Working very hard tonight.

Here are a few pictures of the piece. Its almost done. Epoxies are setting. I need to do some acrylic painting tomorrow but it is almost there! I am excited to see it hanging.

So, here is the new condensed version of the storyline

“Change…….It’s Inevitable”

This is a conceptual sculpture using West Michigan resources. Pyramids were chosen to reflect their symbolism of life moving forward, the next life. For myself, I feel as though I have lived many lives. I can’t be alone in this belief. I used life circles throughout this structure to depict life moving forward, never stagnant.

Currently, Michigan is struggling. Our residents are struggling. We have enormous physical plants that stand empty. Michigan had an important presence during the Industrial Revolution of the 1800’s. We were known for our innovation and manufacturing. Many Michigan products are now made overseas. Our businesses are reinventing themselves. I realize that change is a part of life, but……

Whether we like it or not, subtle changes happen daily, whether its our aging, the change of seasons, a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. We have wonderful fresh water lakes that provide hours of enjoyment throughout the year.

As residents, business owners and employees, we struggle with this nagging question, “How can I survive in this changing landscape and sustain my way of life?”

I think of life: infancy, teen years, young adult, parenthood, and aging. My family has lived here for several generations. One of my grandfathers was a grocer with several stores and the other a plumber who became a Great Lakes charter captain.

I narrowed my focus to one man, my grandfather. He loved life. He lived 85 years. He saw many changes in our world. He lived through the horrors of war, death of a child, earned a living to provide for his family, raised children and grandchildren. At the end of his life, I remember his laughter. He and my grandmother could still laugh after more than 60 years together. So, at the end of the day, isn’t this what matters?

Change…….It’s inevitable.

Tiling and grouting!

Here are a few pictures of my tiling efforts today. The pieces are coming together. I have corner pieces and the third side to attach with adhesive. I have never used a tile cutter before, but it is a handy piece of equipment. I think after Art Prize, I will make tiles and tile my guest bathroom floor. Always, thinking about the next project.

Working away on a rainy day

My internal pyramid is ready for grouting. The cables to suspend the pyramid are attacking me. Can you imagine thick cable that has been cut and the loose fine wires are coming unwrapped. They are reaching out and grabbing me anytime I get close. So, they are now wrapped and behaving themselves. I have applied a waterproofing membrane to the plywood and waiting for it to dry. In the meantime, here is a picture of the end tiles. They fired very well in the gas kiln. There are some very small crystals that formed during firing. Very cool!

This is my story.......

“Change…….It’s Inevitable”

I returned to Michigan, after living in Vermont for 13 years. I thought I would return to a thriving economy and begin a new, but familiar life. What I found is a state that is struggling to survive. Michigan had an enormous presence during the Industrial Revolution of the 1700 and 1800’s. We were known for our innovation using tool and die, presses, and in building the furniture industry. We have wonderful fresh water lakes (instead of salt water oceans) that provide hours of entertainment and enjoyment throughout the year. My family has lived here for several generations. We have been plumbers, tool and die makers, teachers, fisherman, grocers, pharmacists, engineers, bankers, community leaders, gas station and motel owners. One of my grandfathers was a grocer with several stores and the other a plumber who became a charter fishing boat captain.

Currently, Michigan is struggling. Our residents are struggling. We have enormous physical plants that stand empty. Products made in Michigan are now made overseas. Our businesses need to reinvent themselves. I realize that change is a part of life, but……

It’s inevitable.

Whether we like it or not, subtle changes happen each day of our lives, whether it is our aging, the change of seasons, a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. As residents, business owners, and employees, we must struggle with this nagging question, “How can I survive in a changing landscape and sustain my way of life?” Yes, we can change. We will adapt, move forward, and do more than survive. We will grow and learn.

This is a conceptual sculpture. I have used the resources of West Michigan to build this work. Pyramids were chosen to reflect their symbolism of life moving forward, the next life. For myself, I feel as though I have lived many lives. I can’t be alone in this belief. I have used life circles throughout this structure to depict life moving forward, never stagnant.

I walk the beaches in sunshine, rain, and snow. The changes can be, both, stark and beautiful. You just have to look.

I have taken hundreds of digital images and contacted several local companies to research their image archives. I needed to narrow the focus. I portray manufacturing from the 1920’s through today. We have evolved from using our hands and assembly lines to computerized machines that make parts with little human contact.

I began thinking about our lives as infants, teens, young adults, parenthood, aging, and senior years. In doing this, I remembered moments in my own life: being at the beach, swinging on a metal swing set, prom, a wedding, the Vietnam war, having children and watching them grow. I have narrowed it down to one man, my grandfather. He loved life. He lived 85 years. He saw many changes in our world, lived through the horrors of war, death of a child, earned money in many ways to support his family, raised children and grandchildren. At the end of his life, I remember his laughter. He and my grandmother could still laugh after a very full life together. So, at the end of the day, isn’t this what matters.

So, yes, we can adapt.

“Change…..It’s Inevitable.”

Firing the Gas kiln today

I got up at 5am to fire the gas kiln, today. I am hoping to head to the beach for one more dose of Vitamin D. We have to enjoy these wonderful days while we can. It will be winter before we know it. I have my corner and end pieces in the gas kiln. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they fire as I envision. The co-op that I am in, Washington Square Gallery in Holland, has sold several of my tray sets. I made three more for this firing with matching bowl sets. One of the pyramid sides are completed but I think I can do better. So, I am remaking them. The clock is ticking. 25 more days until Art Prize begins. Go to ArtPrize.org for more information on the many, many events.

Testing Milled steel

I got to see my tripod last week and the sign base for the project. Brian helped with several tests in "aging" the steel. We tried battery acid poured directly onto the steel. We left part of the steel alone. I should say, he, took the protective finish off part of it, and then torched it. We also took the finish off, poured muriatic acid on this area, and then torched it. One final test was using WD-40 on each of those tests.

I have a plan and Brian is game to help with it. I am not going to tell you which test we liked the best. :) One thing that Brian and I did decide was that the battery acid is too caustic and we will be using salt water, instead. The WD-40 made a neat pattern on the bottom of the base. You can see it here.