Sticks, Stones, and Paper Stew Blog

Going Electric

I think I’m still in shock at having a new vehicle in our driveway. The last brand new car we purchased was way back in 1990. All the rest have been used. And now this little thing. I’ve dubbed it “the bug box”. It’s a 2012 Mitsubishi MiEV. All electric. My husband commutes an average of 35-40 miles per day. Part is 55mph hwy, the rest at lower speed. He used to drive a 2000 VW GTI, then switched to my little 1992 Honda Civic since it still gets better gas mileage. The Bug Box went into use yesterday for commuting and so far, so good. Every time he drives it, he loves it more. This week is about learning the best energy wise route to Philomath (there are multiple back road routes to take). Fortunately, his workplace is already equipped with a charging station thanks to my big brother Mike. Yes, Mike owns a MiEV too, having purchased it last Friday. My husband went up and purchased the other one on Sunday. Our car is much cooler looking (Mike got the white one with the blue electric plug decal along the side). 😉

I’ve ridden in a few of Mike’s electrics before, but never driven one on my own. The most surprising thing is the lack of engine sound. It’s so darn quiet, well, except for the special buzzing sound it makes at speeds up to 25mph. If it didn’t have something, pedestrians wouldn’t even know you were coming! I took it out for a spin alone and it made me smile. Maybe going grocery shopping will have more appeal with the new car. Undoubtedly there will be tales to come since no one owns an electric car in our neighborhood and there are only 6-10 MiEV’s in the state. We already have neighbors stopping to talk and other friends considering a MiEV for their own….

Rejection & Acceptance

It feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Who would think receiving a rejection could do that?! With everything stacking up in life, I think receiving the rejection was the best thing ever. So, what was the rejection for? The 2013 Rural Arts Project.

I’ve already moved on, plotting out ideas of potential merchandise for the Philomath Open Studio Tour. It’s possible that a few meager pennies might actually be made from the two weekends. Possibly… ya never know! Not everyone will want a dog print or ceramic sea squirt… or even screen printed lamps… drypoint prints of bones, skulls and shells…. abstract squares… charcoal drawings anyone? We shall see what really comes about with the crazy ideas running through my head. I’m just happy to have this great opportunity.

Thursday I learned of another bundle of good news. Our printmaking group receiving acceptance into the Rocky Mountain Print Symposium in Salt Lake City later in 2013. The group includes all the participants from the Boise workshop last month along with fellow artists from the print studio in Swansea, Wales UK. We will be submitting a portfolio for display during the event, touching on the subject of Public Gestures in monotypes. More info to be filled in later.

Below is the final of the 4 abstract squares and a shot of them together. My neighbor, a solid representative for the “general population test market” has already given her thumbs up for the abstracts. They have some similar qualities and colors to work already hanging in her home. Maybe there is a market for these…

Claybord fun

I decided to take a break and try to loosen myself up with art therapy play. Ha! My brain is racing with so many things it’s almost impossible to accomplish one task a day. So, this is what I did…

Way back in 2009 I took a workshop on playing with abstracts on claybord. I did it to push myself into a different world and found it to be fun. Needless to say I, like so many workshop participants, could see myself playing with this technique MORE! I purchased 4 more packs of claybord, golden products and alcohol ink. I was prepared only to let it sit unopened for 4 years.

Wednesday was my day to open a pristine pack of claybord! I worked the 4 squares initially as a whole. Straight and curved lines were laid down then I shifted the lot before laying down more marks. Keep turning and adding until I felt it was good.

Next, I carved into a square with a V gouge, added blobs of glass beads and fiber paste (fun play), then started layering color.

After a while, it looked like this

And then this

Not certain if it’s done but I’ve finished for today. The square below was from yesterdays posting and it certainly changed color (Partly due to taking the shot outside in the sunshine)

And the next square: I kind of like the fiber paste texture

Are they done yet? I have no idea. Knowing me, probably not. The 4th square hasn’t received any color yet but the palate will remain the same.

Maybe the next pack will receive a lighter treatment. It was fun to experiment with darker tones and something completely different.

Art Play

So many things going on and I just needed a total brain shift.

Way too much light coming in on the work but it was the best I could do for a quick image. 6″ x 6″ (15.2 cm x 15.2 cm) claybord with acrylic and alcohol ink, fiber paste. It’s not finished at this point.

My other “play” has been creative mudding…

Also abstract but really not that much fun. Now, with a nice G & T it would be loads of fun! I don’t feel the urge to change professions right now. I’ll be happy when this bathroom is completed!

