Sunday, March 28, 2010
Blade Show!
Remember a while back I said there were three things I was waiting to find out? Well, good news apparently comes in threes too! First, Sara the mule found a home (she'll be living down the road from me in about a month), and then I got accepted into the show in Jackson Hole (still reeling from shock). And then I got into Blade Show! Atlanta here I come! Holy smokes. Life is about to go nuts. And I'm so excited! It's only two months away, aaaaaaaaack!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Cheetah Knife sneak preview!
The Cheetah Knife is done and will be back in the hands of the engraver tomorrow. He'll finish the engraving on the back, and then it'll go off to be professionally photographed. I won't show you the whole knife until I get that photo (trust me, it looks AWESOME) but here's a little peek at how the scrimshaw turned out:
Last you saw, it was B/W:
Some color to spice things up a little:
Ooh la la!:
Last you saw, it was B/W:
Some color to spice things up a little:
Ooh la la!:
Monday, March 22, 2010
I've seen worse
I sure as heck won't be posting this on the forums or showing you any closeups, but this is my first line engraving. No dots. (Well, some stippling, but that's different). By the time I got to the feathers I decided to forego details, there's only so much time I wanted to spend on this. But I learned a whole heck of a lot about engraving in the process, made a gazillion mistakes, and know (at least in theory) how not to repeat a few of them.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Angus pics
As promised, a few more pics of Angus, in rare moments when he's not flat on the floor:
Seriously, this is how he sleeps a lot of time. That's just weird!
He definitely doesn't know anything about horses.
Have discovered a new weird habit. He barks and chases when large birds fly overhead. There are wild birds all over, he doesn't pay attention to the little ones. I thought this was a fluke the first time I saw it the first evening he was home and he chased a hawk flying overhead. Today he was sitting quietly on the back patio and then he jumped up barking ferociously (scared the bejeebers out of Olin and I) and tore off across the yard after a crow that landed in a tree. What the heck? I'm all for keeping hawks away, but I worry about how he's going to react to ducks.
Seriously, this is how he sleeps a lot of time. That's just weird!
He definitely doesn't know anything about horses.
Have discovered a new weird habit. He barks and chases when large birds fly overhead. There are wild birds all over, he doesn't pay attention to the little ones. I thought this was a fluke the first time I saw it the first evening he was home and he chased a hawk flying overhead. Today he was sitting quietly on the back patio and then he jumped up barking ferociously (scared the bejeebers out of Olin and I) and tore off across the yard after a crow that landed in a tree. What the heck? I'm all for keeping hawks away, but I worry about how he's going to react to ducks.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
the dog
In case you couldn't guess based on the previous posting... there's now a dog here. Let me tell you the story:
After deciding not too long ago that it felt like time to consider a new dog, Mom and I both started looking around at various options. Shelters, Craigslist, newspaper, etc. I pulled up a website for a local rescue group, and pretty much went head over heels for this sad face (this is from the rescue website):
Seriously, that's hard to resist. His name was Hank. And his description sounded very promising. Of course, they tell you on the application that are aren't signing up to adopt a particular dog, because pre-approved adopters get the first chance every time a new list comes out, the one you want might be already gone, etc. But it looked like a good group and I like the idea of the dogs being somewhat screened, so we applied. And yeah, by the time we were approved Hank had already been adopted. I was sad. But it was okay, there were new dogs every week. Made a few calls, none were quite right... no problem.
And then, suddenly, Hank was back! I'd seen it posted on their facebook page! I about leapt out of the chair! I'd so had my heart set on that dog! I immediately contacted the rescue and asked to be put in touch with the foster. He sounded promising, so Mom and I went to look at him Thursday evening.
Hank had been returned because of barking nervously/excitedly when the kids would wrestle, and growling when toys/treats were taken away.
Long story short, Hank is now named Angus, and is here!
He's huge. 90 pounds. 5-ish years old. He's definitely a mix, likely a Rott mix. His tail is docked (hey, it's actually kind of okay! No shin-bruising!). He's all black. He's VERY mellow. He's shown no food or possession aggression at all, and of course this household is pretty calm with no wrestling... He's good with the cats face to face when everyone's calm, but he does chase when they run, and this needs some serious work. He's nonchalant about the birds, but I certainly won't be letting any out around him for a good long time. He's house-trained. In fact he's very well mannered. He doesn't pick stuff up, he barely even is interested in toys. He takes treats very gently. He knows sit and down, and seems to understand "leave it." This boy was obviously somebody's special pup before he ended up stray. His leash training needs some work.
