Sunday, December 31, 2017

Dear 2017...

Water, water everywhere...



Dear 2017….

I’m glad you're leaving.

It’s been a very long year with you 2017. Each month you brought bad juju and baggage into our relationship. Each month while I tried to create, you meddled and demanded my time and hence my creative fire became neglected.

The little breaks around the studio, the big breaks around the house and even the car wasn't left out in your selfish demands. You were non stop with your wants and kept me away from my studio for days. I struggled to attain lengthy creative stays at my desk, but upon reflection I’m not sure I had one straight week to work quietly this entire year. Was time alone too selfish a request? I’ll be happy to see you go out the door for good tonight.

From bathroom tiles falling off magically, required a full regrouting of the bathroom which took a week away from studio work, to the broken washer which remains broken because the protocol and politics involved in a warranty are lengthy, numbing and tiring. Your demands broke my spirit.

Yes, you were a tiring mate that brought not one water main break into our home, but as I sit here typing my goodbye to you, I’m dealing with another that just may create a serious issue with the furnace on the coldest day of the year thus far. Perhaps this is your final parting action and words for our relationship 2017?

Promise of a new year.


I wont lie, my eye has been held fast on another. Two thousand eighteen looks handsome and elegant all dolled up for the “ringing in festivities” tonight. 2018 seems to have a gentleness and understanding about him that may very well heal me. I think he “gets” that I need my creative time cause I suspect 2018 is a creative too.

Oh, no, don't worry two thousand and seventeen, I wont be going out tonight. Oh, no no no! I must sit vigilantly by the furnace making sure it doesn't shut down and if it does I have to be prepared to keep the house and pipes from freezing. So no, I won’t be having fun while you're lining up your twelve month accolades and achievements on your mantle. Sip away on your champagne while you reminisce. I’ll be keeping watch with the furnace tonight.

So, good bye 2017.
And to quote Forest Gump, “And that’s all I have to say about that.”

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Persistence


My china nemisis.


Persistence.

The only time limit that persistence has is the threat of quitting. There has been a continual issue in my studio that has found me wanting to quit a repair for good. This repair has required much more patience and a heap of persistence than anything I've ever encountered.

The breaks happened at
a most awful place in this design.

This beautiful break came to me about two years ago and for two years I have been trying multiple times to fix this beast to no avail. There have been a couple of times where I started to do a victory lap around the room, only to find the pieces rebroke during the sanding phase.

I remain perplexed, but confident at some point, persistence will pay off. It has to.


Stay strong!

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Focus

Day one of Seven
Black & white Photography Challenge

My focus since the summer has been streamlining almost every aspect of my studio. Less time online and more time focused on my craft. Less time conversing and watching cute videos and more time organizing the studio so orders are processed faster and with much less stress. More time implementing new ways of handling supply usage so there is less waste and more efficiency. All this takes thought and time itself to put into practice. All of this demands focus.

My focus has been on reconnecting with old artist friends as well so I regain some sense of an artist's life. Many days roll into one another with a feeling of emptiness and lack of connection. Oh sure, popping up a few finished photographs of the latest painted resin is nice, but to chew the fat with artists about color theory and what something "means" to them artistically is truly nutrition all artists crave and need.

So that is where my mind has been and in the process I've rekindled a dwindling artistic flame. Any artist who claims their fire never dies is throwing a lie. It happens and it needs to be dealt with quickly.

There are many pitfalls and time sinks online, especially on social media, but there are still some good and wonderful packets of nutrition lurking about. This past week I decided to partake in a seven day photography challenge and it helped spark even more flame within my artistic soul. I felt it a nice way to help refocus the blog. I hope you enjoy.

Day two of seven
Black & white Photography Challenge

Day three of seven
Black & white Photography Challenge

Day four of seven
Black & white Photography Challenge

Day five of seven
Black & white Photography Challenge

Day six of seven
Black & white Photography Challenge

Day seven of seven
Black & white Photography Challenge

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Windows Of Summer

Leela sculpture being
encased in plaster for ceramic production.

The windows of summer are slowly starting to close and I am sorta winding down from summer here in the studio. As I can sense the changing of the seasons approaching, especially in the early morning hours as the cool slowly lifts from the lawn, I've been reminded of all the projects I listed for completion this summer that have not been completed. Perhaps I made my summer list too long.

One "to do" that I did complete was finally molding my Leela sculpture in plaster for ceramic production. I now anxiously await the plaster mold to dry. It takes a few weeks for this to happen and I can't wait to see if I molded her correctly. I hope I made it correctly because I am dying to see my Leela sculpture in ceramic form.

