Shovel Art Sculpture

Well I'm still sort of in my hibernation state after the holidays.  Too much good food, way way to many goodies and a few more inches on the waste line!  I'm sort of in an over indulgent coma.  However, I'm needing to get out in the shop again and shake off the cobwebs and indulge in a little creativity.  Days are beautiful here, weather is perfect so I started drawing and cutting on a few shovels.  You know no shovel is a bad shovel even if the handles are broken - as in the one I'm working on.  I love church windows so that's what I've cut out.

I'm currently looking for a nice thick piece of dark wood to possibly mount it on and may even add a leafy vine climbing up the shaft of the shovel.  Sometimes you just have to let these items speak to you.  Especially when you are in a semi-coma state. 

It's temporarily mounted on an old antique Hoe blade.  I found out recently that these particular cast iron blades may have been called HOE because they where used by slaves in the USA to cook so-called Hoe Cakes.  Whether that is true or not I can't be sure.

Don't Be Jealous - I'm an Addict

I don't know what's in the air, but I tell you I've been on a binge these days and can't seem to stay away from the thrift stores.  Perhaps it because of all the cool things I've found lately - it keeps me on a thrift store high and then I come down and I've got to get some more and I head out the next day to see what else I can find.  It's a bad, bad habit and one I keep saying I'm gonna kick, but I think I need Rehab in order to stop - Seriously!  Of course I'm always looking for junk to resurrect and use in my art, and of course I always find other things I don't need, but I can't leave them behind. Do you know what I mean?

So without further ado.....I thought I'd share a couple of awesome treasures I found

Don't Be Jealous

Antique Christmas Tree Stand - $15

I may use it as a stand for a special Shovel I create

 Heavy Copper & Brass Plates & Bowl - $5

 Heavy 5ft Wrought Iron Candelabra - $23

Antique manual copper-brass air pump used for providing an air supply for deep sea diving. Manufactured by Wm. Boekel & Company of Philadelphia. Pat.1904. $43

And these... OMG! Such beautiful WoodCuts that I found (15 in all) at the Habitat for Humanity are beyond unbelievable.  Half of them are about 17x23, a few are not finished, but are still beautiful.

These made my Day!  $10

The pics don't do them justice for sure.

 Weird Signature - What does it mean?

Woodcuts have been around for a seriously long time and many years ago my Mother found a beautiful one in the trash and later gave it to me.  Come to find out it was done by a very famous artist  Margaret Jordon Patterson, it's dated 1921 and the current value is approx $2100...... so maybe these will be famous also!

Stay tuned for the next showing of Hoarders - I may be on it!  

She is named - Zia

 

The Zia

Often described as a symbol of perfect friendship because it has no beginning and no end.  The rays on the sides of the symbol are a reference to the powerful number of four.  The symbol originated with the Indians of Zia Pueblo in ancient times. It's design reflects their tribal philosophy, with its wealth of pantheistic spiritualism teaching the basic harmony of all things in the universe.  It's also the New Mexico symbol for their flag.

I didn't want another animal, I Love animals - but I didn't need another stray deciding to be part of our pack.  That seems to be something that keeps happening over here (the last one I gave to a neighbor).  Stray cats - they decide that This is Home! That last one I took in is now 20yrs old.  I'm a sucker - I feel bad for them, their hungry, their scared, their lost - I post ads and no one every claims them.  So I feed them, talk to them, give them a bed and they stay! Go Figure!

So now we are Four... just like the Zia - 2 dogs - 2 cats

Only problem - she may be pregnant!  I'll keep you posted.

Tejano Night Before Christmas

I'll be signing off my blog for the rest of the year, but before I do I just wanted to wish all of you a wonderful Christmas, Holiday and celebration with your family and friends.  I've enjoyed your company all year and have truly met (even if only over this vast internet) some wonderful kindred spirits.  You have inspired me with your beautiful art, touched me with your open hearts and encouraged me when I needed it.  Thank you for sticking with me on this ride!