I went into this with the mindset that these rescue and shelter dogs may be kind of like used cars... they all have some issues and need a little work. Indeed that's the case. Though for the most part Angus is doing very well, there are some things that need work.
1) He doesn't come when he's called. I think this has a lot to do with not knowing his name. Don't blame me, he doesn't respond to Hank either. Or anything, I've thrown all sorts of names at him.
2) Related to that, when he gets out he's gone. Let me explain. The entire property is fenced with 5' fences, it's dog-proof. The inner yard area has a 3' fence. So even if he gets out of the yard, he can't leave the property, but the outer part has access to things like mud and horse poop, and I'd rather not have those things come in the house (yeah, he sleeps inside, and is in a lot during the day). He's pretty insecure, and he's most honed in on me instead of Mom, probably because he's spent more time with me. If I leave the yard and go to the barn, Angus has demonstrated that he can pop over that 3' fence no problemo. Yikes. And once he's out, he doesn't respond to me, I just have to catch up to him and grab him. That's a problem.
How do I get him to respond to his name and come when called?
How to I keep him from jumping the fence?
Tonight a guest was leaving the house and stood in the front doorway just a moment too long. Angus bolted out front. Thankfully he made a beeline for the neighbor's house and the grabbed him, knowing we got a new dog and hearing lots of yelling out front. If they hadn't grabbed him, cripes. I don't know how to fix this!
3) The cat situation needs work. Face to face, he's very good. He wants to sniff. Homer will tolerate this and even rub on Angus. Olin hisses and smacks him. I've been telling him "leave it" with the cats, I want him to basically ignore them. I know the cats are part of the problem here, they need to get used to him and not run, that doesn't help. I got so spoiled with Jessie and Nellie for all those years, I trusted them 100% with the birds and cats. Anyway, since Angus and the cats can be very close to each other in the house and be very calm, him relaxed, cats purring, I have to think he's not projecting any sort of "I eat kitties" vibe at them, but just that he goes into play mode when they run. So I'm just trying to be super careful, be aware of the cats' whereabouts before letting Angus out in the yard, etc. I hope they all just chill the heck out.
I tend to try to figure the problems out from the mindset of "how would I train a horse not to do that" but I don't think that necessarily translates into dog training!
I want him to be okay with him staying in the yard while I'm in the barn, not chase the cats (or birds), not bolt out the door, not run off and ignore me (hmm, maybe this is how he ended up stray), come when called, and be good enough on a leash that my mom can safely and comfortably walk him.
I hope I didn't just make him sound like a beast. He's not. Overall he's REALLY good, and I know he'll improve as he settles in and gets used to the place. I mean, he's had 6 homes and at least 3 names in the last month or so, poor guy must be pretty mixed up. But there are some issues that need work, I'm just not sure how to proceed.
Oh, I'll take more pics. He's pretty cute with his droopy face and stumpy tail.
After deciding not too long ago that it felt like time to consider a new dog, Mom and I both started looking around at various options. Shelters, Craigslist, newspaper, etc. I pulled up a website for a local rescue group, and pretty much went head over heels for this sad face (this is from the rescue website):
Seriously, that's hard to resist. His name was Hank. And his description sounded very promising. Of course, they tell you on the application that are aren't signing up to adopt a particular dog, because pre-approved adopters get the first chance every time a new list comes out, the one you want might be already gone, etc. But it looked like a good group and I like the idea of the dogs being somewhat screened, so we applied. And yeah, by the time we were approved Hank had already been adopted. I was sad. But it was okay, there were new dogs every week. Made a few calls, none were quite right... no problem.
And then, suddenly, Hank was back! I'd seen it posted on their facebook page! I about leapt out of the chair! I'd so had my heart set on that dog! I immediately contacted the rescue and asked to be put in touch with the foster. He sounded promising, so Mom and I went to look at him Thursday evening.
Hank had been returned because of barking nervously/excitedly when the kids would wrestle, and growling when toys/treats were taken away.
Long story short, Hank is now named Angus, and is here!
