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.

On Into 2009

Two installations completed last week at the new Rehabilitation Hospital of Wisconsin. The 46 bed hospital is located on the outskirts of Waukesha, about 20 miles from Milwaukee. It has three wings. One of the wings has a northwoods theme. The mobile I made hangs in the family room on the north side of the building. Consists of 13 metal fish, each 6" - 15" in length. One objective of the mobile is to have the fish move in the air as real fish move in water - free and easy. The second piece of artwork is on a wall in the front entrance lobby. It consists of seven groups of wire people attached to a support wire. Each group has 3 - 5 people. Each person is about 6" in height. An objective of the work is to convey feelings of movement, bending, stretching, waving.

Recently installed seven painted sphere mobiles at nearby restaurant. Red, blue, yellow, silver.

Will be meeting with a tool and die company in the next week or so to discuss cutting some metal I have in inventory.

Studio & Workshop

Installed several mobiles and sculptures this past weekdend at Restyle Studios, a new retail home decor store. Amy, the owner, is a pleasure to work with. She has a good eye for art, is on top of her studio layout, and is decisive in managing how things are done. Retail is tough business. I believe Amy understands. Wish her the best.

Several nice days in my workshop recently. Just mailed a mobile to Austin, TX for a kid's room. The mobile has a constellation feel. Nine painted hardwood spheres painted in three colors (blue, red, silver). Just finishing two more similar mobiles, one commissioned and the other for Restyle Studios. Also working on a series of metal column mobile sculptures.

Until next time.

Workshop

Had some nice designs in mind today. Didn't convert to good art. Wire snapped. Didn't have the touch to tie fish line knots. Wood balls split. Frustrating. Some work sessions do not go well. Back at it tomorrow. Aiming at unique, original pieces for new shop that opened a few weeks ago nearby. Keep at it!