Reflections
Making Mud Pies- Nature or Nurture?
I was reminded that years ago I used to have regular art shows at my studio, monthly in fact. We would always have a creative thing for people to do. Once we had “shoot the sheet.” We put clothes dies in water pistols and let everyone create a joint piece of artwork, another time we had paper airplane contest, you should have seen all of the airplanes in my rafters. One time I had a mud pie contest. What surprised me was that so many people did not want to participate. They did not want to get their hands dirty. I am reminded of this as my newest apprentice said, she hates to have her hands dirty.
Is this a nature or nurture thing? Do some children just love playing in dirt and others can’t stand it? Did you make mud pies?
As I worked in the garden putting down the stone and pathways my tools were, a piece of foam to sit on, a small mallet that I often would use the wooden handle to push in the pebbles, a small hand shovel, and two small buckets one filled with pebbles or sand, the other to take things away. I also had two stones that I really need to paint a notice on , “mom’s caveman tool, do not misplace.” A simple triangle stone that fit perfectly in my hand and was great for smoothing or digging. I would sit on my foam mat, which has a wonderful Cezanne painting on the one side, my tools spread out about me and working on the space between my legs. ” You look like a little girl,” my husband commented. I often wonder were there characteristics that I had as a child that would have been an indication that I would have liked getting my hands dirty for a living? Playing in mud, clay, or digging in the dirt. I do know that I love the tactile feel of gardening. I know health wise I should probably put on gloves, but I don’t enjoy the experience as much. Was I born this way?
Tilly Came To Take A Look
This morning Tilly came to take a look. I found her in the” soon to be new bog area” looking up at the pink rock. She used to like to sit on the black liner. I asked, “Want me to build you some steps up from the bog? She just looked taking it all in. “It will look much different when I fill the pond back up.” I assured her, like she could really understand. “Did the baby come with you?”
Yesterday I put the waders on that my husband bought for me years ago. I choose to do this when I was straddling the bog and edge trying to sink a milk crate, put a concrete block on top and then what I now refer to as “the bathing stone.” A stone that has the perfect slope for baby and Tilly to get on and sun bath. The bottom of the pond was murky, thank god for my toes being covered. I balanced that milk crate with rocks that I shoved under the murk and between the crate, this I did with my toes and feet. I am sure I looked a site standing in the pond.
There is one small problem with the pond that I just cant figure out. You see I can’t use concrete on the pond liner as it is a living pond and it the concrete will play havoc with this perfect system that I have here. It could even kill all of the fish and turtles. I could not stand for that. So, once again. I’ll finish the edge and fill the pond, but the beach will have to stay just liner, until I come up with another solution.
originally I was going to, lower the pond level even more to expose the beach and stream, put in concrete with pebbles, scrub the concrete once cured with vinegar, this helps neutralize the concrete. While scrubbing it I was going to vacuum the vinegar up with my wet vac. YES! a lot of work, but I am not sure even that would keep the critters from being hurt. I can not stand the thought, and can’t find help. So… Fill her up and work with dilemma that another time. I really have to get back to the studio.
Working On The Pond
It is coming along. I am very tired of laying stone. Tilly and her baby have moved to the upper pond while this one is under construction. She will be so surprised when she comes home.
Have You Ever Placed a Ton of Rock?
I began my pond about 9 years ago. It started with an upper pond then the 14 foot stream and the lower pond. The edge of the lower pond has never been completed. I am not sure why. Probably because I have changed my mind so many times about what it should look like. When people would walk by the pond, on the way to the studio I would say, “My work in progress.” I kind of feel like this back yard is a living sculpture, a never ending piece of work and a very magical place. By the end of the week I expect the lower pond to be done. What will I do with my self? How will I ever adjust to the fact that I don’t have to “finish” the pond?
My hands ache, my back aches, and I still have about a 1/2 a ton of rock to place. Wish us luck.
Oh yes, and Tilly the turtle, along with little guy have moved up to the upper pond. They really did not like all of the noise and disturbance at the lower pond. But boy won’t they be surprised when it is done. The design is one that is very turtle friendly, with special treats for them both. For one of those treats I have to get into the lower pond. That should be interesting. I’ll update more, must find Advil.
The Coolest Thing… GREAT RESOURCE!
More people should know about this. If you own an Apple Computer and want to learn to do anything, from very basic, what is a mouse and how do I turn the thing on, to how do I create a podcast, video, website etc. You can order something called “One to One” It cost me 99.00 for a years worth of One to One. Once a week I can go to the apple store and get one on one training on anything I want. I can bring in my website design, podcast, video etc and they help me figure out how to do it, lately I am going in for upper level stuff, audio etc. But this is such a great resource. I just don’t know why more people are not working with it. I didn’t know it was available and most do not.