He's huge. 90 pounds. 5-ish years old. He's definitely a mix, likely a Rott mix. His tail is docked (hey, it's actually kind of okay! No shin-bruising!). He's all black. He's VERY mellow. He's shown no food or possession aggression at all, and of course this household is pretty calm with no wrestling... He's good with the cats face to face when everyone's calm, but he does chase when they run, and this needs some serious work. He's nonchalant about the birds, but I certainly won't be letting any out around him for a good long time. He's house-trained. In fact he's very well mannered. He doesn't pick stuff up, he barely even is interested in toys. He takes treats very gently. He knows sit and down, and seems to understand "leave it." This boy was obviously somebody's special pup before he ended up stray. His leash training needs some work.
I went into this with the mindset that these rescue and shelter dogs may be kind of like used cars... they all have some issues and need a little work. Indeed that's the case. Though for the most part Angus is doing very well, there are some things that need work.
1) He doesn't come when he's called. I think this has a lot to do with not knowing his name. Don't blame me, he doesn't respond to Hank either. Or anything, I've thrown all sorts of names at him.
2) Related to that, when he gets out he's gone. Let me explain. The entire property is fenced with 5' fences, it's dog-proof. The inner yard area has a 3' fence. So even if he gets out of the yard, he can't leave the property, but the outer part has access to things like mud and horse poop, and I'd rather not have those things come in the house (yeah, he sleeps inside, and is in a lot during the day). He's pretty insecure, and he's most honed in on me instead of Mom, probably because he's spent more time with me. If I leave the yard and go to the barn, Angus has demonstrated that he can pop over that 3' fence no problemo. Yikes. And once he's out, he doesn't respond to me, I just have to catch up to him and grab him. That's a problem.
How do I get him to respond to his name and come when called?
How to I keep him from jumping the fence?
Tonight a guest was leaving the house and stood in the front doorway just a moment too long. Angus bolted out front. Thankfully he made a beeline for the neighbor's house and the grabbed him, knowing we got a new dog and hearing lots of yelling out front. If they hadn't grabbed him, cripes. I don't know how to fix this!
3) The cat situation needs work. Face to face, he's very good. He wants to sniff. Homer will tolerate this and even rub on Angus. Olin hisses and smacks him. I've been telling him "leave it" with the cats, I want him to basically ignore them. I know the cats are part of the problem here, they need to get used to him and not run, that doesn't help. I got so spoiled with Jessie and Nellie for all those years, I trusted them 100% with the birds and cats. Anyway, since Angus and the cats can be very close to each other in the house and be very calm, him relaxed, cats purring, I have to think he's not projecting any sort of "I eat kitties" vibe at them, but just that he goes into play mode when they run. So I'm just trying to be super careful, be aware of the cats' whereabouts before letting Angus out in the yard, etc. I hope they all just chill the heck out.
I tend to try to figure the problems out from the mindset of "how would I train a horse not to do that" but I don't think that necessarily translates into dog training!
I want him to be okay with him staying in the yard while I'm in the barn, not chase the cats (or birds), not bolt out the door, not run off and ignore me (hmm, maybe this is how he ended up stray), come when called, and be good enough on a leash that my mom can safely and comfortably walk him.
I hope I didn't just make him sound like a beast. He's not. Overall he's REALLY good, and I know he'll improve as he settles in and gets used to the place. I mean, he's had 6 homes and at least 3 names in the last month or so, poor guy must be pretty mixed up. But there are some issues that need work, I'm just not sure how to proceed.
Oh, I'll take more pics. He's pretty cute with his droopy face and stumpy tail.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
today a dream came true
A couple years ago, I found out about a "miniature" art show that takes place at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole. The art is small, not the show! And then I had a chance to visit Jackson Hole, and the museum itself. And I decided that I would submit my scrimshaw to that extremely selective show for the rest of my life until some time in old age I might actually get in.
So I applied the first time, and was rejected.
I applied again the following year, and waited, and waited, and waited...
In November, I received a phone call from the NMWA informing me that I was in the top ten finalists in the jewelry/artisan category (which they felt would be a better fit versus fine art, I'm down with that). I was told I would know by the end of December. Yeah, can you believe I managed to NOT blog about that!? I wanted to wait until I knew for sure...
Well that came and went, and in early January I finally broke down and contacted them, and was told that decisions would be made in late January. Well that came and went.
In early February my submission materials were returned to me in an envelope with no explanation. I took this is a rejection, but never was able to get an answer to my inquiries.
I'd pretty much given up, and planned to reapply this coming summer.
Today I got an email telling me that I've been selected....
