Leather Belt Barstool Project

The caning on one of our barstools was shredded, so I was inspired to create something different. Hmmmmm, somehow weaving leather belts came to mind. Problem was, it would take about 30 belts to do the seat and back. Friends on Facebook recommended Goodwill for the belts--good call--I found nearly all the belts required in one stop! Today I cut off the old material, and wove the belts.




The original buckles are there, holding the belts in place. Funky!

'bots in the Bathroom

Somehow I lost the contact information for Craig and Rebecca who requested paintings of robots engaged in the bathroom...argh....discouraging that I have not been better organized. I like their idea, so I have started some pieces in any case, and maybe somehow the paintings will find their way home.

They are: a 'bot in the shower, a 'bot with a toothbrush, and a girl-bot applying mascara. Here are 3 paintings in the beginning stage:

Christmas by flashlight

We're with Bill's dad and brother for Christmas. Last night after dinner, the power went out through the whole neighborhood. We had candles lit, and the fireplace going, and decided to play a game Julie had given us, called Dicecapades. It seems similar to Trivial Pursuit, but with over 100 dice that play into it somehow. We disregarded the rules, and simply read questions to each other by flashlight. It's my favorite Christmas memory for the year.

Richard Norte--Fused Glass

I helped with City Art Interviews on Tuesday. One of the artists, Richard Norte, makes fantastic art with fused glass and dichroic coatings. It sounds complicated: He fuses glass in a kiln, then laser-vaporizes precious metals onto the glass in a vacuum.

His process results in amorphous glass shapes in iridescent colors. The glass transmits light in one color, but reflects light in another. Bright, happy, shiny! The pieces seem alive as colors change from every perspective. Beautiful!

Check out Richard Norte's website: http://www.sculpturesbynorte.com

Nest

On the way to Stephen's holiday party last night, I happened upon what looked to be temporary (maybe unauthorized?) art on the sidewalk near his apt building--a huge nest made from tree branches. Inside were eggs, 5 or 6 feet long, tiled with mirror fragments, apparently. No camera with me.... errrrgggg. Very cool. By the time I left the party, the eggs were moved onto a flatbed truck, and the sidewalk was being swept up. Lesson learned! Camera. Always. Wondering if anyone else saw the nest.

Back when there were Dinosaurs...

Bill and I were walking home from friends, talking about how time is going so fast. Our college days together are distant memories now, although they were so important in the moments back then. We always only have today. We have to live for now and do the best we can. I may finally be getting that concept.

BendyBulldog

Cool! Just got an email from GETBIZI about possibly showing some work at BendyBulldog Studio/Gallery. Pilates and Art.... I looked at yelp, and everyone who has written loves Nancy, the owner. Do you know anyone who works out there?

Hopefully something in my inventory will work for the space!

This post, interrupted by a spider!

I'm attending 2 receptions tonight--Artist-Xchange, and City Art. Luckily, they are just a few blocks apart so I can hit both. There are so many artists showing in December at City Art, that Trish encouraged smaller pieces for the back space. Lots of artists is a good problem to have. I gave her 6 8x8's. Looking forward to seeing everyone else's work, and secretly wanting a power nap so I can stay awake. YIKES, a square-shaped spider just appeared on the desk! That will wake you up!

Permission to not send holiday cards

I had an idea to send Chrismas cards with an image of a johnnybotts painting on it--maybe a family of robots posing in matching outfits ala Raising Hope, maybe a robot reeling out his robot tongue to catch a robot snowflake, or a candy cane robot elf--something--anything connected to the holidays. Well, here it is December, and I have not so much as sketched one of these ideas. I have been too busy to do Christmas things.

I read Alyson B. Stanfield's newsletter today, giving us artists permission to *not* send Holiday cards, with reasons why it is OK. She makes sense, and I am giving myself a break. Thanks Alyson! No cards. Whew!

Morever, I'm not going to try to do everything for a perfect Christmas. I'm hoping to have some good experiences, spend time with some people, and appreciate that.

How about you?