Search and read my blog index, which contains every blog post I have written.
Issue #40 in my comic book cover series is called FOWL. I can’t help but think of the greatest chicken comic book character ever: Poyo ! I went with a very simple design on this issue. Check out every comic book cover maze !
Stop back in a week for issue #41 !
It is October and that means we are on the road (Elm St.) to Halloween (How about some Halloween mazes?). That also means it is time for haunted houses - typically a type of labyrinth - think about it and also corn mazes. Let’s talk about corn mazes a bit. I spend a lot of time talking about what labyrinths you can visit around the US using the wonderful website Labyrinth locator. Well did you know there is also a website that features corn mazes ? The map can be found here on the mazeplay site. So, hopefully you can find a maze to visit near you !
Previously I went through my favorite labyrinth and maze videos (My Favorite Maze and Labyrinth Videos), and it included some really cool cats, a hamster and lots of information. I enjoyed it. But there was one thing that I didn’t cover in that post and that was Corn Mazes (or Maize Mazes). The reason ? Because there are a LOT of really fun videos to watch on the subject and I thought they needed their own post. This is that post.
My Favorite Corn Maze Videos
Let’s start with the back office look at how these get designed and made (or maybe more accurately plowed). But I love to see them being made ! Really amazing work. This video is of the Treinen Farm in Lodi, Wisconsin. You can plan a visit here and on their site I learned they had won an award as one of the 10 best corn mazes in the USA !
Here is a great story of a family farm with how they have used a corn maze to keep a farm in the family as an additional income stream. Located in Thurmont, Maryland at Lawyer’s Winterbrook Farm the farm also features 30 foot junkbots ! You can plan a trip here.
Here is a quick 3 minute conversation that speaks to how Maze Play uses GPS to cut a corn maze. This features a maze from Mark’s Melon Patch in Albany, Georgia. Their corn maze is open in October and November each year and you can plan a trip here or just visit to pick up some pumpkins !
And this shows some great aerial views of corn mazes that look like art ! Lots of variety and really interesting designs ! Features the work of landscape artist Will Sillin on Mike Wissemann's farm in Massachusetts.
And this is just a small sampling of what you can find about corn mazes on YouTube. Of course now your algorithm is changed and they will pop up for you automatically. Enjoy !! I find myself getting lost in this type of content and then it goes away for awhile….and then months later it is back !
A Corn Maze, but not the kind we are talking about today.
Want to boost your algorithm even more ? Check out these posts !
My YouTube channel where you can watch mazes being made.
Maze of the Week #144 is a Chicken maze to help celebrate World Farm Animals Day. What animal would you pick to represent farm animals ? I had already made a cow maze. Sheep, Goat and Pig were also in the running.
Here was my preview image.
Here is the first version of the maze. It feels like it could be a logo on the side of a bucket of fried chicken.
And the alternative color version.
Downloads are available in the comic book style maze section. Come back tomorrow to see what the comic book cover looks like !
Next weeks Maze Preview: Difficult to guess IMO
You want to visit a labyrinth in Rhode Island. I have selected 4 of the best (there are about 20) that are accessible to the public from around the state. If you want a full list of labyrinths in the state check out the Worldwide Labyrinth Finder. There is a wonderful website dedicated specifically to the Labyrinths of New England run by Yadina Clark that is helpful to plan visits in the area.
Why visit a Labyrinth ?
Labyrinths are ancient and mysterious symbols that have been used for centuries for meditation, contemplation, and spiritual renewal. They are also a lot of fun to explore! If you're looking for a unique and challenging experience, walk a labyrinth with intention - it often leads to self-discovery. Personally, I like to walk labyrinths between dawn and sunrise or at sunset until dusk, but any time of day works. You may not realize it, but there is probably a labyrinth near where you live. Today we explore…
1. St. Mary's Episcopal Church Labyrinth
A 7 circuit medieval labyrinth located in the grass is located in the rectory garden. It is surrounded by bushes and trees and features a small fountain in the middle. It can be found easily on this map located on the labyrinths webpage of the church website.
Location: Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Address:
324 E. Main Road
Portsmouth, Rhode Island 02871
2. The Farm Labyrinth
A medieval 7 circuit labyrinth made from rocks. Park at the top of the path and walk into the the reserve to locate the labyrinth.
Location: West Greenwich, Rhode Island
Address:
80 Division Road
West Greenwich, Rhode Island 02817
3. Pilgrim Lutheran Church Labyrinth
This medieval labyrinth is made from cobble stone and compacted stone dust. Easy to find on the Fairway Lane side of the church with this map pin.
Location: Warwick, Rhode Island
Address:
1817 Warwick Avenue
Warwick, Rhode Island 02889
4. St. John Vianney Church Labyrinth
A 7 circuit classical labyrinth has large 3 foot pathways and is made from rocks with a mulch pathway. The labyrinth is located in the field behind the church.
Location: Cumberland, Rhode Island
Address:
3655 Diamond Hill Road
Cumberland, Rhode Island 02864
5 TIPS FOR VISITING A LABYRINTH
Set an intention for your walk so you can walk with purpose. It could be prayer, reflection, meditation, contemplation, or openness.
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
Bring water with you, especially if you are visiting on a hot day.
Take your time and enjoy the experience. There is no need to rush through a labyrinth.
Be respectful of other visitors. This includes not making noise and being respectful if walking with other people.
5 BOOKS TO READ ABOUT LABYRINTH WALKING
I wrote a blog post reviewing the following 5 books, each that deals with walking labyrinths. You can check them out yourself at the Amazon links below or read this blog post: 5 Books about the Spiritual Aspect of Labyrinths to learn a little about what each book teaches.
Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool by Dr. Lauren Artress 201 pages. AMZN
Labyrinth : Your Path to Self-Discovery by Tony Christie 312 pages. AMZN
Exploring the Labyrinth: A Guide For Healing and Spiritual Growth by Melissa Gayle West 209 pages AMZN
Walking the Labyrinth: A Place to Pray and Seek God by Travis Scholl 240 pages AMZN
Labyrinths from the Outside In: Walking to Spiritual Insight by Rev Dr Donna Schaper and Rev Dr Carole Ann Camp 187 pages AMZN
If you are interested in more spiritual labyrinth aspects I suggest the following websites:
Lauren Artress website - For coaching, workshops and classes.
Veriditas - The nonprofit labyrinth group founded by Lauren Artress
Worldwide Labyrinth Finder - Find a labyrinth to walk near you, or while on vacation
I am a maze artist but I have never made any mazes from Rhode Island. If you have suggestions - drop me a note. Otherwise here are some mazes of famous buildings: