eyes shut, wonder bread, pen on the end of a stick


Poor Terry Brown was on for early (7am) and it took a good 2 hours to get the digital projector to function properly--so the schedule slid around a bit to accomodate this change in schedule. Terry was very interesting--but oriented his discussion of illustration history around topics versus around trends/styles/timing/inspirations. We clipped through Winslow Homer all the way up to the work for Filmore West in less than an hour or so...around topics. I was glad I had the early grounding from Murray or my head would have been spinning. We watched 3 videos during the noon session (one created for one of the ICON conferences from SOI, another a promotional piece to develop funding for a possible full film on the history of illustration and the final a little clip of a video on NC Wyeth with reminiscences from his elderly children interspersed with family photos, paintings and stories. What a sad ending for Wyeth (he was very depressed and was in a car that stalled on a railroad track with his young grandchild (some say child via his daughter in law), Newell--and they both were killed. I missed the p.m. to get in front of the Whitney homework for 12 of us with only 2 scanners in the computer lab.

We all showed our slide shows to Whitney and the class. Very telling. The better the illustrator, the shorter and more to the point the slideshow. The longer the show, the more tentative, less developed illustrator. Makes sense. Just a surprise that was the way it all worked out. The show and tell took the better part of 3 hours to get through. After the slides, we were given the first assignment:

--take 4-5 pieces of wonderbread and make letterforms out of them (see entry above).
then xerox them.

--study the words: bread, eye, edge,stick. Close your eyes and draw the outside silhouette of the letterforms and the counters--or draw the letters (outside and then counters). Draw the words a few times. Xerox the words...creatively--blowing things up, finding interesting lines.

--tape a sharpie to the end of a long, wooden dowel. Pin paper to the wall. Holding the dowel at the end, write lines of copy on the paper. Xerox creatively--moving the paper on the xerox machine--creating new forms, stretching the image, folding the image etc.

Tonight we are to create scans (300dpi) 8.5"x11" of these letter studies and produce a burned CD for Whitney for tomorrow. We will be working on another in class assignment tomorrow.It was not quick going with the sleepy scanners we have...but its done. This work isnt completed.I will loop you in as we progress. Tomorrow pictures of the show.

I thought this was pretty fun. I was def. in the minority. Folks were actually mad about this work. Wasn't painting. Was something new...and Whitney through her words and books she shared with us is into the building and illustrating with letterforms. I am totally there. I am looking forward to tomorrow...I cannot vouch for my classmates.

She is very organized and succinct...and handed us a bibiliography sheet along with links she finds valuable. Some good ones:

Ed Ruscha: They call her Styrene, Phaidon Press, NY, 200.

Rothenstein, Julian & Gooding, Mel, More Alphabets and other Signs, Chronicle Books, San Francisco, CA 2003

Whitney was very interesting on her involvement in ICON, the trials of figuring out, planning and organizing this big event...and how sometimes,all the planning in the world sometimes does not guarantee success. The plan is for people to engage in the sessions, mix with others and have a chance to learn more about illustration and the services surrounding the practice.

Its late. Wonderbread on the brain. Hotter than you know what here. More later.

Perfect summer day


We sat in our jammies outside in the brilliant light early this morning--drinking coffee and making plans for the Christmas holidays. Los Angeles. Las Vegas? Both? Neither? Las Vegas has the Guggenheim? and gondola rides. Disneyland on it's ear...Worth seeing but maybe not over Christmas. We need to see it for the entertainment value and the sacred and profane aspects/ church and state..and how does it work? how do they bump up against each other? does it work? Who is there to participate in culture versus gambling? Or are the two hand in hand?