Merryweather resin as unicorn.
Complete piece on base with original sculpted items.


Of course, there is always that one commission or project that seems to linger longer than the rest and this little Merryweather resin to unicorn was that one lingering project. He has been on my workbench for longer than I anticipated, but in that time frame Ive gained even more experience and believe his finish has come out even better than it would have if I rushed it. Im rather pleased and long to create another fantasy piece soon.

Close up of Toadstools on base.

Sales pieces never stop in the studio and if you feel like you've missed the announcements for them on my Yahoo group or Facebook group be sure to subscribe to my NEW email format. Ive become very tired of the algorithms on the various multi media platforms that Ive gone head and set up an email account that should deliver studio news and sale info directly to subscribers email inboxes! Never miss what's happening again!

Subscribe today!

Recent sales.

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

After The Dust Settles...Onto Ceramics


Leela sculpture in silicone.
Waiting to be molded into ceramic.


Although the trip to Kentucky was difficult this year, the bright spot of the trip was, without a doubt, being gifted one of the large Boreas sculpture molds by Karen Gerhardt of Westerly Design in Colorado. I have been invited to mold him and even create custom clay versions.

The Boreas mold traveled via car all the way from Colorado to Kentucky and then to Pennsylvania all in less than a week. This past weekend I slowly and carefully opened the two huge plastic tubs. There are pieces for his ears to mold, and pieces for his legs and even a separate piece for his head.

Boreas mold so clean and smooth.

Mold of his leg is 3 sections.

I was immediately struck with a sense of awe, not only for having this amazing horse mold on my carpet in front of me to learn and understand from, but I also had a piece of mold making history in my hands. He was molded in England and I've never felt any plaster mold as smooth and clean and lovely as this Boreas mold is. I presently can't get past just feeling and staring at how beautiful his mold is. I sense I will be learning a lot from this guy and I'm excited to being my own mold making adventures again, this time with my Leela sculpture.


Boreas head mold.
This one is three parts too.

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

A Separation. Thoughts After Breyerfest




Well over a week has passed since our 2017 Breyerfest festival in Lexington, Kentucky. I needed a bit of time to not only cool down, but gather my thoughts calmly, gently and with a separation from a rather emotional experience this past year.

A separation…

To say I had a “not so nice time” this year is an understatement. My seminar on repair in the Kentucky lecture hall went well and my two workshops held for Breyer were fun and engaging. The attendees and myself had many good laughs and plenty of artistic exchanges. The repair in the hotel room, however, was an issue that was laden with whining, entitlement, and unending stress.

In past years, most of the repairs that graced my small pop up desk in the corner of my hotel room at the Clarion were fun, exciting and doable in the short amount of time we all have while in Kentucky enjoying all the festivities of Breyerfest. These past repairs ranged from leg bends to touching up scratches to maybe one or two lost ears (which takes time to repair especially if parts are missing). Easy touch ups that can be done in a reasonable amount of time which still allowed me time to wander halls to shop a little and most importantly, see people I only get to see while visiting the hotel in Kentucky. Everyone was very pleasant about the whole ordeal. Those that couldn't get their pieces touched up understood and didnt make a fuss. I'm only human. They knew that and accepted it.

That was not the scenario this year.

The multitude of rather difficult people and difficult repairs, which were not touch ups, but rather full out restorations, were staggering. I tried my best to fix them all knowing full well that most should have been mailed to my studio in PA for a proper restoration service. I tried to explain the complications and the reasons things were taking so long, but many just wouldn't listen or try to understand. They wanted what they wanted when they wanted it. End of story.

The whining from owners when things couldn't be fixed in 5 mins was overwhelming, but I hurried so that no one would be inconvenienced. So many expected to drop off their pieces and have them done by the time they walked to the end of the 300 hall. This attitude of "I want to be first" and I am entitled to have it done first was perplexing. The gaul of those finding beat up things in free boxes at the hotel and handing the pieces to me so I could repair 20 plus years of scratches to complete factory finish, and to also recreate missing appendages out of nothing all by the time they got done browsing at the hotel, was mind blowing. They left visibly unhappy with me when I turned them away. Some even spouting out as they left the room that I just squashed their grand plan to flip said find for cash later that night. Not one, but many requested these total make overs of cast off “freebes” in order to try and flip them for cash. Although I understand wanting to sell and sell well in your rooms, some requests are just not doable and ridiculous.

