It's Monster Time

Somewhere in my mind I have this idea that I will create something every day. This is to be on top of my normal painting schedule and other life responsibilities. I have a hard time thinking that I can't do it all. So far, I don't think I am winning.

We have a picture window in our living room that was just begging to be something. A big scary something. A big scary Halloweeny something.

I used cardboard, acrylic paint and glue to make the window monster. The eyes are tissue paper stretched over cut out circles with lights behind them so they glow in the dark.

Ooooo scary.

Be good,
Scott

The Autumn Leaves

This past weekend we celebrated Homecoming Sunday at my church, the Magnolia UCC. It was a chance for anyone who has ever had any connection to the church to come together and connect, and in some cases reconnect.

I wanted to create something celebratory in the sanctuary. I knew that the service would be focused on the 'great cloud of witness' from the reading in Hebrews. But, I also wanted to highlight community and autumn. Recently, a tree that had shaded the stained-glass windows in the front of the church had been removed.
This meant that they would have a stronger impact then they had been having in the space. I wanted to respect that, too.

I was inspired by a banner that read "I am the vine, you are the branches".

I used 8" ribbon segments and tied them around a couple of pear tree branches to represent the leaves - and the members of the community.

The colors were dictated by the stained glass windows. I graduated the color of the ribbons, starting with red at the tips of the branches moving to orange, yellow, chartreuse and ending with green at the base. This echoes the changing leaves of the trees outside.

The 'falling' leaves are taped to the wall as well as hanging from wire from the branches to add another dimension. They represent the "great cloud of witnesses", those members that have gone before us.

The effect of these branches ended up being very simple visually and, yet, they were able to embrace all of the concepts I had set forth.

I like this idea so much I think I will do something at home like this. It can be done in colors to match any room or occasion. It could be interesting to do a branch all in black or purple for Halloween. Or all white or silver for Christmas or winter. Be inspired, be good,
Scott

Everything old is new again

This past fall as I was cooling down from one of my morning runs, I came across 'free stuff'. You know, the pile of stuff by the side of the road with the handmade sign saying 'FREE'. One of the houses in the neighborhood was being renovated and each day something new, rather old, was put out for the taking. This particular day I found a piece of furniture that had been a built-in desk. I liked it but couldn't really justify taking it. What was I going to do with it?
But, that afternoon I was still thinking about it. So, I got into my car and loaded it into the trunk.
It had sat in the garage for the last 5 months, in pieces.

I finally decided to tackle it. My friend Elynne had sent me an electric fireplace insert, which I ahd used as a heater, but it lacked character. The desk would become the new home for the fireplace insert.

After getting the desk back together, I still had a bit of work to box in the sides, build a 'hearth', make an inner frame and paint it, antique it (there was no way it was going to ever look new and fresh) and wax it.
It turned out beautifully.I used the scalloping of the leg and drawer shapes to dictate the design. I selected a print of one of my paintings that has similar shapes and covered the inset frame with it. I was even able to maintain a working drawer.
Be good,
Scott

More different

omething undesirable is 'ishy', it is customary to end a sentence with 'then' and if you are unsure of something, well, it is 'interesting'. To say "That's interesting" is one of the many ways that 'Minnesota nice' plays out. Even though it can be read as 'I don't really like it', most of the time it means 'Give me a little time to adjust'. It is an opening, an openness (ever so slight) to something different.

As I invite you to experience different by breaking your routine, or setting an inspiration date, my hope is that you can see things as 'interesting'. Interesting in the slightly open sense. Just give yourself permission to be open. Let your openness be the lens through which you see and experience.

That's it. Let me know how it goes. I love hearing your stories of inspiration.

Be good, then.
Scott