Day 254 - 365/2014

Day Two Hundred Fifty-Two

I am a bit overwhelmed today by two incredible things that happened.  Luckily, my good friend Terri came over tonight.  Terri provided me much appreciated temporary distraction from my overthinking of things. 

We both had artwork in the recent Detroit Artists Market Show If You Build It, They Will Come.  Alas, neither of our pieces sold during the show and since Terri lives not far from DAM, she offered to pick up Woodlee for me as well as the wonderful piece I purchased from the show.  

Woodlee is back home again!

Woodlee joins the gang.

Then and Now... by Sanda Cook.  I love this piece!

I also recently snatched up a few of Terri's delightful Mystery Acumen Oracle collages from her Etsy store The Farrago Factory.  Terri brought them with her tonight, too!  I just love all of them -- it was really hard to choose only four.  You really must visit her store via the link and grab a couple for yourself before they are all gone!

My four new Terri Light Mystery Acumen Oracle collages!  I will find the perfect spot for the group of them ASAP!

Then we went to dinner at Tuscan Cafe and talked and talked and talked and caught up on each others' news and talked and talked and talked.  Then we came back to my house so that Terri could tell me the materials she needed me to email to her so that she can make the labels and placard for me for the latest edition of my Animal People for Art-o-mat.  This has been the major thing that has been holding me up on sending them in to HQ.  I don't have the program I used to use to make my own labels and I just do not have the computer/design chops that Terri does.  She offered to do this for me and I finally said "yes, please" and now I can get back to doing the finishing touches on the collages and get them ready for their labels.  Thank You SOOOOOOO much, Terri!  (Terri promised that she would tell me when I can return the favor and help her with something that comes easily to me but hard for her.)

Day 205 - 365/2014

Day Two Hundred Five

YAY -- some actual activity to report after a few days of nothing.

This morning I dropped off Woodlee at Detroit Artists Market for the If You Build It, They Will Come.  (click the links for info)

I was greeted by Dalia Reyes, DAM's Program Manager.  Dalia and I looked over my paperwork and checked Woodlee in.  Dalia went to make me a copy of my paperwork and I looked around the DAM store area -- such wonderful artwork for sale. 

While Dalia and I were finishing up at the counter a man came over to say hello and look at Woodlee.  Dalia introduced us...it was Matt Fry, DAM's Director.  After a bit of conversation we all exchanged business cards and I was back on my way home. 

I really really like Detroit Artists Market.  It is a warm and welcoming place with a splendid array of all kinds of artwork.   I won't be able to make it to the opening for If You Build It, They Will Come but I will be going back sometime during the run of the exhibit to see all of the wondrous ways that so many artists used their five wood pieces.  I am SO excited to have the opportunity to be a part of this super clever show!

Woodlee holding onto his paperwork for me before we left.

Dalia greets us for intake at the Detroit Artists Market.

Checking Woodlee's paperwork.

Bye, Woodlee!

Woodlee, Matt Fry, Director and Dalia Reyes, Programs Manager -- Detroit Artists Market

If You Build It, They Will Come

August 1 - August 29, 2014

Detroit Artists Market

4719 Woodward Avenue

Detroit, MI  48201

(313) 832-8540

Day 198 - 365/2014

Day One Hundred Ninety-Eight

Tonight I re-stained Woodlee and his tail.  His tail is made from an old paint brush that I sanded all of the varnish and wording off of...the stain acted funny on the sanded wood, but eventually took some color and I think it matches the rest of him pretty well.  I still need to do the final 2-part epoxy to keep his tail securely in place.  

Ready to start!

Right leg re-stained, left untouched yet.

All re-stained.

Yep...all done with the re-staining...I am pretty pleased with Woodlee.

Day 196 - 365/2014

Day One Hundred Ninety-Six (updated/edited)

My sister had an accident on her bike on Saturday...she is having surgery on Wednesday.  I just now made it home (didn't make my midnight deadline).  I spent the evening with her while her husband was at work.  I am beat.  I will post this entry tomorrow...Kurt helped me assemble Woodlee today.

Post Update:  I spent a couple of hours at Joanne + Kurt's house where Kurt was doing the skilled assembly part of the process for Woodlee for me.  I originally thought that we could use long thin wood screws at the various joins for the base/legs, legs/body, body/head, and head/ears.  And I thought we could use two little screw eyes to attach the paint brush handle tail.  After working with Woodlee for a few minutes Kurt realized that little wood dowels would be better and actually follow along the theme of the project better, too.  Here are some photos of Kurt at work on Woodlee's assembly.

Woodlee set up on Joanne and Kurt's dining room table.

Bella, their dog.

Woodlee in pieces in the workshop.

Cutting the legs all to the same size on the saw.

Kurt setting up the drill press.

More set up.

Drilling the holes in the legs.

Drilling the holes in the base.

Adding the dowels instead of using screws for assembly.

The first dowel and wood glue.

The legs are attached to the base.

Putting in the dowels at the tops of the legs for the body.

I absolutely fell in love with this tool -- Kurt said it is called a cat's paw -- but to me it looks like a little goaty foot.

Awww...see?  Little cloven goaty foot.

And ta-daaaa -- Woodlee is very securely assembled...Kurt in the background returning from the basement with the surprise for the tail.

Then it was time to attach Woodlee's tail.  I had originally thought two little screw eyes would allow the tail to "wag".  Kurt liked the idea, but suggested a nail with a big head in a hole that was slightly larger than the nail was thick...which worked for me, too.  Kurt needed to go down to his basement for that and when he came back up to the workshop he had a bit of a twinkle in his eye -- he came back with a spring that could be inserted in a drilled hole and then 2-part epoxy'd to be secure -- and the tail would freely "wag" with very little effort.  SO cool!  I still need to stain the tail and add the epoxy but Kurt drilled the hole and fixed it in the tail for me.

It won't stick out this far when it is all done, but what a genius idea to use that kind of a spring to make the tail "wag"!

Woodlee in the backseat of my car for the ride home.

Thank You so much, Kurt -- I enjoyed watching you work with the tools and assembling Woodlee.  I enjoyed collaborating and tweaking my ideas.  I couldn't have done it without your help -- and the spring in the tail was pure genius!

A little while later I went to Sue's to keep her company and help her until her husband came home from work.  We had a reasonably good time watching stuff on On Demand that Sue wasn't familiar with, we ordered dinner in, we kept her mind off of her ankle and the upcoming surgery (as much as possible) and we played Yahtzee (Sue on the sofa, me in Pepper's recliner).  Fingers crossed for a successful surgery.


 

My poor sister Sue and her very badly broken ankle...being brave.