Live Art Live

Paper to Clay, to Plaster to Wax, and Plaster Again

2012-01-19T16:13:00.000-08:00

Snowpacolypse has hit! I've been stuck indoors these past few days because Seattle can't handle a few inches of snow, but the good news is it has allowed me great progress on the Flower and Garden Show project.

So far what I have accomplished is the finished drawings for eight 1ft squared panels to go in the garden, I've sculpted four of them in clay and taken plaster casts of those four, and I've then taken waxes from three of those plaster molds, from which I have made three plaster/silica molds that are ready for the kiln! Glass arrived just before the storm, and a good friend is loaning her kiln, so all I have to do now is figure out what firing schedule to use and how to pack the pate de verre.

Wish me luck.

I have my Cake and I'm Eating it Too!

2011-12-15T09:15:00.000-08:00

Life has it's moments. At this busy time of year I find more things have been calling me away from what I thought I needed to get done, and then I accomplish more that I had intended in the first place.

For instance, I needed to spend some time in Alaska to grieve the loss of a family member and spend time with those still around. Death is one of those things that you just can't avoid and it never comes at a good time. It interrupted plans to visit a university in SF that I am seriously considering. It also put me behind schedule as far as the projects I'm working on which would serious compromise my time management if I was selected for the residency in January I have applied to that I really, really want!

But...

The airlines suddenly came out with amazing winter deals which would make it so financially easy for me to fly to California for a few days for the university appointments. As I was struggling with the moral dilemma of: can I afford even more time away from my responsibilities?- I got a call from the residency folks who said I was not selected (therefore not committed to living and working on Vashon for a full month or two) but that they still want to invite me to do my project I had proposed for them- sometime in the next four to six months!

So I get my cake and I can eat it too!

Now I'm in SF exploring, learning a lot about the CCA program, spending time with my best friend (what a good sanity check!) and I'll still be able to come home and finish my obligations to the Flower and Garden show coming up!

Look for progress on that soon.

Re-evaluating Resolutions

2011-11-08T18:44:00.000-08:00

In the year 2010, my New Year's Resolution was to put out at least ten applications. It didn't matter what they were for, grants, scholarships, fellowships, calls for art etc. as long as it pertained to my art career. I think I got to six.

This year, 2011, I started out with the Resolution of developing my portfolio to be presentable to grad schools, and then apply. So far, so good. I think I'll make my goal this time! But the funny thing is, in this year alone I've now totaled eleven applications for those other things!

Going by this measure, I may have better success at applying to grad schools next year, when my New Year's Resolution will be something different, something like...

getting a residency in France!

Just updated my online portfolio for one of those eleven applications this year. You can see all that and a proposed project I have in mind for the next installation here.

Pangur Ban

2011-10-27T17:07:00.000-07:00

Well, the sweet thing has taken the name of Pangur Ban, even though "Ban" means "white" in old irish, it still suits her. She also sometimes goes by Butter Bean.

A distraction, a nusince, and endless inspiration, much like the original Pangur who was written about by a 9th century Irish monk.

I and Pangur Ban, my cat,
'Tis a like task we are at;
Hunting mice is his delight,
Hunting words I sit all night.

Better far than praise of men
'Tis to sit with book and pen;
Pangur bears me no ill will;
He, too, plies his simple skill.

'Tis a merry thing to see
At our task how glad are we,
When at home we sit and find
Entertainment to our mind.

Oftentimes a mouse will stray
Into the hero Pangur's way;
Oftentimes my keen thought set
Takes a meaning in its net.

'Gainst the wall he sets his eye
Full and fierce and sharp and sly;
'Gainst the wall of knowledge I
All my little wisdom try.

When a mouse darts from its den.
O how glad is Pangur then!
O what gladness do I prove
When I solve the doubts I love!

So in peace our tasks we ply,
Pangur Ban, my cat and I;
In our arts we find our bliss,
I have mine, and he has his.

Practice every day has made
Pangur perfect in his trade ;
I get wisdom day and night,
Turning Darkness into light.'

Feeling Monkish

2011-10-17T08:30:00.000-07:00

With a day off, and the morning light coming through the window, a large cup of hot tea and monastic celtic music playing on the Thistle and Shamrock, it was hard not to imagine being a medieval scribe as I took to creating the pages of my own personal calender and notebook.

Here are the steps I took to making a personalized planner which I hope will help me to better manage my time in the coming years:

Making the pages,

Binding them,

And then collaging pretty papers to make the front and back covers.

Oh yeah, and now we have a cat.

Experiments and Inspiration

2011-10-05T07:41:00.000-07:00

I think it always valuable to take time to visit museums and galleries. There is always something to learn or something that might spark an idea for my next creation. That's why when I visited my family in LA I made it a point to see the Getty Villa and also hit up the Huntington Library. I love those intimate little museums of private collections put in an idealistic setting! And yes, I did get inspired for some good ideas I'll put toward a show I have in mind.

When I got back I immediately got to work on a different project: art for a garden to display at this year's Flower and Garden show. What you see here are experiments for cattails and roses.

Thinker at the Beach

2011-09-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

The funny thing about the whole process of this artwork is that it was intended to reflect how Nature will always have her final say, and yet she hardly ever did. Each piece that I replicated throughout history was put on the tideline to be disolved slowly, and yet almost every time I retuned to photograph it's progress I came upon a trampled and destroyed mess. I think this outcome is more faithful to the true reason of the impermenance of things: our own destructiveness.
Here's the video I made of the final piece in the series, with an appropriate ending.

2011-09-12T11:34:00.000-07:00

Well, there he is. The last temporary sculpture at the beach this summer. I got to say it's been a lot of fun and thank you all who made it out on such a fine day to participate.

I chose to sculpt Rodin's Thinker to represent the 20th century in my parade of art history. I also thought it a fitting subject to honor the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

I have lots of pictures of the creation and destruction of this piece which I will sew together into a time lapse video file and post soon so stay tuned!

Three Hours Until High Tide

2011-09-11T14:14:00.000-07:00

Hi Everybody! This is Greg with some last minute updates. Eden's beachfront project is from 3pm to 6pm this afternoon at Shilshole Beach. Here's the map.

I think it's legal to park in the Shilshole Beach Club Parking Lot. Then you head towards the beach by passing the Beach Club building on the left side (as you face it). Look for the sandy end of the parking lot. It is a private beach, so no alcohol and no pets.

Eden will have plenty of clay for you to play with. Bring a lunch. We will have some snacks available.

I'll be leaving in about 30 minutes, if anyone in the area wants to be picked up on the way.

See you there!

greg

Save the Date! Sun. Sept. 11th 2011

2011-08-25T11:17:00.000-07:00

As the end of this project draws to a close I plan to have a picnic at the beach to celebrate! Everyone is welcome! Bring a picnic for you and your friends or snacks to share. Bring beach blankets and toys, cameras, or whatever you like to take to the beach (sunscreen and clothes that can get dirty are a good idea.)

