Blownminds Climbing Diaries

2014-11-22T10:19:00.000-08:00

Please Visit my new website at www.muderlakart.com to view my entire art portfolio and to purchase prints and originals. Thanks!

About my art

Most of my illustrations are inspired by landscapes that are influential to me both for their beauty and relevance in my own life as a climber. Some of my illustrations are rather literal representations of specific landscapes, while others are more figurative. As you may have noticed, most of my art is marked with lettering or text. This style of mine has developed over the years out of my love for book-arts and my own journaling. At some point I started incorporating these influences into my art, and believe that is represents the propensity for these exquisite landscapes to elicit powerful human emotions. Sometimes this text is legible while other times it is simply jumbled letters or words with less literal meaning. Most of the time, it is unimportant what the text says. Instead, the text is commonly used as conceptual design alluding to a connection to the landscape which transcends its beauty. The text is representative of something deeper - a unique, inquisitive human experience. In this way, I hope to share something different that a beautiful landscape photograph cannot accomplish. The laborious and sometimes obsessive quality of the lettering and details in my illustrations are synonymous with my own obsessions and yearnings for these wonderful places.

About the Prints

My artist proof prints (AP) are created by adding original, hand-drawn additions to giclee (zhee-klay) prints. A giclee print is a high-quality, archival reproduction. Each component of the reproduction process, including the paper, the ink, and the printing, is of the utmost quality. The combination of exceptional pigment based inks and thick, archival paper produces a print almost indistinguishable from the original. Furthermore, the archival printing process maintains the quality of the print - especially if it is framed well. Because I add additional hand-drawn components, each print is labeled an artist proof and is essentially a unique, one-of-a-kind print. Each print is hand-signed and labeled AP.

How To Purchase

Please look below each image for options. Immediately below the image is a description of the art: title, size (in inches), and price of originals and prints. Below that is a tab for choosing the type you're interested in. Many of the originals are already sold. If so, it is listed as "SOLD" below the image. Make sure you choose the correct option depending on your preference for framed or unframed. Everything is handled through Paypal. After receiving the payment, Paypal notifies me, and I will ship your art. Due to the time consuming nature of building the frames please allow up to two weeks for shipment and one week for unframed prints. If you have any questions, please contact me at craigmuderlak@gmail.com. Please enjoy.

International Shipping

If you live outside of the United States, the answer is yes, I can ship to you. However, please contact me before purchasing! Email me first so I can provide you with a shipping estimate and we can then handle payment. Unframed prints cost about $40 to ship to Europe and $70 framed, however this is only an estimate.

Frames

Please read description and view images of my frames in the tab labeled "Frame" located at the top of this page.

Please Visit my new website at www.muderlakart.com to view my entire art portfolio and to purchase prints and originals. Thanks!

"Be With Me on The Mountain, Be With Me in My Mind #1"(Mt. Waddington)-15" x 7"(Original & prints available)

Saturated Hulk - 22" x 14" (prints available / original SOLD)

Waddington Script - 22" x 14"( prints available / original (SOLD)

Devil's Tower - 22" x 14" (prints / original available)

Half Dome Script - 15" x 15" ( prints available / original (SOLD)

Minaret Script (Bugaboos) - 22" x 14" (original and prints available)

Flatiron Script - 22" x 14" (prints available / original(SOLD)

The Watchman (Zion) - 22" x 14" (original and prints available)

The Black Canyon - 22" x 14" (original (SOLD)/ prints available)

Saturated Whitney - 22" x 14" (original and prints available)

Eldorado Aglow - 22" x 14" - (original(SOLD) / prints available)

Red Rock - 22" x 14" (prints / original(SOLD)

Saturated Snowpatch - 22" x 14" (prints / original (SOLD)

Saturated Needles (The Needles, CA) - 22" x 14" (prints / original (SOLD)

The Valley Saffron (Yosemite) - 22" x 14" (prints / original (SOLD)

Pingora - 22" x 14" (prints / original(SOLD)

Luminous Liberty Bell - 22"x14" (prints: / original : SOLD)

Rockfellow Group (Cochise) - 22" x 13" (prints / original (SOLD)

Saturated Dome - 20" x 13" (original (SOLD), prints available)