Now is the time to plan, and if you have to buy tickets, the best prices for airfare is now. Hotels can wait. Cloudless with a breeze. We talked about seating for the porch, the farmer's market, opportunities for our littles. The cooking last night parlayed into breakfast and lunch--so we eased into the time without that hanging over us. R. art directed my slide show...suggesting different layouts, different approaches...which was helpful. I decided to take quotes from wonderful Wayne Thiebault and cut them into my slides of work (black background, white Requiem typography). Reading about Thiebault, looking at my books and thinking on the events of the last week within the context of breezes and water, quiet and amongst family was a balm and a context setter for me. I will keep working, trying and growing.. and my work is trying and growing. Not fixed...and the art, if it's there, it's there. There is nothing wrong with what I am doing, nothing wrong with working on my hand and craft, nothiing wrong with my imagery. I am not trying to be artful. I am making pictures that speak to me...some more than others.I did not enter into this enterprise to be set apart to be made defensive of the work and effort I have put in the last 24 months. The real work for the past year...exactly.

Whitney Sherman tomorrow. Making the slide show has been good...and has prompted me to think about the idea that we should have shown our work in a powerpoint format day one of SU (or Hartford) to the student body to introduce ourselves broadly to the larger group. If it was too much..at least midway through as a levelset to our fellow students to share in your personal growth...and being able to fully understand it. I plan on adding to this slide show as it would be nice to show during the Ithaca Art Trail weekends as an introduction to the work. Terry Brown does the art/illustration history at 7-8:30 am, 12-1 pm and 4-6 pm. I think I will take the two later ones tomorrow and see how it goes.

We floated in the lake in the perfect, and clear water. Shady Grove swam too...chasing pine cones willingly. The gulls are still frightened by the bobble headed owl and our scare eye. K was full of beans, jumping off the dock, paddling around with flippers and goggles. A happy, sweet dear girl. A. is off with his friend for lake time and dogs, music and basketball. His first big sleepover for more than one night. We know he is going to have a terrific time.

Late now. Must go. Tomorrow is coming on quickly.

Tigerlily in a Larvex blue bottle in a pool of light in our kitchen.

Wonderful drive


I drove up the hill and got a dozen ears of corn ($2.75/dozen--which normally goes for about $4/doz.--I guess the rain is helping things)from the amish farmstand north of Rt 96. Then, I bought 2 boxes of tomatoes ($3.@), a pint of blueberries($3.50@), a box of regular peaches ($3), 4 onions ($.50@), a big container of patty pan squash ($2.75) and the most exotic (pictured above), donut peaches. White flesh,teensy/tiny pit, freestone, sweeeet...the man at the stand referred to them as the "krispy kreme of peaches". Not far from the truth--they are all GONE!More tomorrow, I think for the drive up to Syracuse.

It is domesticity compounded. Two loads of laundry. No carbon drying on the line. A blueberry cake in the offing. Cornell chicken in marinade. Lunch for the troops. Fresh iced tea on the porch with the wind blowing, whitecaps on the lake. A and I are working on all of this. R mowed to perfection. The lawn looks like a golf club.Maybe some pruning later. Need to add pix to the slide show.

Two new fabulous illustration blogs from fellow SU Alumni (as I am an alumnae now--or at least in my mind):

Scott Bakal>>
Jim O'Brien Hartford MFA site>>

Take a look. These guys are excellent illustrators and wonderful people. It will be interesting to see their blogs develop in time--and see their work as it progresses.

Sunny Sheldrake


The wonderbus arrived this morning at 9 with two sleepy smiling boys to pick me, my dirty laundry and dented self-confidence up to bring me back to sunny Sheldrake, land of the fresh tomatoes and smiling dogs. We had a down and dirty breakfast at one of the umpteen greek delis on Marshall Street, steaming home on Rt 20 to admire a fascia in Elbridge that suggests what we may be doing with our carriage house. Now that we are back, the breeze is blowing. Shady Grove is tracking on a duck and ducklings. K has two teen girlfriends over--to lots of loud talking and carbo ingestion. A. is asleep again after eating and discovering that sugary Frappuchinos are his new favorite drink.