I realize that I make touch ups and repairs look easy. So much so that you may feel I can "whip" repairs out. I can assure you that there is nothing fast in doing repairs. It takes time and patience. It takes a steady hand, quiet time and knowledge of color theory. I happen to be very efficient at mixing and applying color that I do make it look easy. Also, that time and patience costs and my price reflects almost 4 decades of experience learning how to paint and fix Breyers. It comes with decades of experience dealing with paint and using paint theory. You are not just "paying" for the "physical" act of the repair, you are paying for my years of study and knowledge to be ABLE to fix your piece so no one, not even the toughest judge, can tell your OF was fixed. Verbal annoyances at price are always disheartening to hear and, sorry to say, an insult. And ultimately please remember I am still human. The need for sleep remains my constant enemy of production and if I say Im tired, I truly am tired.

After working on repairs for FOURTEEN HOURS straight I had gotten sick and as people were banging on my closed and locked door (which clearly stated my hours of operation) all morning and afternoon looking for repairs to be newly accepted or completed, I realized that this was NOT how I wanted to ever spend another Breyerfest. I decided I truly won't be spending any further ones as I did this one.

After all those hours and many horses being fixed I still had people complain, whine and feel entitled to me doing "JUST ONE MORE..." after hours of making myself sick. For the few that seemed happy and satisfied, thank you. But, so many seemed annoyed with me and not satisfied. One customer even protested saying they could do a better job. It was after this comment, and wiping away any work I had done on their repair, that I decided I would be quietly stepping back from offering repair in my room at any future Breyerfest.




Many of the repairs that did grace room 337 this year were far too complex for a hotel room touch up service. Many should have truly been classified as “restorations” and handled accordingly in a quiet studio situation. I tried my best. How I managed to get all those broken legs and ears and gouges properly fixed within a 24 hour period, Ill never know. I can tell you I never got to enjoy one performance at the park. Never got back to the park to enjoy anything. I never shopped. Just grabbed stuff as I saw it in the vestibules of rooms as I zipped through the halls returning repairs back to people. Never got my Maggie Bennent micros I so love to pick through every year. Never enjoyed anything at Breyerfest because I lay in bed all day trying to ease the pain in my head while people pounded on my hotel room door.

Overall, my disappointment lies in the way many people felt justified in treating me. I understand we are in the center of a throw away society. I know you want things fast and you want to be first, but I am only one person. I am not a Walmart service center. I am not Amazon Prime, nor am I a Kodak 1 hour Fotohut. I am just one person, one human with a love of art and with a desire to share that art in many ways. Offering to repair a broken item you hold dear is one way I enjoy sharing my art. This type of service sometimes takes time.

I know many, who have enjoyed my repair services at the hotel, will be very disappointed to read my news, but my health and well being must come first. Know that my regular studio is accepting restorations again. However, I do require full insurance on your packages both ways now. No exceptions.

I know that those that understand will get what I am saying and will be happy for me. Those that don't will inevitably complain. All complaints should be directed to my customer service department. Press 4 after pressing #1 for English.

Thank you for understanding.

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Stubborn

China repair after the third try.

This site is a frustrating one.


This tiny bone china piece has been one of the most difficult repairs that has ever graced my studio desk. It seems as if nothing will hold this little one in place. I suspect that the weight of his backside keeps putting pressure on the repaired cracks, which are holding the brunt of the weight on the front.

I keep trying though. I have tried a variety of products. At present, the last product I tried has worked. Its black and looks like tar on his gorgeous bone china legs, but its holding....so far.


JB Weld seems to be holding nicely...for now.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Where Have You Been?

Most recently a friend asked where I had been since my blog had been dead. It was apparent from his note that he truly missed reading my words. I took his note to heart and let his words sink in. "Where have you been?"

Where have I been?

I have been holed away in my studio trying hard to hone my skills. Skills I feel are terribly childish and lacking even after all this time of trying. Skills sacrificed to daily life and the tantalizing pull and glamor of multi media outlets. Skills that seem to drain me to the core on a daily basis. Skills that, when contain my blood and very soul, elicit a reaction from a potential client of, "Meh, it's okay."

Skills that find me tired at the end of a long work day wanting to watch some of God's skills instead of dweling on mine. Skills that want nothing to do with the world of tv or politics or any other creative ventures I need to follow. But, I must confess that writing is a part of this artist's soul and without it I do loose a piece of who I am personally and find I need to write.

Where have I been?

I have been here.....

I painted them....

and I painted this....