Cirque Dreams - 20"x 13" (original (SOLD), prints available)

Sapphire Tetons - 22"x14" -(prints available / original (SOLD)

Diamond Dreams #1 - 15" x 11.5" (original(SOLD) /prints available)

Saturated Cathedrals - 16.5" x 10.5" (print / original: SOLD)

House Range - 22" x 13" (prints / original: SOLD)

Dreaming of Patagonia - 22" x 12.5"(original (SOLD) / prints available)

"Wild Iris" (International Climbers' Festival poster - 2014) - 13" x 15"

Cathedral Journal - 11" x 9" ( prints available / original(SOLD)

Three Patriarchs - 12" x 9" (original: SOLD / prints available)

Granite Ghosts - 30" x 16" - Pen/ink

I Am Cholla - 22" x 30" - pen/ink (SOLD)

Cochise Drones - 22" x 30" - pen/ink.

Raven Plummage - 22" x 30" - pen/ink

Basaltic Columns - 33" x 25" pen on mulberry paper (original only)
This drawing is a conceptual representation of the patterns as seen in the geological formation called, Basaltic Columns. An example of this formation is Devils Tower, WY where the rock crystals' properties and its cooling process creates these wonderful hexagon shaped pillars. Over the course of months, by utilizing thousands upon thousands of tiny hatch lines, I pieced together this representational basaltic column pattern.

(Closeup) Basaltic Columns

Maiden Light

2014-03-01T16:43:00.002-08:00

This video has definitely been a labor of love for me and everybody involved. Despite its close location, hiking up to The Maiden is kind of a schlep as Front Range climbing goes. Lugging a bunch of gear up there over and over again in oppressively hot weather was quite exhausting! The post production offered up some unique storytelling challenges as well. To top it off, creating the art and writing and recording the original music made the completed video that much more of a labor of love for me. Thanks to Tim Davis for his vision, endless psyche, and for making this wonderful collaboration happen. And of course, thanks to Ashley Smith for pushing her wonderful dance skills to the next level. Also, thanks to Jack Ellenberger for additional camera work and Jenn Friedberg for photo and audio assistance.

Holiday Cheer - (Greatest Hits)

2012-01-08T11:42:00.000-08:00

Rois and I have released a greatest hits album with nine Christmas songs compiled from our two previous Christmas albums. If you haven't heard any of the songs, here's the scoop: We recorded the songs primarily as "one-takes," pushing the record button and hoping for the best. What we ended up with was a parody - reinterpreted holiday songs of incongruous melodies and keys teetering on the edge of awesome and ridiculous. I am aware that the holiday season is over, but don't fret because other than some fragmented Christmas and Honukkah lyrics, these songs barely resemble their ubiquitous influences. However, if you're hoping to continue the holiday cheer, this album may just do the trick. The nine song album is available here for only $5.50 as a digital download.

The Access Fund : 20th anniversary t-shirt

2011-12-27T19:18:00.000-08:00

Check out The Access Fund's 20th anniversary T-shirt. I did the illustration and Prana did an amazing job - the silk-screen quality is superb! If you're wondering, it's an illustration of "The Diamond" on Longs Peak.

"Just a Couple Of Climbers"

2011-12-27T19:06:00.000-08:00

Here's a video I put together for Girls Education International (GEI), a wonderful organization started by Heidi Wirtz and Lizzy Scully which serves to expand and support educational opportunities for underserved females in remote and undeveloped regions of the world. Please enjoy and check out www.girlsed.org

Cochise

2011-12-27T18:56:00.001-08:00

Here's a short video from a climbing course I taught recently in Cochise Stronghold, AZ.....what a magical place!

Hula Holloween

2011-11-19T14:28:00.000-08:00

The one and only Megas, hooping in his Holloween attire.

