Harvey- WHY WE DIDNT EVACUATE – THIS WAS NO ONES FAULT!
Please don’t judge the people and authorities of Texas and Houston. I am in this, and I have great respect for their actions. There are reasons for their choices. Reasons that many people, not living in the south, will ever understand.
I have heard people say, Why didn’t they evacuate? First, let me explain. Hurricanes are unpredictable. There is no way to tell which way they will go. Many factors made this bad.
1. STALED STORM Pressure from the north and west held Harvey over Texas. Houston was on the dirty side or the east side of the storm. This means rain, wind, tornadoes and a ton of things just like we experienced.
2. HARVEY WANTS TO MAKE ANOTHER ENTRANCE Harvey is pushing back out into the gulf and walking. He is literally, walking and not moving. He is pushing up moisture from the Gulf like a mean big brother on the beach testing our patience. We are still on the dirty side. More rain. If he comes to our East, we will be in much better shape. At this writing, he is not. No one is talking about the possibility that Harvey, as a storm in the Gulf. It could push water back up the bay and into already flooded areas. That is what hurricanes do; they push water up into areas along the coast. I’m sure no one wants to look at that scenario. We have so much to consider at hand.
3. OUR INFRASTRUCTURE
First, note that Houston is only 80 feet above sea level. Low altitude is why my head spins when I go almost anywhere. Houston area consists of a series of creeks and bayous reservoirs and lakes that hold back water and help water to flow. Some are released when at capacity. When working properly, these do work. Sometimes they don’t. Sometimes people flood. Down river, people flood. I don’t know how they can live in such areas knowing this can happen, but they do. Some Houston streets flood during heavy rain and we all have it drilled into our heads “Turn around Don’t Drown.” We watch that. I know how easy it is to misjudge water. I was out the other night and could not see a thing. It was terrifying. Being born in Buffalo, NY, I have lived in snowstorms. You can put snow somewhere. You can’t do much with water. It runs, it erodes, and it can destroy very fast.
Everything flows from north and west of Houston through Houston or around in the case of some creeks, to Galveston Bay. I recently posted a map and a post about the bayous. The amount of rain Houston has had can not be blamed on anyone. We usually receive around 49.77 inches of rain in Houston a year. A little known tropical storm called Alison in 2001 might compare. It happened three months before 9/11, and we were forgotten down here. It was just a tropical storm, but once again, it brought a lot of rain rather quickly. According to wiki “The six-day rainfall in Houston amounted to 38.6 inches (980 mm). The deluge of rainfall flooded 95,000 automobiles and 73,000 houses throughout Harris County. Tropical Storm Allison destroyed 2,744 homes, leaving 30,000 homeless with residential damages totaling to $1.76 billion (2001 USD, $2.29 billion 2012 USD).” As I said, Harvey’s rainfall will exceed that, in just a few days. The stats will exceed that. The service core of engineers has never experienced this. No one has. They are calling it a once in an 800-year flood. What the heck does that mean?
The only thing I can frown at is whoever is responsible in the City of Houston who continues to allow so many new buildings in Houston with less green space. New buildings leave less room for water to be absorbed. I would love to rant about the city preventing new construction or demanding green space, but there is no reason to look at this now. For right now, a large amount of water has to get to the bay. It has to go somewhere.
4. EVACUATION
We have learned from the many storms that there is a way to evacuate. The process is that the lower lying areas or those that are first in harm’s way must be the priority. If everyone from Houston got on the freeways and evacuated, then those in real trouble could not get out. An example was the horrific Hurrican Rita evacuation in 2005. Rita was just weeks after Katrina. And Rita was going to be stronger than Katrina. We were all a little shell shocked down here. During Hurricane Rita, people panicked and according to Wiki “An estimated 2.5 – 3.7 million people fled before Rita’s landfall, making it one of the largest evacuations in United States’ history.”
