SALLY’S NOTEBOOK

Big Dog; Chihuahua

Sun, 4 Dec 2011 13:05:48 -0600

Once again I have a piece touring with the Society Of Animal Artists National showing. I am so proud of my Big Dog series, even though I only have one done in it. I intend on doing several more next year. I DO have them planned, just not executed. I love doing them in sections. I seem to be drawn to having the ears be the detachable part.
Since this was “out of the box”, I was very surprised it was chosen. It is actually done on cradled scratchboaed so it sticks out 2 inches from the wall. I am loving these cradles boxes. In some instances I have used them as “sculpture” and made them into standing artwork. Watch for more of this from me, like my Meercat Village.

Big Dog will tour as follows:

The Wildlife Experience
Parker, CO
November 19, 2011 - February 19th, 2012

Dunnegan Gallery of Art
Bolivar, MO
March 15, 2012 - April 15th, 2012

Milwaukee Public Museum
Milwaukee,WI
May 26th - September 3rd, 2012
Hope you can catch it!

The fish are here!!!

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:19:52 -0500

Finally, after they forgot to get our fish ordered for the Memorial day delivery, Parks and Wildlife had our first batch of inhabitants ready for delivery.

With the lake 1/3 full (as of that date) we were ready to put the forage fish types in, to grow and multiply before we do our second and third stockings. It will be a while before we are pulling 5 lb/ Bass out of the lake, but it is exciting, nevertheless.

We are feeding them, but there are so many bugs that walk the surface of the lake for them to eat, they do not go into a feeding frenzy when we do. They have made their nest holes and are guarding them, waiting for their prince to come and help they make lots of baby fish. The lake has gone down with the drought, but the seal on the bottom is holding well and we still have about 5 to 6 feet in depth. If it holds through this drought, it should hold through any, since we were not even close to full when it started.

Illinois Visit with all the Grandkids

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 10:40:10 -0500

After our flight was canceled, at least before we had left for the airport, Zoe and I had to figure out something to do for another day. What a bummer. She was ready to get home and see friends, and I was ready to get away from the heat.
Once we got there, I relished the lush surroundings. Megan’s Garden was in full bloom, and everything was GREEN, not brown. It was in the 80’s not the 100’s but is was also very humid, so I had great trouble breathing. I had a complication from the surgery called pleural effusion, and it effected my lungs,so I did not spend a great deal of time outside anyway.

We celebrated Fathers Day at Megan’s, so I got to see Jordan and how tall he was compared to Chad already at 15 years old.

Jake and Timmy entertained, with Jake literally climbing the walls for me. Their new motorbike was a real good fight starter and show off opportunity.

The only ones who really cooled it and relaxed were Puppy and Itty Bitty Kitty. The visit was short, but we return for Christmas this year and that will be here way too soon.

Zoe’s Vacation From The Parents

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

It was Zoe’s turn to come to her Grandparents home in Texas for a week all by herself. Her dad, our son Chad, brought her down and stayed a few days himself.
Zoe and I then played.
She got to take mosaic lessons from her great aunt Stephanie and made a wonderful picture frame into which we put a photo of her dad and herself by the big Bevo at the student co-op on the UT campus. Chad had to take her there although she has her eye set on Harvard Law. We ran into the “ROT” rally when we were in Austin.....bikers celebrating the Republic of Texas. Toured the sixth street area of downtown and looked at all of the fancy motorcycles and fancy people. Chad was already set to get a new tattoo to celebrate his own new beginning, but this really inspired hi,. I designed it for him over the next few weeks.

Zoe and I joined auntie Leah back in Austin for one day and went to the botanical gardens at Zilker park. When they had their garden in Illinois, Zoe tended it and caught the growing bug. She loved the different types of gardens, took lots of photos and we all loved the escape from the heat in the cool shade. Little did we know that this was just the beginning of the major heat wave/drought.

A lot of time was spent just relaxing, reading and especially driving the mule. What a treat for a 12 year old, to be allowed to drive and go anywhere on the ranch all by yourself.

We did manage to get a day in grandma’s new studio, and Zoe left with a great scratchboard drawing of Floppy, her long-eared bunny rabbit. It made a great Father’s Day gift for her dad, when we returned to Illinois.

Studio and Life update

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:53:54 -0500

We started the move into my new studio in early March, right after they released me from the hospital. I really did not know how to tell everyone, but I had open Heart Surgery March 6th. A 3 year old stint had collapsed to 90% and I was in great distress. They sure do not tell you a lot about recovery from this surgery, but I am fortunate to have a wonderful spouse, who did all he could to help me recover. I felt like I had been run over by a freight train, and looked like it too.
George was great helping me at my bedside, and figuring meals. He had to do double time, due to us having to vacate my old studio space in our downtown location by April 1st, for a new renter. Luckily I had boxed and packed most everything into my old trailer, so we could just pull it to the new location. Big furniture was tricky, but friends helped. I have been slowly unpacking everything and putting stuff into it’s new home. A few tweaks and I will be done with the inside, ready to go into production. Stamina is my biggest problem, other than now being able to lift anything heavy. Trying to remember I have just had major surgery is another, cause my head says I feel alright. They tell me it will be almost a year before I am 100%. I already feel so much better than when I first came home, and in some areas even better than just before I went in.
All that remains to be done on the studio is the wrap around decking and driveways. We will be putting gravel pathways through the woods and walk lighting as well as feeders for the critters, too. I shudder to think how close I came to not being able to see my dream of the studio and the Africa trip come true. I had had a feeling of impending doom for a few weeks before my incident, perhaps my own body’s warning. Listen to you bodies. They DO speak to us, we just have to relax and listen instinctually.
I will post other photos of the studio when it is all done, soon. Actually I think the timing on all of this was great, in that I am growing to love my new digs, and will have everything organized, old stuff thrown out or given away, before I begin production from my new drawing board!