My plans are to think about my five minute talk, cook a little for everyone, and start some drawings for a series of postcards for the Corning Museum of Glass. One is "pumpkin patch", another is "flower power" (about the Blascka Harvard Flowers) and the last Winter Solstice (celebrating 10 years of the Hot Glass Show). I could be literal--or really think about them. To be honest, my head is go "fluffy and dumb"--as it has to be a snapshot and the audience is more into the party at 2300 degrees than the intellectual offering that a Museum offers as well. So, in the spirit of Gary Kelley, I plan to work up a bunch of sketches , enlarge one and finish it...and then "do" the illustration. Tedious, but the results WILL be better.

Had a nice dinner with the cutie pie Traci Van W. Her work has grown tremendously and we are all very, very proud of her effort, her energy and her drive to not take the crummy things that have been said to her to heart..but to move forward in a positive, and happy light. She is a lovely spirit and I will miss not having regular time with her as she has been my roommate for the last two years on the road, and I am very fond of her. So, back to Traci. She has become a certified sky diver and we pondered the details of selecting your own 'chute, how to pack it and the foibles around the different types of packing (like origami), the fashion aspects of being a girl parachutist (I was strongly urging her for a def pink point of view. T. has all pink luggage that really suits her along with many of her accessories being pink--When I see shocking pink these days...Traci is the first thing I think of). It was fun living in that world with her. She giggles and laughs and hugs and is adorablely genuine. She is a live flame...adding to any situation. We all wish we had an art teacher in elementary school as wonderful and cool as Miss V.

For her thesis,Traci did a collection of images around fantasy creatures (a witch, an ogre, a fairy, some fantasy ducklike creatures, a creature based on the sculptures from Assyria I forced her to see at the British Museum (which I adore). My favorite is a stand of birch trees that she has incorporated eyes into...and the color palette is a little eerie...--All of them are prismacolor and miles away from the baseball picture of two years ago. Her piece for Gary Kelley was blues (sadness). She shot reference of Jen Betton and with a suggestion from Gary, she reversed the image and drew that on a dark blue paper with cream prismas and a dark blue one. Very monochromatic and elegant. Put that right in the portfolio!

We talked about teaching art and how it teaches you. She also talked about how the art process surfaces issues in or with the kids she is working with and how these things happen and resolve themselves. Miss V. has taken CF Payne projects and simplified them and given them to her fifth graders to her delight and pleasure. She told us about a few that were very funny in the telling and I am sure in the real pieces.

I promise I will shoot Traci's work next week to give you a peek. Also, as a reminder ...I will need to copy down her artists statement...It is a scream...all about how she defined what her thesis would be about from watching one of those fashion runway, realism shows on t.v.

Off to the little man up the street's produce stand. Everything looked fabulous.

More later>>

Colossal statue of a winged lion from the North-West Palace of Ashurnasirpal II (Room B)
Protection for the royal palace from the forces of chaos
Nimrud (ancient Kalhu), northern Iraq
Neo-Assyrian, about 883-859 BC
British Museum, London

New Improvement

New illustration website up!

check it out>>
The intent was to model my illustration website on the blog aesthetic--
and link to the blog via this page...however, no link to graphic design as the every knowledgable Dave Tabler cites, "don't tell 'em that". Right. Learned that the hard way..not too hard...but learned none the less.

Check off the list. Got the postcards, got the goodies, got the new website, got the portfolio sites (with more links later). Ticking off the marketing stuff.

Not finished


Well. I got up this morning with an illustration half baked and another finished (the solution was front of mind when I woke up). Gary Kelley would only look at the half baked one (which, to his credit, is the tough thing for me. Gary seems to have an extrordinary ability to size up each student, identify their abilities and push them to work in the scary space. For me, he rightly feels that I need to be bringing my own drawing into my illustrations --the the need for the devil. This is very astute--and though this illustration is not complete--he has forced me to begin to bridge this...and I will complete this piece to prove that. At the final critique, every student put a piece up that transcended every piece they have done to dste...Gary gave salient and intelligent input and ideas--along with summing up where each person needs to work and struggle. Wow. Well worth the time. He is the BEST.