I was here. I stayed. Here is what happened. It was wall to wall cars. No one could move. It was hot, and gas ran out in the cars on the road. No one could get gas in to help the stranded. I fielded phone calls from friends who were caught in traffic for hours. Many finally turned around, but that was impossible because the city then opened the southbound to go north. It was excruciatingly hot and dangerous. I see the reports say that 90-118 people died even before the storm. A bus of elderly started on fire, and all were killed. These same roads and feeder roads that people traveled on are now under water in this storm. Evacuation of so many people is impossible. And, remember no one could understand how the other factors would play in this storm. The weather men do an excellent job of predicting, but they can’t be sure. People prepared the best they could. Some did bug out.
Some people are new to the Houston area and don’t realize how sensitive things can be or how drastic they can be. People also become complacent. There are people here who are in their 20 and 30’s who can’t say or know what it is like to go through this as an adult. They can’t say, well I remember Rita, or Ike, Carla or Allison.
I have lived in this house for 35 years. I have been through Alicia, in 83, Allison in 2001, Rita in 2005, Ike 2008, and Harvey in 2017. I have never seen this. Though Allison was similar, as far as flooding, Harvey will put Allison to shame.
As of this writing, it is not over. Some things can happen that can make this even worse. These would be; more rain, high winds or structure failures anywhere along the water areas. If something blocks the waters, then things back up upstream. Plus the ground is so saturated; this is the time that trees uproot. I mentioned the water that could be pushed up the bay if Harvey hangs around. I can’t even think of that.
I’m proud of how those in authority handled and are handling things, and I’m here. I can tell you now, after living through Allison, Houston has a long row to hoe, and at this writing, until mean big brother Harvey decides to quit picking on us and go away, we won’t know how bad things will be. We will recover because Houston is stronger than Harvey, but one thing is sure, in my book, this is no one’s fault.
SO EXCITED! A Seated Norma
of this lovely woman. I have always said, many artists can
create a likeness, but I am striving for the essence
of Norma as well.
I’m so excited. For weeks Norma’s sculpted upper torso and head have been separate from the rest of her body. There are a couple reasons for this. The face takes some time and Norma’s hair took forever. ( I’m still seeing her hair when I close my eyes. ) I’m still not done with the back of it. However, some of the hair will change once we get her torso together and her guitar. At times we have even taken Norma off of her pedestal and put her down flat. There is a great deal of smoothing that goes into the sculpting process. It is a tag team. I’ll sculpt and then an intern comes in and smooths.
I had other young interns helping in a creative process of creating some of Norma’s Jewelry. We have quite a bit of her jewelry that she wore and some we can use in the sculpture. We can make a mold of it and then cast it in bronze with her. Other pieces of jewelry are to delicate to use. So we used her jewelry as inspiration and recreated it. I’m sure the young interns will relish their part of being in the creative process. I love creating learning experiences through my art. I don’t know Norma, but I sense she would appreciate that.
If you remember back a few posts ago, a family member gave us a guitar for us to use in the project. We have to modify the guitar quite a bit. I’m surprised how hard it was emotionally for me to do that to a guitar. I play the guitar and can’t imagine destroying one on purpose. But it is for a good cause and Norma will play it forever more. ( I will remember that when I have to drill holes into it to secure it to Norma’s body armature.)
The first thing we did was to paint the guitar the same color as the clay that we used on Norma. I find this helps both myself and the client. It is less of a visual distraction while creating and when approving the sculpture. Of course, the few pieces of jewelry that we did use that were Norma’s we did not paint. It is a distraction to me, but the idea that it is “her” jewelry outweighs that distraction. The energy that jewelry adds to the piece is incredible. I’m sure you will recognize it when you see the sculpture
Back to the guitar.
We also have to be careful about the hole in the guitar. You can’t really have deep holes in bronze as it is a wonderful place for bugs to nest. So, we need a hole without a hole. This is less of a challenge than the other challenge- STRINGS. If you look at most bronze sculptures of musicians you will find there are no strings on the instruments. WHAT? here are artists coming from an artist point of view instead of a musicians point of view. Believe it or not strings are a challenge. They are thin and can be broken off, if created like a typical string. They have undercuts. Undercuts are areas that go in and around, which is difficult to cast. Could you put wire on the sculpture after it is cast? Yes, but lets guess how long that would last before a vandal came and clipped them off. So my goal is to create a guitar like it has strings, but they are part of the guitar body, no undercuts, and solid. Wish me luck, send me positive guitar string energy. It is a challenge, but I’m up for it.
grandchildren, Isabella and Noah Zapata
An intern is helping with the guitar while I work on Norma and we are making huge progress. The color or patina that will be put on the final sculpture when it is in metal will also help with us having a hole where there is no hole and showing strings.
