Sticks, Stones, and Paper Stew Blog

Eugene Days

This post is for my family scattered across the country who have been wondering about the old home. I thought it might be fun to post a couple of photos of the house. It’s currently getting lots of work done in anticipation of selling… eventually. Tuesday we had numerous tree guys climb all over the roof and up tall trees to cut down dangerous limbs and make things more presentable. Plus they tied back Rhodies and a few trees that have been resting on the decks and railings. The photos are of the front yard/walkways only. The back is still in need of work.

This home is very much Mid Century Modern and was totally designed and built by my father.

First image is looking down on the front walkway, from the carport, to the house. Loads of trees and some rhodies. Yes, those are pyramid structures on the roof. They have skylights.

Next is the entry deck from the sidewalk

front entry street view

And a little farther down the street…

Walking down some of the stairs into the front yard… there used to be a huge amount of grass but the weeds have taken over.

The brick pathway from the deck stairs. The windows are to my old bedroom.

Progress! Just not at lightening speed. 🙂

Long Pod

Another one ready for the big studio tour. Still working out the kinks with the hanging system, but I think prototype #4 is a possible winner.

I feel like it’s crunch time for getting things ready and I’m a bit distressed at how little studio time will happen this week due to several things going on in Eugene. And then there are people trying to drag me off next weekend (meaning absolutely no work). Yes, that would be the weekend prior to the event. I just don’t think my friends understand how this all works. Are they thinking I’m so organized that I’ll have everything accomplished by the weekend??? Plus set up at Judith’s studio is on the 23rd. Oh yes, that cuts time down even shorter. I’m still in design process for dealing with a couple of things. I personally would love a weekend without dogs & husband so I can just do my thing. Maybe if I keep my fingers crossed it will happen!

Creating

All I want to do these days is stay in the studio and create pods. Not a horrible thing since the open studio tour is coming at the end of October. Create to sell, right? I just wish stuff in Eugene didn’t keep requiring attention.

Two pods are completed and one is waiting for copper. Not a start!

Today, rather than pounding copper, I went larger. I really want to create some even larger than the below image but it will require a better initial support system for the rattan (and more space!). I know how to do it, but just haven’t wanted to take the time to stop and make it.

The above pod is over 30″ (76 cm) long. Did I mention the lighting issues have been resolved? Yep, these guys will be lit! Remember they will look similar to the one below…

Lighted paper sculpture by Gale Everett Studio

Will someone be interested enough to purchase one? That’s still the question since they haven’t even been out on any market yet. Only here and on Facebook. Readers have had good response so far and Facebook support is equally favorable. My fingers are crossed!

These will be available during the Philomath Open Studio Tour! Check out their site for maps and further information. My Etsy shop will eventually get some in November.

🙂

Nasty weather

Here we are on the verge of Corvallis Fall Festival and the weather report really sucks. There are multiple storms coming to our doorstep bringing inches of rain, 30 mph gusts and flooding. Tonight the first one comes, then another moves in Saturday and yet another on Sunday. The weather service calls them “unseasonable” and “potent” with each increasing in strength over the previous. They say part of it is due to leftovers from typhoons across the pacific. I can’t recall the last time we’ve ever had a storm system like this in late September. October yes, but not September. This upcoming system certainly isn’t good for artworks crafted in paper + glue or any water soluble materials! The Open Studio group has decided to cancel our booth at this event. I know other artists are also dropping out due to the predictions. So please don’t look for our booth cause we won’t be there. However, I’ll certainly be out on Saturday to do some purchasing from those braving the elements!!

Yesterday the rattan arrived and I jumped into creating another pod (thinking I might have a remote chance of finishing another before the festival). Now I have plenty of time to work through this one. Ok, there isn’t much more to do except copper trim & another couple paper layers on the interior. The below photo is from yesterday evening before copper spikes.

What else did I complete/ have completed? A couple of Luminarias! Cut paper, spruce and hemlock. I cut and completed the left one yesterday. The maple leaf design was created many months before.

Enjoy the rough weather!

Pods and thorns, oh my!

Today we had plenty of rain and overcast skies so it was a good day to grab some studio time. The pod is slowly pulling together. I’m sure you’re probably wondering how many hammered copper wires get inserted into a pod form. I’ve not officially counted but it’s around 110-120 (Cynthia, each one is hammered individually). This time the pod is a bit heftier on the paper layers with the top and bottom points taking on a different look. It’s still waiting for the copper tape application and some sort of hanging device on the back but much closer to completion! Still no sign of more rattan….

