Ocotillo (Cactus) Installation

I finished my commission this weekend for a Large Ocotillo cactus.   If you're not familiar with one it's a beautiful tall cactus as shown below.  It is currently blooming like mad throughout our desert here in Sunny Arizona.  It truly is beautiful.  Don't be fooled by the word Desert ~ it's a magical green and colorful valley here.

Here is the finished product (9 Ft tall) after all the little leaves and flowers are welded on, each one individually cut out by hand and then painted with a combinations of rust/red/orange paint to mimic the real thing.

 Here it is in it's new home in Cave Creek, Arizona.  The buyer was thrilled and so was I.  I guarantee it will never need to be transplanted and it will never freeze!  It was a Good Day!

So Just after I sent this my customer sent me this lovely note and these beautiful pictures!!!

I'm so happy she's loves it.....

Thank you, Susie, for the wonderful job you did on my Ocotillo sculpture!!! It is even more beautiful than I could have imagined and it fits perfectly in my landscape. I'm thrilled :-)

I took a couple of photos as the sun was going down and thought you might like to see them. You are welcome to use the photos if you like.

I wish you much success in your business!

 She takes way better pictures than I do!!!!!

Guitars & Honky Tonk Bars

One of my creations a few years back was trying my hand at life size guitars.  My inspiration was my son, Ian - lead singer/guitarist for Dear and The Headlights (DATH),  Check him out  - he's a wonderful person, musician, he sings and plays the guitar - I had a lot of guitars around to model after.  He could of made it big and did for awhile, toured with Paramour, Jimmy Eat World, Plain White T's, but as I know from past experience being on the road as a musician or with one, is not a life that nourishes your soul.  It's long nights, long roads, bad food, bad motels, lots of tearing down, setting up, groupies and trying not to get caught up in all the bull of it. All things end for a reason and now I have two beautiful granddaughter's as proof that getting off the road was a good thing.  I still believe that his song writing will prevail and he will once again be recording again.  He's a wonderful writer and wrote most all of the songs on his three recorded CD's - all from his experiences, childhood, loves & heartbreaks.

So with all that said ~ I tried my hand at these sturdy but delicate guitars.  These were probably the hardest things I've ever created only because they had to be clean and sanded finely (hated that).

On this one, I tried to create the ocean with a mermaid on the front, the back was waves and underwater life.  These have way more detail than I usually do in most of my work and it was challenging, because I had to be precise..... not something I like to do, but I was satisfied when all was complete.

This one was of a peacock and a large feather on the back

And the last one was of two birds

I don't think I'll ever make a guitar again - too precise - too big - been there - done that!

I'm almost finished with the commissioned Ocotillo and will post on that later in the week...... then on to The RAVEN...

"The artist's world is limitless.  It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away.  It is always on his doorstep."

~P. Strand~

Oh my where have I been!  Obviously not posting on what I've been up to.  :)  I've been in the purging mode again - it's that Spring Cleaning Fever thing that seems to get a hold of me every year.  I'm pulling stuff out of every closet and getting ready for yet another garage sale.  Yes, my love of thrift store shopping always seems to fill up spaces, but I guess I'm not a true hoarder as I do get rid of a lot.  Give's me a reason to hunt for something more exciting I guess. Having a five bedroom house may not be a good idea when every closet is full and all the kids have long since moved out!  But perhaps by the end of the month I shall be freed of some of this overflow.  That has been what I've been focusing on for a week.

Today however, I received another commission for one of my very large Ocotillo's - So I will be getting busy getting that one done before visitor's arrive the end of the month and then I head off to Bellingham, WA for two weeks to visit my Son, Andrea, my beautiful granddaughter and introduce myself to the newest little one arriving around May 1st.  

I'll be taking a break from blogging as there seems to be a lot going on over here and when I've something to share you'll all be the first to see it.

Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be Happy.  

