"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, December 28, 2010

Eating... Painting... Sanding

EATING:  The New Year is almost hear folks and I'm sad to report I'm 10 lbs heavier than I was 3 months ago!  ARRGG.  Really I'm 5 lbs lighter than I was last year at this time.  I lost 15 lbs earlier this year and since the end of Oct I've gain 10 back.  Bizcochito's are the reason why!!!  Well for sure one of the reasons.  They are my demise, they are addictive, they are almost gone!  Since I'm from New Mexico we make these every year before Christmas as it is a long held tradition in my family and they are one of my favorite holiday cookies.  
Bizcochito's
Bizcochito or biscochito is a crispy butter or lard based cookie flavored with anise and cinnamon. It was developed by residents of New Mexico over the centuries from the first Spanish colonists of New Mexico.

PAINTING:  I couldn't take the sanding anymore so yesterday I started a watercolor painting - this afternoon I completed it.  I think I'm finally getting the hang of leaving the paper white for light.   I love painting Iris ~ my mom was an iris breeder in her spare time and so there were many gorgeous ones to pick from.  You should see her garden in the spring time.


SANDING:  Today I have been working on a "MODERN" fireplace screen that I really shouldn't of excepted doing for someone.  1st Reason is I don't do this type of work, 2nd I don't do MODERN!  All day I've been sanding this thing (I'll post when I'm done).  It's actually fairly simple, but it's so not what I do.  Note to Self:  Don't except work you're not excited about. 

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Iris Weaved Hearts & The 12 Days of Christmas

 
I just finished a really fun project.  I saw weaved metal online and thought it was so beautiful, so I tried it.  It was challenging and I didn't get it exactly straight, but I guess everything I do is never perfect ~ I like flaws.  The iris was fun trying to make it look real.  I used a purple patina on the final flower and red patina for the weave.


This will be the last project I'll be working on until after the holidays.  It's time for baking, shopping, cleaning & decorating.  Yes I am that behind!  Yikes!

Merry Christmas to all 
and may Santa bring you Abundance
in
Love, Blessings, Kindness, Understanding
&
Compassion
or may he bring you just what you need

12 Days of Christmas..... explained

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.  It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.



Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Starving Artist or Not?

Sometimes I feel starved for ideas
starved for knowledge and training,
starved for a connection, starved for social interaction,
starved for attention and understanding.
I'm starved for inspiration, 
I'm starved for time and energy.

But, if truth be told... I'm full,
satiated,
appeased ... truly.

I don't make a living at this craft I've chosen,
but I do make a life at it.

So that Question?? of starving ... is definitely questionable
at least in this Artist.

The burro is a pretty bird,
and loves to dine on shirts,
But for a midday luncheon,
Prefers to eat old skirts,
old petticoats and bloomers
Appraise his appetite
While crinoline and corset
Fill him with delight


Once in while a kind monk comes
to her stable and brings
a pear, but more
than that,
He looks into her eyes and rubs her ears
and for a few seconds the burro is free
and even seems to laugh
because love does that
Love Frees


Crow caw from the fields
sun slants through old bottles of
brown, green claret, clear

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