Lake George

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:23:45 -0500

The rains finally came to central Texas after a very bad drought. We blame it on digging the hole.....George couldn’t wait to get a boat in the water and explore it. He dragged the aluminum boat across the pasture behind our mule so fast I couldn’t get a photo of it, so here it is, ready for the launch.
He coaxed me to join him after I made him promise to be nice and not drown me. We explored great inlets and future rope jumping trees over the deep water.
This is how high the water will be when we get more rain. We are about 1/3 full and ready for stocking with bluegills.

Once he got me in the boat, I remembered how serene it is to be on calm water. We have a lot of clearing to do of overhanging trees and a floating dock to put in. More projects!

The view up to the studio still needs more clearing and refinement. The deck will add a lot as well.

Meanwhile, we brought our old porch swing out to a perfect oak tree for our evening swing with our glass of wine.

The view is terrific. On my first swing, I saw our pair of Flickers come in to a dying pine tree across the lake. They were followed by our 2 pairs of Whistling Tree Ducks, who always circle at least 3 times before landing on the shore close to the water. 4 of our female deer came up to the corn feeder soon after that. It is becoming the refuge I wanted. I observed a flock of Cedar Waxwings pillaging the
berries still left on the bushes the following morning.

As we left the boat on the shoreline, I noticed the footprints we left in the muck. (as opposed to the sand) Not as poetic as the poem, but you will observe we are not even going the same direction!

One (Wo) man show, The Gallery at Round Top

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:00:42 -0500

A wonderful turnout for our Animal Magnetism show this spring put smiles on Linda, Sally and Karen’s faces. The show was extremely well hung by Kenny, even though he was still suffering a shoulder injury.
The great snack spread was devoured by everyone and several pieces of art found new homes that very evening.
George enjoyed telling everyone how the pieces evolved.

The Florida Keys

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:21:41 -0500

A long afternoon drive through horse country and orange groves, bypassing Miami, brought us to the Florida Keys. Another hunting buddy, Barry Meyer, resides there. He is the owner of Magic Charters out of Marathon. We were greeted by this wonderful Iguana and many other lizards, which will make their way into my stuff. After a phenomenal dinner we hit the hay for an early rise and the crystal clear waters of the Keys. The Texas Gulf coast never looks this wonderful. Fishing is totally different here. Barry stands on a platform and poles the boat around, stopping when he sees a school of fish and guiding the fisherman where to cast his bait. George hooked up on a tarpon, but it broke free, as did the pompano he hooked. We saw barracuda and plenty of bait fish as well as coral and sponges. Well worth the trip, but next time I will bring an underwater camera. Meanwhile, I took plenty of photos of birds in flight, mangrove groves with their long legs, and we found an osprey nest and Mr. osprey visited it.
When we wrapped up our day on the water, we headed to Naples, Florida, where I had a show. We had to drive across Alligator Alley and there were plenty of photo opportunities.Great Gators, many, many birds but no panthers made an appearance.
I am so looking forward to returning to Florida next February, maybe to do 2 shows and use the time in between to fish and photograph. The people of Naples know their Fine Art, and are not afraid to invest. I have heard Bonita Springs is the same.

Traveling to Florida

Fri, 6 Mar 2009 10:02:24 -0600

George and I took a little extra time on our trip to Naples Florida to do an art show. This is one of the perks of the job. The first night we stayed about half way to Orlando, just happened to be Beloxi MS, and have a bunch of casinos on the beautiful clean gulf coast line ! We played, I won and stopped. George won, then lost it all. And so it goes.
We stopped in Orlando to visit Mark Gamble and the lovely Carol at their house, which is in the process of being remodeled. Mark and George and I hunted together in Old Mexico for years, so this was a treat to see his territory. He stayed with us after flying in each time, so knew our home well.
Mark had just completed a huge spec. house in WInter Park and has it up on the market. Lots of imported marble and wonderful wood were used. Check out these photos. I would have loved to just live in the guest quarters!

Of course it is gated....

Has an out door bar and grill near the pool and hot tub.

The indoor kitchen has every new appliance including a microwave drawer...

The killer is the garage. It would not stay like this for long around my place

We moved on down the coast after this to Barry’s place in the Keys.

Dallas Safari Club Show

Fri, 6 Mar 2009 06:48:57 -0600

What a great show to start the year with. No one knew what the turn out would be and what mood the crowds would be in, but we found them to be very receptive. The “Big 5, Out Of Africa” piece found a home as did many prints of it. The big gorilla made quite an entrance. We signed up for four booth spaces next year in order to have a room with works outside as well as inside. Leah, our daughter, helped us with the show this year, and will next year as well. We might even have Megan fly in from Chicago to help! I was the high bidder for a photo safari in South Africa, so we will go in late August