Wishbone 2

I spent part of my day pulling out gesso and prepping paper for a maniere noire drawing only to discover the large hunks of charcoal in my box were really cruddy. To me, charcoal is supposed to lay down black, not grey. Maybe tomorrow I’ll get out for some new material. So rather than let the energy head south, I pulled out some mini chunks (proven black) and toned a quarter sheet of paper, and tackled another wishbone perspective. Really, I’m trying to keep from thinking about the Art in Rural Storefronts first jury round. Part of me would really like to be accepted to the next level of the process, but part would be happy if I wasn’t. Maybe next week the results will be in. With a little luck, our weather might get a tad sunnier too. 🙂

Drawing material: Charcoal & white conte crayon on tan Rives BFK, 11″x 15″ (28cm x 38 cm)

Wishbone

Resting on the kitchen windowsill are a pair of chicken wishbones. We haven’t pulled them apart yet, but it might be soon. A serious wish is needed for my father-in-law. I don’t mention my husbands family much but both of his parents are going through cancer. His father was doing better back in April with esophageal and pancreatic cancer. Chemo had reduced the hot spots by a significant amount. Fast forward through May and those same places are 30% larger than they have ever been. Plus there is new activity in the liver and possibly the brain. Friday’s liver biopsy and brain MRI will tell more. One doctor has already given a 9 month life expectancy.

I’ve been pondering starting a new print series and this might be it. Wishes and things we wish upon. I hope my friend Cynthia won’t mind if I head down this path. She did a wonderful series of wishbone work last year in clay.

Drawn in my sketchbook with charcoal and conte crayon. Somehow it ended up moving over the ditch of the book and not reaching completion.

Weekend Work

Memorial day and a long weekend. Rain, wind and nasty weather. Perfect for indoor work.

Saturday, I dragged my husband into see the print/ceramics show for it’s final day. I was delighted to find one of the prints had sold. Mr Moby snoozing in the chair caught someone’s attention enough to move into their home. I think that’s one of the nicest feelings, to know that a person is out there enjoying work created by my hands. Below are some of the gallery images including Diana Ryan’s ceramic sculptures. Oh, and a picture of my friend Suzanne & I.

With one month to go before guests arrive, yes we have house guests coming, we kicked into gear to finish the bathroom project. It’s been almost 3.5 years ago we gutted the space. It’s nice to finally have green board on the walls! Only one more wall to cover. Then trim around the door and on to mudding. I hate that part! Still picking out floor & tub tile. Hopefully a toilet by the end of June!!!

Birdwatching

I’ve been under the weather the last couple of days, so hanging out watching birds has been a good thing. Wednesday, we started having Red Crossbills show up at the finch feeder. This was actually a first for me here in the valley. I’ve seen them in the mountains, but never around our place. These little guys are comical, often hanging upside down to eat from the small holes (it’s a feeder for thistle seed so the holes are rather small) I think it was only last weekend we put feeders back in use. Several months ago we experienced two nasty bird diseases with a large flock of Evening Grosbeaks. I shut everything down for almost 2 months, cleaned and shifted from black oil sunflower seeds to thistle.

All we really wanted were to bring back the Goldfinches. Now our little guys in yellow have major competition.

Our feeders are packed full with this lot.

They sure are enjoying themselves!
Today we counted 22 in the flock. I’m guessing there are probably more out there.

🙂

Good news and cake

Tuesday happened to be my husband’s birthday. Coworkers decorated his office and took him to lunch. I planned a yummy pesto halibut dinner with a chocolate ganache cake (gluten free of course!). A new recipe and possibly a keeper. A little more tweaking required. Might have been even better with real flour.

On Tuesday, I received an invitation to participate in a large art studio tour this fall. Philomath Open Studio Tour (POST) is in it’s 11th season. Many friends are part of the journey, sharing their work space to hundreds of people over two weekends. Judith Sander has invited me to join her and glass artist Jerri Bartholomew to the studio. It will be small but filled with 3 crazy gals! Save the weekend dates of October 26 & 27 and November 2 & 3 for the event. If I don’t get into the Art in Rural Storefronts project, I’ll have something else to move my work forward.

Speaking of moving forward, looks like our Wingtip Press group will be pushing forward with our proposal to participate in the Rocky Mountain Print Alliance show. 3-4 images will be sent off to Amy today but I’m not certain what at this point. However, this is very exciting!

Tonight will be the opening/closing event at The Arts Center. I’m not feeling very event-ish this morning, but I’ll have to pull on something decent and just do it.

🙂

Dog print show: final week

The dogs will be returning home after a month on view at The Arts Center of Corvallis. Their final day is Saturday May 25, noon to 5pm. If you do make it in, please make sure to visit BOTH gallery spaces (yes, they are split between two areas). Wander into the back office/staff space to see the others!

There is also an opening for the Native American Printmakers: Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts, on Thursday May 23, 5:30 to 7:30.

Location: The Arts Center, 700 SW Madison Ave, Corvallis, OR 97333

Hours: Tuesday thru Saturday- Noon to 5pm

Maybe in a month they will visit the walls at Animal Crackers Pet Supply!

🙂