Conversation in a the Library

Tonight I was in Herrick Library (one of the two libraries at Alfred University) looking for a couple of movies to take home and watch over the next couple of days.

As I was sorting through the rack I was talking to another of my class-mates (one of my twenty-something fellow students.) We were chit-chatting back and forth about different movies. She was complaining about being on campus until Friday after most of the students in our class had already headed home.

But then, she was also complaining about WHERE she had to go for her break. Apparently her mom (no mention of a father so I am assuming a divorce or death) lives in New York City.

Well, I was just so excited for her. Being an artist in New York City! I mean, there is probably no other place in the world (maybe Berlin or Paris?) where more is happening to keep a young artist thriving (at least on the art scene) and making connections.

But, no. She was just clearly bummed out.

So, I had to let that one go.

Oh, the stupidity of youth.

I guess I was once that stupid and short-sighted too.

Besides my encounter in the library, I went to a foundry Christmas party. Free Pizza! I am a college student after all and the word FREE and FOOD equal YES, I'll be there.

So, I went to the party.

Of course, since there was no booze or drugs it was a short party.

The party was supposed to start at 6 p.m. I didn't want to be too tacky so I stopped and got a couple of bottles of soda (found out I didn't have to later on) and when I got there at 6:15 there were only two slices of pizza left. Fortunately, there was one slice of plain pizza and one slice of mushroom. And, I hate mushrooms so you know which one I took. The one lovely slice of pizza was followed by too many chocolate candies and slices of cake.

Oh, and yes, besides the food goodies we each got a little (tacky) plastic ring as a memento of our time at foundry.

Here we are, all wearing our tacky plastic rings, power-rangers style. Metal heads unite!

Enjoy the pix!



Before I close, here's an image of the latest painting I'm working on.

It's a 4' by 5' canvas.

Another day on the planet

And, I didn't change my bed sheets today. . .and, I don't think anybody really cares but me. So, I'll get to it tomorrow since I have the next four to five weeks of yawning time ahead of me before the next semester starts.

Tomorrow my plans are to be in the studio at about 9 a.m. (do you think it will actually happen?) then, I've got to get on the road to see the orthopedic surgeon-type guy and have him look at my deteriorating hands.

See, all of us human beings need those tools we call hands, and especially us artist types.

So, hopefully whatever is happening with my human tools will hold off on its deterioration path until some time off in the far-future. Meanwhile, I'll gratefully make do with the equipment I've got.

Re-remembering

What am I re-remembering?

The me of 1970-something. The me who couldn't wait to make a painting, work on a new project, see a new idea move from thought to form. But, I am also re-remembering that one who didn't have an appreciation for life, who was so immature she thought that life owed her something.

Life owes me nothing. I owe everything to life and to the source of my life: God.

Now, I'm not waxing all religious at you now because my concept of who/or what/or how God lives and moves within me has changed. But, I know that as surely as I breath right now that the spirit of love and life and enthusiasm burns more brightly in me than it ever did in my twenty year-old body and soul.

Maybe I'm just more aware of it now and the fleetingness of time and my relative insignificance and magnificence in the whole warp and weft of my time here on this fragile planet.

And, I am pleased to be in this also increasingly fragile body that holds hope and love and dreams within its walls.

Life is what it is.

And, I must get to bed so I can start another day of painting tomorrow!

Wednesday in the week that is

Sometimes, among all people in the world, I feel extremely blessed.

I say this not because I am financially rich, actually the opposite is true, but because I am blessed with a life that I never dreamed I could have.

There are days and times when, like the rest of us 'human-beans', I'm faltering in the dark and I feel as if I'm slogging through oatmeal. Then is when I need to trust the most that God (or whatever you chose to call that divine entity within us)will carry me through, and indeed I am taken care of.

This past week has been a series of challenges, as I worked past my own defects of procrastination, ingratitude and short sightedness.

Then, this morning as I walked from my car through the parking lot to my painting studio (can you imagine, MY painting studio?)I decided that I should soak in the minutes as I walked in solitude toward my painting space.

The morning was crisp and clear. I filled my lungs with the cool autumn air. I reminded myself that no matter how insignificant that moment might seem in the span of my life I was fully alive, and fully present, and fully blessed to be aware of the gift.

As I passed fellow students I felt light and present. I wish I could feel that way all the time. I believe it is called being in the NOW. So, I need to practice this more and more. It is the key to sanity and peace.

What else happened today?

I sat through a presentation in art history class that, as far as being a presentation went, was pretty poor. But, as being a testament to someones belief system was very rich.

How do I explain how someone who is talking about the art of tattooing feels it is a religious experience?

This young man talked about how he tried to discourage young people that came in requesting a tattoo. He said that it was a very important decision (I agree) and that whatever art was put on the body spoke volumes about what people believed. It was incredibly amazing to me that he felt so strongly about something that I considered strictly a vanity item.

One thing that art school has done for me, besides the opportunity to develop my art practice, is to open my mind and my heart to those younger than me who are struggling with their own path of spiritual growth, whatever that may be.

Now, after the philosophical waxing tonight, I'm going in include some pictures of my latest bells.

The first picture is of the 'faux shrine' directly inside the front door of my house. The picture above the cabinet is the 'Mega Mary' painting I did my Sophomore year, the glass arch object on the table is a glass casting I made (it actually lights up but I didn't take the picture that way) and all of the bells (except the five tiny ones) are on the chest. The two newest ones are the two in the middle. They both ring at different tones.
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Here's a closeup shot of all the bells.



The five smaller ones that are less than two inches tall don't really make a sound, of course they have no clappers, that might be why or they are just too thick for such a small bell.



Whatever.

Here they are.

And I am almost done with this semester. . . . . how wonderful is that?

Here I Am-Rockin' Like a Hurricane

O.K., what rock group did that song? I can hear the music roaring through my head. . . . and, the winner is. . . . . I dunno. Sorry.

I'm posting again after a hiatus of at least a few days. It's been radically insanely end-of-semester busy.

I'm up early today to so I can get to the studio and get something painted before my crit today. This will be the last of my crits for the semester. After this, there will only be the obligatory helping to clean up the studios duties. Imagine that, we pay all this money for art school and they US to clean up the studios. What a racket, eh?

So, yesterday I did my 45 minute presentation on the Klingit native culture of Southeastern Alaska. I also handed in my 10-page paper (that I found out isn't actually due until a week from now.) Then, headed down to the foundry and set up a small performance related to my 'heritage' theme.

After cleaning up the table in the wax room (which could only be described by the Italian slang word 'shkeeve!' I dressed things up with my great-grandmother's yellow crocheted table cloth, my crystal candle sticks, a couple settings of miss-match plates (with forks, knives and spoons) two demitasse cups and saucers and, in the middle of the table I put a mirror with the two newly completed bronze bells and the three larger wax bells that will be cast in iron next semester.

The performance was simple and short. The theme was 'welcoming my ancestors to the table.'

I dressed for the occasion, because if I really was inviting my dear departed ancestors I wanted to have on some of my nicest clothes.

Lighting the candles at the table I said, "Ospiti onorati benvenuto!" (Welcome honored guests) Then, looking down at the table and gesturing toward the plates I said, "ho impostato la tabella nel ricordo e nell amore." (I set the table in remembrance and love.) Then I picked up each of the bells (representing both grandmothers) and rang them.

Here are some pictures one of my classmates took.





I guess I'll be rockin' on today since I've got a full day schedule ahead of me.