For now the guitar sits aside, waiting for me to put the rest of Norma’s body on her. I have two days alone in the studio! I love alone time in the studio. Norma and I bond and make such progress. By Tuesday or Wed I hope to have the torso of Norma roughed in and will be able to put her guitar in her lap. Hand, arms and fingers… that is another story. But she is coming along and I am SO EXCITED about getting to work for the next couple of days.
We are moving right along. I would expect that by the time of the Gala, the sculpture will be approved. I hope that we can reveal pictures of it at the Gala, if the family would like. We have our final push to get raise the money for casting. (Please help by spreading the word and donating now. There is a link to pay pal on the main page for the project. Or contact the family and send a check. ) I’m so excited. Sorry, I won’t show pictures of the final piece until the family approves it, but I will show sectional progress. Wish you could feel the bubbling I feel and the creative energy in the studio right now. Oh, Norma I can’t wait for you to be here serenading me regularly in the corner of my studio.
This is the documentation of Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon who created the Norma Zenteno Sculpture and Kippy for Zenteno Spirit and Barrio Dogs. You can find the process blog for this project at http://normasculpture.blogspot.com/
An Homage To a Man Who Started It All- Thanks Newell- Let’s Have Tea!
I have said time and time again. In my studio, Alice and her friends have gotten bigger and smaller, not with elixirs and mushrooms but with technology. I have had a foot in the digital world and another foot in the fine art field. I have created a niche for myself with my book 3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing, Scanning, Sculpting, and Milling. When creating the monumental sculpture of Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter Tea party for Evelyn’s Park in Bellaire, Texas, how could I not pay a tribute to the man who started the technology? After all, it all started with this and it should be at the famous tea party. So as one of the 150 hidden things that I put in this sculpture in honor of the 150th anniversary of the story, I have added a special one for us tech guys. Do you see it?
Oh and don’t forget the riddle. I’m trying my hand at riddles for many of the hidden object.
Tech marries clay in Wonderland,
The Hatter steps in and lends a hand.
Not from Texas but Utah it came.
Not victorian but rather plain.
Because Sandra and Martin liked their tea,
an homage to a man you now do see.
Just Ask! Houston Sculptor Encourage Others to Find Their Creative Potential
It does not matter what your age—high school student or adult, we all have aspirations and need some help in reaching our goals. Through our journey, we hope to find individuals that will inspire us, give us hope for a future, and introduce us to those working in the area we desire. The adage, “It is not what you know, but who you know,” may even come into play. Internships and or finding a mentor can be the key.
Bridgette Mongeon has helped others achieve their dreams and calls this process “Pony Keeping.” She explains, “A young person wanted a pony, but a friend said, what do you know about pony keeping? So the aspiring pony keeper researched everything they could know about pony keeping, they even volunteered for others who had ponies. Upon finishing this investigation, they were well versed in the art of pony keeping. Yes, they may have had to shovel a bit of ‘you know what’ along the way, but they learned that this too was a part of pony keeping. Upon finishing their adventure, they discovered they did not want to own a pony, but instead wanted to be a jockey. But the most important thing about their experience is that the learning was invaluable, and they became known to all of the pony keepers.”
Interns and Volunteers- For the young and the not so young
There is much to be said about volunteering, apprenticeships, and internships, and many cities area is filled with opportunities. For the youth, volunteering and internships shows employers and college admission committees that you are committed, focused, have outside academic interests, can work with others, and are dependable. For older adults, it helps them to set their goals, and move in a different direction that may be more fulfilling for their life.
But how do you find such opportunities? Mongeon’s reply to that is simple, “You ask.”
