Colors.....love them!

Wintertime is so dull.   Once the leaves have fallen the colors are absent for at least 4 months.  For someone who thrives in color it can be a long 4 months. 

Red

Life has changed

I've been busy.  Things have changed.  I still have my deep desire to create but I've been redirecting those feelings.  I have only a wood shop as an outlet.  I have started some interesting projects this last year.  They have engulfed my world.  Now that things are settling down I have time to share this last year with you.  But only the good stuff.  No one wants to hear about the bad.  This photo is one that I turn to when I need to dream. 

Stay tuned for more details of my exciting life.  I promise I won't disappear for a year...or two....enjoy.  If you'd like to see more of my photos let me know.

blogging is a wintertime thing for me....

No excuses.....I have been swamped all summer. I'm not exaggerating either. Been home maybe ten days in the last 36. Another challenge is I got an ipad. Typing more than a facebook entry can cause my finger tips to go numb. More to follow I promise....

another rustic collage

Here I am again with another sculptural piece. It's Friday and I should be in the shower but I wanted to post quick before I'm off to the mountains.  This weekend I'll be providing a crafting experience to middle aged Mennonite women.  My good friend runs a wonderful woodland hideaway in the mountains near Lincoln City.  Drift Creek Camp is unique place and although a winding drive....I never pass up a chance to visit and see my friend.  And.....she makes wonderful espresso drinks!

This composition includes collaged vintage papers on a old box lid with it's original hardware remaining.  It's complimented with 2 contrasting carved walnut furniture adornments.  The sleek glass door knob is paired with the chippy green door handle base.  These are then mounted on a elevated remnant of a agricultural screen found here on the farm.  Created as a wall hanging.  All these elements contrast in texture and orgin.  Embracing many aspects of life. 

On a another note.  This upcoming July I'm attending a artist workshop "camp" all based around the use of hot wax...."Encaustics".  The camp was created to help all types of artist on how to incorporate encautics into your works of art.  I'm thinking that this piece would of been perfect to encase (the base) in wax.....I'm excited to be the host and student of this amazing combination of artists from around the U.S.  I'm happy to know that it will be held at my very own Western Mennonite School Campus so I don't have to travel far. You'll find info about it here....

more contemporary

This is my third try....I feel like it still needs something and of course the photo is a bit washed out. I chose a spicy tomato painted trim to compliment the pumpkin shade of Divine Paint. I picked up these tiles (soft yellows and aqua) that are in the center at Habitat.  Some lucky girl had her kitchen back splash done completely in these shiny little gems and they graciously donated the extras.  Very jealous.  I mounted them on a contrasting vintage aluminum roofing piece I found out back of the shop.  I was quite shocked when I actually found what I had envisioned.  It's mounted with 4 vintage wood screws and adorned with a copper starburst.  And for those of you that read yesterdays post.....the black circle is a rubber toilet flush valve that i found new in the original box.  David went with me to Habitat and he was talking to a friend of his who was volunteering.  He was sorting through this box of misc. hardware that had been donated by the Trappist Abbey near Lafayette.  It has these neat bumps and a copper center ring.....a little too cool to use in a toilet.   Well I best finish the other 3 I have started.  I'm still thinking out the possibilities.  I got a vintage cheese box that I painted the interior and it's ready to go.....maybe tomorrow?

another try

This one is my favorite.  I salvaged so many square nails and thought I could never use them all...Now maybe I can. This creation is based in a tiny drawer, collaged with vintage papers and some divine paint.  I picked up some divine paint samples at Goodwill....amazing find.  The center wood piece is from a pipe organ salvaged after a flood.  I wonder if anyone can guess what the center black item is?

I've been trying something new...

Have you ever been to an art gallery and saw artwork you thought was ridiculous and wondered "what was that guy thinking?"....Well I guess that's the path I'm on. People are strange as to what they like.  I've always preferred collage.  I really dig assemblage and found object type creations .  Using items that would normally be tossed or using things for a different purpose seems to spark something in me.  Some people might not call it art, but it takes thought and time finding the right combination textures is intriguing to me. Here are a few reasons that I started in this new direction....1) I have the need to create...I needed to tap into that or I was going to go crazy.....2) I've acquired a lot of really cool hardware that I haven't found a need for with the furniture creations. 3) it's butt crack cold out side and my shop is not pleasant to work in. 4) I'm re-applying to a art show that I've done in years past and I wanted some new things to expand with.  The show called "Cracked Pots".  I was involved for a number of years but leadership has changed and I lost my connection with the gal who knew me. Reapplying is a drag but it keeps me on my toes and it ensures a high quality show.  I needed the time off.  Prepping for the show took weeks of work.  I overheard my daughter say "Mommy is in her shop again...."  I felt kind bad.  It was the tone of her voice and it sounded like I was in there too much.  That's when I decided to take a summer off.  We focused on having fun and one summer became two and now I'm back.  She's got her cousins to play with now and she's more independent.  Some days during the summer she's gone for hours playing....what a life.  This farm is such a treasure.  I wish I could of grown up here.  I had lots of outside fun though.  We lived in the hills outside Eugene.  Lots of fir trees to climb.  I had poison oak and pitch on me most of my life.   anyways.......I've been gone a bit from here too.  Now I'm back.  Here is a photo of one of my creations.  I'll post one photo a day.  Kinda funky stuff.......but it's fun.