The class behind us may get some meetings with then Battle Axe to Grind prior to working on their thesis so they can build the art in...kind of like building "the quality in" their thesis. Art and artfulness. Lucky ducks!

Hotter than the land of the dancing demons.

More later

Notes on monotypes with Gary Kelley


Gary Kelley's Black Cat Bone
Gary Kelley is intrigued by monotypes--inspired by Cezanne and Degas. He spoke about how monotyping was a social activity amongst artists who got together to make these prints. Monotype party! Maybe this is a new sketch crawl? Sounds like fun. This is a very simple process which I am sure can get more and more complex as you crank up surfaces, finishes etc..but there is a kitchen table mode which Gary demonstrated this morning.

Equipment:
2 pieces of single ply plexiglass (clear)
charbonnel engravers ink (oil based)--Gary prefers tubes to cans (raw umber and ultramarine blue)
small can of turpenoid
paper to print on (GK uses different colors of Stonehenge)
a small brayer
tape
a small kitchen sponge
a wooden spoon
old brushes
a soft rag
2 pointed triangles from left over mat board

Gary taped an enlarged xerox of an image from his sketchbook to the back of the piece of plexiglass he was going to create his print on (reading up through the glass). He reminded us that in planning for your print to consider what is right reading citing type, guitar playing, and little details such as how shirts button etc. Plan your work, work your plan. And think about how it might look flipped.

He mixed a nice neutral from raw umber and ultramarine blue on the other piece of plexi. When it was where he wanted it to be, he took the brayer and rolled out some ink. He then rolled out a mess of ink on top of the plexi with the image taped on the back(let's call that the plate). He then took a rag--wiping away areas to make the outside shape, pulling out aspects of the illustration. He continued to work into the illustration using a series of brushes either dry or with a tiny bit of turpenoid. He uses all sorts of tools, textures etc to work into the monotype. Additionally, he will use the brayer to add color, add texture etc. The cool thing is that you can add more than one color per plate--so that you can make the picture in one pass (or if you are ambitious, you can continue to work into the image on the final print, or with further registration). It is all very intuitive and experimental. Gary told us about rolling out ink on his plate, laying crumpled oilskin on top, running it through the press and using that initial textured ink on the plate as a place to start his monotype. Cool. The idea that you can prep your plate on the press...just like printing on paper. That gets the gears going for me.

Gary had been interested in monotypes for a while but the first real one was an image he did for Interview with a Vampire illustration (featuring Tom Cruise). It was very simple--black defining the face and frame of the face. Gary went in with a pastel and colored the mouth and surround which got right to the point. He goes in spurts where he creates a body of images...and then gives it time, and does more later. He is mainly working in oils these days (pastels are on the shelf, so I am delighted we saw the pastel demo in 2005/summer as he is just not using or demonstrating them).

During one of our evening chats with Gary, he was very positive about George Pratt, an illustrator and well-loved and respected teacher at the Illustration Academy (and I think Ringling). George is passionate and his monotypes are more slashing, more spontaeous. The book above, Black Cat Bones, is a project instigated by Gary Kelley about the influences and art of the guitarist, Robert Johnson. All the illustrations are monotypes--some inspired by folk art, other out of the hand and head of Gary Kelley. After seeing his simple presentation--looking at those Robert Johnson images are absolutely mindblowing--multiple colors and textures, some complicated illlustrations, some simple and strong. The book is a jewel--probably a purchase in the near future.

Working--but not much progress.


Struggling with the demon. Its looking totally crappy. I have been at this all day...and feel like I am not even close to finish for one tomorrow. Now for the girl graduate reminder: This is not for credit. This is for fun. It's 11 and I can knock off...and start tomorrow morning...and not to break a sweat. If it's finished, it's finished. If not, its a good exercise with a portrait. Phew. The point of doing a picture of depression is not to make you depressed. I will try to take pictures of the gallery show to show you all some examples from the show. It looks very strong.

