Writing
White Pressed Clothes… I Could Dance…
Often after working on such a large project as the sculpture of Dick Hathaway, and the creating of the mold, the studio is a mess. Prior to that the studio is filled with sculpture, clay stained floors, the way a sculpture studio should be, I suppose.
My attire for the last few weeks has been grubby clothes that get even grubbier with putting the rubber and plaster on the molds.
NOT TODAY! The molds are done, the floor is clean (with a great deal of thanks to my apprentice Russo ). Today I put on pressed clothes. Of course I am working in the office instead of the studio. I am thrilled that the large studio floor is free from obstruction. What does that mean? I CAN DANCE! Literally!
I like to dance for exercise, turn on the tunes and start moving. Sometimes my husband joins me and we will practice our waltz, jitterbug, two step, fox trot or cha cha.
The Jenna sculpture needs to be in clay by next week. A quick turn around, but she is little and will take only a small amount of space. So… I HAVE PRESSED CLOTHES ON! A WHITE SHIRT, AND NOW I CAN DANCE!
New Online Article-
A new online article about using the computer program Poser to create presentations and reference for sculpture. The May issue of the online Magazine Best of Artists and Artisans online blog.
Article That I Wrote On “Optimizing Your Presence On The Internet”
Is now available in the new Sculptural Pursuit Magazine Summer 2008 “Optimize Your Presence on the Internet.” Vol.7 No.2 (Summer 2008) 53.
The Art Car Parade Is Coming….
A true traveling exhibit-
The Houston, Texas Art Car Parade
By Bridgette Mongeon © 2008
For those of you who don’t know about this crazy event, we have an art car parade, the largest anywhere. Here is an article that I wrote several years ago about the parade, along with some cool pictures. For more information go to http://www.orangeshow.org/art-car/
This past month marked a celebration of a true traveling exhibit. The 2008 Houston, Texas, Art Car Parade is one of the oldest and largest art car parades in the world. 200,000 plus spectators and media from all over the world saw this year’s parade. The art car parade is part of The Orange Show’s Center for Visionary Art and began in 1988 with just 40 vehicles. This year, its 21st anniversary, boasts 280 entrys from over 15 states.
I decided to take my studio apprentice Russo, an exchange student from Georgia (the country between Europe and Asia, not the state) to see this Houston wonder. Everyone should experience these American artistic autos at least once in their life. While on the way to the parade, we were followed by “Shep The Rescued German Shepherd” art car. Or should I say, “We were tailed.” It was at that moment that Russo learned she was in for something quite unusual.
An early arrival to the parade allows for close inspection of each art car, along with some of the colorful characters that seem to accompany the cars and those that the parade draws out from the woodwork. Besides art cars, costumed roller skaters and art bikes are also welcome in the parade.
There is really no other experience like seeing the wild rides exhibited in the art car parade. Russo and I quickly found our favorite cars. On our list was the “Sashimi Tabernacle Choir” created by Richard Carter, John Schroeter and Team Sashimi. The creators of this car mounted singing fish novelties and wired them to the car to sing in unison. The car has over 250 computer-controlled lobsters, bass, trout, catfish, and sharks.
We were also quite fond of “Dekuntry Pedlur” by Rich and Pam Molden. The car made to look like an old fashion country peddler made me think of Ma and Pa Kettle or the Clampetts.
The “Phone Car” by Howard Davis was originally a 1975 Volkswagen Beetle and has a horn that rings like a telephone.
Amber Eagle was inspired by the patron saints of Mexico and created “Lady of Transportation” and won Mayor’s Cup and Participant’s Choice Awards in the parade.
People’s Choice went to a giant chicken car called “HEN-A-TRON II” by Pomponio Napumucino.
“Radio Flyer” by Bob Castaneda also caught our eye as well as the “Crapper Car” by Richard Simcik.
Woodworker Isaac Cohen created a work of art. His car “Splinter” is made of wood. According to the artists My Space Page, ”I built Splinter as a birthday present to myself for my 50th birthday. It took 5,600 hours to complete. Splinter is built on an 89 Honda Accord frame. The body is 21 ft. long and crafted from 4,985 linear strips of ash and walnut.”
It is rumored that Houston Grand Opera’s baritone Liam Bonner was the person singing in the mouth of the art car “Opera To Go” by Perryn Leech.
The parade is one of artistic wonderment, free expression, and a real head turner. Coming home I had the urge to glue, epoxy or create something for my own silver van. You could say it was an obsession that was driving me crazy.
“Keep America’s roads weird, build an art car”
Quote by Tom Jones curator of The Art Car Museum died May 10, 2008 killed by a drunk driver.
A Wonderful Night of Jazz- Celebrating The Birthday of Jazz Player- Harry Sheppard
This past Saturday my entire family went to a wonderful event. The 80th birthday party of my dear friend, and adopted dad, Harry Sheppard. Harry used to have regular birthday bashes, and it had been a while since the last one. It was like homecoming.
