"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

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Home Sweet Home

Well I'm finally back from two weeks in Bellingham, Washington visiting my Son and Family and enjoying my granddaughter's..... I'm exhausted!  I had a nice time and it was quite a change to not have internet or TV for that long - but honestly I didn't really miss it.  We were sort of remote so I had a lot of opportunity  photographing amazing flowers, taking in all the splendor, busy chasing grand kids, and just kicking back. I did miss working on my steel and hitting the thrift stores but most important my hubby (we've never been apart in 28 years that long). The weather was marvelous and the only thing bad about coming home was the 103 when I arrived.  I was truly enjoying the high 60's, the rain, the flowers and seeing my family who is so far away!.
 Columbine
 This reminded me of a little fairy land on top of an old stump
 Unfurling Ferns
 Wildflowers I picked at the Whatcom River
The Monkey Tree - the most unusual tree I've ever seen - so cool!!!
I do hope to catch up with all of you and see what fun things everyone has been up to and also I've got to get back to creating it's been too long for me - I shall brave the heat and hopefully soon I'll have something fun to share.




Tuesday, May 8, 2012

I See with my Heart

They See With Their Eyes

I've observed people as they walk in to my work space where I keep all my junkie treasures awaiting resurrection because I know what they think

~ good lord look at all this junk ~

and I chuckle, because they only see with there Eyes not their Heart!
That is the difference between my Loves and Treasures that others cannot see!

~ and I feel sad for them ~




NICK - my 20 year old cat he likes looking at it.  

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Go Big ~ Or Go Home

It's official folks.... I've lost my mind!  I've been avoiding the thrift stores, garage sale etc because I've been gathering stuff in my house for my own sale the last two Saturdays.  Something has to give or the second story may come crashing down.  But, with all addictions you fall off the wagon and you really tie one on.....and Man-0-Man did I ever!  I stumbled in to our local "Habitat for Humanity" to check out all the architectural treasures and quirky hardware and just general fun stuff they have.  Remember I found these there .  So, I turn the corner and  OMG the sun shines down on it, my heart beats faster, music starts playing and I've got moves like Jaggar!

Then the  conversation goes like this...... 
Me......."Oh Honey you won't believe what I found"
Hubby..... "Oh Lord, what?
Me..... "It's so beautiful and when we find our dream house it will be perfect. It's like 6ft by 8ft"!  (I always lead with that dream house line - get's him everytime) and I got it marked down over $800.
Hubby.... "Ok, but where are we going to put it"?
Me....."Oh, I'll find a place"
Hubby..... "Honey, if you really want it it's OK with me"

Next Call......
Me..... "Hey BFF can I borrow your horse trailer!!!!"
BFF..... "Ahhh yeah - what for"?
Me..... "It's so beautiful and when we find our dream house it will be perfect. It's like 6ft by 8ft"!

Next Call.... 2 Hours Later.....
Me....."Honey....... What Have I done!!!"  I don't know if it will fit thru the front door!!!


Then after an amazing feat by four of us wrangling this thing in and out of the trailer - breaking a 1000lb dollie and at last getting it into the back yard and on the back porch....... the dreaded knowledge that it indeed won't fit thru any door into the house was realized!  However, it looks great on the back porch.  

We had to take the doors off just to stand it up -  (note to carpenters.... pls don't put nails and crappy screws in hinges when teak is involved!!). I shall await my dream house so I can get them thru the doors!!  Also, if anyone wants to help me strip it back to it's beautiful color of teak.... pls come over I need all the help I can get in more ways than one!!!



Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Farewell My Heart

Yesterday, I received a call from a gal in Washington that found my website thanks to my daughter-in-law giving her my card during a visit to her gallery.  We had a lovely conversation and when all was said and done I was boxing up one of my "Caged & Broken Hearts" & shipping it off to her daughter in Texas.  I haven't shipped anything yet, usually because everything is so large, but this was manageable ~ so off another one goes to a new home.  I did a series of 4 broken hearts and there is a little piece of me in each one of them so I'm a little sad to see it go.
I guess I can't keep them all now, can I.

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