Just a confirmation, everyone in the SU ISDP Ad 2007 group is NOT graduating. Not ONE person has completed their thesis. I wonder what the finish rate is for the 2006 group is? Your friend the idealist and her companions are shocked by the laughing and chatter, the bubba stuff continues despite no one completing their work. Isn't anyone reading the tea leaves on this one? Not exactly affirming...the only affirmation is time to shut that show down.

Everyone (illustration hangers on, and advertising hangers on) who have not completed their thesis have 7 years from their targeted graduation date to complete their thesis to have Syracuse still honor the work and commitment. I hope someone is letting the folks who are outstanding that this is their option. I know there are a bunch of people that could complete a body of work and finish it up before they lose that opportunity.

A little monotype chat tomorrow before I forget it.

More later>>

Syracuse: Day Four


Today is one of those perfect Syracuse days: 95 degrees in the shade, 98% humidity, and still. As expected, the studios had the "italian" air conditioner in the windows. We were all gripping the edges of our drawing tables hoping not to fall on the floor with heat exhaustion. Wet faces. And the secretary sits in a cool office. No changes...but 'splain?

Got my "orange folder" information in--and the new Lisa insisted I turn the folder in too...(I was using it for my sketches too). So, I get to do the registry work, track down the missing grades, remind my professor about the paperwork around the thesis to get the final grade--and they wouldn't let me keep the folder! I hope this will stave off the "we can't send your transcript" cha-cha that many of our former classmates struggled with. Crossing my fingers.

Had a nice time with Gary Kelley, John T., James Ransome and the Williams brothers last night. We had some drinks and some bar food...and talked about illustration, illustrators, Baron Storrey (what we love about him...), teaching techniques, and the reps that Gary and John were repped by...and the whole rep thing. It was nice and normal...and inspiring because it was so normal. This all reinforced how much I like Gary..and made me love James Ransome. He is a nice man who loves what he does, his family and the path his life has led him. He is warm, engaging and enjoys the students. This was all good. Maybe this will encourage Mr. Williams to rejoin the Society (and me too) to reconnect/connect with the people we know. I love the whole society gig...and should support it personally and financially. It is a rare group of people supporting a wonderful tradition of american illlustration. I need to pencil this onto the "to do" list.

Jim Carson showed his slides yesterday--his illustrations, his graphic design, his sensibility. His illustration is changing due to his coloring of his line drawings on the computer. Now he is doing a new style and is exploring an alphabet book. He is such a nice person who is reasonable, does pro-bono, is engaged in his community, teaches and continues to learn. An inspiration.

Today, James Ransome spoke. His speil was interesting as he showed pictures of his original house, his schools, maps of where he has lived, his studio, his family, his children (and their art). He delights in everything. He spoke of the 40 children's books he has done...range of topics, a bunch of different styles. Her recent work is much stronger design. He has done murals. He has written books and/or worked on scripts his wife has written. I liked the personal approach of his discussion. Seeing his life connects his work to the man...and dimensionalize it for the audience. I need to take notes.

Blue pictures coming along. Richard is doing Bluebeard. Chris W. is doing "blueblood" (a guilletine with blue blood along the blade), Traci is doing "blues" (sadness), Jen--"the bluebird of happiness". The other class is fighting it...we will see the results tomorrow. I am on the wacom for the night tonight in my refrigerated room (yay!). We have a crit at 1 tomorrow.

Work in progress: Blue Devil


A blue devil is what depression is referred to...thus, the little blue pills to make it say goodbye. I was inspired by Gary's use of vintage photos, so this is the first shot. Good and constructive input...to consider the person who is the "father" of depression...and consider using him. Hot here (expected)...We will hear an hour from James Ransome this afternoon. Mr. R. Williams had a great review...with a handpicked selection of people who hugged him at the end of his review. Management noted that we (Chris W. and I) had it thrown at us by comparson. And so, we move forward. Expecting to work on this tonight to get the sketch finished...

