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Simple tools, simple results

Despite being down a critical piece of equipment, some quality time was spent enjoying the snow and creating some balance prior to the large snowfall that hit our region. For a few days everything’s been under a few feet of snow making time away easier to cope with. The “Frozen” balance was one that was left overnight. The slightest amount of spray from the creek transformed the balance into a an object fixed in the creek. The other three photos are of a different creation that I took a liking to. I used a Nikon D50 (circa 2005) to shoot these photos. The batteries are as old as the camera and have barely enough life to snap a few photos in cold weather. I even used the cold weather trick of keeping them warm with “shake and bake” hand warmers trying to squeeze out as many images as possible. Luck and a small amount of skill netted several decent shots with a nostalgic “old school” digital appearance. Not that they’re worthy of massive enlargement, but they work for social media sharing after the arduous task of removing the hundreds of black dirt specs due to the badly neglected image sensor 🙂 Can’t wait to get a proper camera back in my hands!

Winters arrival

Real life snowglobe

The last couple days have been spent in the same location along Indian Creek in Indianhead, Pennsylvania. Close to where I grew up as a child, I find this creek to have some very interesting stones to choose from. The weather yesterday was a mixture of rain and snow making for less than ideal conditions. Actually downright unpleasant. I managed to build two balances. The first one was hideously aweful, the second was a little better. The first lasted less than a minute and produced 4 photos, the second I improved upon a bit, but also lasted about 50 seconds. Wet, cold, miserable and with darkness closing fast, I called it a day and retreated home for some warm dinner.

Design 1

Design 2

Today I returned to the same location and was greeted with somewhat more pleasant weather. It snowed large flakes almost the entire time which felt like a real life snow globe. The wind was blowing slightly less, which was better. I managed a few balances. The first was an astonishing point balance that may be the most minimal contact point I’ve ever achieved… hard to believe it was done while wearing gloves in a snowstorm? It lived a short duration of just a few moments allowing a quick examination and a few photos before toppling into the creek. I was going to rebuild it, but the point was damaged in the topple, rendering it less than ideal in my eyes. The second balance was less appealing in design, but technically more difficult. Balancing it became more of a game of “can I accomplish this before dark” than a well thought out, interesting piece. The snow came down harder producing a thin blanket of snow over the balance. Despite the balance being less than beautiful in my eyes the moment and experience made up for its lackluster design. I almost found myself dancing in the creek as the snow fell, then suddenly my hands quickly reminded me that they’d spent far too much time in frigid waters and that it was time to bid farewell to Indian Creek.

Fine point balance

Wintry happenings

Snow accumulating

The snow globe experience

Bending reality?

2016016

Is this bent reality… I think not. Just a few special stones that are balanced in place with a little help from Gravity. After getting chased out of the creek by foul weather the evening before (see Broken Dreams post), I went back the following day with clearer skies and the hopes of seeing my newly found, golden colored, friend the Palomino Trout who currently resides in this beautiful section of creek. I had not luck in relocating my mystical friend, but did find a few stones that were rather unique. After realizing the possibility of the bottom three rocks, I knew I was delving into something special. Several reworkings were required to come up with a final arrangement that satisfied me. I observed and enjoyed the life of this balance for several hours watching the light and color change its personality. Although not the most difficult of balances I’ve accomplished, this has great appeal to me and is currently among some of my favorites of all time… Prints available, simply contact me 🙂

Selfie

Indian Creek, PA

Spent a few hours working in the creek I played in as a child. It was the first time I’d been there to stone balance. The leaves were past peak and the waters were a little brown from recent rains, but the stones and experience was very good 🙂

River day in October

Hard to believe the beautiful days recently. The unseasonable weather allowed for one more day of swimming and hanging out along the river in Connellsville. With a high near 80°F, it was hard to pass up the opportunity to take advantage. It may have been the last time to enjoy whats normally revered as summer activities, but time will tell. Soon enough I’ll be in my neoprene waders and going into winter mode… For now it’s wader free for me. ❤

July Limited Edition Print

Limited Edition Print, July 2015
There will be only 5 signed and numbered prints of this image. #1 already has a home with #2-5 currently available. Contact me by filling out the form below the image if interested in owning one of the remaining 4. This balance was created along Meadow Run in Ohiopyle State Park, PA

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After the storm, Ohiopyle State Park 6_9_2015

A recent lightning storm had me running for cover from Meadow Run creek leaving a started, but unfinished balance. I stashed the rocks and returned the following day to finish what I had begun the day before. A massive top rock finished off what would become a personal favorite for 2015.

Laurelville 3 Stone Magic

Being seated, stabilized and controlling my breathing were necessary to accomplish this. The never ending quest for the most precarious possible combination continues. A day that started out as normal balancing, suddenly became interesting when I began working this combo in a spot where I just deconstructed (knocked over) one that I didn’t find pleasing. After strolling the creek and reflecting for a moment, these 3 stones presented themselves and became… this for a brief moment in time! I snapped a few photos, smiled and watched it topple for no apparent reason. The top rock broke as if to say “you had your moment of accomplishment.” My cue to continue. Pennsylvania balance Love!

Winter, a stone balancing wonderland

During the past week winter has a put a hard grip on the Laurel Highlands region of Pennsylvania. Many of the normal water sources I frequent have become mostly covered in ice. These conditions make the task of delicately balancing stones slightly more difficult, but just as much fun. I enjoy every experience balancing in nature and am always excited to pack a few extra items and heading out to create. Winter is a wonderful time to be out. How can it not put a smile on your face? Everything is blanketed in snow and open areas of water still contain the basic elements. In simplicity, stones and the motivational energy of the natural environment. It’s hard not to be creative when immersed in what winter provides. Yes the elements are real and they don’t go unnoticed. Hands do get wet and cold despite which gloves are worn, toes do get uncomfortable even with toe heaters and insulated waders. These items are necessary allowing me to sit almost motionless in an icy body of water. Usually the cold is noticed after the intense concentration is no longer aimed at the stones which are now in they’re new balanced form, a changed entity with a different appearance from all angles. Along with its independent beauty, winter truly compliments a completed balance and adds a different dimension to photos when compared to those taken during the other three seasons. I enjoy sharing my photos for the world to critique whether is be good or bad. The most important critique is my own… The most valuable part is the time spent alone, learning about myself, the natural elements and being truthful to my passion. Here are balances from my recent outings.

Youghiogheny River, Ohiopyle State Park PA

Jacob’s Creek, Laurelville PA

Cucumber Run, Ohiopyle State Park PA

Meadow Run, Ohiopyle State Park PA

Jacob’s Creek, Laurelville PA

Linn Run State Park, Rector PA

January 20, 2015 Stone Balancing

I spent a few morning hours at nearby Linn Run state park, PA. It was about 28° upon arrival upstream from the Adam’s falls parking area. The air seemed warm compared to the much colder low teens I’ve been out balancing in recently. I was anxious to get to balancing stones. I found a spot near a pool below some currents that seemed to speak to me. I set my kit down and noticed a very cool ice formation in a small puddle of water beside my packs resting location. It appeared to be the imprint of a fern, but upon closer inspection it revealed to be the early formation of ice crystals. I shot a few photos and started selecting stones to balance. Fortunately I did, because the air temperature warmed up enough to turn the crystals back into liquid form erasing the beautiful formation.

After about an hour of working my chosen stones, I was able to assemble this temporary stone balance sculpture.

KeyStone Balance

Stone balancing by Tim Anderson

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