Writing

Besides my own artwork there was photography from my daughter as well as her graphics which she played on her computer. I also had my lecture from the TW Woods about my book “Bringing to Life The Spirit of the Deceased- A Sculptor’s Journey” that played in another area of the studio. My husband’s two books were on display and artwork from my apprentice Florencia.

I had invited all of the award winning students from the Culture Shapers contest that I judged a few weeks back. Daphne Dodd came with her parents.

One sculpture actually got into the Christmas spirit. Maybe he was praying for his toys.

The God’s Word sculptures look good in their new display case. http://www.godsword.net

After viewing the artwork people gathered around on the studio porch and different sitting areas in the yard. The white lights, the teeke torches and the sound of the stream always feels magical. The weather was unseasonably warm, making it quite comfortable.

Many thanks to Jennifer my former apprentice and my daughter, Christina for playing photographer during the party

There was lots of great food, ham, turkey, Swedish meatballs bread, Christmas salad, cookies, relish plate, fruit plate, there were 4 different cheeses and crackers, artichoke spinach dip, someone brought a delicious avocado dip. Everything was so yummy. Everyone often gathered around the food table.

Someone brought some music books, others brought instruments and we all sang Christmas Carols. I love to sing and I have not had enough of that.

Today I picked up Lucas and Jeanine. I’ll post pictures next week. They both look wonderful! It is so wonderful to have them for the show.

My apprentice, Florencia, helped me flip the Christmas tree today. I think it made her smile. It was fun and was even more fun having someone to put it up with. I’m waiting to put some of the ornaments on it. I want to do that with my daughter. She and used to throw these parties. I know she was only little back then, but she was a terrific hostess even then. I’ll be sure to post lots of photographs of the upside down Christmas party. Until then here are some pictures of Florencia and I trying to figure the tree out. We have it down to a science. hook in ceiling, attach pulley, attach trees stand to tree (the kind that screws in). Yes, I know you don’t really need a tree “stand” because it is on the ceiling. The metal structure just makes securing the tree and hoisting it much easier. Once the tree is hoisted up I tie off the rope. I have never been a girl scout so I don’t know what knots I use. I would call them “bridgette” knots in that I just keep tying them.

The tree skirt on the ceiling hides the contraption at the top. Now that it is hung time to string the lights!

We are busy at the studio trying to get ready for an upside down Christmas. I used to have these type of parties at the studio regularly. It has been over 12 years since we had one. What is an upside Christmas party consist of? Well the biggest thing is the tree is flipped upside down and hung from the ceiling. Where does the tree skirt go? Well, on the ceiling of course.

You would be amazed at how easy it is to wire lights on an upside down tree. The gifts go under the tree which is now on the floor.

I’ll have to post pictures of the entire thing. If you are reading this and have not received an invitation please email me privately and I’ll be sure to send you your invite.

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!