Syracuse: Day Two


Continued with Gary Kelley who is a true inspiration, someone we view as the best teacher we have had with Syracuse. He is articulate and teaches while he critiques and works with the students to move the concepts ahead--beyond where they might not have gone. He is tireless in his own work--trying new things, thinking new thoughts, seeking out inspiration that takes him further in his work. He is straightforward but respectful and kind about others and their own work. I love the way he integrates his thinking and direct inspiration to the history of art. He directly references Matisse,the cubists, Picasso (who he views are truly a giant based on his ability to design-how every single line that Picasso places is understood, and designed), jazz and music/ musicians.

We are working on the topic of blue. Lots of good ideas. I am constantly stunned by a classmate who always pushes back and tells our professsor she will not move on the idea, direction etc.--essentially, missing the opporunity to grow and expand. And, she is rude. Inappropriately so. And no on takes her aside and suggests she shift her perspective. I was working on pictures of Krishna "blue boy",Blue Bayou, Bluebird of Happiness (blue valentine) and Blue Devil (depression). After working with Gary, I am working on Blue Devil--essentially, a monkey on the back of the person who is depressed. It's going to be a blue to black/grey image. I found some good images including some vintage photographs of men (inspired by Gary's work)--to work with. Today, around noon, we have to present scaled up drawings. I am fighting a little with this and feel a bit "out there" about it...but todays a new day--and I am sure that with help, I can get where I want to go.

I had to track down Syracuse management to collect "the orange folder"--essentially a listing of classes with paperwork that we needed to fill out to make sure we got our degrees and credits versus dealing with the tangle many of our recent alumni stuggled with to get his transcript. We had to remind our leader about this form and that form so that the credits register etc...which he is good with...but we all need to be little herding dogs, nipping his heels to make sure all continues to run right.

I had my thesis review. It was, in general, fine. Lots of good questions, lots of questions that made me think--but questioned whether there is art in my work, questioned the value of my work, critiquing the work entirely differently from the "pat on the shoulder" critiques that are handed out during the entire two years. The thesis defense was acceptable, but totally out of context-- and to me, no problem, but to those who are not used to this sort of thing, could be crushing. I am a bit depressed over the thesis--not elated, not celebratory but quesioning whether I can do this thing...(which in my heart of hearts, I can)--but it was sobering. I am a bit sad/sorry that there was no exchange like this earlier on--to prepare me/us, but if the meaningful aspect of "art" (which from lessons from David Tatham, is pretty much as defined by the artist) in the illustration--to give us a better context for this final discussion. The woman on my panel has an agenda and something to prove. It was supposed to be my moment, and it felt like it was hers.

Moving forward.
More later.

ISDP Syracuse MA Illustration: Day One


The halls felt empty. Silent. No traffic. Where is everyone?

We started at nine. Our teacher, Gary Kelley was delayed due to the overbooking of pilots at the end of the month.So, the games officially began at 1. The folks who did London pictures had a critique...and we talked about thesis and the things we all learned in the process. We saw the thesis show (every piece created was hung). It looks great--very big and bold. There are signs at the front of the show saying that there is mature material in this show and that one should consider wheither you could take it or not. To Mr. Richard Williams delight.

