Been too long since visiting my own Blog!

Wow, what a year it's been since last visiting! I'm now creating and making my own penmaking "blanks" using Polyester Resin. Well, resin along with just about any other material I can think of! Burl Cap strips, acorn caps, pinecones, crushed pepper, postage stamps, alabaster, pasta, it's almost endless! And it sometimes borders on an obsession. I find myself looking through the grocery store, more to look for new art possibilities than for food!

Anyway, this economy really is bad. Both Chris and I had our worst sales year ever. People are scared, and just can't bring themselves to buy unnecessary items like art with the frequency they used to. We didn't even bother with the high-end Mountain Art Shows this Summer, as too many of our artist friends were having a tough time making their booth fees. This too will pass...

I lost a dear artist friend this year, Scott Langeswitch. He did metal garden sculptures, and he was on the very edge of breaking out. His art was wicked good, and it hit me hard. I got him to join the Parker Artist Guild, he got a tent and was ready to go. He died 2 weeks before the Guild show, which would have been his first. Scott had a laugh you could never forget, he was a wonderful partner to his wonderful Linda, and we all will miss him terribly. He had so much light around him, mainly because he gave off so much himself. We'll play in the next life, Scotty!

We're having a most wonderful Holiday season! Chris's brother and Fiance are here, and we're having a blast. I am, however, completely exhausted! Baking, cooking, cookie decorating...I need a vacation.

For the few people that bought something from my website, my eternal gratitude! And Patti, your order was most welcome, as always. Here's wishing all of us a much better year, not only in moving art, but in creating it! I have so many things bouncing around in my head, and need to get out in my studio and grind.

Almost forgot. I was accepted into the Colorado Master Gardener Program!!! I start on January 11, and cannot wait. Happy Gardening!

2009 Art in the Park

Well, Chris and I just finished Art in the Park here in our hometown of Parker last weekend. I must say, this one took WAY more out of me physically than in years past! I'm just now getting to the point where my back is letting me even sleep at night, and it's Tuesday-2 days after the show ended! At any rate, it reminds me that in spite of so many of the blessings I've received since the plane crash, some things I can't (yet) change.

At any rate, it wasn't all bad. My sales were WAY down, barely covered the cost of entry. I would love to blame it on the economy, but Chris did much better than usual, so scratch that idea. The high point for me was on Saturday afternoon, when a group of official-looking people came by our booth with cameras and some plaques. They looked like they wanted to know our booth number, but they said, "No, we're here to present you with something!". That "something" was an award with my name on it for 1st Place in Fine Crafts for the show!!! They could have knocked me over with a feather! Not, 3rd place, not 2nd place, but FIRST PLACE in my category for the entire show! Unbelievable. I still look at the plaque, and will take it to any show I ever do, anywhere. It was a validation of my growth through my craft, and it really meant a lot to me. Still high from it, and will be for a long time.

That's it for now, I'll add a pic of them presenting the award when the show sends it to me.

Dale

Breckenridge Art Show

Well, it's been like, forever, since I've posted here! Chris and me both have been busy with our art. We did the Breckenridge Mountain Art Festival last weekend, and had a great time. Sales weren't stupendous, but we did a few grand and talked to many other artists that did half that, so it's tough to complain. If we do another one up there, we need to find a way for the kids to be less, well, bored, because it was a very LONG 3 day weekend for them, although they were great. For Erik it was 4 days, as he came up with me Thursday to help me set up, and he worked like a man, not like a boy. Without him I would have been in real trouble. We had a blast together too, had dinner and drinks (VIRGIN Pina Colada for my little buddy!) down at the Dillon Marina, watched boats sailing on a gorgeous evening while eating some of the finest fish tacos I've ever had, and I've had them from Ensenada to Playa del carmen, and these were unreal. maybe it was the setting. Maybe it was my company. But we did have a blast! Chris and Holly came up Friday to join the fun, and we had dinner Friday night with our neighbors 2 houses up and laughed and had great pizza. But the long days at the show (10-6) were a bit much for them. Come to think of it, they were a bit much for me too! Anyway, met LOTS of great people, got several comissions, 1 from the Dept. Chair of the Baylor School of Medicine. It will be a beauty, just waiting for the wood. Anyway, thanks for the friends we met and the friends who came up to visit, and thanks especially to Martin and Patti for your AWESOME condo, it was so comfy and incredibly nice!

We Got Accepted!

Well, it took a while, but both me and Chris were juried in to the Breckenridge Mountain Art Festival for this year! The show is July 24, 25, and 26 and is being held in the Wellington/Sawmill ski lift parking lots, on the North end of town right on Main St. If you are local, or just passing through town, please come visit us and say hi! We're both very busy getting our artwork ready, and are very excited to be able to get into this show. We know all about the common wisdom that the economy is bad and artists shouldn't do shoes, but we'll do fine. It will be what we make it.

I'm also hosting a shop tour this Sunday through my woodturner's club. My Studio is at our house, so please, stop by between 1-4 this Sunday and have a look!

I'll post more pictures soon...

Dale

Art in the Park

I've been so busy with our investment properties I've hardly turned a thing lately. Plus, the shop is really just now getting to where I can work in it. I just this weekend completed the lathe enclosure so I can have tools close. My sharpening tools are still in the garage, 20 feet away from my lathe. It will take a good part of the winter to make this how I want it, but at least can work on some pieces for the art show coming up.

If you live in the Denver Metro area, be sure to visit us at Art in the Park, being held Aug. 23-24 in O'Brien Park on the corner of Parker Rd. and Main Street. We should have our tent where we've always had it, right on Main Street across from Baskin Robbins (very handy for getting Cappuccino shakes!). This is our most fun event, because so many of our friends and neighbors come by to say hi, and we do very well there to boot. We may even get lucky with the weather this year. This coming weekend is supposed to be in the 60's, which will feel like freezing compared to what we've had! Last year was like a blast furnace at the show, and although we still did pretty good, most thought attendance was way down because of the heat. We're hoping for cooler weather this year!

I've included a pic of my shop from last winter, before drywall or even electric. I need to get a few recent pics and will post those for contrast. It's a lot different now!

Dale

My Shop is Nearly Done!

I can't share what it feels like to have been handed this 1200 s.f. shell of a shop, and finishing it myself, one piece at a time. Drywall, texturing, painting, flooring, baseboards and doors and window trim, installing gas stoves through the walls, and a hundred other details. Lots left to do, landscaping outside, a deck outside my shop to reflect on my meadow and the deer playing in it. But after 8 months, I'm 2-3 weeks from turning wood in my state-of-the-art shop!

I'll take some pics and post them when we have the open house!!

Dale

Do the right thing!

OK, totally unrelated to woodturning, but this is important...

I turned 54 last October, and after a minor complication involving a gall bladder removal, I had a procedure where they ran a scope down my throat with a camera. I'll spare the details, but it was nothing all that bad. It made me think about something I've been trying to not think about. Then, Dan Fogelberg died at the age of 59 from prostate or colon cancer (I can't recall which) that was advanced when they found it. It was time for me to do the right thing for my family and get a colonoscopy!

Now, I won't lie to you, the preparation was not much fun, but the procedure was nothing, and mine came out perfect. The Doctor even told my wife it was "beautiful"! Don't know about that, but for such a simple test that was covered by insurance, it was a complete no-brainer. I don't have to do it again for 10 years. If every test was this easy, this conclusive, we'd all be a lot better off.

For those that love you, be a real man and get this "behind" you (HaHa) and look forward to the things you love to do! Here's to your good health!!!

Dale