Remembering Barry Lopez: “CLEARCUT” by Sandra Lopez
We have just returned from Oregon celebrating the 40th anniversary of our wedding, and seeing the devastation of the forests from logging and wildfires reminded me of this artwork from an earlier time in my life, and I thought I would share it with you.
Sometimes I receive gifts from other artists, but this piece from Sandra Lopez stands above all the others. This unsigned work was given to me after our being on the same speaker’s panel at the Watershed: Writers, Nature and Community event. It was hosted by the Poet Laureate of the United States of America, Robert Hass, who would later write the introduction to my book on the Djerassi Resident Artists Program, Eighteen Days in June.
Sandra had a bit of stage fright, and her then-husband and environmental icon Barry Lopez asked if I would support her while we were seated onstage together as participants in an artist’s panel at the Library of Congress. I did so with pleasure out of my deep respect for Barry and because her art was, and remains an inspiration. Clearcut, a unique reflection on the 23rd Psalm, was her gift of appreciation.
Barry and Sandra lived on the McKenzie River in Oregon and were artists exquisitely in tune with the place they inhabited and witnessed the troublesome rectilinear blight left by the forestry industry that sustains much of the state.
As a former landscape photographer, Barry gave me tremendous support and encouragement for my work during my long illness before his passing on Christmas Day last year. Rest in Peace, my friend.
It was a great honor to be a part of this event showcasing the luminaries in the environmental community including Wendell Berry, Bill McKibben, Ivan Doig, Terry Tempest Williams, William Kittredge, Gary Snyder, Lucille Clifton, Peter Matthiessen, and others. Sometimes, dreams do come true.
This month I am offering this 30x22” poster as the “Print of the month” for September 2023. Normally $49.95, for this month it is $34.95 including shipping to anywhere in the United States.