There are, of course, numerous websites that offer volunteer opportunities and internships, but more importantly, if there is a direction you want to go or someone you admire, then muster up all of your courage and call them, or email them. Be sure to represent yourself in the most professional manner, but make yourself known. Some internships pay, but if you go with the attitude that the learning is the value, this will be to your advantage and will show in your work.
Mongeon, a Houston sculptor, and writer is known for her numerous commissions of entertainers, commissions of loved ones, mascots sculpted for universities and most recently for her monumental sculpture of Alice In Wonderland’s Mad Hatter tea party slotted for Evelyn’s Park.
“Just ask” is what two very nervous students did this week. Amy Vonn’s parents came by Evelyn’s Park grand opening in Bellaire, Texas this past April. They met Mongeon as she was talking about her monumental sculpture titled “Move One Place On” that will soon be in the park, The parents shared their daughter’s love of art, and as she always does, Mongeon encouraged the parents and their daughter to come by her studio.
“I try to help—to inspire everyone I meet.” I would have loved to have such a thing when I was young, and I know I can help them.
Vonn is a resident of Meyerland and a senior at the High School For Performing and Visual Arts. She mustered up her courage to call Mongeon and is now shadowing her this summer in her Houston Heights area studio. “I’m excited to witness and learn about the translation of 3-D program designs into tangible sculpture, like the Alice piece.” States Vonn. Mongeon has a lot to offer besides the introduction to the hands-on work, she introduces the team to the creative process, working with an art business, digital technology and has been known to pass on additional paying work to interns.
Sam Kenn, a high school student from Spring iSchool High. Kenn heard about Mongeon’s studio and the incredible opportunity of working with the artist. His schedule did not allow his participation until now. He too sent a letter inquiring about the possibilities.
“ I am so grateful that my wish for tactile and hands-on experience with art, the craft of art, is coming to fruition. In addition, this internship allows one to grasp the esoteric qualities of being an artist that are necessary but unexpected, namely: group work, technology, entrepreneurship, etc.– all these things go hand in hand with the making side of being an artist.”
Mongeon does her best to schedule interns so they can experience a working studio. “I love sharing. I can’t use everyone that inquires, but I encourage them to visit, stay in touch, and be persistent. It does take a bit of time and focus to include interns in the daily workflow. It means the studio is not only a workspace, but I’m always searching for opportunities to educate.” When working the many long hours in 2016/2017 to sculpt the monumental characters of Alice and her friends, Mongeon had 12 individuals who helped in the capacity of volunteers, paid interns, and students working for class credit.
Mongeon also offers to bring interns on field trips when available. She visits other artists space, foundries or artistic, social gathering.
Mentoree Possibilities.
Mongeon has become a well-known and influential educator using the creation of her art, making each project’s influence stretch further than the art itself. But she has not stopped there. A sign as you exit the artist’s studio reads…
“Searching for a promising student or promising adult to mentor
I am looking for a promising art/writing student to take under my wing and mentor. If you know of a student that lives, breathes and thinks art and that might like to be a part of a “term’” experience with an artist, please let me know- high school, junior high, university level, and adults are welcome.
Qualifications: a passion for art, committed, dedicated, and reliable.
I often can work around mentee’s schedule.
Please include in this written application:
Why is this art form important in your life?
Give a brief description of your interests.
Describe your present study.
What do you hope to gain from this relationship?
Share a bit of depth into who you are and a few samples of your work.
If under 18 students must have parent’s permission.”
Bridgette is now accepting applications for mentorees. Send written request through her website at https://creativesculpture.com
Periodically Mongeon volunteers her time with creative individuals both adult and youth. She mentors them through their desired creative inspiration. Being a mentoree is different than an internship.“Some people just need a guiding hand to get where they want to go; they need help to find their direction, and they need accountability. I partner with them to help them through this journey. Think of it as an inspirational, motivational couch.” These mentorships are different than internships; it is a one on one partnership where the learner either youth or adult, designs their goals and Mongeon helps them. They even sign an informal contract, so things are clear. Mongeon’s volunteers her time to these chosen few. She says it is her way of giving back, but her time is limited; she only takes one or two mentorees a term. Most mentorees have a creative focus such as writing, art, dance, or theater. Individuals must apply. “I’m looking for the same thing I am with interns. I’m looking for passion and a heart. The rest can be learned or taught. I will keep you accountable though. So whatever the term of agreement, dedication is necessary.”