I will be sculpting my last piece at Shilshole Bay Beach, Sunday, September 11, between 3 and 6 pm and photographing it as the tide comes in (high tide will be at 5:30.) I'll also provide lots of extra clay for anyone who wants to make their own sculptures.

This will be so much fun! so I hope to meet you there.

WARNING: this is a private beach with public access so please mind their rules which are: no dogs, no alcohol, and no fires. You can park in the Shilshole Bay Beach Club parking lot, there is a beach access trail to the left of that building.

If you have any questions just ask in the 'comments' section. I check it regularly and now you don't have to sign up for anything to do it! Yay!

-------------------------------

M's David.

Possibly the single best piece of artwork in the world, maybe ever created. I felt humbled trying to copy him. I don't think I need to explain what sculpture I'm imitating here since it's image has been reproduced endlessly in our culture. But I will say that unlike some other famous artworks that have been copied over and over (for instance, Mona Lisa) David is still impressive when you see him in person. If there is nothing else you do in life, go to Florence and see him.

2nd Intermission

2011-08-22T08:43:00.000-07:00

Well, there has not been activity at the beach recently because I've been busy creating art! And also participating in the EDGE program for professional artists put on by Artist' Trust. I spent a week in Port Townsend in the old army barraks of Fort Warden with 14 other artists and completed almost 60hrs of professional training. What an experience!

And when i came home some new works were waiting for me that had just come out of the kiln.

Life is good.

The Sacred and Profane, but mostly Profane

2011-08-15T14:19:00.000-07:00

At the turn of the 13th Century, most of Europe's artisans was focused on building and decorating Cathedrals, so that is where I draw my next sculptural reference: from the grostesques of Notre Dame de Paris. Le Stryge is the name of this most recognizable of grotesques- I never knew some of them had names, and I also never knew the difference between a grotesque and a gargoyle (gargoyles serve the function of a drainage spout, a grotesque is simply ornament.) I got a lot of good comments at the beach while building it today- I don't know why but these ugly creatures that were meant to ward off evil spirits have an incredible allure about them.

and here is what happened to my last sculpture. It seems someone wanted the pieces to remain together, and somehow thought it necessary that Buddah have a hat out of a piece of broken pot. Strange what people do.

The Grand Buddha of Shilshole

2011-08-08T14:16:00.000-07:00

What I tried to do for this project was to select historical references from different times as well as cultures, as well as symbolic meaning. I started with the beginning where the first sculptures from early Cycladic societies represent little more than the statement that they existed. The nomadic peoples of ice-age Europe idealized the feminine form (Venus of Willendorf.) Later, the Egyptians codified symbols into meaningful artforms that went unchanged for roughly three thousand years. The statue of Ramesses II represents a specific man and the symbols associated with him allowed the people of that culture to understand that he was a King, a God, a great warlord of many deeds, etc. etc. The Greek and Roman cultures used gods as allegories to represent not just the might of individuals but of their city-states. Nike was built to stand for the victorious navy of Samothrace and so glorified everyone in that town.

Now I'm going East, to other cultures that existed during these ages but had no contact with the previous societies I've borrowed from. I think it interesting that the highly sophisticated Nike was created a few hundred years before the common era, and the Great Buddha of Leshan, (although still impressive is quite simplified) was made between six and nine hundred years after. It was being built around the same time as Europe was entering the Middle Ages from which I do not have a significant source of sculptural material to draw upon.

But back to Buddha: although I wanted to stay away from religious icons, I couldn't help choosing to replicate this. It is not just the figurehead of a religion, but like Nike, it represents a virtue. Unlike Nike or anything else I've shown so far, it is not about self glorification or military prowess, it is a testement to the higher ideals of philosophy and peaceful living which the Chinese of this time chose to carve into their mountain.

My Nike

2011-08-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

check it out- i was photographed by the AP!

Anyway, I finally got around to finishing Nike of Samothrace. She was a difficult one with all of her wings and arms just hanging out there. I had to build most of her parts separately beforehand and allow them to dry before assembling at the beach, otherwise it would not have worked.

She must be one of my all-time favorite sculptures in history. You can see a better study of her form in an earlier post when I was applying for this exhibition. At that time I was hoping to be able to make these sculptures as large as any person, but I'm glad now I have to make do with the amount of clay I have! It's good practice for future endevors, but man is it a lot of work!

Here I have interpreted how she must have looked before loosing her arms and wings, although I think I like what time and archeology have done to the original statue. This is a fabulous site from the Louvre about the story of the winged Victory and her reconstruction.

Here she is at sunset the day of her creation, and already she's falling apart (I suspect much like the original did.)

and finally, the day after.

Intermission

2011-07-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

Since I was gone camping last weekend I planned to work at the beach again on Monday, but that morning I was awakened by thunder and decided against it. Considering the next sculpture will be one of my most structurally challenging pieces I'm glad I'm taking a week to prepare for it. And in the meantime I've been working on this little sculpture, trying to figure out how plaster works so I can get a wax replica of it and eventually cast it in glass. It's such a time consuming process!

And here is what is left of Ramesses after a week on the beach. Although I don't know to what extent this was natural destruction, because were once he was perched on a mound of sand, there is now a large ditch obviously created by human hands. Very curious.

2011-07-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

I decided not to work on Sunday since it was raining, but Monday turned out great! And the other thing about working on a weekday is that there were very few naughty children around. Someone even rescued Venus and put her on a piling as you can see and the new piece was actually left standing the next day. But how long will he last? Check out this cool site on the colossus of Ramesses II that I based this piece on. More info here about that ruler.

It was amazing to me, of the people that walked by, that not many were very familiar with the ancient Egyptian look. It's not a perfect replica, but am I that bad, or do people really need better art education? I hope you the reader use this chance to brush up on some of these references, you never know when it could come in handy at the next trivia night at the bar!

This Time, Above the Tideline

2011-07-11T17:38:00.000-07:00

I don't think I've mentioned the title of this project yet, I'm calling it "This Too Shall Pass." The sculptures are made of a sand/clay mixture and are meant to be temporary. It is a comment on how humanity has attempted to make lasting monuments to either achievements or values (as we can assume the virtue of fecundity was valued around the 2nd millenium BCE when the Venus of Willendorf was created.) But the truth is none of the monuments we build will last forever. Eventually everything will succumb to Nature's changes just as these sculptures must fall and be taken out by the tide.

However, I think it an interesting development in this project to note that Nature can't possibly keep up with us humans. Even her inevitable destruction is not given a chance. As you can see, the very next morning I returned to photograph the progress of erosion and was surprised to find that destruction had been aided by what appeared to be many tiny little feet.

Sometimes I fear for the future of art.

The Tidelands Project begins

2011-07-05T13:38:00.000-07:00

For the Heaven and Earth Exhibition this year I was selected to make work at a new site- Shilshole Bay Beach. What I intend to do is go out each weekend and sculpt another piece based on famous works though out history. These pieces will be in chronological order, beginning here with one of the earliest known examples of sculpture, and eventually I'll replicate my way up through art history as I work my way up the beach. As these sculptures are made of sand and clay I intend them to be gradually washed away by the tide, just as time gradually washes away all of mankind's endeavors. Here you see the first of my installation: a Cycladic figure. There have been many of these figures found in the Cyclades isles and are dated from the third millennium BCE.

