Thank Heavens it is a new week!

Ever think you wouldn’t get through a week?? There was sooo much paperwork this weekend I thought I would croak from exhaustion! You must consistently be plugging yourself and sending out pertinent information and pictures (that never seem to be quite right for ‘this particular’ occasion…so you spend an entire day getting the pictures or text ’just’ right)…and when does that leave you time to work? Your passion for your work is seriously down the tubes!

Friday I worked from 8:30 AM until 6:oo PM because I wanted to produce that elusive something in my head…of couse, my hands were cramped in a position around my tools for sooo long that even if I had wanted to work Saturday, that would have been counterproductive. Yes, I do know breaks are important but paperwork was calling. I am thrilled with what I produced, but, today as the paperwork comes to a close, am really, really moaning about it…this is my sounding board and it makes me feel so much better…thanks!

Down but not out for the count!

This has been a week of, yes, sculpting but also a week to assess where I am going to work in permanance and what with...tools I mean!  Yes money, which I am certain first came to your mind, is always a concern; most of my work has been done by hand, but, the deeper cuts now required for some of my designs mean an air compressor and their carbide tipped tools are needed.  Another big deal is studio space...I have contacted a company that, perhaps, could fashion a studio space for me here at the house.  That is my preferred space, but, (money being a factor) this week will, also,look into renting studio space and sharing with another stone sculptor.  Therefore...to be decided!!!!  The spaces for stone sculptors are at a premium...painters are lucky, give them light and they are happy.  Sculptors need good ventiation systems when grinding...cough, cough, sputter! I have decided to do more work with an air compressor and bought more carbide tipped tools to that end and an air hammer (a couple of months rent#$%!**)...I used one in Italy and it makes my job more easy!   At the moment I am working at the Ottawa School of Art downtown as even the new Shenkman Centre is not set up with a ventilation system. Spring I can work outside, well bundled up, of course!
Oh well, all is not gloom and doom...I wrote alot this week and boy my tools are gorgeous! I felt like a 'kid in a candy store' making choices!!
Today I am off to work...'Thought for the day'...Would it not be wonderful, if, we valued our artists  to the extent they never had to think of the media, studio space, shows...they just worked at their passion and made everyone's life more relevant for the culture they reflected.  Sadly, movie news and actor's lives are more important...read the newspaper's 'ARTS' section!! Artists, good artists, are giving up in droves for lack of support!  Gallery openings are rarely covered...that would be a step into the future...Canadian art for Canadians...we go outside the country and are valued, at home we are ignored...a sad statement for Canadian culture!