The Backyard Project

2011-08-14T08:57:00.000-07:00

Biking and climbing - Two of my passions. This is a preview for a video in-progress about biking to access climbing around Boulder, Colorado - something which is quite convenient but under utilized. The rules: pick a challenging climb near Boulder, bike to it, and "project" it. This video is not about cutting edge "projecting;" Instead, it's about the visceral human experience of climbing, and accentuating the process and accomplishment by biking to it. As with much of my work, I attempt to highlight a sense of place, the human experience, and a passion for art and adventure. In this teaser I attempted to showcase some of the intimate, expressionistic sides of climbing as well as its nuances: preparing food and gear, thinking about the climb, and climbing as artistic inspiration. As with most of my work, I've written and recorded all the music. The final video will include additional footage of my friends working on their own "projects," and additional original music with found sounds from bicycles, rocks, and climbing gear. In the finished video, I want the term "project" to serve as more than a term for frequenting a climbing route, but instead as a metaphor for the merging of climbing, biking, music, and art into a collaborative pursuit.

The Backyard Project from Craig Muderlak on Vimeo.

A Groovin' Easter

2011-06-16T10:29:00.000-07:00

Cleaning the groover is not a coveted undertaking. However, last Easter three students on a NOLS course I taught kept a great attitude during their first groover cleaning. This video proves that one can laugh, smile and have quite a memorable experience during what is usually perceived as a despicable task.

A Groovin' Easter from Craig Muderlak on Vimeo.

Biking, Climbing, "The Naked Edge," Biking.....A Good Day!

2011-03-15T20:12:00.000-07:00

       I recently received excellent feedback on one of my videos that read like this: "I really enjoyed this video. It's one that starts with a message as simple as " 'what we did today,'" and transforms it into something that stirs deeply within all of us. Makes us ask ourselves deep questions and remember why we are compelled to search for that transcendent experience in the mountains."
       I am not always sure what compels me to create art - this misunderstanding may be what I enjoy most. However, I value other interpretations of my art as much as my own. I really appreciated this feedback. It provokes self reflection and provides as much clarity as I could - maybe more. While I am not capturing cutting edge climbers on first ascents - I am trying to share a little bit of myself and the connections between my adventures and the emotional responses elicited - maybe the same internal experience many other climbers have. Utilizing my own music and drawings assists in the depiction of the human experience.
        I am prideful towards Boulder, CO. The luxury of biking to multiple climbing areas from my house is occasionally taken for granted. Warm up on the bike, climb, and finally enjoy the wind in my hair on the way home - what a great day! This is a video of my friend Jake and I climbing "The Naked Edge," 5.11c in Elderado Canayon. Such an excellent climb that I had to do it twice that week!

Biking, climbing, "The Naked Edge," Biking....a Good Day. from Craig Muderlak on Vimeo.

Spindrift: Climbing Diaries #3 (FUN RATING: 2)

2010-12-13T00:22:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the weather makes a story. During my first ice climbing excursion of the season; persistent spindrift, sluffing, and wind produced quite an compelling experience on a very moderate route. Spindrift blew so violently into the snow-choked gully that breathing was challenging. While the ice was mediocre and the weather uncooperative, we savored the exquisite scenery and terrain indicative of Chasm Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, returning to the car without frostbite and only minor wind-burn. On the Fun Scale, I gave this day a "2" - which means "not fun now but fun later." This rating seems commonplace within the fun-scale rating of outdoor adventure. Maybe the ubiquitous "feeling alive" is most easily appreciated with hindsight when we're dry and warm.

Spindrift from Craig Muderlak on

Blownminds Climbing Diaries #2: My birthday on the Scenic Cruise

2010-10-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

As my climbing partner and I drive towards the invisible canyon rim, the precipitous gorge of the mysterious Black Canyon of The Gunnison seemed incongruous in the flat scrub oak and juniper high plains. We knew it was going to be hot, but we drove six hours to do one of the most coveted climbs in Colorado, and we were determined to make it happen.
"The Scenic Cruise," 5.10d ascends the North Chasm View Wall in the Black Canyon (The Black) of The Gunnison. This route is sort of an anomaly because unlike many of the climbs in The Black, which are described as adventurous with poor-quality rock, "Scenic Cruise" is characterized by exquisite rock with comparatively straight-forward climbing.
Considering we climbed the second half of the 1700 foot route under the sweltering sun, our decision to climb with two liters of water each seemed prudent. We topped-out on the canyon rim in good spirits with only minor dehydration and heat exhaustion.

My birthday on the Scenic Cruise from Craig Muderlak on Vimeo.