Gary went through some slides and discussion and thoughts on illustration, his sources of inspiration and change. I had heard this two years ago--but it was far more meaningful and energizing today. The journey was worth it--as I have changed. He talked about Robert Weaver (must find more info on him), painting and pastels, monoprints and drawing. He talked about the tour de France, french light and color, Matisse, Milton Avery, Richard Diebenkorn,Picasso, Cubism,Tuscany, and Jazz. Robert Johnson and his singular contribution to music, his short life and history--and how it resulted in his book , " Black Cat Bone"--a place that the monotypes, passion and story all come together for Kelley. I need to see this book...and to read some about Johnson. Scott Bakal also was inspired by Johnson in his current HAS thesis work. The few images I have seen from him are dynamic and inspired.
Gary Kelley's Black Cat Bone

He showed us posters, books, and now huge murals way beyond the size and scale (painted with housepaint outside) for the University of Northern Iowa. Bigger, bolder than the Barnes and Noble notable murals. I like the way Gary intregrates paintings in his illustration (a Vincent VanGogh sending his ear to NPR, the Malkovich portrait for Mr. Ripley with paintings on the left,right and top--very triptych-y). His love of Matisse in his current Venus paintings is apparent and inspired. He is searching and working--constantly turning over ideas and design>>resulting in new work, new thinking and a fresh body of work. Yesterday was yesterday. His ten year old work is as fresh as tomorrow. I wish I could be more like that.

Our project is based on "blue". There is a wealth there. Thumbnails by 11. tomorrow. I have developed BlueBird of Happiness valentine, Bluestocking or even blueribbon bluestocking, blue bayou and the blue boy, Krishna (blue being the color of the god's skin that indicates his divine nature). I am liking the bluebird of happiness valentine and the work on Krishna and his little lovely cows.

I talk about my work tomorrow to the thesis folks. Have to sleep now.

Syracuse: Pre-game warm up.


Poor R, driving like a maniac today. First, we went down to the Farmer's Market to see what the Ithaca Art Market was like...how much were people charging, what was the expected presentation, who was there, the types of offering and the subject matter that the art addressed. Interesting. Everything of any substance was matted...so the inexpensive mats are in order as well as the plastic sleeves. Pricing for prints and giclees were the "going rate" ($45 for 8.5"x 11") to something more in the mid $20 range. And it goes from there. I think the lady from Spirit and Kitsch has her pricing pretty much sharpened for sale along with nice print promotion and postcards to promote her web presence etc. The Ithaca Art Trail brochure was out with my rooster featured inside and on the cover. I just checked their website to find my loon and rooster as the header for the artists' page. Big coverage.

Then back to the lake for swimming and bobbing in the cool water with Shady Grove at a distance up on the now pristine dock (thanks to the bobble head Owl we have as well as a 'Scare eye" ball positioned under the dock to frighten the nasty gulls from covering our dock with a thick layer of poop. The scare eye is supposed to look like the eyes and open beak of a predator bird to the gulls and swallows. I guess it does. They have been frightened away. I however, adore the Scare eye balls and now have plans to decorate the house with them. About $85. for a dozen of them. And think of the effect. You could use the eye in a fabric etc. And, think of a teeshirt. My mind is on fire!>??

The water was perfect and just brisk enough to keep you moving. It had the spa effect and the boys immediately had to go lie down for an hour to recover from where the swimming takes your mind. Away. Erased. We love it just for that.

We left around 5:30 to drop me off at school with a perfect dinner from Doug's Fish Fry in Skaneatelas. We sat in their secret garden off the parking lot surrounded by flowers, birds and these strangely pruned trees. Very "Little Prince" and the Baobab trees. Shady sat with us and watched (without tugging or dragging us around the yard) the squirrels, birds and other dogs with their families. Man, how did we get such a good one?

I am a bit tearful to see the home team leave me. But jobs, golf games and horses await along with more spa swims and the pace that summer sets in August.They will be fine, I just will miss them tons.

After about a half an hour on the phone with the Time Warner guy (to get a web connection) I hung up...as of course, they dont know anything about Apples...and while I was waiting for him to get help, I solved the problem and away we go...

The spa effect is working on my brain, so I think I will play hookie with my portraits book for one more night and delve into the world of Hogworts and Mr. Potter.

Packed and ready.


