collecting random interactions

"The aroma is killing me."
Cute old man taps me on the shoulder as he is going into Whole Foods.

(pic from the La Brea Tar Pits)

Collecting Random Interactions: Santa Monica Stranger

Today, this big SUV had taken up two parking spaces at the Pavilion market in Santa Monica. While parking next to the monster I consciously decided to pull back in the parking spot for a better fit. As I was doing this "SLAM" another giant, huge black SUV a Cadillac Escalade smashed into my bumper. Instinctively, I ran out and said "Are you OK?" and then a blonde hollywoodish woman ran out from the car and said "Are you OK?"I said "yeah" She said "me to" She said "are you sure, your OK?"I said, "Yeah'And she grabbed my arm in a kidding way and said "I know I have it sign posts with this thing." as she pointed to her car.
Funny!!! my adventures in Santa Monica continue...

Collecting Random Interactions: Santa Monica Stranger

hhot personal trainer on the bluffs ...said:" great to see you again."
10/21/10
Passed the personal trainer again today. He with a big smile waved at me.
I went to the Bergamot Station in Santa Monica an art gallery hub. This very red faced in English man smoking a cigarette said to me, "You are walking very slow today." I said, "yeah I am taking it all in."
10/20/10
Smiling woman, "Good Morning! do you know what building that use to be." ruins above Highway 1. Me "No, but it is interesting."

10/19/10 On walk run a very handsome personal trainer on the bluffs today,said "good morning how far to you walk. I said, "I do not know, I do'nt measure."

Collecting Random Interactions: Santa Monica Stranger

I just moved to Santa Monica and I am planning on continuing my series "click here" collecting random interactions. I had a lovely walk run in the rain today.

Four people spoke to me all men:)

• "Hello" young man collecting trash for the city
• Man riding a bike "I love this weather." I said "Me to." He said "Where are going."
• "Hello" man walking down the California stairs.
• As I was doing push ups on the fence, old man with an umbrella said, "you better not push that over. I said, "I will."

Random Interactions #10

Today in Trader Joes parking lot an elderly black man approached me first asking for spark plugs and then asked for money--a $ 1.83. I explained I had no money and he looked me. And said you should be in the movies. I said what and he said you should really be in the movies. I laughed....
What does that mean? OK I will take it!

#9 collecting random interactions: UZ DA SUN!!

"UZ DA SUN!!"
Walking up the hill in Berkeley and fellow walker smiled at me. Then turned around and laughed saying that is so cute. As she pointed to the VW Bugs licences plate and she read it..

#8 collecting random interactions

"All you need to do is get a steady job, buy house, and a have family that is life." "That is all it is about."

guy talking to his friends outside a brew pub, Berkeley,CA

"Here Kitty, kitty." Homeless man at the Albany Bulb park in Albany, CA--seriously there were no cats in sight.....

"I love you like Jesus. I love you unconditionally. You just have a problem because you do not except my love." "What problem?"
Two elderly man arguing outside Peets Coffee in Berkeley.

#7 Collecting Random Interactions Series

"How come it is always is up hill to get to something." Grandpa climbing, who was far ahead a of his family up the path to the caves at the Pinnacle.
I said "it is worth it, right"
"I hope so, we will see." laughing with old man.



Random Connection on the Internet.
Christopher Calderhead to me
show details 11:49 AM (22 hours ago)
I have been enjoying reading your website....
...which I found through a google search on tree shrines.

And I feel very self-conscious contacting you to send you what amounts to a fan letter. But I was really fascinated with your work—not only the tree shrines but your diaries of encounters on the street and your work with people with special needs.

I think your exploration of resacralizing the landscape is very moving. I love the vibrancy of the colors you add to the bases of trees.

In any case, some of the work you do is traveling down a path similar to some of my own work, and I thought you might be interested in looking at that. I've been working on a series of pieces based on observations of nature in NY, where I live—here's the link:
http://www.christophercalderhead.com/environmentalseries.html

...and on a series of human observations in a book format:
http://www.christophercalderhead.com/msbooks.html

I offer you those links less in a spirit of shameless self promotion (!) than as an expression of the gift economy that is essential to art making.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful work online.

Christopher Calderhead

#6 Collecting Random Interactions

"Wow it is really quiet up here"
Man driving a smart car who climbed the Rock to take photos.

at the Lucky Store in El Cerrito...
crazy small but brilliant conversation about the cat food I was buying.

Old man
"Your treating your cats right, they are the most important."

Old man in the check out stand behind me...
"Are you feeding kittens..?"


It was cool the whole experience at Lucky's was really chatting and connected! Healing!

#5 Collecting Random Interactions with the other Series

"happiness is not all, people have a responsibility."
幸福不是一切，人還有責任 translation, A comment left on my Blog from someone in China.




"Can you please take our picture with us and Gwen, the old Dog." two old men having coffee with an old dog in the lake merrit area. It is always such a surprise when folks ask me something on the street.
they thanked me and I had to run....


Time Pics of Pollen Tree Shrine,five days after with my cat Paulo.

So Be It! We all Should Really Love Pollen.