My father owns a PC in another state, and I know he is frustrated with the new operating system and the computer. Geek squad costs so much, but it is probably the only alternative for him. I wish he owned an Apple. If he did I would buy him One to One.
Today I had a One to One. You see I am trying to put up podcasts. There was a woman working with the specialist next to me she must have been in her 70’s. She brought her own laptop, which is an advantage to those having a lap top. I was impressed with her.
I headed over to Micro Center to buy new headphones and other tech items and there was a guy in line that said he owned an Apple and didn’t know what to do with it. I told him about the One to One. He had no idea! I have run across many who don’t. THIS IS THE COOLEST THING! Sorry PC guys. One more reason to love my Apple computer.
I really must create a video on One to One.
Tears And In Memory of Family Pets
I am often asked to create memorials for family pets, or at least sculptures to remind the owner of the love of a pet. If you remember I recently sculpted a little boy and dog, the boy whispering in his dogs ear. When the commission began I was touched when they said the dog was aging and they did not expect him to live long. I had to create the dog as part of the sculpture and did so at no charge. My client arrived at the studio yesterday and informed me the dog did indeed pass away a few weeks ago. She lovingly stroked the piece, attracted and looking at it even before she did her son. I could feel her sorrow. I identify. Her son is growing up, and this dog has been a part of his childhood. I’m going through something similar with my daughters cat of 16 years. I gave my daughter the cat when she was 6 or 7. (you don’t really take into consideration, that when they grow up and move away after college you now have a cat)
Anyway…the cat is not well. I’m more attached to the cat because of what it represents as my daughter’s childhood, then just the cat. The cat and I have both gone through our own struggles as my daughter left for college, and then moved away to Oklahoma. I guess we bonded as we each dealt with the loss, and our goodbyes and coming to terms with the new arrangement. We drew to each other in her absence.
I recently heard someone tell about how their childhood poodle helped them through the difficult times of growing up, through the alcoholism in the family and a divorce and that this poodle dying was so traumatic for them they never again had another pet. I on the other hand, foster dogs, work with shelters and at this point in my life I have two cats, two dogs, one of which is being fostered by us and has come through some horrible physical problems, two turtles and a bunch of fish in the pond, they pretty much take care of themselves and am now the feral cat lady as a mother cat found our house and dropped off her kittens, all 4 of them, which also brought two teenagers. I have no idea what to do with these cats, the shelters won’t take them. I keep feeding them and trying to get them used to people, but something has to be done.
This is my life with cats and dogs and pets. No wonder my heart goes out to those commissions that includes the family pet.
Momma And Baby
Some of you may not know that my constant studio companion and friend is a turtle. This is Tilly. Who if you have been following this blog log enough came to my studio when I built it. (See June 2005 post).
The edge of the pond is still not complete, one of those projects I just can’t seem to get to. But she wanders about the 14 foot stream and two waterfalls to her content. Here she is at the lower pond, which is just about 7 feet from the edge of my studio. And she is with her tiny baby. Notice the resemblance?
She has had several clutches of eggs, but only this one baby has survived, plus another two that I gave away to a ponder friend. This little thing has survived amongst big dogs, and bullfrogs ( wow that rhymes) I don’t get to see him/her often as it scampers under the surface as soon as it sees movement. Probably the reason it has stayed alive so long. Anyway… I receive a great deal of relaxation and inspiration from this pond.
As I was taking the trip upstairs and downstairs to take pictures in the studio of Jenna, and upstairs to upload them to the internet I saw this little scene. It is amazing how much they look like each other.
Today I Had A Virtual Birthday Party For My Daughter
Yes indeed. I had a virtual party. You see it is mother’s day and my daughter Christina Diliberto’s 23rd birthday. Unable to be together, with her in Tulsa and me in Houston I posted a virtual birthday party on her face book. I posted several photographs of her as a baby and commented and tagged them. If you are on facebook here is a link. Then I noted that when she was born there was a wonderful big band station here in Houston. I called them and told them that she came in time to make me a mother on mothers day. I asked them to dedicate a song to my new baby. They picked “Aint she sweet” I found this wonderful video of the Big chicken chorus singing the song and posted that on face book as well. I laughed so hard.
Lets see if these links work to show you a few photographs.
Hanging at the pool, or at the beach. Some things never change .
mom and baby
From an early age Christina embraced nakedness and loved the feel of the boys buns. Even those who were too embarrassed to show their face.
You are the cats pajamas! Fierce in your endeavors, taking along a clown or a few laughs.
At this VIRTUAL BIRTHDAY PARTY we had
henna painting
butt sketches.
a margarita machine
petting zoo
serenade by the big chicken chorus
stuffed mushrooms, baked ziti, and salad
then Cirque du Soleil performed! What a great ongoing virtual birthday party! ( PS, pretty easy on the budget as well.)
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!
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.