Artorama

  Sandy asked what to get Frank for his birthday: Well, she suggested clothing and pow, he needs a new leather "bomber" style jacket... This is the one I bought him when I was still working... 7 years ago? Ok, maybe 9 years ag0

  With all the crazy weather we've been having, I took this shot of the heavy fog lifting in the back yard early one morning. I hope the rain stops soon. I need the sunshine for my sanity.

  I wonder what these really look like. A friend gave me these years ago. It's really hard to see them. .

Sometimes when I make something, it is so screwed up I end up taking a piece of shit home with me. Not with this piece. I cannot believe I made this. With this locket, there were some problems, but nothing I could not fix after tinkering with it a little when I got home. Of all the things I made this past weekend, this is what I am most proud of. I love working with metal. 14 or 16 guage steel wire is really hard to work with.. I love the way it looks, but I have not worked with it for at least a year and it shows. Doesn't matter. I like it. A little imperfection is good. It is supposed to be a locket. I did saw out the heart and I am supposed to put a photograph in there. Obviously I have not done this.

If I stopped to photograph everything interesting along the way to an art retreat, or just when I am out driving, I would never get to my destination. Sometimes I write it down, or try to make a mental note of a future photograph I'd like to take. Darien Wi Penquin is a hand painted sign. I have a thing for hand painted anything. In my childhood, most signs were handpainted on brick walls, etc. The other image is an old photograph from Cedarburg Wi which I liked.

 

  This is Dutch who was wondering why I was not giving him any saltine crackers. ( I did, but he wanted more)

  I can always find a little treasure when I go to Madison. This little guy was broken and repaired,so he cost a whopping 75cents. He will be under the cloche in a place of honor until I replace him with another interesting item to look at.

  Frank bought us 2 spots to be buried at this cemetary.

  This was taken from an old Vornado metal window fan which was left in our basement. Don't know what I'll do with this piece, but it's too big to make a piece of jewelry, eh?

  this is a cicada from our back yard which I resined.

  I did not get to see much of Cedarburg, but I liked what I saw. REally arty community outside of Milwaukee Wi. Stagecoach INN was where I stayed. Built in 1853. This is a photo of a photo, no snow when I was there. It was a midpoint for travelers going between Milwaukee and Greenbay Wi. I spent most of my time indoors at the Cultural Center because the workshops were held there. The downtown is preserved nicely and very inviting. If I was not so tired the day I left, I would have explored more.

I have neglected blogging because of facebook. I think facebook is so immediate and easy, I am drawn to it. It's bad because too many people spout off and others need to tell us moment by moment the events of their lives. In this computer driven age, it tells me we still want and need human connection. Some of us are more hungry for attention than others, but we want acceptance and love from those who matter..( some don't care who listen, just as long as someone is listening). So, my art workshops are over for the year and I will try to get on with my artful life. Experimenting with new mediums and going back to the comfort of working with familiar ones. It is a beautiful fall day. The sun is shining. The sky is blue. The trees have golden yellow and reddish brown leaves. As Craig Ferguson would say: "It's a great day for America". I'm going to do the dreaded task of unloading my car of all the materials and tools from the last 3 workshops. I'

This is a photograph taken of Frank at the Jack Franks Breakfast. I could not go because I was doing the garage sale.

I am off to the last workshop of 2009: Cedarburg Wisconsin is having an art retreat and I am taking 3 workshops. Barn is still messy. I am sad about it, but can't get to it when I am not here. Business at Antiques is really bad. Last month was bad, this month is worse. Who knows what is going on. Maybe it will pick up for Christmas. I have to get a new PC.. this one is about to crash.

Well, the sale of the century may be over, but hauling away the unsold is not... I had to get all the cars in the garage and now the barn is a mess. Have to get all straightened out before winter hits. Life will return to "normal" once I get a handle on this mess. When are Ambrosia Apples going to hit the stores??? Snapple cap fact # 786: "The brain operates on the same amount of power as a 10 watt light bulb".

bob is dismayed by the career choice of his siamese twin bill 1 , originally uploaded by garywarrenniebuhr . I just love GAry's art. He is so original.