Sand Games

I've been working on these sand games. It's driving me mad. I've also been putting huge efforts into my website. It's not quite up to snuff but hopefully soon. So much going on in my life, not a lot of time for blogging.

Mary-Kate and Ashley and the ripping off of cool

I recognize that the Olsen twins have some sort of genius considering how much money they've made for themselves, but after paging through their book, "Influence", I don't think it's a genius composed of originality but of mass marketing. The book looks like it it was put together by someone who was pretending to be Andy Warhol but didn't really have the talent to pull it off. They pose with stars, they pose in polaroids with stars, they discuss what's so cool about each influential person they are posing with. It's the rape of cool....really.

Plus they remind me of troll dolls. I just had to get that off my chest.

The art of making art

Haven't Blogged in a while but have been working a bit at least. Hired Tatiana to edit the photo's of my board game series. I think that's the smartest move I've made in a while. I was so stressed out about photoshop and being perfect that I wasn't doing any artwork. She's doing an awesome job and I can't wait to get my website launched. Just a few more games, maybe 3 or 4 and I can move on to the next project. Also trying to keep producing constructions (I think I'm dropping the word Assemblage from my vocabulary for a while due to the images of other artists that pop up and that I'm trying to move toward making my own parts and pieces as opposed to merely collecting and assembling found objects). I've been building my own frames from vintage wood and trying to use use glass from salvage yards. It's more challenging to think of the piece in terms of the size and shape of the glass. Plus there are some amazing pieces of glass out there as well as old wood with beautiful crusty finishes. Hopefully after the game series, Tat will have time to edit the images of the constructions and the website will be up. Then I can really concentrate on the work.

A Little Whacky

Kind of been fooling around with old cardboard boxes. You won't find what you expect inside.

Grey Goods

I attended an event last Wednesday at Grey Gallery in Seattle. I had no idea what the event was about since the boyfriend of the performer had described it as "girls standing around with outfits." This was not a bad description because there was an element of girls standing around with outfits but in actuality it was the third and final year Amy-Ellen Flatchestedmama Trefsger will be doing her Monochromatic May performance. The audience or "color court" as we were called, voted on which clothing was acceptably grey and Trefsger will exclusively wear the clothing for the month of May. She will then photograph herself each day and posts the images on her website:

http://www.flatchestedmama.com

I had a great time and found myself getting concerned about the differences between silver, grey and green. Of course, I wanted the audience to have more power to control the outcome, like what if we left her with only tops and no bottoms? Judging by her previous works, I think she would have found a way to make it work. I suppose she could have pulled a "Little Edie" and created skirts and pants from tops. Anyway, it was a fun filled evening.

Game for Sam

It's taking me a while to put up posts or to get anything finished for that matter. I sent this game to Sam for his Birthday. I think my relationship with the board game may be coming to a head. I have a few more pieces to complete but I'm working on a new idea in my head that doesn't seem to be going away so I better get working on it.

The Bruce Bickford Experience

I went to see a documentary about Bruce Bickford at the Frye last weekend. His claim to fame is Frank Zappa's "Baby Snakes." The film was great and Bickford was there afterward to answer questions and hock his wares which were tiny clay figures used in the films which he had incased in some kind of foamcore with cut pieces of found plasitc for windows. I waited around after the show to get a look that the figures and even wanted to buy one. He said make him an offer but he was unable to give anyone a price for any of them. It was all a hassle so I purchased a DVD. The trailor for the documentary, "Monster Road," can be seen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vzo04V24vWw

Two Shows in SF

While visiting SF I went to 2 incredible shows. The first at the MOMA was a retropective of William Kentridge. Kentridge is a South African artist that makes stop motion animation with shadow puppets.When you see behind the scenes you realize his work is put together with simple materials. He works mostly with black and white drawings and cut outs. I said he was a genious while we were at the museum so it must be true.

The second at the Deyoung was looking at Andy Warhol's work from the perspective of his involvement in Music and Dance. Each room represented a period of time in Warhols life. There were many artifacts including a record contract signed by the Velvet Underground and a silver trunk from the factory. I was very happy to see an original polaroid of Candy Darling. Ah, it's the little things in life.

mmmmmm

I'm enjoying a Safeway chicken. Any thoughts Brian?

Another one completed

This game was sent to Nell for her birthday. Reworked it about 400 times...I think I had it with me too long. Best to get them on the road so I don't fiddle too much. Nothing is ever perfect and that needs to be OK with me if I want to produce more than one thing a year.

James Castle Retrospective

I won't be able to see the James Castle retrospective because it's not coming anywhere near Seattle. It was bumming me out so I purchased the book from the show. You know if you don't buy these books when you see them you can never find them again. Anyway, I was trying to figure out when the documentary about his life was going to be released and low and behold, the DVD came with the book. Oh happy day, I am such a nerd.

Trip to Vancouver, BC

Purchased this box of paint at the Vancouver flea market. Being that I am a treasure hunter, any small obsession of mine becomes part of the hunt. I was very excited that this paint box contained only the color gray.

By the way Brian, I hope you went down to the basement. I didn't exactly steal anything this time but I did have my way with your things.

This morning

I realized at about 6AM that everything was all wrong. Needs a big can of gray paint - that will fit it.

The drummer keeps drumming

I purchased a website...what have I gotten myself into? At least I was able to borrow an EZ Cube from work so I can get some better shots of my work. With the prospect of kids looming I feel the pressure to get something out into the world before I really have no time of my own.

Photoshop Hell

Computers make me want to through them out of the window. Thankfully Davora showed me how to get the background off of my images. I just wanted isolate the objects - how hard can that be. I was so close to getting it myself but I didn't realize that there were three different eraser tools. I feel lame because I learned on an older version and now I'm lost in the world of CS. I've also realized that some of the photos I took of games that I've mailed away will not work the way I need them to. I'll have to cross that bridge wehn I come to it.

I might buy a website today.....another bridge to cross.

Thrilled with myself

I am very excited about the game I'm making for Jennifer. It's better than I expected. Hopefully she will like it and feel that our trade was worth it. There are a few challenges left to overcome...something about a teeny, tiny metal cap but it's coming right along.

Have not been able to complete the game I was working on previously because the board keeps splitting apart but I'm very close. Should be able to post a few finished pieces soon.

The Holy Grail

I have been wanting this book for a while now but could not find one for under $300. Found this slightly damaged copy for $75 so I went for it. Normally I wouldn't spend that much on a book but this one sort of had me obsessed. Why does it cost so much? Is it really the holy grail of books about assemblage art? It arrived today and I am excited to get it home.

Off White

I am obsessed with off-white paint. Bone white, navajo white, antique white, some people call it apartment white. I just can't get off of it. Everything I do has to start with that color and work its way to wherever it's going. Maybe I rented apartments for too long.

First Dada Moment

When I was in kindergarten I was babysat by a woman who lived across the street from us. One day I found some dry looking corn kernels on the sidewalk and I planted them in the dirt in the woman's front yard. In the spring the kernels grew into enormous stalks and produced several ears of corn. There were many discussions about the miracle corn and where it may have come from. I kept quiet.

Head Hurts

Back from Portland. Head hurts. Too much thinking. Had intense conversation with Jerry. Know what needs to be done. Lots of work ahead. Photos posted here are crap, need lots of work. Must brush up on photoshop and start editing but also must keep working on games. Lots to do. Wish I could take another day off work just for me.