My pencils and ink, tracing paper and bumwad, bristol and wacom are all packed and ready to go. Teeshirts and sneakers--and a hairbrush, an ipod with my new junkie audio book. It promises to be in the 80s for the week (not the smothering 90s in studios with windows that dont work with tiny fans). Tomorrow is day one of the last contact period with Syracuse. I have my thesis defense on Tuesday and have been told not to be nervous. I wish I knew what to be nervous about because I would easily oblige. Still churning away on the Portraits book and feel I have a handle on it. Will be showing up late to spend some time with Kitty. We also plan to see the Ithaca Art Market at the Farmers Market today to check on the work, the pricing etc. to best gauge what to expect with the Art Trail.

Art Trail Show with the SPCA is happening first week of September. Above, you will find one of my two entries for the show entitled : Best Friends: Twelve Artists Celebrate their Pets. So,upfront and personal is Miss Shady Grove, celebrated in song and story amongst the old time musicians and on Camp Street. R. challenged me to view the making of a picture of Shady as the true Masters Degree as she closely resembles a black Swiffer. And so, my second thesis is done for R. I wonder what the defense of this will be?

She's Back!

Picked up K last night to great happiness. There was a lovely dinner with speechmaking and slides along with a terrific show of the work all the NYSSSA students accomplished over the past month. Here's a link to images from the show>>

K is in great shape...her world full of possibilities, ideas and new friends. Her energy passes through to all of us. She has a very happy bounce and outlook. This has been an extrordinary experience for her. I will need to contact our legislators to praise the program and thank them for their support.

Moon's Friend


This sun is the opposite of the moon. This sun is an illustration I created for Steuben Glass. It is a hand engraved image on perfectly clear, optical, no lead crystal.

thinking?


I was looking around yesterday to find out that Dan Brown of The DaVinci Code is pursuing a new book based on tenets and symbols of Freemasonry. I love this stuff. Love. Coincidentally, I was reading this lightweight "special" magazine (playing hooky from my required reading) that US News and World Report has put out on cults and secret organizations (they lump the masons, the mormons and Jonestown all together which makes my brain ache)). Pretty lightweight, but interesting that they feel this offbeat stuff has legs for a larger group of people. However, it did perk my memory and interest in freemason symbology again...and am thinking this would be a supreme body of work... I mean, they have the ALL SEEING EYE! There are angels, and temples and beehives. There is this gorpy, high victorian approach (read from the same tradition from which the Museum of Jurassic Technology has sprung) that all the work, the aprons and the portraits portray.

Maybe a thesis with Hartford? This thing could go someplace...

Freemasonry, Symbols, Secrets, Significance by W. Kirk MacNulty

Some symbols include:

The All Seeing Eye: Belongs to the Great Architect, the omniscient deity acknowledged by all Masons.

Sun, Moon and Stars: The first two symbolize an ideal balance of opposites: Seven Stars are the Pleiades- seven is a sacred number for Jews, a symbol of immortality.

Beehive: Symbol of industry; also represnts Freemasons' efforts to gain wisdom and understanding as most of the work is done on the interior.

Temple: Place of divine mysteries and a symbol of human art and technology; the spiritual reconstruction of the emple (inside oneself) is the end-purpose of all the Craft degrees.

Royal Arch: Together with the keystone and the cornerstone, a symbol of the rebuilding of the temple.

Compass and Square: Represent the convergence of matter and spirit; orf earthly and spiritual responsibilities. They form a hexagram,the union of earth with the heavens.

Two pillares with terrestrial and celestial spheres: Part of a lodge official's insignia of office. They recall the two pillars crafted by Hiram Abiff for Solomon's Temple.

Angels: Symbols of the perpetual watchfulness of the Great Architect.

Ionic, Doric and Corinthian Orders of Architecture: The pillars of wisdom ,strength and beauty. They also represent the three principal officers of the lodge.

G can mean either God, Great Architect or geometry.

Coffin: Recalls Hiram Abiff;s death and redemption.

My friend Tina is all over this stuff and has a collector friend. I may give her a call to see if I could link up with this friend to get the wheels moving. Rich slice.

More later