Descending Ashtray

In preparation for this show, I thought I’d lay out the flowers I’ve been working on. I tend to work in spurts, and I haven’t looked at them for awhile, so I thought I’d take an assessment. 16 bases fairly well done, 9 blocks still to adorn with metal bits.

Here is just a part of my collection of nuts and bolts, copper scraps, washers, springs, screws and scrap. I pick them up whenever I see them walking around. Keep your eyes down and you’d be amazed what you’ll find.

Triple Orchid Sculpture

Wood: Yellowheart (petals), Walnut (stem) and Pauduk (center)

Price: ?

Something I have thought of since we began this site is a joint online show of some kind. Since you are working on some new flowers, and I have a few in progress of my own, I think that might be a good theme for this show: flower sculptures. I think the contrast between your elegant and polished flowers and mine that are a little more rough would make for an interesting show.

The ones I’m working on now incorporate all sorts of found elements - rusty metal pieces, bits of old tools, steel tacks, etc. I have approx. 12 done now, although my intent is to release a set of 25 “rejected” flowers, the “rejected” referring to their deviance from the “standard” flower I’ve settled on. I envision these as early prototypes or perhaps mutants.

I think we could show some online (5 each?), 5 in Des Moines, and 5 in Portland. Maybe that’s too many. I’m not sure where the flowers might be shown here, but I bet I can work something out given enough notice. Assume you could do the same there?

What do you think?

I am very pleased with how this turned out. Great idea to cover it with a piece of plywood first before using the router jig. Worked like a dream.

The burnt surface is as black as charcoal, and just as dusty. I wonder if some fixative/hairspray would “fix” it as it does a drawing.

I am both amused and a little apprehensive at the turn for home-related posts here of late. Still, if art is life, I think life is an art as well.

I spent a good part of the day on Saturday constructing another raised bed, this time for popcorn, having seen your dad’s plants when I visited the Lueders Farm last summer. 17 plants in almost pure compost. Had a bit of a scare this evening when a thunderstorm brought a brief hailstorm, but I think they’re okay.

I took the train to Seattle last weekend to visit my friend Sara. My Sarah met me in Seattle, but while I was walking around near the train station waiting to meet the Sara(h)s, I stumbled across Northwest Fine Woodworking’s showroom. After I reeled in my jaw (it having dropped quickly to the floor), I meandered through the store, discovering more amazing wood art objects and furniture with each step.

One artist in particular jumped out as I neared the end of my circuit through the store: Ben Carpenter, who apparently lives in Portland (Ben, if you’re reading this, I’d love to meet up sometime). Looking at some of his sculptural works, I saw a similarity to your work, Gabe. Kindred spirits …