HAPPY EASTER

I always eat the ears first, how about you?  I think it's just wrong to bite their butts off first.  Well, however you roll, I hope that you got a chocolate bunny for Easter.  Have a nice day!

MY INNER-ABSTRACTIONIST

My homage to Pollock.

I love Jackson Pollock.  I think if you've read this blog for a while you might know this about me (see my post from January 2008, Denying The Accident).  He clearly had emotional problems and a serious drinking problem, but as an artist, I feel that his work was unparallelled.  I know there are lots of people who would disagree with me.  Maybe abstract art just isn't their thing.  Others would say really thoughtful and original things like "I could do that" or "My 2 year old could do a better painting than that".  Sure.  Give it a try.  This kind of abstraction is really difficult to achieve without ending up with a painting that is simply a soul-less mess.  I painted the canvas pictured above for my studio wall a couple of years ago.  I unashamedly admit to trying to copy Pollock's style.  I failed in my mission, but I like it anyway.  As simple as this painting looks, I can tell you that it was hard.  I painted over it 5 times before I was semi-happy with it.  I love how deceptively simple his process was.  I can almost feel the freedom of it when I look at his paintings.  The work seems to me to float off of the canvas.  

I was wandering around on the Internet tonight and found this fun site (www.jacksonpollock.org) where you can create a Pollock-style painting on your computer.  I admit to playing with this for far too long.  Give it a try and maybe you'll find your inner-abstractionist.  It's certainly a lot less messy than the real thing!

BRACELETS

At the open house last weekend, Suzi took a couple of nice photos of some bracelets that I thought I'd post.  The links of the first bracelet were made with a mold that I took from a fossil.  The pieces are linked with fine silver jump rings that I fused closed.  The second bracelet is composed of tubular links and forged, hammered jump rings.  Both bracelets are made from fine silver.  I have taught the second bracelet as an all day workshop at Bead Haven  It was a really fun class and I have been thinking about offering it again.

YOU WISH YOU WERE THIS CUTE

Sophie, napping in the studio with the Uglies.

Sophie, helping Paul write a grant.

I just wanted to post this little dose of cuteness as a cure for the mid-week blues.  It sure cheers me up!

THANKS

My faithful assistant Vanna, I mean Suzi!

Cindi and Jeanne, working hard.

Melissa, wishing I wouldn't take her picture.

Rebecca and Julie.

Just me.

Thank you to everyone who came out to the show at Bead Haven this past weekend.  We had lots of fun and had lots of people come through on both Friday and Saturday, and it went very well.  Thanks also to Cindi who always makes sure that the open house's at her store are really special and fun.  Suzi was there on Saturday helping me out like usual.  She's probably my oldest friend and so it's nice to have her help and to spend the day with her.  I got a chance to talk to a lot of friends and my little sister even stopped by.  It was a good weekend.

Thanks for the pictures, Suz.

ONE MORE TIME

I'd like to remind anyone who is in the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area this weekend to come out to Bead Haven and see me this weekend.  I will be having a trunk show there along with Melissa Rediger and Rebecca Elias.  Along with the trunk show, Bead Haven is having an open house with treats, sales and door prizes.  Come on over if you have a chance.  The open house hours are 5-8 tonight and 10-5 tomorrow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD

Dad, at a woodcarving show.

Dad, with my Grandpa.

Today is my Dad's 75th birthday.  I wish you could all know my Dad.  He's the funniest person that I know.  He knows everything and what he doesn't know he can make up and you'll believe him.  Trust me, you will.  He's a great Dad, who had to put up with being outnumbered by Mom and three daughters.  Anyway, I want to wish my Dad a Happy Birthday.  I hope he knows how much he's loved.