Guillaume Apollinaire

Another one out the door today.  I've finished up my commission for another shovel.  Hummingbirds - lots of folks ask for them and now I'm completely out.  I really do have to get busy with making more of the full shovels - sadly I'm down to about 4 and I have at least 40 in the shed to complete.  If only I wouldn't get side tracked with glass flowers, painting, birds nest, barbed flowers and thrift stores I might be able to get them all done this year.

I've been sick for two whole weeks, but finally yesterday I felt like creating again and since it was time to do the dishes..... I DID!

Santa Fe Splendor

I've finally returned from what seems like a month long trip..... since my show mid month I feel like I haven't stopped.... I driven more than I care to, shopped more than I should have and missed working in the shop more than I thought.  Many miles and $$$ passed through my recent trip to Santa Fe.  My friend Anna joined me the last five days of the trip and showing a newcomer all the Splendor of the "Land of Enchantment" was fun - she was thoroughly Cultured and SantaFied and had sticker shock more times than she cares to recall, especially buying gorgeous textiles at Serets and Sons - a must see if you go.

Anna purchased the prize of the day - a stunning Suzani bedspread !!!  I did drool on it a bit however.

Then we were off to the wonderful churches that are a stones throw from each other - each so different from the next. 

THE CATHEDRAL BASILICA

OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

The Loreto Chapel

The stairway's carpenter, whoever he was, built a magnificent structure. The staircase has two 360 degree turns and has no visible means of support. Also, it is said that the staircase was built without nails—only wooden pegs. Questions also surround the number of stair risers compared to the height of the choir loft and about the types of wood and other materials used in the stairway's construction. The design was innovative for the time and some of the design considerations still perplex experts today.

A budding tree with hundreds of rosaries hanging from it.

A huge bronze leaf as tall as me.  Barry... this one's for you!!

On to the Plaza for YES... more shopping

El Santuario de Chimayo

We drove up to Chimayo to see my favorite of all churches and collect some dirt from the blessed hole in the chapel called  "el pocito," which means the little well, a small pit of holy adobe-colored dirt that some say possesses the power to cure. Just one touch, say those who believe, and cancer might go into remission, an injured knee might heal, and leukemia might be held off long enough to witness a child's birth. Along the wall hang crutches that are no longer needed, material proof from those who say they've been helped.   I bought a beautiful 3ft tall St. Francis wooden sculpture that I've always wanted - forgetting we were driving a Prius. We did manage to shove one more thing in it.

Lunch at the beautiful "Rancho de Chimayo".... sipping prickly pear lemonade.

 and one last stop to see the beautiful sculpture of "Our Lady of Guadalupe" 

I guess it's always a religious experience in "The Land of Enchantment" and I'm not even religious.  You'll always leave lighter of your cash but richer for the experience!

I'll be back to the grind on Monday finishing up on some commissions from the last show and I do hope to catch up with all of you soon.  I know you've all been busy!

Road Trip

The show last weekend was a great success – sold a good amount, gained three commissions and others that say they will contact me with some other work they would like.  I usually take those with a grain of salt, because you don’t hear from them often, it's a good exit line when they have sticker shock and can’t afford things – but maybe I’ll be surprised. 

My Mom came from Santa Fe last week to my event.  I think she's only been to one in 5 years!  We had great weather Fri/Sat, but sadly got rained out Sunday.  Luckily, I made the decision to tear down Sat. night as we had 50 mile an hour winds that would have leveled my tent and smashed up some of my art.  I hated making that decision and not doing the three days, but I think it was the right one.  Believe it or not it’s draining to converse for 10 hours a day for these shows.  In real life sometimes I don't see other people for weeks - just the hubby and pet clan, so it can be exhausting, but it’s a good exhaustion. 

Thursday my mom and I hit the open road for a little "girls road trip" back to Santa Fe and we will see what trouble we can get into – with money in my wallet …. Anything can happen!

With two trips planned and getting these other works done I’ll be busy.   So, I look forward to a leisurely drive back to Santa Fe and I'm sure I'll find some Arroyo Junkers to share with you when I return.  It's been too long since I posted those.

