"ARROYO"

A dry channel through which water flows intermittently and irregularly. Kind of like this blog.

My art is an infectious need for me, sometimes a burden but most often a blessing.

This blog is about me and my obsessions, my loves, my need to create and my need of JUNK. I'm addicted to thrift stores, estate sales, flea markets and all roads leading off the beaten track to discover that perfect piece of junk. I recycle old license plates, old shovels, wheelbarrows, saw blades and anything else that's funky using my hand held plasma cutter. I love working with steel, sculpting, photography, watercolor painting, stained glass, and turning everyday utilitarian objects into art. Junked cars ~ I will always veer off the path to search out the beautiful wrecked Arroyo JunKers throughout Arizona, New Mexico and anywhere else the road may lead. When I'm not searching for those JunKers
I ~ RESURRECT ~ STEEL

Monday, September 28, 2009


I finished the guitar - sure is hard to get a decent picture.  I'll have to work on it.  Guess all that steel is too reflective.  I'm anxiously awaiting to find out if the guitar will be accepted as a juried piece for the Gallery in Nov.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Morrocan Nights


This is a great old vintage turquoise colored wheelbarrow. I love the low shallow style. My inspiration was sort of a morrocan feel.  I love morrocan and Indian design.  Someday perhaps I'll make it to those destinations, but for now I'll live vicariously thru beautiful stencils and fabric patterns. This was my first attempt at cutting wheelbarrows.

Steel Magnolias


After finding a design I liked I finally turned it into a gate.  I swear I spend more time looking at pictures than I get things done.  Having a fast computer again may be bad cuz I can go so much faster, but I can see so much more!  I hung the gate this weekend.  The love the satisfaction that I did it all by myself.  Although I give hubby credit - he cut the square tubing from me and cleaned the black paint off the hinges.  I know he really wanted to weld, but I wouldn't let him. :)  He hates that.  I'm still contemplating on putting patina on it or let rust naturally.  Perhaps it will rain soon and I won't have to contemplate much longer.

Thursday, September 24, 2009




I started on a new creation.  Steel Guitars!  I'm basically figuring it out as I go.  The toughest part is welding extremely thin metal without frying it.  They are life size.  Tomorrow I'll try to figure out how to put the back on.  I'm hoping to put it in the Sundust Gallery for Nov. showings.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

So for weeks I've been hearing from Mom about all the canning she's doing (with lots of help from the friendly estate gardner!).  Somewhere between 60-100 jars of pickles, jellies of all sorts have kept my Mom very busy.  I'm thinking she could feed a small nation.... or just Pena Blanca.  I saw this and of course thought of you Mom!!
 
Guess I've been busier than I thought!  
Last night we went to see Ian at Martini Ranch.  Great Show and they had a lot of fans... including Mom, Dad 1&2.  It always still amazes me that Ian's up there on that stage singing his heart out.  Every since I was a little girl I wanted to be able to sing on a stage and feel that thrill.  I'm so happy that he's able to do that.  DATH has so much talent... I know one day I'll be at the Grammy's watching Ian accept the Best Song, Best Artist, Best Album of the year award!!  They'll pan to me (cuz I'll be his date!) and I'll be having one of those ugly crying moments with my mascara flowing down my face all to be seen on national TV, but I will be the proudest Mom every.  I'm so blessed to have such an awesome son.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

I was an early riser this AM....4:15.  Where was I headed you ask.. Cave Creek Flea Market!!!  Bought the sterling silver Hollyhock ring and a Pink Rose Marble pendant. It was pretty cool.  Met some nice folks and of course bought a few treasures.  Cave Creek is so beautiful - brings back the feel of NM but with more cactus.  It was sprinkling all morning, but we were all done at the Market when any heavy rain fell.  Headed over to an estate sale in the same area before coming home.  Funny to walk into a house and see Rose Mofford the X Govenor of Arizona sittin' there.  She looked still the same that beehive hairdo and thick fake eyelashes.  Bought a couple of items there and even a shovel I'd never seen before for a $1. 

Friday, September 4, 2009

Coca Cola Anyone?  Like I said these were crazy flowers.  I didn't mention it earlier, but they are made out of saw blades.
Wasn't much left to this crazy car.  I'm not even sure what it is?? Any guesses?
So yesterday I made some more crazy flowers.  Sometimes I just have to experiment.  I painted one with red, but I think I like just letting them rust naturally better.  The red is a little to much for my taste.  I guess if I leave it out in the weather long enough maybe the paint will fade.

Takin' the back road from Greer to Morenci was gorgeous. This was waiting at the end.

Takin' the back road from Greer to Morenci was gorgeous.  This was waiting at the end.
Alpine Cliff Jumper

Don't you just love bugs! My first car.... but RED.

Don't you just love bugs!  My first car.... but RED.
Lamy, NM

This was a great old Studebaker Truck in Lamy, NM . It has seen better days. I love Lamy,

This was a great old Studebaker Truck in Lamy, NM .  It has seen better days.  I love Lamy,
Studebaker in Lamy, NM