The very next day I went back to see what was left of it after a full tide cycle and a night of hard rain. You can see that I'll have to adjust my building strategy if I want to have these "gradually" erode. But learning better methods and techniques of preservation was a challenge for our ancestors as it is for me today.

GAS

2011-06-05T17:10:00.000-07:00

The Glass Art Society just had their annual conference here in Seattle, so of course I had to go. I wasn't sure at first if it would be worth the money, but a full three days of inspiration and wonder has changed me for the better!

I also recently finished my first class in kiln casting and here are the results- beautiful things. I think I'll stick with this for a while. So many ideas, so much art to make, I love it!

2011-05-03T10:31:00.000-07:00

Kiln casting glass is taking over all my workspace! and my life. I'm currently enrolled in a class at Pratt and tonight we are loading the kiln for the second firing. Here you see the three stages of creating a cast piece: the wax positive (dark thing on the white binder) the plaster cast (this piece will be an open faced mold) and the final cast glass piece (round grey thing in front of stainless bowl)

2011-04-26T07:52:00.000-07:00

getting ready for more installations this year- just imagine if these sculptures were 6ft tall and in a public park setting! i'll be applying to the project soon, so wish me luck.

Fun with Stencils

2011-03-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

This weekend has been home improvement time. It must be the warmer weather, I'm starting to want to clean, organize, and stencil the walls! So I made this design by stylizing the dandelion into a very nouveau motif and I had hoped the repetition would make it look like wallpaper. I think it worked. Now I no longer notice all the cracks, holes and shoddy paint job underneath. YaY!

An Experience

2011-01-17T10:22:00.000-08:00

Our journey started when a friend recommended Greg and I watch a documentary called The Art of the Steal. It tells the story of an art collector, his collection (one of the best post-impressionist collections in the world), and how a man's last will and testament can be systematically picked apart and discarded for personal, political and/or capital gain. At the end of this film we were warned that the collection would be moved to a new location at the end of 2012. So this meant that we booked a ticket to Philadelphia as soon as the opportunity presented itself.

Jet lagged and sleep deprived, our plane reached the airport in time for a major snow storm, so we were rerouted to Baltimore to wait for an hour and a half. When we finally touched down at our intended destination, unloaded baggage at the hotel and found transportation to the suburb where the art currently is located, we were three hours behind our original appointment time. (You have to make a reservation for this place.) The staff of the Barnes Foundation was very welcoming, I was pleased to note. They all seemed very happy with thier jobs and I was sad to think that they were soon to be disbanded.

The museum was amazing, to put it mildly. Mr. Barnes had an incredible discerning eye for art at a time when the European impressionists were not appreciated in the states. He built this beautiful building to house his vast collection and used it to educate artists and art lovers. He even wrote a few books on his theories of art appreciation (I got one) and I was amazed to learn that he was close friends with John Dewey, the art critic and philosopher who wrote Art as Experience (also a book I own).

We did not have much of a chance to see any more of Philly in that trip, for the next day we were off to visit relatives on the east coast. But even for a few hours of looking, the whole trip was worth it! Art is an experience, especially when those who understand this are rich philanthropists devoted to making the experience accessible to the common man.

October and November at a glance

2010-11-25T16:32:00.000-08:00

My week of vacation finally came, and I spent it in San Francisco. I saw the sun, it was warm! I stayed with my best girlfriend and made a lot of food! But most notably I visited the California College of Arts to tour facilities and talk with advisors. That was probably the best thing I've done this year. By the time I returned to the cold and wet I was so pumped about going back for a masters that I jumped right into the projects I've been avoiding, and they've been getting done!

I had bought a bunch of beveled glass jewels to make snowflake-sun-catchers from to sell for Christmas. You can bet from that description that I was dragging my feet all the way. However, since I started seeing the possibilities of using three-dimentional stained glass for larger projects I've been getting more into it and using it as an exploration of forms in that medium. (and it would be nice to make some money from these experiments.)

It was about three years ago that I threatened to make more plates to eat off of, we have two currently. And since returning from SF I threw four more when the temperature was still bearable in the garage. These too have an exploratory function. I am now carving intricate scenes into their faces to practice my bas-relief sculpting and prepare compositions worthy of translating into cast glass- a project that has been growing in my mind for some time.

Finally, I've been revisiting my stockpile of yarn. It was the snow- preventing me from reaching work two days in a row, and then Thanksgiving, that allowed me to spend half a day going through and removing all the nasty worm casings and nibbled yarn ends left over from a moth orgy. It made me very sad, but also motivated to get to my yarn before those nasty pests do again. I'm thinking of making a skirt.

That's all for now.

Happy Turkey Day.

Bumber-mania

2010-09-10T07:30:00.000-07:00

Oh my, where to begin?
Last weekend I spent a day with Greg and my mom at Bumbershoot, Seattle's music and arts festival. For those of you who have not heard of it, it is a three day long festival jammed packed with music (at least six stages with bands playing all day) performance, dance, comedy shows, theater, film and visual art exhibitions. It's like I've died and gone to heaven.
Some of the highlights that we saw that day: Squonk Opera A group that puts on a musical performance that is truly a work of art.
Bob Dylan- although you cannot tell what the hell he is saying, he puts on a damn good concert.
And as we wondered through the Flatstock (rows and rows of poster artists selling their wares) I came across something I think I want to buy. I may need your help with this, I really like the pigeon with the pencil but I don't know if it would be too dominant displayed over the fireplace.
Go to the artist's site and tell me what you think. The Bird Machine
oh, and here's pictures

Art for Artists

2010-08-17T13:57:00.000-07:00

How important it is to keep a nice a home! If I haven't been busy making art lately it's because I've been paining the walls "Waffle" and the trim a mahogany crimson. After the kitchen was painted two shades of green I sewed some curtains for the windows and am currently working on curtains for the living room.After Greg and I saw the documentary Herb and Dorthy we were moved to start buying the art that we admire. A year later I own my first oil painting by a fabulous Northwest painter, Linda Bean.I don't know why I never thought of it before, but I find it refreshing and inspirational to have other people's artwork around.

Lemonade

2010-07-26T14:32:00.000-07:00

Two sad things have happened in the past week:
1) my car was stollen, stripped and abandoned
2) one of my greenhouses was destroyed
but life is too short to get upset over silly things, so what did I do?
I sold the remainder of my car and replaced the greenhouse with another. Problems solved.
I am ready to move on.
see how my project is developing too...
updated pictures

2ed Installation in One Week!

2010-06-28T11:26:00.000-07:00

(More pictures here!)
The Heaven and Earth project is off to a good start! The official opening was last Saturday and now you can go visit the park and look at sculpture anytime between now and the end of September.
Visit this site to download the map for the art tour with descriptions of the pieces. Take a pick-nick on your day off. It's a beautiful place and a beautiful exhibition.

Finished!