May you all be blessed in the New Year and may we all

Prosper in Life Spiritually, Physically, and Financially!

I leave you with a Christmas poem my Uncle always recited by heart to us during the Holidays

Tejano Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the casa,
Not a creature was stirring -- Caramba! Que pasa?
Los ninos were tucked away in their camas,
Some in camisas and some in pajamas,

While hanging the stockings with mucho cuidado
In hopes that old Santa would feel obligado
To bring all children, both buenos and malos,
A nice batch of dulces and other regalos.

Outside in the yard there arose such a grito
That I jumped to my feet like a frightened cabrito.
I ran to the window and looked out afuera,
And who in the world do you think quien era?

Saint Nick in a sleigh and a big red sombrero
Came dashing along like a crazy bombero.
And pulling his sleigh instead of venados
Were eight little burros approaching volados.

I watched as they came and this quaint little hombre
Was shouting and whistling and calling by nombre
"Ay Pancho, ay Pepe, ay Chucho, ay Beto,
Ay Chato, ay Chopo, Macuco, y Nieto!"

Then standing erect with his hands on his pecho
He flew to the top of our very own techo.
With his round little belly like a bowl of jalea,
He struggled to squeeze down our old chiminea,

then huffing and puffing at last in our sala,
With soot smeared all over his red suit de gala,
He filled all the stockings with lovely regalos--
For none of the ninos had been very malos.

Then chuckling aloud, seeming very contento,
He turned like a flash and was gone like the viento.
And I heard him exclaim, and this is verdad,
 

Merry Christmas to all, and Feliz Navidad!

Am I Super Late or just So Way Prepared?

For Thanksgiving 2012 that is!  I'm gonna opt for "SO WAY PREPARED"!  I saw velvet pumpkins on someone's blog a few weeks ago and fell head over heals in love with there velvety, sultry, elegant look and I just had to figure out how to get some.  If you look at the prices of them you kind of go.... Oh Hello... Expensive.  So, I had to figure out how to make my own.  Let me just say I can't sew, so anyone can do these.

I started searching for how I was gonna find Pumpkin Stems to make them look Real.... but Halloween and Thanksgiving were over and alas could not find them.  However, all autuum stuff at Hobby Lobby was 90% off!!!  Eureka I found something that I feel worked great.  Notice the little spark-a-lee crocked neck squash as the stem. 

  Please don't look at the trashed kitchen table in the background - Artist at Work!

I'm totally in Love with these!  Now I just need to find Velvet at 90% off and I can go crazy!  Now that I've got this one last thing I wanted/needed to do I've got to get busy finishing up the Christmas Shopping Extravaganza!  Well, perhaps it's not an Extravaganza ~ but I can dream!

I Won ~ I Won ~ it's like Christmas morning

 Uplifting and Inspiring Designs by Valentina!

I was so excited to discover that I won this beautiful phone cover this morning from Valentina. 

She has the most beautiful intricate art designs and has definitely made her art work for her.  I admire all those artists that can take their craft and turn it into multiples.   She takes this Zentangle drawing to such a wonderful level with all the over the top colors and designs.  Then of course you can also get it on a duvet cover, a pillow, a wall mural etc.   Check Valentina out at Feeling Inspired, I think you'll agree her work is GorGeous!   Hmmm, wonder how I can mass produce those shovels of mine!

Thanks Valentina!

Sometimes I Embarrass my Dogs

I've been working on lots of stuff over here, but due to the fact that someone I know might see this blog I can't show you the goofy things I'm working on for xmas gifts - so instead I will show you some other less important projects. 

I recently picked up a couple of hand carved masks at the thrift store: One because they were hand carved and two because they were $1.00.  I figured even if they were painted ugly perhaps I could transform them and embarrass my dog!  I think a did a good job on that last point!  Since I've been doing a lot of the Zentangle Art drawing I figured I'd try that on the masks.

