"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

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Caged and Broken Hearts

The Botanical Garden Sale this past weekend was a huge success.... That's Good and Bad!  Good that people loved my stuff... BAD that I'm back at it trying to replenish my supply.  Hey, this isn't suppose to be a  JOB!!!  When did that happen?  I need to talk to the manager!  Oh yeah, that's me.... #@%&!

I'm having so much fun making these winged hearts here's a few more.  They are a tribute to the caged and broken hearts in the world.  I see so many shows about abuse and control that these are for all those survivors that have come out on the other side and pieced their lives back together after so much heart ache.


Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Winged Hearts & Butterfly Shovels

The house is a mess
There's sheet metal remnants & dirty dishes in the kitchen
The laundry's spilling over
The yard is trashed from the lastest storm 
but...

WHO CARES

I'm creating again like a mad woman

I've gone off the track as usual and decided to make some new creations....winged hearts, some 3D flowers & butterflies on my shovel art.  I've got a big three days show coming up in a week in a half at the Botanical Garden's Fall Plant Sale so I guess the chores will just have to take a backseat to

PASSION

 Because without that..... we have nothing!




I love the red metal in the wings & hearts.  I found this piece of steel in a cow field and just had to have it.  Nothing prettier than that old weathered paint.

 This one will be rusted soon.  I love it in just the steel look and always agonize if I should rust it or try to keep it pristine.  Dealing with putting patina or paint on steel  is always a struggle for me.  In fact, my husband bought me an airbrush machine 2 years ago.... I've yet to try it cuz it scares me!

 This one is flame heated to get that blue flame look

  Lots of sewing with steel wire... Fun

Live ~ Love ~ Laugh

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