2010-06-21T21:48:00.000-07:00

Finally finished that stained glass commission and installed it. I'm so proud. Now I can focus on the green-tree-house project, which will be installed next week- yikes! The opening will be Sat. June 26th, 2-5, Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center. Come see!

Two out of Three, so far...

2010-06-14T20:46:00.000-07:00

Whooo Hooo!
I remind you that one of my applications (for a doctor's voucher) was already accepted and made usefull, and then I find out that my application to the Heaven and Earth outdoor art exhibition at Carkeek park was accepted as well!
Yippy- so i'll be furiously creating mini greenhouses for little trees until the installation date (next week!)
Unfortunately, my application for the Edge Program through Artist's Trust was rejected. Just got that letter in the mail today, but I'm too excited to care much.
And so far, two out of three makes good odds. I only need to find the time now to keep the momentum of application writing going.
http://heavenandearthexhibition.org/

First Stained Glass Job

2010-05-23T16:42:00.000-07:00

I was recently commissioned to fill four windows with stained glass, which is awesome! So my weekends are filled with cutting glass and soldering. It's been fun, but it's taking a lot longer than I suspected so I'm feeling a little behind on not only getting this project completed, but also behind on personal deadlines for the other projects I've neglected because of this. More on those later, here are some pictures of my stained glass progress.

New Year's Resolution

2010-05-03T14:16:00.000-07:00

At the turn of the year I made a resolution to get out at least ten applications pertaining to my career as an artist. I decided it could be any kind of application as long as it helped or motivated me to keep making art.
So here we are in the 5th month of the year and I'm finally getting around to it! In the past week I have completed three applications!
The first is for a chance to participate in the Edge program through Artist Trust. It is an intensive workshop-style class on everything a professional artist needs to know about the business of art.
The second is to the Heaven and Earth project at Carkeek park. Every year they have an exhibit of outdoor sculpture for the public and this year I hope they choose me as one of ten artists.
The third one was easy- a one page fill-in-the-blank to qualify for a $75 voucher to see a doctor. They are only being given to artists who don't have insurance, so I figured why not? They got it back to me within an hour! Whoo- HOo! I don't know when was the last time I had a check up.
So there is three out of ten so far. I'm looking into what the next ones will be.
I think this will be a good year.

A New Project

2010-02-21T21:10:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about it so long now that I've finally done something about it. So here are the beginnings of my new adventure into "Nature Morte."

A Grand Opening

2010-01-11T11:51:00.000-08:00

The official opening ceremony for the new City of Snoqualmie Town Hall took place this last Saturday, January 9th at 10:30am. I and my fellow artist Kathleen Fruge-Brown were honored by having our commissioned art pieces dedicated to the people of that fine city.

Another Portrait of the Falls

2009-12-14T14:13:00.000-08:00

Well there it is! "Another portrait of the Falls." It's taken about a year to complete and now my baby is out of my hands. These pictures don't do nearly enough justice to the artwork, but it will give you an idea. If anyone ever wants to visit this piece in person, it lives at City Hall, 38624 SE River St. Snoqualmie, WA 98065. Or- come to the grand opening on January 9th, 2010.

OMG! I have an Install Date!

2009-11-23T15:39:00.000-08:00

Dec. 13th and 14th of 2009.
these are some pictures of the finished space, well, finished except for the lighting and eye hook i had requested. I guess that had all got lost in translation.
so what you see here is the bottom floor (entryway to the building) the upstairs conference room, and view from the bottom up into the conference room. can you imagine it yet?

Rejected

2009-10-23T21:51:00.000-07:00

It's been three months since my last post to this blog. I had thought that there was nothing to report because none of the applications I sent out this summer were accepted. Then it occurred to me that this state of rejection is unavoidable for an artist, and can even be important.
So I'll mention then that my application to the Art History Department of UW to pursue a masters: REJECTED
Application for a fellowship at Pratt Fine Arts: REJECTED
Application for a scholarship grant to fund my next big art project: REJECTED
Application to be an intern at a downtown gallery: REJECTED
In fact, the only thing I applied to and got this year was a new job. So I guess all is not for loss. I'm now working in a better place and I'm constantly surrounded by art.
So what lesson do I take from all this rejection? I'm choosing to believe that I just didn't apply to enough things of the right type.

Out of the Fire

2009-07-25T19:22:00.000-07:00

Yes! These are what resulted from my new york adventure in wood-firing. Notice that marvelous glaze, those patterns and colors. I was so thrilled when I got them in the mail (at last!) And there you can also see the glass goblet i made in that same fire. What a fantastic experience. Now I want to do more!

Late night glasing!

2009-07-23T20:37:00.001-07:00

Storm King

2009-06-21T07:17:00.000-07:00

The last of my adventures on the east coast involved a trip to the Whitney, a viewing of Herb and Dorothy (watch the trailer)and a visit to the Storm King Art Center. I've got to say that the whole trip combined lead me to a deeper understanding, appreciation, and fulfillment of art. I didn't know my consciousness could be expanded so profoundly in just ten days!
And all that experience was so mind boggling that I'm shocked to say I'm glad to be back! As amazing as New York is, it is not Home.

Woodfired Glass and Ceramic Workshop

2009-06-15T19:01:00.000-07:00

HERE!
a few days in UpState and this is what I did.
see more pictures HERE!

Slow Day

2009-06-10T05:30:00.000-07:00

After such a fun filled day a little rest was welcome.

We slept in, were slow to start, and mostly just took it easy. I had to pack to get ready for my Big Adventure and we only had time for a little light shopping in the city before I left. However when Greg and I stopped for a coffee and snack we discovered we were in the cafe belonging to one of the oldest hotels in America. The Cosmopolitan was very cute and very French. New York is making me realize that I'm not the only francophile- the whole county was when it started and what an influence France was in the image we created for ourselves! I also realized that almost everything in New York can boast being the oldest something-or-other.

Around five I took my leave of my friends and promptly got stuck in traffic. It only took about 5 hours to drive to Corning, so not too bad. I can't wait for the class to start!

Big Day

2009-06-08T06:12:00.000-07:00

Sunday brunch- eggs benedict with crab rather than ham, with bloody marys and mimosas and all the trimmings like coffee cake and mixed fruit. It was enough to carry us through the Big Day.
First we attacked the Guggenheim where there was show on Frank Lloyd Wright's work. I gotta say being in his building was much more enjoyable than looking at architectural drawings. Maybe that's just me, Greg got all giggly about it.
Then a quick taxi took us to the Armory where Ernesto Neto is showing his HUGE interactive installation. WOW! You might remember that Greg and I stumbled upon one of his former works in the Pantheon, Paris when we were living there. This one was just as spectacular, and even better because it had a ball pit! Very sensual experience. Neto not only builds awesome looking structures but they involve all of your senses- tacktile, olfactory, taste (i'm not sure if it was intended, but i did taste one dropplet filled with clove)
Later we had reservations to a speakeasy! We had to find a nondescript phone booth at the back of an unassuming little hot-dog joint where they let you into a low-lit bar covered with taxidermist experiments (jackalopes and such) I'm not really one for mixed drinks, but this place is known for them so I ordered and was amazed. I'm in love with Sours now. But don't worry, it will not become a habit becase I don't think I could enjoy them elseweres.
For dinner Leanna and Paul had picked out an Indian restaurant they had visited once before. One star Michelin rating! Need I say more? There is no recapturing in words the delights that found our toungues.
We rolled back home on our bellies.