3/26/10
Stream of consciousness...
Today on my walking meditation to the "rock" and the "rose garden" I had an amazing revelation. Over the past couple months, this walk is were I have been gathering my quotes from strangers in my collecting random interactions series. Today was a little different. As I climbed to the top of the rock, the trees that surround this area really grabbed my attention. It seemed like they were whispering to me. It was a transcendent experience.

This is what came into my thoughts-- As I am really focusing on my personal healing of my negative habits, thought patterns, anxiety, fear, and unrealised trauma....

Through my personal journey of self acceptance--of procuring my inner value--
I will be able to maximize my potential as a human being. Through my own self acceptance/inner value I will be able to SERVE the world more and to reach higher realms of consciousness. This will give me the energy and radiance to change this physical realm--to help heal and save Mama Earth and the animals. And to stop Abuse of all kinds. In this I will reach my potential--opening up unlimited reservoirs of abundance and well being. To myself and the universe. This journey will be told through my cat character Kitty Bliss*
Today I know that Self acceptance/ Inner value is the ultimate form of ART!


What a productive day! Also, today as I walked out my door I was so inspired by the light and the abundance of the beautiful green/yellow tree pollen on the ground. Which most people hate because it causes allergies. What is tree pollen? It is the male cell of a plant needed for fertilization of the female cell and production of new trees. This cell is encapsulated by a very tough membrane to help insure that it will reach its target in tact. It is generally 2 to 100 microns in size making it quite a bit smaller than the head of a pin. Produced in staggering amounts a spoonful can include hundreds if not thousands of grains. Pollen is like the paint,which the artist uses to create a new canvas! It is the elemental in the continuation of life on this planet!
I with a sense of fever created this tree shrine in my garden. Crazy I am---reverence to the trees and pollen.

I love it! This the documentation makes me really reflect.It almost feels like the tree shrine was a marker of my experience. Which I think all of my art is.

This is what I learned Today I know that Self acceptance/ Inner value is the ultimate form of ART! I might forget this tomorrow,but today I knew it!

Entry #4: collecting random interactions

"You lead a charmed life."

As I backed up clumsily in CVS pharmacy into a display of wind chimes.
Old Hippie, CVS Pharmacy, Berkeley, CA

Entry 3# Random Relationships!

Part of my collecting series.



"When you get old you cannot become a sissy."

Sweet elder
Walkshop Berkeley, 3/20/10





The pictures are of Dusty Dog. My landlords elderly dog (I think she was over 14 years old when I met her) she hung out with me every day and night until she passed on. We were definitely mates. Our relationship latest from 2003-2009. Miss her! I have always had such strong relationships with non humans. Above the quote is from a lady, who has frequented the Walkshop were I shelp shoes. She is so sweet and for me her energy has brought up the nostalgia of my relationship with Dusty. Tears have become to flow as I reflect on Dusty. The troubling part was as Dusty aged she was becoming paralyzed and I would find her in this decayed state in the garden and many times I would craddle her and bring her up to my landlords place. Decay is sad thing....







Growing old is not for sissy's! It really takes a great deal of courage and acceptance.

Entry #2: Collecting Random Interactions with the other Series

"Sometimes you do not realize that the dog has always been there." Lisa (Me)



3/17/10
"Ms Lisa you are the best art teacher ever. Today I had such a great day hanging with you. I had a great day, not like yesterday."
Art Student Joseph, Oakland, CA

Then I told him about this project and he started saying random word.
"choice" "relate"... etc


3/18/10
" I am so deep under water, I need a scuba suit to get through the front door."
Trader Joes,Worker, El Cerrito,CA


3/18/10

"Lisa, I really seen a transformation of your relationship to anxiety. It seems like you have turned up the heat alchemically speaking."
Shrink, Raymond, San Francisco, CA



This project will end in seven months at that time I most likely will be making a big move to LA and I need to have my practice of acceptance of myself in place. This goal is not about the place,but about the opportunity of change in a physical, mental, and psychological way.

Collecting Random Interactions with the other Series

It is interesting one of my professors in graduate school advised me not to air my dirty laundry in the conceptual explanation of my art. She stated it gets to messy and many folks might think you are trying to sensationalize it. After much reflection I think it is time. This creative series is my first in terms of conceptual art and it might become messy or not.
Collecting Random Interactions with the other Series sourced from a couple things. The first being my desire to heal my severe social phobia. Most people have experienced some level of discomfort in social situations. It becomes a problem when the phobia makes you evade situations or experience panic attacks within these situations. At times it is a form of self imposed torture.
I have been seriously working on healing for the past five years and it is time to let this old and very powerful friend go.
The second as I flip the coin, social phobia is really a disconnect with people. Through this project I seek to connect with people and to acknowledge their brilliance. We will see how this goes. This is evolving and I am excited.


3/11/10
"Lovely day"....
walking to the rock. A car full of teens passed. The very cute one in front said "Lovely day" in a fake British accent as he tipped his hipster hat off to me with a smile in his eyes. aww.... put'n that one in my pocket for a rainy day.
Collecting Interactions, Indian Rock, Berkeley, CA

2/17/10
"The first step after lunch is always the hardest"
Guy getting out of truck with workman ear phones on. Berkeley, CA


1/7/10
"Hello Beautiful."
Hot young man playing basketball with out a shirt on.I became a twelve year old. Meekly saying hi back.
Berkeley, CA