Gold Crown
Acrylic on wood panel. 9 x 12 in. 2026.

When I was asked by Joe Chaplain if I wanted to include some of my artwork in his exhibition and record release party in May at the Glass Outhouse Gallery in Wonder Valley, I said yes without a specific idea of what I might want to include. But the cover of his record Electrons is based on a homestead image I’d created last year originally as a monoprint, and I began to think about making some new work centered around the Small-Tract homesteads that dot the Mojave where I live. I’d had some ideas at the back of my mind for quite a while, and this seemed like the right occasion to explore them.

As my interest was particularly in working with my gel press, the plan was to create some monoprints on rice paper and mount them on wooden panels. But the paper I used proved not to be up to the task. So I pivoted to working directly on the panels, trying out some gel-press techniques including stencils, brayers, and stamping media.

All of these are visible in Gold Crown. I applied layers of paint with brayers, created and used a stencil, and stamped the “gold” layer with bubble wrap. All common techniques on a gel press. Not surprisingly, the wooden panel proved not to be anything like a gel press. But I was pleased with how this turned out, anyway.

Gold Crown Road is a dirt track that travels from Twentynine Palms Highway in Wonder Valley deep into the hills of the Old Dale mining district on the northern border of Joshua Tree National Park. Eventually it becomes Old Dale Road, crosses the border, and ends at the Black Eagle Mine Road inside the National Park. Gold Crown Road and the historic area attract mining buffs and off-road enthusiasts. I’ve driven the length of the route a couple times over the years – always a bit of an adventure! The last time I was in a Jeep Wrangler, an appropriate vehicle for the challenge, and it still was a bit nerve-wracking (and secretly fun!). The route is not maintained and there’s a section in the middle that is always potentially impassable; you never know what your luck is going to be. It’s been many years since I felt up to the challenge, so I’m really glad I explored it when I was young and still up for risks.

I’ll have Gold Crown and a couple other paintings in the May show as well as several new framed monoprints, all featuring the homesteads. It’s been interesting for me to return to the theme, which was my muse for many years but previously in pastel or ink. New media bring new perspectives.

Joe will also be exhibiting his magical photographs, and multiple other artists will be showing in other rooms at the gallery. The exhibit will run April 29 through May 30, with reception and performance of music from Joe’s record Electrons on Saturday May 2 from 6 to 9 pm. The gallery is theoretically open Wed-Fri 1-5:00 and Sat-Sun noon to 5:00, but I’d take those dates and hours with a grain of salt. Things are always a little Wonder Valley wild at the Glass Outhouse!

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