Have a wonderful week everyone I’ll be catching up later.

Shovel Art #8

I truly have loved creating these short shovel sculptures on juniper bases.  In fact, I'm taking them to the show this weekend and I'm wondering do I really want them to sell!  That's crazy right?

Like I've mentioned before I don't create anything that I wouldn't want to see in my home or in my garden everyday.  It really is a struggle for me when a piece sells - I feel like I'm losing a child, like a piece of me is lost forever.  Maybe because there is usually only one - it won't be duplicated exactly or mass produced or purchased in any department store and I always wonder each time if I'll be able to do it again.  I've always been drawn to and surrounded myself with art that is out of the ordinary, quirky, fun and reminds me of nature and when I look at it, it just makes me feel at home.  That's what looking at these sculptures does for me - makes me feel comfortable and at home.  It's hard to give that up!

I know I'm rambling, but I would love to hear how you other artists feel about your art.... 

If you didn't have to make a living off of your art and money wasn't an issue would you surround yourself with it?  

Are you sad when you sell it?

Or am I just weird?  Ok... don't answer that one!

Don't forget !! 

If you're in the Phoenix area stop on over at the Botanical Gardens off of Galvin Parkway 

Members Preview Day - Friday / March 16 / 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Open to General Public - Saturday/ March 17 / 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. AND Sunday / March 18 / 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Come say Hi and Maybe, just Maybe I'll sell ya something!  ha ha

Glass Flowers

This weekend - because I couldn't focus solely on the things I have to do for the show this Weekend I started creating some recycled flowers from crystal dishes, candle holders, plates all crazy stuff you can find at the thrift store.  See how I manage to justify my thrift store addiction and my need to create!

My garden always fills up fast when I'm working on something new - you know gotta work out all the bugs of how to attach things.  Can't weld glass, but need to attach to steel.... what hardware holds this or that...it's all a process.  I consider all these prototypes of sort, but in the end my garden is all the better for it.  

Maybe someday I can stop creating art that is a real pain to ship/move and load!....but 

if truth be told I can't wait to get back to the thrift store and buy some more junk.  

Metal Nesting

This week I've been having fun creating some birds nests garden stakes - I'm using up some of the scraped steel, barbed wire, cut out flowers that I just let sit around and gather rust..... steel always looks better with that beautiful rusty patina.  

I really enjoy just going out to create something, but not really having a plan as to what I'm gonna do.  For me, I think that's actually better as it helps me to be more creative and just go with the flow.  It may be why I'm not a fan of commissioned work.  I get all upset inside just thinking about it because someone has an expectation of what they want and all I know is what I want.  Basically, if I can't enjoy it in my house first I just won't make it.  I guess I create this art just for me and if it works out and you happen to like it also - Awesome I'll sell it to you.  Soooooo, rarely will I do a commission because of that fact.  Is that weird?  So many artist do commission and I commend them on that, but it just makes me crazy.

Can you see the little beaks sticking up out of the nest? 

Below it shows their entire head.

My show is next week ..... whoa did I just say NEXT WEEK!!! Yikes.  I need to start making my list of things to gather, fix, arrange, clean up.  All those last minute details that you push aside and then you HAVE to get them finished.   My mom's coming for the show so that means I have to clean house on top of it!  Arrggg

Pushin' Up Daisies

I've been working on some new garden art for the upcoming Phoenix Botanical Gardens Show on March 16, 17-18th (16th only if your a member) and since it's like Spring time over here and glorious weather I figured what better subject than Spring Flowers.  I've got old barbed wire, wooden hearts and cut leaves to make any garden more inviting.

As with any new thing I make I'm always trying to figure out how I'm gonna display these crazy things.  Most everything i do is recycling so I scoured the wood pile and found what hopefully will work as a stand for these crazy daisies.  It all painted and ready for the show and didn't cost me a dime.

So, do come down and say HELLO if you're in the Phoenix area and if you're looking for beautiful plants that's the place to be.