Threading The Needle

2010-09-20T18:26:00.000-07:00

         It had been raining every morning and evening in the front range of Colorado causing flooding in Denver and other towns. Climbing seemed unrealistic. The weather kept other climbers at home, but we decided to take our chances, and we were able to find a small window of fair weather to "thread the needle" in between storms and make an ascent of "Pervertical Sanctuary," 5.11a in Rocky Mountain National Park on the "Diamond" of Longs Peak.
          This video is a celebration of the Diamond, which is in my opinion one of the most exquisite rock features in the United States.   From the approach hike, hunkering under boulders, avoiding lightening, deterring marmots from chewing on our gear, swimming in ice-cold lakes, to climbing one of the greatest routes in Colorado, this video highlights the entire process of climbing at 14,000 feet on the diamond. Together, the video, animation, and unique music all created by the climbers produce a diary exemplifying the passion of two climbers playing in the mountains.

Threading The Needle from Craig Muderlak on Vimeo.

The Access Fund

2010-08-08T16:33:00.000-07:00

I am the latest featured photographer for the Access Fund's Vertical Times publication. The Vertical Times is published three times a year and each issue features a photographer/artist. In this issue, you can see a series of my photos and drawings. This link will take you to the downloadable pdf on the Access Fund's website. http://www.accessfund.org/site/c.tmL5KhNWLrH/b.4992351/k.9093/Vertical_Times.htm

"Threading The Needle" - The Diamond

2010-08-08T14:59:00.000-07:00

This is a stop-animation drawing I did of "The Diamond." "The Diamond" is a prodigious 1500 foot face on Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, CO. This precipitous, rock wall is a magical place both for sightseers and especially for climbers. The wall features a generous selection of high quality crack climbs of moderate to expert ratings, both free-climbing and aide climbing. What makes this face so unique is it's quality of climbs at such a high altitude - up to 14,000ft. This drawing video was influenced by a recent climb I did with my friend Tim Davis. We climbed"Pervertical Sanctuary" 5.lla, one of the highest quality climbs I've ever done. I'm currently collaborating with Tim on a video of the entire trip which will include parts of this animation. The imagery at the end of the video is clouds and rain devouring "The Diamond" which was indicative of the day we climbed and thus the inspiration for the title, "Threading the Needle," finding some good weather in between persistent afternoon thunderstorms. After a wonderful day of climbing alone on the Diamond - something which rarely happens - we finished our final two rappels in hail and rain and dodged lightening on our hike out. Oh yah, the song is a cover of Elvis' "Love Me Tender" played by myself and Colin Frazer.

Threading The Needle from Craig Muderlak on Vimeo.

"Walls, Texture, and Growth "

2010-08-05T22:18:00.000-07:00

"South Gunsight Peak"

Series of drawings created with pen, ink, coffee wash. I used unusual line pattern and typography to create textures and shadows.

"Rainbow Wall"

"Zion"


"Juniper"

I Could Only Use My Nose

2010-08-05T17:04:00.000-07:00

Hey Folks. This is my latest album I recently wrote and recorded for a High Contrast Review - an online arts and culture magazine where I serve as an editor. I wrote and recorded all the songs during the winter and spring of 2010. The album will be included in a book High Contrast Review is in the process of publishing for $20. The album is also for sale here as a digital download for $7.50. If you want, I can send you a hand printed CD for $12.00. The album includes 13 songs, all instruments and voices played and recorded by myself with a couple guest voices including Kari Treadwell and Tina Celis.

I'm regularly asked what type of music I play. This question challenges me because I have trouble categorizing my sound. I've found that the easiest way to do so is to ask my friends how they would characterize my sound. Many of my friends describe my music as a mixture of Neil Young and Built To Spill, merging honest lyrics with both melodic and unpredictable instrumentals. I've put a lot of work into this album and I'm pleased with the results. I'm offering this album on this new blog which I created yesterday, 8/4/2010 in an ongoing lifelong goal to merge my passion for outdoor adventure and the arts. While this album is not directly about climbing - none of my music is - I find that my artistic and outdoor pursuits merge by way of their ability to provide me consistent emotional connections to my surroundings. Click HERE to hear a sample. I hope you enjoy!