Chicago or New York?

2009-06-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

The first trip in the morning was to Little Italy for lunch (i say morning, because it was for us, but the clock said 2!)
i thought i would solve the question of 'who has the better pizza' once and for all by going to Lombardi's - the oldest pizza joint in the new world. I gotta say, New Yorkers got something to brag about, but it aint nothin like the love of deep dish.
Saw some more fiends at the Met. Mainly I was enamored with Pieter Claesz and William Claesz. Heda. Can you see why?
unfortunately the European paintings took the whole day to get through- that museum is huge!
Later on we visited Vol de Nuit, the Belgian Beer Bar that Monica suggested and now I need to know how she found out about this place, cause it was without a doubt the coolest place to drink.
You are not even 21 yet young lady!

A Long Day in the Big City

2009-06-06T08:14:00.000-07:00

I didn't really wake up yesterday because I didn't really get to sleep the night before. Hard to do that on a plane. So whenever the day started Greg and I were up and headed to our friend's house in Hoboken- a charming little area of New Jersey.
There was some time for naps and snacks and then to the City we go! we go!
I found it amusing that we left a sunny and 90 degree Seattle to come to a cool and rainy NY, and also that New Yorkers actually use umbrellas. I had never thought about the fact that the umbrella is almost a symbol of Seattle and yet everyone there (including greg and myself) use rain jackets. I spent a lot of the day dodging spokes!
Today was a free day for the MoMA. Duchamp, Miro, Picasso, Matisse, Warhol, Beuys, Hesse, Morris (Robert,) Rauschenberg and so many other of my friends! Cornell and Redon were some of my favorites and I was introduced to Leon Ferrari for the first time.
WoW!
What more can I say?
Today- we will walk as far as possible and maybe find the places my sister has suggested in her comment.
It's not too late to leave instructions for me if you have not already, tell me what I should do in this town!

A New Project

2009-05-30T08:21:00.000-07:00

The latest thing I've been working on will be a wedding gift for my cousin's new bride. I'll be going to Colorado this summer to help celebrate the happy event and since the lady likes stained glass, my cousin asked if I could do something about it. What better excuse do I need to buy a soldering iron?
So here you see my design that I modeled from examples of Victorian era glass (apparently her style) and in the middle is a representation of the beautiful place in which the proposal was made. How romantic!
I'm sorry to say that I will not have pictures of the finished project soon, because I'm going to New York in a week!
I'm hoping to blog everyday with pictures and stories from that adventure so check this out often when that starts.
Also, write in the comments about where I should go in that great city. There is so much to do and see there that I'm going to need direction. Give me an itinerary! or even a scavenger hunt! I promise to anyone who writes a suggestion that I will do what they say, take pictures and write about it in this blog.
Live vicariously!

The Day's Work Dries In The Sun

2009-05-12T18:31:00.000-07:00

Just like our bones will one day. And like clay we will one day return to the earth as brittle and used up vessels. Appropriate sentiments for making memento mori you think?

More Distractions

2009-05-04T21:08:00.000-07:00

Work is coming along nicely. This past weekend I purchased the last of the steel I will need for the mobile and spent an afternoon blowing glass with a new assistant.
So that was good and productive. But that is not all I've been doing lately! I went to see the new musical, Sunday in the Park with George. It is inspired by the work and life of painter George Seurat and discusses somewhat the role of an artist in society. You can guess why I liked it. Beforehand there was a gallery reception (with very nice wine and cheese) at an artist's co-op named Art not Terminal. There were a few things Gregory and I found impressive but most of all I thought to myself that I should be working to get into a gallery. I think I could hold my own in a place like that.
So my mind directed me back to my latest obsession of making vanitas still lifes. The books I've got from the library on the subject have convinced me that I must have skulls if it is to be a true vanitas. So I spent some time in the basement making a skull out of clay. I am pleased with the results so far but also convinced that I need an actual skull to continue the study. Anatomy drawings are just not enough. If anyone knows where I could find such a thing, or a convincing replica, let me know.
For a completely different project I paid a visit to a friend for tips on stained glass. I am to be making a window for a wedding gift this summer and am excited about the possibilities of this other form of glass. I am familiar with the process of leaded glass but have never spent too much time on it.
So much to look forward to, and then this shows up and tempts me on to even more distractions!
Perhaps I should stop calling my interests distractions, rather, they are opportunities for art making.
After all, art is what I do.

On to the Next!

2009-04-22T21:51:00.000-07:00

In my last post I mentioned a glassblowing workshop I signed up for in Corning, NY this summer. The exciting thing is: it is wood-fired! I'm still shivering with anticipation. And not only that, but it incorporates ceramics! The workshop will be a three day event of stoking the kiln night and day in order to glaze pots and blow glass! My two favorite materials to work with at the same time, you can see why I didn't hesitate to put my name on the roster. I was planning a trip east anyways!
Although it did not occur to me until just the other night what this opportunity actually means to me.
For some time I have had this idea of building replicas of the Dutch still life genre, in actual life. I've been looking into frame building for this purpose and have been researching the types of goblets and things that were usually represented in such paintings. Then a lightning bolt hit my eyes and suddenly I knew what to do! Don't you love it when that happens?
I realized that I will have access to the process in which the old-time items were made. Therefore, I must practice how to make replicas of the objects I need and then carry out the mission in NY!
I'll make jugs from clay to take with me and then while I'm there, I'll work on making Roemers! That classical goblet form has always intrigued me.

Some Call It Writer's Block

2009-04-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

What to do when you keep putting off work towards the one thing you really actually want to do? Why is it that sometimes we neglect the things that mean most to us? In my case, the Snoqualmie mobile, which is my life and my love at this time in my personal history, has been on the shelf for three and a half weeks.
I have been obsessing about it in my mind as always, ever thinking and planning, but when I put my hands to it they somehow find another purpose. Such as sewing this skirt! or knitting this sleeve! Cruel and tempting distractions! -you draw me away from my true love!
Of course I know that some of this feet dragging is due to the fact that the installation deadline has been postponed for two more months, so there is time for me to slack off. The building under construction is now not expected to be completed until September.
Still I feel this sickening feeling that I should be making progress instead of clothing. So how do I motivate myself back to the grinding stone? (or in this case, the Anvil and the Bench)
Well, I went out on a clear day and searched for inspiration. I discovered Discovery Park for the first time, had a lovely walk through the forest to the beach where I picnicked while watching the sail boats ride by. Later, my companion and I tried a new, fancy restaurant called Olivar. They are a spanish-inspired gourmet place right next to the Cornish College of the Arts, which later showed the first act of Puccini's Soeur Angelica. (I must brag that everything was super cheep too! I won a contest on a Seattle foodie blog which gave me a coupon for $25 off the restaurant and since the opera was a student production it was very reasonable! And all of it was fantastic!)
The next day I tried to blow glass, but (to briefly describe the very opposite of what I intended) that sucked! I did horribly and had to quit early in tears of frustration!
I tried again for inspiration in the cherry blumes on the UW campus. It was an amazing afternoon that someone like Monet, Pissarro or Seurat would paint. It was good to see, but not enough.
If I was going to get working again, and doing good work, I knew I had to build a fire under my seat. There is nothing like a firm deadline to make me move my ass!
So- I signed up for a glassblowing workshop in Corning, NY, and bought the tickets to go in June! (more on that later.) I also bought tickets to see my cousin's wedding in June so if I don't get my act in line by then I'll be sorry!
It worked! I'm back on the ball!
And I lived happily ever-until-it-happens-again.
The end.

