Posts by Bridgette

After what seems like a very long time, I am back to work. I actually was able to work on Patsy. The process feels so much more inviting and comfortable since I am working on her in the new place. There are still many boxes around but the energy seems good, and that is what is important. I am surprised how much of my own emotional state goes into the clay and seeps into the process.

The offices upstairs need a second coat of paint, Air conditioning units put in and carpeting. With a good days worth of work we could be finished and another day of moving we could be moved in. However, both my husband and I had to get back to work. It was difficult taking almost 4 weeks off. Time to get some money into the household, maybe in the next week we can finish.

Sculpture is everywhere. It is in the front yard, the side yard, the back yard, the den, the living room. Every time I go into the house for something I try to bring something back to the studio. I know it will be weeks before our house is back to normal. In the mean time I have a very wonderful place to work. When I need a break I just take a walk to the pond, or watch the dragonfly’s dance upon the water. Their courtship is continuous.

It was an exciting but sad day. There have been so many memories and creations at 1048. My daughter grew up watching her mom create and my artwork grew as well. But the new studio is so nice and offers so many opportunities.

Today I went to get the last of my sculpture. To my surprise the studio was broken into and several pieces were stolen. In 16 years the studio has never been broken into. At least I think they were stolen. I would hate to think that anyone I know would go in there and take things without asking me. Maybe they thought I was done. Most of the sculptures that were stolen were nudes; one was an unfired nude, something that would break before it could be handed off over the locked gate. What a sad note to leave on.

My kiln was untouched and still there! I am thankful, it would have been expensive to replace. I loaded the van for the last time and I said goodbye.

My daughter asked if I retrieved the house number 1048. I said, “no” and she told me she planned on going back for it. I have this strange feeling that I have left something important behind. Chris agreed. After taking down the 1048 she too said her goodbyes. I think it is sad for both of us, but we know good things are ahead.

Thank you 1048.

The move was grueling. Even with the help of the company across the street, their 20-foot flatbed and two of their employees. The owner had ulterior motives as I gave him quite a bit of sculpture that I just did not feel like moving.

Don Shaw, an artist and my previous landlord of 16 years left all of his sculptures behind. I wanted one very badly and moved her. Most of his sculpture is abstract and just not my taste. But there was one that was more figurative and reminded me of a little girl with pigtails, her face a great big circle. It looked like she is waving from behind a picket fence. Now I understand that this is only my own interpretation, but I can not tell you how many of my writing students, over the years, wrote about her. I immediately called dibbs on this sculpture. She was moved in the first load, I had stayed behind at the studio to pack boxes. The men left the sculpture in the front yard of my house. David took all the rest of Shaw’s artwork they were very large pieces. I am glad that he took them. I can hardly believe that they were left behind. If left on the property they would end up in a landfill.

Upon my return to the new house I found Shaws sculpture, the little girl, standing. She was waving at me and smiling. I kind of felt like she was saying welcome home! I moved her into the back yard that evening, not wanting to take a chance that she would be stolen. On Saturday we are going to get the few things that remain, my kiln, some plants and a few sculpture left behind. I am anxious to get everything out. Today when I went to pick up some paint from the building next store it looked like someone tried to break into the lock. The entire place sure looks strange.

On the original move many of the items were moved to the back yard, so I had to bring many things in to the new studio. It was a lot of work. I have so much work putting everything away.

The business across the street also helped me take down this old, somewhat rusted metal beam-shelving unit that was in the back of the studio. I had no idea how to get it down, or how to put it back together. But they helped and now the 9’x 9′ x 4′ shelving unit holds all of my molds for all of my sculptures in the new studio

Today the cable guy came and hooked up roadrunner in the offices. Now Mike feels like he can move. But the drywall needs to be sanded and my office needs the second part of floating the drywall and then sanding.

I need to work on the upstairs offices but I am so ready to get the downstairs organized and get ready to work. That is the update. We are almost moved in. I have been so busy I have yet to really absorb the entire thing. It does feel good to be able to work so late and then walk home. The last couple of nights I worked until I would drop, then locked up the studio, walked past the pond and stream and turned it off as well as the twinkle lights that I plugged in earlier in the evening. Then took the 40′ walk home.

This is great!

This weekend I learned to balance a ladder on a sloped 10-foot high roof, using a piece of foam on the roofing tiles to keep the ladder from
slipping. Then I proceeded to climb up another 9 feet to paint the dormers. Did I tell you I am afraid of heights? I was pretty proud of myself; I was walking around atop that roof like a regular roofer.

Staining handrails, painting the back of the building and trim, and trying to hang a French door were the goal of our weekend. I was very thankful to have my daughter pitch in on Sunday. This is where I wish I had 12 strong friends. I think we will have to do the drywall ourselves. We just don’t have it in the budget. It is a massive job that I am not looking forward to it. Today I am wiring the building for the phone, and packing and moving.

The building does look cute though. I still have to paint the stairs going up stairs, but trying to find 48 hours of drying time where no one can go up or down is almost impossible.

I’m also going to take photographs of all of the interior walls before the insulation. I have done this before on other projects. It is a handy thing to have when you are trying to figure out studs or wiring or plumbing in the future.

All in all the building and moving are coming along, but I am tired and sore most of the time and thought it is only 3 weeks away, it is hard to see myself through these last few weeks. Breathe, and proceed to the next thing and keep going until it is time for bed. That is all I can do. Breathe, Breathe.