wharf and channel

Winter is here, the holidays are over and 2014 is well underway…

Life sure has been busy (as I’m sure it has been for you too!) and I have a few new works completed as well as underway…here is one of the completed ones , which is titled, ‘Wharf and Channel’.

Driftwood and found lobster warp are what make this piece.

The warp represents the water and its’ ever changing colors…and the wood, well, is the wharf.

There are lots of wharves here in Maine, though unfortunately, many are becoming privatized…thankfully though, our town still has a few piers which are for its’ residents and the general public.

They are assets not only for the lobsterman and fisherman who use them daily, but also for those of us who enjoy being ‘on the water’ and everything surrounding it…sunsets, the hum of lobster boats coming in or going out, seagulls chattering, the lapping of the waves against the rocky coast or simply to watch the sun dip below the horizon…water access is important…for everyone…

Wharf and Channel.

The process;

Available now.

Enjoy.

Scouting

The leaves are changing, fall is here and the past two weeks have been filled with scouting…scouting for driftwood…

I’ve been checking out various areas in Northern and Western Maine and it has been absolutely beautiful – albeit the colder temperatures being blown in with gusto…

Dark skies made for dark waters…

cold days and nights…

Evenings were spent camping at various camp sites and days were spent driving down logging roads which felt (and sounded) as if they had been covered with boulders. Boulders of all shapes and sizes…so rough in fact that on the day before I was to head home, an unfortunate large bump sent my trailer ‘over the edge’ – no, not over a cliff, but over the edge of structural limitations. The trailer snapped in two.

Uh, oh…

No one is around.

Time to think. Rig it enough to get to town and get it repaired – hopefully.

Check the phone for any reception – one bar, phew…most of the week it said,  ‘no service available’…

I called where I had camped the night before – luckily, the owner, knew a welder. A good welder.

Now, I just had to get there.

It took me three hours to go only a few miles…but I made it.

The welder was better than good – he was a magician…he suggested I drive only on paved surfaces, at least until I get the boat off the trailer…

I had other plans. I still had one more spot to scout. He looked on with disbelief when he saw me pull out and turn left, instead right…

I was glad I did because I came across two more table bases and a beautiful view.

 

What a trip it was…

Spring Tide III

Spring Tide III complete

 

 

my biggest fan

So while I posted last week about the new piece – Spring Tide III, this week will be more about the person taking the photos (as well as more photos of this most recent piece), than about the piece itself.

My business and life partner, Jennifer is always taking photographs, whether it’s of our son, our home, life, her garden, food or my work – it seems our life is always being documented photographed…

While I tease her about the fact that the camera is always out and being used, I’m also grateful for her love of the camera (and the time she dedicates to editing, etc.), as I don’t share the same passion for it as she does.

If it wasn’t for her and her camera I wouldn’t have any of these beautiful photos…or this blog…

Thank you Jenn.

Maine in February

I’ve finished my commissions, though still have one more on order…and have been out searching for new finds – tomorrow actually I need to enlist the help of some friends to help me heave ho a new (enormous) piece which will make for a spectacular coffee table…though while out looking Jenn took a few photos – enjoy…there is still snow on the ground and the water is frigid, but spring is on its way…and then summer!! 

My second running horse is now complete and in its’ new home in Washington DC. The client requested the cherry base and is something I wouldn’t have thought to use, though it’s a nice contrast and I’m pleased with the effect…now that my current commissions are complete, I can begin to work on new works. New works which have been on my mind for a number of months now and I am very excited to begin. Stay tuned for more…

 

Maine in December

Finn and I watched the sunset a few days ago and we decided to do the same the following day – the weather was too spectacular not to!  Jenn came with us this time and took some lovely photos … I even found some needed pieces for an upcoming project…enjoy.

     

Horse Complete

Another driftwood horse complete…this is a standing horse for a client with his own art gallery, in his home! His lucky partner is receiving it as a Christmas gift – what a brilliant idea!

Give art. Happy Holidays!

Break the addiction

While I was pondering what to write about this week, I came across this quote by Rita Schiano – It’s brilliant and is just the reminder I was in need of…

“Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction. Break the habit. Talk about your joys.”

What are my joys at the moment?

– My good health.

– The project I’m currently working on. Hoping it will bring joy and inspire the recipient.

– My office is both the coastline and my studio

– I have more commissions on order.

– Summer is inevitable – even if we are just going into autumn…

– My 2.5 year old son.

My current project underway and my son ‘helping’…

What are your joys?

Maine Craft Guild Show – 2012

We have had a very busy and exciting weekend this past weekend…we exhibited in the Maine Craft Guild Juried Art Show on Mount Desert Island. It was fabulous. We met so many talented artists and incredible people. The area is absolutely stunning and the weather was perfect for an inside show. Many new contacts were made and lots of positive feedback given – our booth was abuzz all weekend. Martha Stewart stopped by and took a few photographs of Zephyr (shell and driftwood assemblage); this piece was the hit of the show. It garnered attention from nearly everyone who walked by…subsequently, it did sell, as did a number of other works…

Thank you to everyone who helped us with the show – quite the undertaking to say the least, especially with a two year old in the mix…packing, driving (three hours one way), unpacking, setting-up, moving into our ‘home’ for the long weekend and then doing it all over again – well, we couldn’t have done it without help – so Thank you all again!

The weekend was a great success and we’re already looking forward to next year!

Little man patiently waiting at home to pack and load the side tables…

Finn decided to play us a bit of music on his harmonica while waiting for us to unpack…

Rides o’ plenty on the dolly…

Our booth set-up and ready for opening night!

The booth was abuzz all weekend…

Michael showing Zephyr…

Thanks again to everyone who helped make the show a success and a big thanks to our new clients! Enjoy.