The third game

Courtney pulled this as a surprise gift at the Eckersley family Christmas.

Two More - old ones

Segway to How to Draw Book Collection

I have been collecting books and pamphlets for many years and my collection has taken on a it's own categories. This is one category that I really enjoy adding to as I find them. Some of my favorites are pictured here: How to Draw Horses by Walter T. Foster no publishing date, Drawing Dogs by Diana Thorne 1940, How to Paint and Draw Children by Viola French 1950's (?) (reminds me of Henry Darger), Drawing Dogs by Gladys Emerson cook 1960's (?), How to Make Composition of Portraiture (all other writing in the book is in Asian characters).

Game Number 2

Camilla complained for weeks about not getting a game for Christmas. Meanwhile I was making her one. It seems to be some sort of drawing game like pictionary but she will have to figure it out.

Peepshow

I wish I could have photographed the inside of this one but I couldn't get the right angle. On the back of the inside of the box there are broken mirrors and when you pull up the black knob on the top of the box there is a small flashlight attached. When you shine the light in the hole the flashlight came out of and look into the hole on the front of the box, you can see a man wearing only a towel reflecting off the mirrors. You can't see the man in you shine a light in the front hole. Anyway, it's kind of fun. I made it as a Christmas gift for Davora.

Problem Solving

I'd like to know how other people decide what their artwork is going to look like. Can they describe it to someone else before it's on the canvas? For me it's like solving any other problem; I usually see the solution in the wee hours of the morning when I wake up from a dream or to go the bathroom. I used to see an object that exists or can be extracted from something else but lately I see a texture or a shape and color and then I figure how I can create that effect. It's been really trippy to have something this essential to my process change suddenly. It's more like painting than assemblage. Also, I've never been able to describe what my artwork is going to look like before I build it but, recently I've been able to tell my inquisitive wife what I'm thinking about and how I want to approach it. I've even been sketching my ideas. I must be a late bloomer.

Three Painters I Know

Here are 3 painters I know personally. Just felt like posting their websites today.

Jessica Graca
www.petunialoveswater.com

Joe Schlichta
www.joeshlichta.com

Jenna Colby
www.soopajdelux.com

Glue

I've started using more gorilla glue. Even though it can be challenging due to expansion, I like how strong it is. It can be painted and for some reason I think it's pliable (even though it really isn't).

I used to use more PC-11 but mixing it is a pain and it is lumpy and dries hard as a rock. But, it's stronger than hell.

I like good ol' Elmer's white glue and good ol' wood glue for wood and sometimes paper.

Glue sticks are a staple, I don't care what brand.

While I like "Yes" paste for paper, it comes in gigantic tubs and dries out quickly. Then you have a very expensive paperweight. It is very easy to get rid of any bubbles or lumps though.

Hot glue is only good for children's art projects that you hope will eventually fall apart. Although I do like how it looks when dry and have used it for effect.

I hate crazy glue...enough said.

A couple older works

Fun-n-games

Just distributed the first of the games I've been laboring over for the last four months. I was planning on giving them as Christmas presents but the gift exchange plans were changed. Oh well, individuals will receive their games in time. At least I can post photos of the first game sent to Dika for her birthday. Not sure if she opened it up but I know she liked the painting on the outside of the box. That's what I get for trying something "conceptual".

Time

There is never enough time. Between work, home, partner, figuring out the kid thing, and just trying to remain fairly healthy I'm finding it hard to get any artwork completed. Maybe when Christmas is over I can find some time to focus.

I wish I could quit my job and live on nothing but that lifestyle has always eluded me. I always want a comfortable lifestyle where I can do or buy whatever I want (within reason) but in exchange for that lifestyle I work hard, more than forty hours a week as a matter of fact. I am responsible to other people, I pay a mortgage, I get to live alone with my partner not multiple roommates. If only my "good" job would buy me more time.

Art is killing me

Last night was a terrible and long night. Sleep a little, wake up, toss, turn, go over ideas in my head, go back to sleep, wake up, terrible back and hip pain, think about concepts for a new sculpture.....I feel like crap today. At least I got a few good ideas out of it. I have such a bad relationship with sleep but I don't mind, I tend to solve problems when I'm in limbo between waking and slumber. It's probably killing me slowly.

Collecting

Over the years I've learned not to tell anyone about my specific collections. Otherwise you end up with a house full of ceramic roosters (no offense to anyone who's ever given me a rooster). It's best to keep your collections to yourself so you can revel in the times you find that perfect little object for two dollars at a garage sale.

Christmas

Dika asked me what projects I was working on. I started to tell her about making all my Christmas presents this year and how it was taking all my spare time and how I was cleaning out the garage to make room for my new miter saw so I could make some boxes. I realized that over the last five years I've spent most of my time learning, organizing and collecting and not so much doing. It's time to start doing.

First Post

Not much to say in this first post except I hope to use this blog to show some of my artworks and blither about my ideas. Don't know if it will ever be read by anyone but me...but who cares. Maybe I'll even post some poetry. After all, no one is ever going to buy it so it might as well be free.