2009-03-27T15:01:00.000-07:00

Right now there is a small room in the SAM devoted to a collection of paintings by one George de Forest Brush. (Makes me wonder if he chose his own name.) He was a late-19th-century American painter who focused on depicting native Americans in their natural setting. Of course at that time Brush was well aware of the destructive end the natives were being lead to by the American government, and he was already wistful for the times before industrialization and the advent of mass production.
In this painting (my favorite in the collection I saw) Brush pays tribute to the simplicity of the honest, hand-produced laybor of a hard-working individual. (and it's been said that Symbolism did not cross "the pond" when it was flourishing in France and England. Pah! I say to that, and here is the proof!) Every detail in the painting refers back to the time when we were connected with the making of things and could savor the pride of skill. (Learn more here.)
This painting touched me, for it is a visual representation of my own philosophy on art. I feel that artists today are (sometimes) too removed from their craft. The "artist" in today's definition is the visionary. They are the ones who pay the craftsmen to make their vision. Like the weaver in the painting, I take pride in the things I create and cannot imagine how to realize a vision of my own without having my hand in it.
I try to live my philosophy in regard to all things, but most of all with my artwork. Since I had never worked with metal before, I had thought about hiring a professional blacksmith to create the armature for my mobile. Yet my artist's sense of responsibility towards my public demanded I learn a new skill. It may turn out a little more "primitive" than a polished and perfect product, but when this project is finished you will be able to look at it and know that every part of it was molded in love by my own hands.

Model Mock-UP

2009-03-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

Sweet tooth

2009-03-11T15:19:00.000-07:00

I call it March Marzipan Madness! And indeed, as the sugar quickly dissolves into my bloodstream I steadily go insane. It is a layered experiment of shortbread, marzipan, dark chocolate ganache, topped by swirls of my homemade apple butter and my mother's homemade apricot jam. BwAH-AH-AH-AH!
Seriously though, I need the fix. I've been asked to put together a 20min. slide show of my progress thus far on the Snoqualmie project and then present it next week at the Art Committee meeting.
Weeee! Here we go!!!!

Intermission

2009-03-04T20:50:00.000-08:00

I interrupt this narrative about the making of my project to bring you news of other art that fills my daily life.
Within the last few weekends I have not only had the opportunity to visit the beautiful Volunteer Park with Conservatory and old Water Tower, but I also got to see the Asian Art Museum with it's current display of royal Indian art and the SAM, once again to see Hopper's 'Women' and an exhibition of early American art from the Yale University collection.
I must say that I've never really been into either Indian or American art, but both of these shows have stirred a curiosity in me.

Makin' Plates!

2009-02-21T17:20:00.000-08:00

Health Care Tips for the Uninsured

2009-02-19T10:54:00.000-08:00

If you are, like me, one of the 45 million Americans struggling without health insurance, and have mild frost bite, here is how to treat that: burns!
At first I didn't know why my fingers and toes were becoming sore and red and swelling and hard to move without pain. It didn't occur to me that while at work, I was being trained to polish glass. For those of you unfamiliar with this process it involves long hours of using a wet grinder in the cold shop (aptly named). Because my boss is too cheap to buy a water heater for this purpose all the water sprayed by this hand held tool comes from the ground pipes, and at the time it was still snowing outside! Couple that with my circulation problems and I didn't even notice that my hands were literally freezing.
Just when I realized what was going on I worried that it would prevent me from continuing my work for blowing glass in the hot shop (also aptly named) and working with steel for my mobile project. Luckily, my first day back in the studio went well and actually helped my fingers to better articulate. Between the furnace and the forge I've sustained a few mild burns and am now happy to report that the frost bite is gone!
Who needs doctors anyway?

Breaking Ground

2009-02-15T20:00:00.000-08:00

There is work being done on the mobile at last! But first a little inspiration from my friend at Loquita Chocolates. I was invited to a "My Bloody Valentine" party (Fri. Feb 13th) and decided to try some truffle making for the occasion. I got a little crazy with the flavors, what you see here in the foreground is bacon truffles! Yes, that is bacon supporting the cocoa confection, and yes, they are good! Next there was orange blossom truffles and after that, coated in nibs you see spicy rose hip-tea truffles. They were a success, but not nearly as interesting or as beautiful as what is being made here.
After that was such a wonderful weekend of blowing glass and forging steel! Here you see the Pratt studio where I am taking a blacksmithing class and having so much fun. This is the beginning of building the armature for the scale-model mobile. The first glass platters were made this weekend too, but pictures are yet to come.
Well, overall I'm making good use of myself in my spare time, which is good, considering I'll have pleanty more of it soon. The economic decline has caused my work to cut my hours, but I figure I should see this as an opportunity and use every moment to be creative. It might even mean more blog entries!

The Project Update

2009-02-08T21:42:00.000-08:00

Things are going well, almost too well! I have started a blacksmithing class at Pratt's Fine Art Center and I'm loving it! It's like glass, only more forgiving. So my Thursday evenings and Fridays will now be spent hammering the shit out of steel rod in order to make the armature for my mobile. My deposit has come through so now I have a little cash to start spending on blowtime! I hope to be back in front of the furnace by the end of the week to make the platters that will hang in the mobile. In the mean time I'll be working on small-scale models (pictures to come) to work out engeneering.
Last week I visited the site where my work will be installed. It's so exciting! The building is going up and I can actually envision the space where my artwork will hang. I talked with the operations manager there and asked how to get a hook installed that would be able to support 400lbs of glass and steel and he said he'd have it done!
Well thank you very much! I am so thrilled to actually meet someone who is not putting up any resistance. This is new, and a little frightening.
Well, so far we are still on schedule for end of June install, but something tells me it will not all go according to plan.
Nothing goes according to plan!
Stay in touch.

night of crazed crafting!

2009-01-28T20:30:00.000-08:00

I recently made some shortbread cookies, with marzipan and dark chocolate on top! And then I ate two pieces, and like Alice down the bunny chute, I entered a new world of manic sewing into the wee hours. I crafted yet another apron, this time to honor my friend who had made the wonderful udder design you see on the pocket. I am having such a great time with aprons for some reason! They are a quick and dirty way to accomplish a project in one sugar-influenced evening.
And, by the way, I recently stopped into a gallery that was showing a bunch of paintings that actually looked good! I was intrigued because paintings, especially anything being done today in painting, do not grab me. However these were awesome, I looked up the artist later and found this. enjoy!