OMG!!!!!!!!!! I GOT IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am SHOCKED. Absolutely shocked, overjoyed, thrilled. OMG. I'm just totally overwhelmed by this news.
*I* am going to be showing art in Jackson Hole, WY in September of 2010. This is freakin' awesome!
(And yes, that means I have a lot of work to do and a whole lot of logistics to figure out! And if anyone has friends or family in Jackson Hole who might let me sleep on the floor, please let me know!!!)
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So I applied the first time, and was rejected.
I applied again the following year, and waited, and waited, and waited...
In November, I received a phone call from the NMWA informing me that I was in the top ten finalists in the jewelry/artisan category (which they felt would be a better fit versus fine art, I'm down with that). I was told I would know by the end of December. Yeah, can you believe I managed to NOT blog about that!? I wanted to wait until I knew for sure...
Well that came and went, and in early January I finally broke down and contacted them, and was told that decisions would be made in late January. Well that came and went.
In early February my submission materials were returned to me in an envelope with no explanation. I took this is a rejection, but never was able to get an answer to my inquiries.
I'd pretty much given up, and planned to reapply this coming summer.
Today I got an email telling me that I've been selected....
OMG!!!!!!!!!! I GOT IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am SHOCKED. Absolutely shocked, overjoyed, thrilled. OMG. I'm just totally overwhelmed by this news.
*I* am going to be showing art in Jackson Hole, WY in September of 2010. This is freakin' awesome!
(And yes, that means I have a lot of work to do and a whole lot of logistics to figure out! And if anyone has friends or family in Jackson Hole who might let me sleep on the floor, please let me know!!!)
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bass-o-matic
Do you read the blog comments?
Do you remember the bass-o-matic? This has always been a source of jokes in this family.
Do you remember the bass-o-matic? This has always been a source of jokes in this family.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Spring is in the air! It's sale time!
It's warm and sunny and green. The flowers are blooming and the weeds are growing like, well, weeds. The horses are shedding, the chickens are laying. What does this all mean?
Why, it means it's time for a GINORMOUS SPRING CLEANING ART SALE! And yes, I do mean ginormous. For various reasons I have not been doing as many ART shows since I've been focusing on the ENGRAVING. So this means that since I don't have anything showing right now, it's all in the guest room, and it's taking up the whole dang room. Boxes and boxes of art!
So I decided to just mark it down like a crazy person, most everything is 50% off. Yes, I'm totally serious. HALF OFF! Because I'd really rather see it be enjoyed in someone's home than be packed away here. It is, of course, for a limited time only.
See something you want? Jump on it! Contact me!
I kinda had in mind to do PayPal buttons for everything but decided against it because it's too complicated doing the shipping charges that way. Shipping varies immensely. Big framed pieces will be a lot, there's just no way around that. So, if there's something you'd like, please just contact me, all the info is on the website.
I'm happy to set up payment plans, and I do take credit cards.
Go! Shop! Yay!
Why, it means it's time for a GINORMOUS SPRING CLEANING ART SALE! And yes, I do mean ginormous. For various reasons I have not been doing as many ART shows since I've been focusing on the ENGRAVING. So this means that since I don't have anything showing right now, it's all in the guest room, and it's taking up the whole dang room. Boxes and boxes of art!
So I decided to just mark it down like a crazy person, most everything is 50% off. Yes, I'm totally serious. HALF OFF! Because I'd really rather see it be enjoyed in someone's home than be packed away here. It is, of course, for a limited time only.
See something you want? Jump on it! Contact me!
I kinda had in mind to do PayPal buttons for everything but decided against it because it's too complicated doing the shipping charges that way. Shipping varies immensely. Big framed pieces will be a lot, there's just no way around that. So, if there's something you'd like, please just contact me, all the info is on the website.
I'm happy to set up payment plans, and I do take credit cards.
Go! Shop! Yay!
Rakkasah!
It was great! :-) I had a lot of fun dancing at Rakkasah on Saturday, as well as looking around at all the pretty sparkly things, and watching other people dance. I know I had a few mis-steps on stage. Oops. Oh well. It was kind of bittersweet though, last performance with the troupe. I'm sad, and yet, it has to be this way. Sigh. I'm definitely not done dancing, just not sure exactly what to do now.
I'll post pics when I get all of them, and when the performance is posted online.
I'll post pics when I get all of them, and when the performance is posted online.
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