Working on some new ideas. Still in the mix are metal fish and wire people. Still at it, but with no deadlines, art shows, marketing requirements. Like it this way.

Camera, Wire People, Bead Mobiles, & Wood Spheres

Haven't posted photographs in quite a while. Need to do that. Will get at it shortly. Concentrating on wire people lately. Making a few bead mobiles in the next week, and have ideas of wood sphere mobiles dancing in my head. Stay tuned - photos will show the work.

Good Challenge

I received a request for a small wire sculpture recently. The request was based on a similar piece of my work installed at a cafe. The request was very clear and very specific. There are times when artist freedom is at play and work for sale is sold on a 'there it is, hope you like, and buy it' basis. Other times, a request like 'do you have that in purple' can be challenging and even irritating. Not this time. The customer is requesting a piece that is specific to her family, and she wishes it to reflect their friendships and reality of the present. She knows what she wants. It's a fair request. Work is underway. Results not in yet. Report to follow. A good challenge.

Metal Circles

Hung two fresh metal circle mobiles at a local cafe this morning. While installing them, I met someone who used to live in Wisconsin and now resides in the state of Washington. She mentioned purchasing several of my mobiles years ago that now hang in her home near the sea, including a large wire salmon that is right at home hanging in her atrium. First time we met. Feels good to know old mobiles are still hanging and enjoyed.

I went to the Chicago Museum of Modern Art last week to view an Alexander Calder exhibit. Amazing as always. Works of seven contemporary artists inspired by Calder were also shown. My conclusion - Calder stands alone as the master of mobiles.

Fall 2010

July 2010 - Distributed art supplies to a middle school art teacher for use in her classroom and to the director of a local nonprofit agency teaching art skills to disabled adults. About to become involved as a volunteer with the nonprofit agency.

Workshop is in good shape, meaning supplies are organized and the work area is reasonably cleaned up. Some sales this summer to people who have seen my work. Spending some time producing new mobiles, and have some energy to market some of the finished work. Will be updating installations at several coffee shop/restaurants this fall.

Workshop Changes

It's been worth the time the past few days to sort through my workshop supplies. The work is freeing up space and freeing my mind to rethink what kind of artwork I want to make. I like the thought of making smaller, more precise mobiles relative to what I've been producing.

I'm eliminating and/or minimizing most of the physical risks from my work environment. The health risks have included being around metal shavings, metal dust, sawdust, and paint fumes. There are also risks that come from operating small machines (bench grinder, drill press, scroll saw, sander).

Passing Some On

I will spend time today sorting through beads, wood, metal, plastic, wire, tools, and finished mobiles. When done, the stuff will be delivered to my art teacher friend who can take it to her classroom. Perhaps I'll join her for a day or two this fall to teach kids how to make mobiles.