Besides working copper bits into the pod form, I managed to get another black berry vine completed. The dogs didn’t help much. They thought bringing balls into the studio and constantly nudging me was a good thing for them to do. I’m surprised I didn’t stick them with copper spikes or have giant wayward lines come squiggling off the silhouette drawing. Eventually I had to stop and toss the ball outside for a while. They are excellent at making sure you take regular breaks.

The ground is getting muddier and so is my house…. I think it’s time to change flooring to wood! The carpet has to go!!!

Thorns

I have one week to go before Fall Festival and nothing terribly interesting to bring in the 3D world. Well, at least what I consider interesting. I’m pretty sure other people have different ideas. My supply orders are slowly dribbling in the door. Still waiting for rattan and glue. No glue = no lamp/luminarias of any type to be made! I’m exceedingly picky in that area. It has to be Linco PVA Archival glue or nothing.

Previous silhouette lamps have been created using cut paper. This process is rather time consuming and problematic with gluing (glue causes the paper to pucker). Recently I’ve tried photo mount spray adhesives and the jury is still out. I’m waiting to see how long the spray holds… so far so good. But there are other options rather than cut paper… like screen printing! I spent way too much time yesterday searching high and low for my stash of pre-cut fern silhouettes to no avail! Drat! I was hoping to make life easy by using images already in studio for creating photo emulsion screen prints. So instead I headed to the drawing board for a new design. The above image is the first vine/cane section for a blackberry lamp. Yes, I do find the dreaded invasive species fairly beautiful. As we head into fall the colors will start to change from green to yellows and red on the older canes. They are all over my yard and I yearn to rid myself from their lurking prickles, but it’s probably just a dream. So why not turn them into something positive!

Will the extra stress levels from estate/family things enable or inhibit creativity? Time will tell!

Two Phobias: Of Mice and Moon

Oh, the amazing Elaine! Her work is just incredible!

Black Thumb Tales

To a phobic, the depth of fear is wholly out of proportion to the actual threat. Fear of the moon—why is madness called lunacy? Musophobia—even the thought of mice or rats can induce states ranging from panic to paralysis. Two Phobias explores out-sized fear in an over-sized medium.

On the work itself, the isolation of space has been enhanced by hand-rubbing charcoal into the chalkboard paint background. Features of the moon are charcoal over white gesso. The mice are drawn hair-by-hair with a silverpoint stylus, a technique I learned at a British Museum workshop in Elizabethan art materials; the images will change over time as the silver reacts to its environment.

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Here are some photos, taken in August, as I worked on my wall drawing:

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What to bring?

On September 28 & 29, Corvallis Fall Festival will be ruling Central Park in Corvallis. This is the first season I’ll be part of a booth rather than helping run the festival. Yes, after 9 festivals the tide has turned! I was invited to participate in this year’s Philomath Open Studios tour in October/November. As part of the “art guild/groups” in Linn/Benton County, we actually have a booth! We will be in #130 so please come by and check it out. The salmon poster image was created by Analee Fuentes. Please check out the CFF website for more info on her work and festival happenings. Lots of art and music to experience!

So, how does a group of 29 artists stock a booth? Sparingly! At the meeting this week, there was a show of hands for 2D participants vs 3D. As a group, we’re super heavy on 2D which is fine. I’m ambidextrous between mediums so have opted to bring 3D work to the festival. We will all bring 2 works each and possibly one extra. But what to bring?? The Sea Pods would be a lot of fun to display and certainly very different looking but supplies are exhausted. I’ve been trying to get more rattan and not having much luck. Business #1 is totally out and don’t know when they will be getting more. Today I placed an order with business #2 and will see if they have it (4 hr time difference so I’ll find out tomorrow if they can process the order or not). Business #3 is the one I order glue and other basic supplies, but no rattan. Those items should arrive today. (the poor UPS guy probably hates coming to our house with large barking hell hounds to greet him! And it’s been everyday this week he’s had to make drops) So, with any luck one sea pod creation might grace a table or wall! I have another lamp with fall leaf motif ready to go but no light yet. Only one week to go! Time to get moving!