The opportunities for learning are out there, not just at Mongeon’s studio, but also with many others. All you need to do is make a decision that you want to evolve creatively, tap into your passion, find a place that will encourage that, and as Mongeon states, “Just ask.”
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The Real Alice
The Studio Is Filled With Norma
The studio is filled with Norma. I have reference photos on the wall, and a blown up copy for inspiration. There are piles of Norma pictures everywhere. I’m also referring to online photographs of her provided by the family and ones I can find on the internet. If you have photographs, especially those of an older Norma, please sent them. So with all of my online reference my computer is perpetually covered with clay. I must remember to clean the bottom off of it before going to bed, as I usually write in the early or late hours and this dark clay smudged on sheets, well you can only imagine what that looks like.
I worked hard on getting Norma’s face. Sorry no views of that. I’m saving that for the family. I realized I couldn’t really get her face until I had her hair, and boy did Norma have a lot of that hair. An intern spent the entire day just smoothing hair that it took me 4 days to add. Multiply that by about 5 more areas and you have Norma’s hair.
Even without all of her hair, I’m real close to capturing her essence and I’m delighted. Meanwhile there are body parts everywhere. Hands with Norma’s jewelry are in one place, her sculpted boots in another and other appendages await to be attached. Norma is in pieces and I can’t wait to start to put her together.
It is pretty much Norma central, but at this rate we will have her complete before the September gathering. Then it is just a matter of having the funds to cast her. I can’t wait to see her and Kippy in the park.
Oh, Kippy. He sits on the other side of the room staring with vacant eyes, wondering when it will be his turn again. My granddaughter came to my studio, found a stick and walked around the yard with it for the entire day. We have given it to Kippy. It will be what he is waiting for Norma to toss.
Onward to Norma. Need more of her music. Did the band have a CD? It would be great to have it here in the studio as we work. The you tube songs are not very good. Some are, but then how many times can you listen to the same few songs? Love listening to her as we sculpt though.
Don’t forget to send in your donations so we can get Norma cast. More photos to come as we have time. Now I better stop as the 1/2 moons of clay are exiting my fingernails and are all over the computer.
This is the documentation of Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon who created the Norma Zenteno Sculpture and Kippy for Zenteno Spirit and Barrio Dogs. You can find the process blog for this project at http://normasculpture.blogspot.com/
Visiting the Bellaire Library
I had fun at the library. My favorite part was meeting Ms. Teas. For those of you who don’t know, the park is placed on the land where Teas nursery used to sit. A long time ago, when I was first starting to sculpt, I had a line of gift items that I called Dandelions and doodlebugs. I sold them at the nursery and would come and sculpt in their gift area to bring attention to the pieces. I guess I have come full circle. I love to hear about the history of the place, the houses, and the teas. Mrs. Teas was the fan of the day. I think people enjoyed the adventure. Can’t wait for the next one. I’m so glad we could meet.
Posted onJuly 15, 2017CategoriesUncategorized
Hide And Seek
In all honesty I have been coming into the studio late. I work weekends, I work most days, but I love what I do. If I’m not writing, I’m sculpting, but this weekend I took time for family and I did something I have not done in a very long time. I made a pillow.
Anyway…In the afternoon evenings I’m coming in to the studio. I have a few days alone with Norma, no interns, nothing going on and I’m so excited. The dog Kippy sits on the other side of the room whimpering for me to get back to him. Norma’s boots are roughed in and I swear they are also tapping, waiting to be put on a body. Norma’s hands are in another part of the studio. But I keep coming back to Norma’s face.
I was talking to my sister yesterday and told her about a portrait that I did of a doctor. I felt so good about it all night long. I was having a grand time with it and felt confident. I closed up shop and in the morning when I came in, set my things down on the counter and turned around I found I had an entirely different man in my studio. What I had labored over for so long was my own deceased father. I spoke right out loud, “What on earth are you doing here dad and where is the doctor?”