 Such a patient dog!

And because it's Christmas time why not get them in the Holiday Spirit

 Harley on the left (he's a Pembroke Corgi) - Jaydee, she's a queensland healer

See the mortified look on her face!

She's so embarrassed!

That's it folks - It's gonna be slim pickin's on this blog until after the holidays.  Seems getting my act together to get xmas figured out before it gets here is always a chore and seems to get more and more difficult the older I get.  There's too much to do, too little time, and too many kids sooooo, if I have something of value to share (not like this blognote was of value) I shall return at a later date.

Stay well my Friends, Stay Healthy and 

Happy Holidays!

I'm Thankful For.....

1. I am thankful that I’m stubborn ~ it pushes me forward to keep trying.
2. I am thankful that my art has saved my life on a few occasions.
3. I am thankful that from my children I have learned valuable lessons.
4. I am thankful for my husband surviving the fight for his country.
5. I am thankful for my pets for their unending crazy antics that make me smile and their never ending devotion.
6. I am thankful for those that have gone before me that are watching over me, waiting, but hopefully for my arrival long from now.
7. I am thankful for surviving cancer ~ it guided me to this place of inspiration.
8. I am thankful that I’m still doing OK in spite of this economy and the money mongers.
9. I’m thankful that every day is always a new day to start over, be better, grow and hopefully those that matter understand the process.
10. I’m thankful for all those in my life ~ without you I would not be who I am in all aspects of my soul ~ good, bad and flawed.

And You ~ What are you Thankful For?

My Marlboro Man Knife Maker

The weekend show is over!  Amazing how long a weekend can last sometimes!  We came home with a little less than what we took to the show so I guess that is a good thing.  We can tell the economy is hitting hard for us "starving artists".  My husband however, hereinafter referred to as "The Marlboro Man Knife Maker (MMKM)" did very well this weekend.  Seems like the only folks buying this weekend were the men... and for themselves.  I can't blame them, MMKM makes gorgeous knives!

Unlike myself, he's a perfectionist! 

He spends hours backfiling designs and names into these knives

hours sanding and sanding and sanding

hours sharpening and sharpening

However, I do cut his knife blanks out of bars of Damascus

This beauty he made for my birthday a few years ago! 

Everything I love ~ turquoise, crosses!

He always has a lot of custom orders to fill and gained another three from the show.

So, if you're in the market for a gorgeous custom knife you can find him HERE and send him an email he'll put you on his list!

Arroyo Junkers & Their Lovely Ladies

This week ended in no direction I had started off in and so as usual I did not get out but one day to finish up the dragonflies for the Big Show this coming Saturday - I guess there is always tomorrow, if it doesn't rain again. 
My husband went hunting for 4 days, so I figured man I'll have so much time to work and not worry about cleaning up or get dinner, or taking a shower.. you know those mundane things, but unfortunately, I somehow thought it would be a good time to organize my "too many to mention" projects that I rotate around when I'm working in the house. I have things stuffed in any available space so I can work on them on the kitchen table, but it was all over the house and then I could never find anything when I needed it at a moments notice because it could have been upstairs or in the laundry room, or was it in the big credenza in living room or or or.....and so the story went for 3 SOLID DAYS!!!!   Perhaps I was feeling a little guilty after seeing some of my friends getting there places so organize like Lady D and Jerry@Hang Art and so they were my motivation.  I'm happy to say I think I can now find things easier and I also discovered (not really new information) that I have way to many hobbies..... or is that possible?

So really I just popped in and wanted to share some Arroyo Junker Beauties I recently drooled over.

 This must be the oldest Arroyo Junker I have ever seen - too bad they don't make tires like those anymore!!

 Ahh  and these lovely ladies - those Arroyo Junkers would be nothing without them!

 Hope you all had a terrific week and we'll see you soon!