Getting Around to Gifts

2009-01-10T12:20:00.000-08:00

Who says you have to scurry and get everything done before x-mas? I have no time for such foolishness; I get around to gifting when I feel like it!
So here is the wonderful apron I made for my little tartine! Oh goodness, my guinness, isn't he adorable! And there will be more to come, for now that I've completed and sent in my application to grad school (cross your fingers for me) I have the time once again for crafting and art making- and cooking!

A Winter Knitting Solstice

2008-12-29T18:09:00.000-08:00

I had planned for a knitting party on the solstice, and there I would share with my friends the lovely tradition of lighting the pudding. Unfortunately, all the wonderful snow prevented everyone but one from coming! Although it was not a total bust. There were enough people snowed in at the house to make it a jolly time. We ate, we drank wassail, I showed a few people how to knit and crochet and to end the night there was a huge snowball fight. I don't think I've ever been in a snowball fight that I enjoyed before! If only that day could be longer, I love it so.

pudding and boughs

2008-12-15T16:57:00.000-08:00

This holiday season is inspiring me to try new things, such as traditional christmas pudding. I found a lovely recipe here which requires steaming the pudding for 8 hours! and then to hang it for a week or more! those brits! What were they thinking? Anyhow, it should be a fun experiment. And it was a good day to have a pot boiling all day on the stove for this weekend it snowed! What a lovely winter treat.
I've also been feeling the spirit of winter in my desire to cover the entire front room with tree boughs and clippings. The snowy day was perfect for an idealic stoll through the park with a pair of clippers. Now all sorts of firs and greens and hollies are cheering the hearthstone.
Tis the season for tea and knitting! I love it!

Thanksgiving/Art sandwich

2008-11-30T15:39:00.000-08:00

This past turkey day brought me back home, and also to a couple of very good art shows. Who knew? I sandwiched my visit with art at the beginning and end, with turkey in the middle.
The night I flew down I was able to drag my sister along with me to the Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum to see a gallery opening featuring one of my former professors. Good work Michael B Miller! It was good to see some old familiar faces, and the artwork was intriguing too. I'm still not sure how I feel about the artist who characterized old people in ink pen sketches.
more about it here.
Also, my last full day in California I was able to spend at the Getty Museum! Right now they are showing some of the Lumbourg brother's illuminated manuscripts, notably the Belles Heures du Duc de Bury.
There is no greater joy for a lover of book arts than to see these fantastic illustrations up close and personal. I got a book on their work that actually has full scale prints of each page but the loss of detail in its reproduction is painfully noticeable.
There is nothing like viewing the real thing.

almost a year ago... part II

2008-11-29T18:38:00.000-08:00

the second installment of the story begun below.

There was music, games, laughter, hors d'oeuvres (and pleanty of spirits flowing, though i did not have a drop). There was the sunset over the harbor and the starry city lights which replaced it.
I got to meet a lot of good people, like the owners of an art gallery close to where i live, and my friend Pete's sister (we bonded over knitting), and these wonderful women from Puerto Rico. However, I was not prepared to meet some of the more important people attending the festivities that evening. As I spent some time at a Texas Hold'em table (and it took some time before I knew what I was doing) I got to know some of my fellow players and observed how they seemed to communicate in insults. I was very uncomfortable for a while, expecting tension to build, but then I realized that they would laugh and throw insults back and forth like some fun game! I just didn't get it.
Also, since my artwork was up for display and one of the gifts to be given to the first prize winner, throughout the evening I was constantly approached and asked things relating to the fact that I'm an artist, and then followed up with advice. Such things as, "Have you heard of So-and-So? You should really look him up." "Do you have a website? You really need a website." "Why are you in Seattle? San Francisco is where it's at." "Have you seen Such-and-Such's work? I would think you'd have heard of it."
And then, a moment I wish I had back, next to me at the table was a youngish man, playing very aggressively and unsportsmanlike. He had a sugar momma who kept coming around to give him more chips so he could keep upping the anty and forcing the rest of us out of money to play with. Durring a break as he was counting up his stash he was bragging that he was in it to win the first place prize- until he actually looked at the prize list. Then he announced that actually, he'd be happy to accept the second place because, "the first place only has all this art-shit!"
I must have sat there for a full minute debating whether or not to say something to embarrass him. I knew he deserved it, but I couldn't bring myself to say something- I think I was in a state of shock. So I left the table.
It was just about wrap up time when the awards were given out. I was eager to see who my artwork would go to. Luckily, the annoying and greedy man who didn't appreciate art didn't even place. Also, one of the nice Puerto Rican women won first prize! I was very happy, not only for her, but now I can claim I'm international! And then- since there was interest in the audience for my work, it was agreed upon by all parties that my work be auctioned off to raise more money, in exchange for this I promised to make another to send to the winner.
And so my two little assemblages went for $570! I couldn't believe it. I also couldn't believe that it went to the sugar momma of that one asshole! I'm not sure she even wanted it cause the auctioneer was picking on her until she bid and then no one else would outbid her despite her efforts to inspire them.
Before leaving this rich young lady comes up to me to chat and thank me for my work. She asked me if I had a website, and that I really should have a website. I wanted to explain how I was just getting my feet on the ground and that I was working on getting one soon, but somehow it didn't come out that way. Maybe I was tired, maybe scared, maybe fed up with all the insults and posturing but it came out as, "I've been out of a home for some time,"
I wish I could describe the look on her. A mixture of disgust, delight, and surprise were fighting with her desire to keep a strait face. The conversation quickly fizzled out.
So that is what I don't like about being an artist- seeing my art go to a home where it will not be appreciated, or worse, likely thrown in the trash.
Fortunately there was a happy ending. I wound up driving the organizers of the charity back to their hotel. They were wonderful folk, and I'm glad I could help them raise money for their cause.
Check it out here:
http://www.thepositiveproject.org/

almost a year ago... part I

2008-11-29T18:32:00.000-08:00

I've decided I need to copy this post from the last blog to the current one. It is a story I cherish, and I find it relative to the subject of Live Art Live. Enjoy.

For everything that you love there will always be something about that thing that you just can't stand. And now I've found out what I dislike about being an artist! Let me explain:
Last week I was contacted by my dear friend Pete. He let me know that he would be in town for a day or two for a conference with a bunch of other software companies. Not only that, but he had somehow last-minute organized a fund-raiser for an aids benefit that would involve a swanky poker game at the Space Needle with all these fancy executives. Not only was I invited to have a good time, but I was also asked if I might have some artwork to donate to the cause.
Well, at first I was flabbergasted at the thought of only having a week in which to make something (because I had nothing on hand) but who could pass up an opportunity like that? So I spent all my free time the rest of that week preparing an idea that I've been wanting to make for a long time. That being: a real life still life in the style of the old Dutch and Flemish masters of the 1700's. I wanted to create a Vanitas painting with real fruits and flowers that would eventually wilt and decay within their frame, therefore actually becoming the decadence that the old oils only represented. It was an incredibly fun and stimulating project. I love being challenged with time lines! It really gets me going. So you must be wondering, what the hell am I complaining about?
Well, nothing so far. I was delighted to be seeing my friend again. I was honored to be asked to give a piece of my art for a good cause, and I'll be honest, I was looking forward to a night of schmoozing and boozing with high society. (Not sure what qualifies these days as 'high society' but seeing as there was a society of people gambling high in the Space Needle- that is what I'm calling it.)
All seemed to be going well. But just to give you a taste of what the night would bring, when I arrived in the parking lot of the Seattle Center, I walked to the kiosk to buy my parking pass and when I got back to the car I'd already been ticketed!
FORESHADOWING!
DUN DUN DUN!
you'll have to wait for the next installment of this story to know what happens, cause I love cliffhangers!

