Installation

Installing ten mobiles and a group of wall sculptures at Four Seasons Coffee Shop in Brookfield, Wisconsin this week.

Fall is in the air. Golf, exercise at the gym, family wedding, reading, yard work, and social gatherings have occupied my time during the past six months. Prior to that, time in Oakland and Miami visiting our kids and their families. Point is I haven't produced any real art in the past year. Still have work hanging in galleries and retail outlets. Sold a large mobile (4'x5') of fish and metal pieces a week ago, and just received a request for a silent auction donation from a local foundation. Just not passionate about making art these days. Too many other things I like to do.

I wander into my workshop and studio occasionally to ponder what I might make, organize a few items, throw some never to be used stuff in the trash, look at mobiles made several years ago (and wonder how I made them), and realize there is potential to get back at it (or maybe not).

We'll see.

Class Reunion

Attended Class of 1959 high school reunion in late August. Quite wonderful. Renewed old friendships. Startled by appearances of classmates - some who looked 50 years old, others who looked 85. Our journey goes quickly. Seems such a short time ago we were kids.  

Conversation with Gene

Visited with Gene, a painter, this morning at my favorite coffee shop. The subject was artist dry spots, vacuums, do nothing days, a passing month with no satisfaction of work completed. One of Gene's coping mechanisms is turning from watercolor painting to photography. Photographs at close range of flowers, for example. Perhaps we part time artists should accept that art work need not possess us. Can work if one is not economically tied to selling art. Also believe we have a better shot at making good art if we have other interests (i.e. exercise, kids and grandkids, crossword puzzles, books). The studio doesn't demand that we're there every day. Fresh ideas to make art sometimes come easier after time away from one's art work area. Perhaps today is one of those idea days. Guess I'd better get in the studio and find out.

Recent Work

Wall Mobile with Friends from other artists

Wisconsin Winter

Have been away from art work for the past month as an outcome of escaping the Wisconsin winter. Will get back at it for a week and then escape again. Intend to post some new photos of recent work soon.

Cutting Metal

Visited a machining company recently to explore using a few machines to cut and treat metal. The owner, Dan, was very helpful. Will likely move ahead and do some work there, or retain the firm to cut some of my designs for use in sculpture and mobiles.