Scorpio

Fun fact: Many Scorpios were conceived on Valentine's Day.

Cool Views of the Crane Courtyard

This image pretty much describes the past, oh I don't know, SIX months!!! I took this about a month ago but as I sit here writing it's pouring rain again. At least it made good light for photographing some of the beautiful plants in the Crane Arts courtyard. I believe Nicholas Kripal does the garden. I know that's his sculpture a few photos down.

October Studio Expanded Version

I cleaned and organized for a studio visit. Some new works some older. Well, actually, everything is new except the double spiral in the top image.

Dog Considers Art

Dog looks at art.


Dog considers the work.


Dog admits skeptical attitude toward the work.

Like-New Car

I was going to go to my studio today. In fact I was on my way. But my car is shuddering at low speeds, a special new trick it just picked up yesterday. So, not wanting to be stuck on 95 somewhere around Philly, say the bridge for example, I decided to do something about my car. It needs an inspection sticker anyway. Why not today?

The mechanic just called. That sticker is going to cost me new front breaks- pads & rotors, TWO oxygen sensors, and THREE new windshield wipers. All in all my inspection sticker is going to cost me over a thousand dollars.

The good news is that I spent a thousand dollars on my car in July fixing the rear breaks etc, shocks, something to do with springs or pistons or something mechanical and the engine, and getting all new tires.

Matt tried to tell me that our cars were going to need more, that it was going to get WORSE every year. I said “Well, at a certain point we’ll have replaced everything inside and it will be like having a brand new car.” And he said, “Yeah. That’s how it works.” And I have to say, he seemed to have a hint of sarcasm in his voice when he said that.

October Studio

Here's a sneak peek at what I'm working on in the studio. Or rather what I was working on before a special someone's illness trapped me at home. I am almost done with it though. Just another day or two of endless stapling.

The Black Box

I'll be honest. I've gotten sucked into the TV and I can't get back out. I'm using it for escapism. I know this. But sometimes I suspect it's using me. I suspect maybe my interaction with the TV is not voluntary. I frequently resolve to stop watching it. But before the resolution is fully formed in my mind I'm already thinking of what I'll watch next. Then the pressure and stress -the anxiety- of failure starts to press down on my mind. I know this can only be relieved by a few hours of TV. It's a vicious circle. The DVR is my accomplice. I used to quit watching when there was "nothing " on. Now I can reserve interesting things all night long, though sadly only two shows can save at once. This cause marital strife the other night when I wouldn’t let Matt watch the Phillies game. Not because I was watching TV, but because two important shows, hmm I think Vampire Diaries and Mentalist, were taping and could NOT be disturbed. I know that this is disturbed, that I am disturbed, but I NEED these shows. And then I found out that I am not alone. Paging through Art Forum and what do I see?? An article on Tru Blood. I think I’ll read it when my next show ends.

Book Fair

BYOTY Book Fair Tomorrow

A sneak peek at a few of my book covers. Come to the book fair Saturday from 12-6 at Little Berlin Gallery in Philadelphia.

Where have all the days gone?

I don't really know where September went. Or the first half of October. I remember August though. I was in Arizona making drawings and having a great time. Ah freedom. Right now I'm working on making little books for the BYOTY Book Fair at Little Berlin gallery. It's so much fun to make books. I love my printer. And my stapler. And most days my mat cutter. Sometime before the book fair on Sat I have to make a web page for my books. When I do I'll share the link. If you are in Philadelphia this Saturday stop by Little Berlin and check it out.

From the Studio

Latch Hook

My posting has been very slow lately but so have many of the other blogs I regularly read. I'm thinking something must be in the air. Or maybe everyone is just trying to get by. I'm working on making some books for Little Berlin's B.Y.O.T.Y. Book Fair. In fact I'm working on a book with my latch hook rugs one of which you see above. It occurs to me that I'm not posting lately because I can't write a coherent sentence. This will hopefully not impact my book making. Ha. But anyway, I made a series of 5 self portrait latch hook rugs a couple years ago. I can't help really loving them. In fact this is making want to make more. Or maybe it's because the hair dresser just gave me the same haircut I had when I was 6. Or maybe it's because I perversely like to make things no one else could possibly want. hehe.