A New Year

2008-11-08T16:01:00.000-08:00

It has been such a busy couple of weeks, what with all harvesting and preparing, voting and waiting for what the new year will bring.
I've been finishing up some old projects, such as the knitted gloves I'd started a year ago. That will free up the needles I'll need for my next project: a sweater.
I'm not preparing any ordinary sweater- mind you. What I plan on doing is really creating a canvas to display scenes from the Bayeux Tapestry. More on this later.

I have such respect for old apple trees. The one in the backyard has once again proven its fecundity by giving all the household more than we could want. I spent a whole day devoted to juicing that once forbidden fruit and ended up with about three gallons which is now turning to cider in the carboy. I was also able to can quite a few jars of apple butter and the housemates made more than a few pies. I think we were able to get through about half the crop.

The tomatoes did not fare so well, on the other hand. It was a cold summer, and started late and ended early. I was able to get a few good ones before fall set in, but i just uprooted all the plants and ended up with Two GIANT bowl-fulls of hard green tomatoes. If anyone has any suggestions on what to do with these, I'd love to know. I'll be looking up recipes soon.

Last weekend I visited Pratt Fine Arts Center for the first time since moving to Seattle. I went because they were hosting a glassblowing demonstration by an Italian master named Davide Salvadore. It had to be the best demo I've ever seen. Davide was uncharacteristically jubilant. I've never seen a glassblower so happy when blowing a very difficult and important piece. It was inspiring. The picture here is like the piece I saw him make. You can learn more about him here.

Looking forward to making my own soon- still waiting to sign the contract for the commission.
Still waiting on some letters of recommendation to return so I can finish the application to grad school. Looking forward to seeing what happens with a new President in the White House, and waiting for him to take office.
Waiting
Waiting
and looking forward...

CRUSH!

2008-09-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

Ah- the ancient art of "making" (drinking) wine. What could better then helping to crush grapes with your feet while you enjoy the fruits of the winemaker's labor? (Winemaker shown above) If anyone happens to live or drive through the east-bay of SF I recommend stopping into the tasting room of Periscope Cellars.
You may not be asked to help because Crush only happens once a year, but you will be asked to help enjoy their delicious varietals and blends. Here are a few more pics of the event:

Backyard Treasures

2008-08-25T17:20:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just have to get out of the house and explore something new.
When I'm in this kind of mood I become very impressionable to suggestion, and that's why I listen to NPR. I love public radio! How else can you find out about these backyard treasures?
About a month ago they did a little blurb on the amazing Japanese gardens located in South Seattle called Kubota. I was thinking about visiting that part when I heard from the same radio program about another fascinating event. There is a composer who is doing site-specific mini-operas about water. He chooses the sites around some form of water for this element is the only instrument to accompany the singer. (A percussionist manipulates the water with various other tools to create rhythm) As you can see by the pictures, a couple of the sites where they performed was located at the Kubota Gardens.
It was such a lovely afternoon! First there was chilled melon soup and a plate of ham and baguette at my favorite French bistro in town. Then through the summer heat and sticky bus seats, my love and I made it to the cool and refreshing gardens for this unusual outdoor concert.
The arias floated through the manicured trees as gracefully as the fish swimming in the streams. It was all expertly done, and has gotten me thinking towards site-specificity again.....

If you want to learn more about the gardens or the "Bottled" operas, then check these out:
http://www.kubota.org/
http://hearbyron.com/

beautify your life.

2008-07-28T18:49:00.000-07:00

Some call it feathering the nest, so here are some of my feathers! I used the technique I learned from my previous job for stained glass applique and applied it to the windows of Smooth Like Honey- my new car. If art is the visual manifestation of our unique humanness, then by golly let it shine with every human endeavor! Even if that endeavor is car ownership.
Isn't she a beaute!
And here is a little something for your pleasure if you have an interest in watching me do my job.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EdWRqF9y_T8

What is this thing?

2008-07-09T19:37:00.000-07:00

This thing is a model of what I am going to create for the new Snoqualmie Town Hall. This will be for the commission I described in the last post. It's purpose is to be a public piece of art that personifies in some way the wonderful town of Snoqualmie. You might wonder how floating plates of glass suspended by a mobile has anything to do with any town's personality, but just imagine what a room will be like once you put spotlights on it. The picture of the actual size plate gives a good example. The room will be bathed in a watery light, representing the waterfall for which the town is known.
It is a simple, yet beautiful concept that I have been waiting to do for quite some time. I am very excited that this will be going into a public space for all to see, and very eager to get started! I'll keep you updated to it's progress of course. Until further notice, wish me good luck.

IT'S OFFICIAL!

2008-06-25T20:12:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have not already heard, last winter I submitted a proposal for a public art piece to be displayed in the new Snoqualmie Town Hall. A few months ago I gave a presentation about the piece to the town's arts committee and it was well received. I have been waiting for a response ever since.
This last Monday there was a city council meeting that I was invited to and part of the evening's agenda was to discuss my proposal and subsequent budget. After long last, the committee all agreed "Yea" for approval and that makes me now officially a professional and PAID! working artist.
Hooray!

In other news, this past weekend I attended the Glass Art Society's 2008 conference in Portland, Or. It was an amazing and inspirational blast! I met up with many friends I haven't seen for years and saw so much wonder. I have attached a few pics from the event. The artist demonstrating is Richard Marquis and team. There are a few other faces I captured in the crowd that might be familiar to some. Can you spot them?

http://picasaweb.google.com/gusgusgirl/Gas2008

Inspiration

2008-06-12T22:01:00.000-07:00

From time to time you can expect to see a random sampling of inspirational internet inquiries. These are just some note-worthing things that I've been looking into recently and think valuable enough to pass on.
enjoy!
A friend told me about this one:
http://www.gregorybarsamian.com

Welcome!

2008-06-08T18:21:00.000-07:00

Hullo all! And welcome to my new journal of daily living in art! The intent of this blog is not only to serve as a bi-weekly update on all the different art projects that are keeping me busy, happy and alive, but it can also be considered a springboard for inspiration. We all need a little encouragement some times, and if I can spark a good idea into a reader then I've done a good job. My purpose is to live in beauty, to create it wherever and whenever I can and to encourage it in others. To live a life in beauty is to be alive in art!