When I met Doc Severenson years ago, Harry told me, “Ask him about Heshy and our Europe tour”. Harry has met many people in his musical career.
There was a slide show playing at the party with many of the people Harry has met and worked with over the years. Including Jimmy durante, Sammy Davis Junior, Billy Holiday and Benny Goodman to name a few. Harry is the history of jazz. It was a great night.
I was especially excited because the event took place at massraffs where my son has recently gotten a job in the kitchen learning to be a chef, ( because of Harry). I’m a proud momma. My daughter came in from Tulsa making the night just perfect.
The pictures- I can’t seem to get blogger to take them. I’ll have to post them later!
Me and Harry
Joe Fulgham (drummer) and myself
Bob Chadwick ( the best darn flute player) and myself
Harry playing vibes with his 88 year old brother
The band
Myself, sculptor David Addicks and Harry
Happy Birthday Harry!
I am absolutely exhausted. I have completed a milestone. It took me about 3 months
I am absolutely exhausted. I have completed a milestone. It took me about 3 months, but I now have a shipping department! WOW!
Besides having to research and purchase all of the necessary materials, scale, hopper to hold peanuts, boxes, bubble wrap, and because each piece in my gift line comes with a card and a note from the artists, I had to purchase filing cabinets to hold cards, sales material, and create box labels. That was the easy part. Our garage was filled to the brim with things. I moved everything out and purged. We had to have AC/HEAT in the garage so when they put in the new unit we had it run to the garage as well. A new garage door was installed and the old rotten jams replaced. (I have lived in this house for 23 years and don’t think I have opened the garage door more than 10-20 times.) All of the drywall needed repair and then it took 4-5 coats of paint, the last coat was bed and bath paint to prevent mold. Every crack has been sealed. The floor spray washed, and then an acid wash before it was painted with fancy little sprinkles added. A threshold was added under the garage door, and weather stripping to the sides. New plastic bins for storage and plastic shelves for both storage of some garage stuff, and then the entire inventory was moved in.
We have not checked to see if the laptop and Internet connection works in the garage. That would be ideal, with a small printer. Then I could print off my labels from FedEx right there. But for now I have to run to the other building and up into the offices, a minor inconvenience. IT is so good to have my house back in order. IT seemed like the garage just vomited into the house, studio, porch etc. I have not been in the studio in a day and I kept telling everyone, “move this box into the studio, I’ll go through it in there.” I know I’ll scream a bit when I see the mess down there, but for now… the house is clean and I HAVE A SHIPPING DEPARTMENT!
New Article on Best of Artists and Artisans
De sure to check out my newest article for Best of Artists and Artisans It is on being in love with the human form.
She Is Learning
The new dog, we should really find a temporary name for it, has learned the process. We are always here. Shadow would be a good name as she goes up and down the stairs following me. Our offices are on the second floor, the studio on the first. Thank God she has learned not to jump up every time I am downstairs and need a tool on the shelf, or to warm my coffee in the microwave. Or upstairs when I run from my computer to the accounting computer. She so wants someone to play with her, and Emmy could not be bothered. Our retriever that passed away was the great foster uncle. He would play with the puppies and tire them out.
I guess having someone around all the time is good, but we really work a lot here and only play on the way to the house.
Hubby said, “she has not jumped into the pond yet.” No, she has not. I wonder why as she appears to be a lab. But all dogs that come here consider the pond their personal watering dish.
Still no home for her, on the upside, she has been a good resource for the growth pattern of hair for my little dog sculpture.
The Pets Have Our Number
At least that is what my son suggests. This is why,
On Christmas morning we found 4 kittens on our doorstep. We have been feeding them and the mom and trying to learn about how to take care of the problem of ferrel cats and the endless cycle of reproduction that seems so cruel.
Then we noticed this lab eating out of a dumpster. My husband noticed she had rope wrapped around her neck, and chest and legs. it was so sad. I coaxed her over with a turkey hot dog. It took some time to get the knots out. Now we are trying to find a good home for her. She looks to be about a year old.
Our home does seem to attract those animals in need. I think we have fostered 5 dogs in the last 3 years.
I Am Excited about The New Year- But Accounting Hurts My Brain
I am excited about the new year. Even if I am still a little foggy from the flue. We are setting up an e commerce site for my collectible series. For those of you who have not seen them you can find them on the God’s Word web site. Setting up an e commerce store that works with the accounting system, changing the accounting system to a new computer and on a PC none the less. I am a mac girl. Is making my little brain hurt. All in all, we are excited about this new endeavor for 2008. The site should now be functional and I plan on spending a lot of my time marketing the site, and the artwork. I am also creating a few new pieces for the collection. Creating for God’s Word Collectibles is really the only time I get to create out of my head. Everything I do is by commission.