So, though Norma is taking stage in the evening, I want to be sure she is there in the morning.
This is the documentation of Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon who created the Norma Zenteno Sculpture and Kippy for Zenteno Spirit and Barrio Dogs. You can find the process blog for this project at http://normasculpture.blogspot.com/
Norma’s Party And Making Friends
asked everyone to send pictures and stories.
I was delighted to attend Norma’s Birthday Party at Sambuca on Thursday. I planned on taking Friday off, away from my constant search for Norma. You see, I have body parts ready to be put together, but until I can capture the essence of Norma in her portrait bust, I can’t really put everything else together.
There is an old movie called Hook. In one part of the movie there is a magical moment when a little boy is smooshing around the face of Robin Williams trying to find Peter Pan. At one point he says, “there you are Peter.” I have that moment with each of the portraits that I sculpt.
Fnding my subject can be a challenge. Sometimes, I have to step away from the sculpture. This is extremely hard, especially when I have interns waiting to get to work on parts, but I cant go any further until I find Norma. So stepping away becomes part of the process. Thursday, when I stepped away I was delighted to be surrounded by the Zenteno family. I actually began to miss them. It is a bit odd, but I’m not sure if it is me missing them or Norma. I bond so much with my subject it is often hard to tell where they end and I begin, well emotionally.
It is Saturday night, I have sat with Norma’s head in my lap, flipping through images and trying to pull her into the clay. 4 hours later I mushed the clay around and finally said, “Oh, there you are Norma.” Now, I step away until tomorrow, to see how she will talk with me again. Finding the essence of Norma is a lot different than finishing the sculpture. There is SO much to do. We have actually just begun. But tonight I can sleep a little more at peace knowing that Norma is taking the stage in my studio.
This is the documentation of Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon who created the Norma Zenteno Sculpture and Kippy for Zenteno Spirit and Barrio Dogs. You can find the process blog for this project at http://normasculpture.blogspot.com/
Stepping Out
I love that this sculpture of Norma is starting with her feet. Whenever I create a sculpture I divide it up into pieces. Feet, hands, head torso- each are first roughed in, then put together and then detailed. I love working with the feet. Feet keep the rhythm they dance in times of celebration and they are raised when the day is done.
For me, right now, the idea of stepping out, moving forward and especially for strong independent women is important.
My personal journey of stepping out is stepping out to hike with other women in my hiking group and stepping out with helping others to learn salsa and bachata at SSQQ dance studio in Houston.
I see Norma as walking towards confidence, no matter what the challenge. I see her walking towards friends, to greet them, embrace them, to care. Stepping out… shoes are more than just an accessory.
Every piece of a posthumous sculpture is a connection.
For me right now it is the feet, and then I’ll move to her head and hands.
Other updates.
Along with sculpting of Norma’s feet, we have been preparing to begin the other parts of the sculpture. We need an armature for the placement of Norma which will be her seat. This was lovingly created by Johnny Rojas for me. We returned to the area on the East End of Houston, once again, to get a look at what was being done. It is fitting that Johnny would be helping with the armature. I’m not sure all the details, but Johnny recommended me to someone who I think recommended me to the family for this job. Thanks Johnny for bringing your energy into this project.
Whimsy into art. The clay that we used in each of the projects is reclaimed from previous projects. Interns have been busy on the sunny days, laying part of the Alice in Wonderland sculpture, and the feet of the mad Hatter, and the torso of a seeing eye dog for the last project of John Turner all outside on plastic. The sun melts the clay and the interns reclaim the clay for Norma. I love that the creative energy of the clay is infused and reused.
Another intern pulled together a very rough armature of Kippy- photos to come.
This is the week I being to absorb all things Norma. It is a strange process sculpting deceased loved ones. I really want alone time with Norma. No interns, no distractions— just Norma and I. But first, the grudging work of getting armatures and clay on those armatures. All part of the process. More photos to come.
This is the documentation of Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon who created the Norma Zenteno Sculpture and Kippy for Zenteno Spirit and Barrio Dogs. You can find the process blog for this project at http://normasculpture.blogspot.com/