....and this too



And when no one was really paying attention I also put my hand to this gorgeous sculpted piece posted below. I painted it with all my heart. It finally found a good home but not without me worrying if I had done a good job painting it. The days of non sale made me question IF I should be selling any of my art at all. Yes, even after 37 years of painting and trying to make my art look as good as possibe, I question if I should even be making art.

It's true, I was unfamiliar
with the braid color but never the less put my heart into
the entire painting of this piece.


There have been more pieces since the last post. I will leave you with the very last piece I painted and has left me wondering what I could do better. It has left me wondering many things personally. Ultimately, it has left me wondering where I have been.

Breyer CM to a customized "Bobby Jo" sculpt.
She is for sale. $495 ppd in USA.
Full view of this horse.
Im personally so pleased with her.

Thursday, March 9, 2017

A Storm On The Horizon



AA Chaney finished as a roan Appy.
Commission NFS.

Apparently, there is a March storm on the horizon for the Northeast. It's all everyone talked about this afternoon. They spoke so much about it that it inspired me to pop my latest finish, a Donna Chaney AA sm sized drafter in roan Appaloosa, into a pretty snowy scene.

Decided to share a few others I have finished in the past and had fun taking photos of in winter scenes.

Of course, I couldn't help but share one basking in the warm sun. Wishful thinking that sun will be on the forecast after the storms of March pass.






Monday, March 6, 2017

When A Straight Line Is Needed


"The Coal Barron"
1:9 Scale Limited Edition Artist Resin
Photoshoot taken in the strip mines of NEPA.


The painting production on this beautifully sculpted resin was going very well, until I hit some of the more tricky details.

After painting the primitive leg markings on this gelding, I was uncertain how I would handle the dorsal stripe. Dorsal stripes are normally seen on grulla colored horses and leaving it out was not an option.

I wanted the stripe to be pronounced, crisp, and straight. Using an airbrush for this detail in the past left me with a bit of a sprayed mess to clean up and touch up. I couldn't keep my hand from shaking and in turn, the line was wobbly. Also, the end result was not crisp enough for me, so I decided to use a simple mask to create the stripe this time around.

I was concerned when coming up with a mask for the task. Tape seemed too sticky and could pull up my base painting. Glues or a wet mask was out of the question. In the end, I chose to try some PostIt Notes. I'm happy to say that this idea worked and worked very well. I documented the idea.


After many layers of base coat
Tricky details like leg markings and a dorsal
stripe need to be added.



The PostIt notes worked beautifully!


I decided that tape would probably stick too firmly onto the horse and ruin the base coat so I tried some PostIt Notes and they worked out perfectly! They stuck to the body and did not lift when the airbrush was sprayed. They offered a crisp clean line and best of all, they came off easily without ruining my work.


The careful removal of the notes.



A successful reveal!

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Medallion Award Creation


Starts off as a sketch

First week of January and I'm off and running with sculptures, in particular creating medallions and cookies.

I just started sketching the one night and it took off and two sketches stood out as nice prospects for awards or cookies for the equine miniatures industry. One thing led to another and as I progressed I took photos of the process to share.


Monster Clay sculpts beautifully
and doesn't stick to the hands like Chavant.



Legos help create a
perfect and custom molding box.


I prefer Smooth-On products
to help create molds.


Very pleased with the finished product.
Nice clean resin ready for paint.

Saturday, January 7, 2017

Sorta Like Potato Chips


They are sorta like potato chips....

Most women can't resist shoes. Some artists can't resist art supplies. I sorta can't resist airbrushes now. Each one works just a little different than the next.

Out of all the brands I've tried Iwata is my personal favorite. Although I use my airbrushes mostly for first layers, they all must go the distance and withstand heavy wear and tear. I'm terrible with my art supplies and the Iwata seems to be the airbrush to go the distance with a heavy hand. Its the little Sherman Tank of airbrushes in my opinion.

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Not As Planned....Bubble & Spatter


Tiny bubbles pouring forth
from my airbrush.


Today did NOT go as planned. Before finishing my new mouse sculpture I decided to get a head start on a color idea on a Breyer Wixom mold. I saw a vision of a beautiful Sugarbush Draft Appaloosa on her and fired up the airbrush.

Unending spatter from my airbrush today.

Fired it up to find it bubbling and spattering with chaos all around the darned machine! It was apparent it did not want to be working today. It was still on Christmas vacation and I, in turn, spent most of my studio time trying to get it to work to no avail.

After a few frustrating hours, and no working airbrush, I decided to just finish tweaking the new bias relief I started last week.

You never know when a frustrating day will push your wits and will to the limit. No matter what stage of art one is at, such days still exist.


Newest sculpture in progress
A pony bias relief