Searching for inspirado

Posted May 27, 2009 by Tina
Categories: inspiration, photography
Tags: , , , , , ,

That’s what I’ve been doing.  Which in my world means that I’m waiting for a good idea to hit me. I took several pictures while in Chicago the last couple of weekends.  The question is whether any of these

almost-ideas will amount to anything.

These reminded me of the DC star. Maybe a series someday?

These remind me of the DC star. Maybe a series someday?

Windows from the bar where we ate some dinner.

Windows from the bar where we ate some dinner.

Last weekend we were in the suburbs.  We toured Frank Lloyd Wright‘s home and studio.  We also wandered around Oak Park looking at some of Wright’s prairie inspired architecture.  The art glass is my current hope for inspirado.  I even purchased a book about it.

The studio and home

The studio and home

Arthur Heurtley House

Arthur Heurtley House

Unity Temple

Unity Temple

Light fixture from Unity Temple

Light fixture from Unity Temple

My apologies to Frank LLoyd Wright. My photography doesn’t do justice to his work.

Comments: 2 Comments

Hoagy Carmichael

Posted May 14, 2009 by Tina
Categories: around Bloomington, photography
Tags: , , , , , ,

One of my ongoing projects is taking pictures of Hoagy Carmichael.  Yes, I realize he died in 1981, but a statue of him was placed near the stage door of IU Auditorium last fall.  He’s very popular.  People like to leave him things.  I like to think they are offerings to a legend as a way to ensure a good show for those about to perform.  I plan to take pictures of as many of these items that I can.

Hoagy see Showalter

Hoagy sees Showalter Fountain

From the Dedication

From the Dedication

Hoagy in his new spot

Hoagy in his new spot

Winter Hoagy

Winter Hoagy

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Comments: 3 Comments

What’s next?

Posted May 10, 2009 by Tina
Categories: musical instruments, stained woods
Tags: , , , , ,

As you may know, I’m between projects.  While I clean up my mess, I’m wondering what to work on next.  Can you help me decide?

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The RBS base is done!

Posted May 3, 2009 by Tina
Categories: rolling ball sculpture, stained woods
Tags: , , , ,

At least the tung oil portion is dry.  I’m leaving it up to Tom to put it all together.  If you don’t have any idea what RBS means check back here.  (Make sure you click around to see pics of work in progress.)

Finished with tung oil

The final work w/o the RBS

One view

One side

Another view

This might be my favorite angle

End point

The ending

More pics, more pics….

Last spiral

Last spiral from above

Another angle

Both circles and some wood grain

Looking back to the end point

What do you think?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Comments: 11 Comments

Tung oil down time

Posted April 28, 2009 by Tina
Categories: rolling ball sculpture, stained woods
Tags: , , , , , ,

There’s not too much to report about the rolling ball sculpture base.  I’m working on finishing it with tung oil, which takes anywhere from four to twelve hours to dry.  It’s a bit like watching paint dry, only it takes longer.  Especially since I’ll probably end up with five or six coats on each side. To fill the time, I’ve researched tung oil on YouTube.  Yes, there are videos about tung oil.  And, this one is right up my alley.

Oh, and stencil practice.  Yes, I’m still trying to work out the ideal way for me to make stencils that work with wood and stain.  Here’s what I’ve been working on, and it looks like this idea has potential.  Now, I just need to practice my X-Acto work.

Stencil work

Stencil practice

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Finishing the RBS base

Posted April 23, 2009 by Tina
Categories: rolling ball sculpture, stained woods
Tags: , , , ,

Yes, it’s finally time to finish the base.  Sanding:  done.  Stain:  done.  Touch-up:  done.  Now it’s time for the tung oil, which is mostly about drying time, anyway.  I’ve noticed that I kept simplifying the design.  Some ideas didn’t even make it on paper.  My husband mentioned that the base is rather different than my other pieces.  I explained (and showed) him that I didn’t want to compete with the sculpture, and once the marbles start moving there will be plenty of action.  I think he agrees.  Here’s a sneak peak:

Done staining

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Last week in pictures

Posted April 21, 2009 by Tina
Categories: photography
Tags: , , , ,

The third week in April was very busy, and had me going many places with my camera.  I thought I’d show it to you, starting with the drive down to Evansville through small towns.

I like any place with a "Live bait" sign.

I like any place with a "Live bait" sign.


Just up the street from Liquor & Live Bait.

Just up the street from Liquor & Live Bait.


I'll have to return when it's dark.

I'll have to return when it's dark.

Back in Bloomington:

Me, stalking the cat stalking the bunny.

Me, stalking the cat stalking the bunny.

Don’t worry, everything turned out fine.

The rest of the week involved me finishing the stain portion of the RBS base, and starting a Flickr account.  I joined the group “Fun with Plastic” to share pics from my plastic Diana camera.

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It’s all about the circles

Posted April 13, 2009 by Tina
Categories: rolling ball sculpture, stained woods
Tags: , , , ,

It’s time for the circles.  I’ve had a love/hate relationship with them over the years.  No matter how hard I try, I can’t get the masking tape to form a circle. Doing them free hand just doesn’t leave the nice, crisp edge that I like.

I’ve tried many different ways to get them right.  The latest attempt was using a stencil film to cut out the circle, then with some Krylon Easy-Tack set it on the wood and stained away.  Circle fail!  Or, maybe it’s stencil fail.  As, you can see.

I know, I didn’t manage to cut the stencil film very well, but I still don’t think that would have helped the process.  Doese anyone have any ideas?  I’m going to try one more idea, but I don’t really think it will work.  So, does anyone out there have any inspiration to share? Please, let me know.

Comments: 4 Comments

RBS progress

Posted April 8, 2009 by Tina
Categories: art, rolling ball sculpture, stained woods
Tags: , , , ,

Transfer paper is a good thing.

Transfer paper is a good thing.

Yes, there’s been some activity on the rolling ball sculpture base! I have a lovely piece of maple that I spent what seems like years sanding. (And, I STILL might have to do more!) I even worked on a bit of extra maple for stain samples, but didn’t finish it because I couldn’t wait to get started on the real thing. I had a heck of a time transferring the drawing to the actual wood.  The reason, I finally discovered was that I had altered a couple of angles while working on the pine mock-up.  And, since that piece wasn’t large enough for the design in the first place, I was rather confused last night.

Color #2

Stain: Antique Maple

Stains: Chestnut and Brazilian Rosewood

Stains: Chestnut and Brazilian Rosewood

Things are looking better.

Comments: 2 Comments

Handmade violin makes debut

Posted April 3, 2009 by Tina
Categories: art, musical instruments
Tags: , , , , ,

This is a video from 2008 of my Uncle Gene (who made the violin) playing it.  This was the first time he had seen our combined efforts in person. I think you’ll recognize the song…

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