dotty seiter: now playing diary of an artist at work

Vacation Scrapbook

sigh

dave wakes, exclaims: all
night! the loons! i of little
hearing slept right through.

a pang of grief, this
blank spot in my vacation 
souvenirs scrapbook.

—dotty seiter

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Zero-Power Consumption
2.25 x 3″; watercolor, pencil, and collage on paper
paper-tile unit from a living work in progress
2026

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Notes about poem and art:
• “sigh” is a double haiku acknowledging the aural blank spot in my experience of the “Wicked Cute Camp.” About that blank spot I’ll say just once more, sigh.
• Last year, when granddaughter Caroline headed to Camp Takodah for four weeks as a cabin leader and program staff member, I had not yet decided on what art I’d create to send her by mail every few days, let alone have a delivery waiting for her at mail call on Day 1 at camp. This year, I knew what I wanted to do weeks in advance, and you’ve been seeing my project evolve in recent posts, including today’s posting of Zero-Power Consumption. More details to follow.

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Dotty Seiter

7 responses to “Vacation Scrapbook”

  1. carol lee Avatar
    carol lee

    Don’t be sad, you get to hear the morning loons!

    Love that spot of blue spreading down, and of course the little scraps of collage here and there. Sometimes on your posts I could get a bigger view… if you want you can link your image to the image library and if someone clicks they get a better view. I can send via email a screenshot where on your dashboard.

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    1. Dotty Seiter Avatar
      Dotty Seiter

      Carol, thank for your cup-half-full mention of the morning loons and your appreciation of the spot of spreading blue and the little scraps of collage.

      Also, sure!, please send along the screenshot about linking images to the image library. Thank you!

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  2. lolajovan Avatar
    lolajovan

    Morning loons! Oh my! I would also feel mournful having missed those loons…at least Dave witnessed their song.

    What a gift to have mail waiting when one arrives at camp! And I love Zero-Power Consumption already. 🙂 The surety of knowing what you wat to do weeks in advance is a small luxury in the creative world. The muse is right there with you! xoxo

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    1. Dotty Seiter Avatar
      Dotty Seiter

      Happy to hear daytime loons, sad to miss nighttime loon convos. As you point out, though, Dave got to hear them round the clock—yay!

      As I mentioned in previous summers, Takodah lets parents both drop off their kids AND drop off pre-written letters in boxes by chosen date of delivery. I like going the REAL route of USPS and postmarks and canceled stamps and the Russian roulette of unpredictable delivery! I was duly pleased to have my muse tap me with an idea early and stick with me to create. Very satisfying!

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  3. Sheila Marie Delgado Avatar
    Sheila Marie Delgado

    Love this!

    I’ve only heard loons in the movies. I can’t imagine trying to sleep through their calls.

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    1. Dotty Seiter Avatar
      Dotty Seiter

      Turns out they have a wide range of calls, each signaling something different from the others. And they’re beautiful to see swimming along on the water surface.

      Liked by 1 person

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  4. Sheila Marie Delgado Avatar
    Sheila Marie Delgado

    They are amazing birds, and so striking! ;o)

    Liked by 1 person

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My Story

In 2014, I grab an unexpected opportunity to paint.

To make art.

I get hooked.

In 2015 I start a blog—a diary of my creative practice.

I post my paintings and their stories. The good, the bad, the ugly.

In 2025 I begin writing poetry and include a poem and painting in each post.

My compass points: shake hands with fear, be playful, get messy, trust my gut.

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