. 

There is a very mild breeze, hot sun. On the way, I met an old gentleman and his hunting dog. There was also a dead plant with seed pods that rattled like music.

The bark of the tree is surprisingly smooth and gray, and its arms are long and gangly. They remind me of a spider. Despite their size, they provide little shade. Birdsong.

Collected the sample at 1:35 pm from 44.957598/-92.503229.

May 6, 2023

38 minutes.

Began grinding sample. Soil is fine and dusty with minimal sand and stones. However, the sample has some dried plant fibers and small sticks. Soil is a rich color, very saturated.

First two pebbles found. They are both small, perhaps half a centimeter across. Broke easily. One has a cream-colored interior, and the other charcoal gray with perhaps a green undertone.

May 7, 2023

33 minutes.

One small pebble.

May 10, 2023

45 minutes.

From visual observation, the sample seems to be comprised of roughly 1/5 sand and 4/5 soil and plant fibers. Whereas the soil portion is saturated and rich in color, the sand particles are light, becoming off-white to gray when broken into powder. This, when mixed with the soil, has desaturated the sample into a dustier, lighter color.

The sand particles shimmer in light.

May 16, 2023

15 minutes.

May 23, 2023

43 minutes.

Found a new technique that speeds up the process slightly.

One more small stone, some kind of pale-yellow quartz. Shattered explosively upon impact by pestle, some pieces flew from the mortar. Inside is clear, shiny crystal.

May 26, 2023

26 minutes.

Complete.

TOTAL GRINDING TIME: 3.3 hours.

REFINED SAMPLE WEIGHT: 382 grams.

June 5, 2023

19 grams of acrylic binder added to powder (1/20 volume by weight). Added water and applied sample to canvas. No issues. The scent was pleasantly earthy, perhaps with a sweet undertone.

June 6, 2023

Dry and complete.