Studio Friday: Studio Sidekick

This week's topic for Friday July 21st suggested by Debbie: STUDIO SIDEKICK(S)!

"I got inspired by those lovely ladies who left comments for me on "A View from Above." My post included my puppy and I received all kinds of cool comments of artists describing their four legged companions. I'd LOVE to see pictures of all of their companions! So how about "Art Studio Sidekicks?" Originally I had "four-legged" in the title. However, I know there are not only 3-legged-once-4-legged sidekicks out there, but also all sorts of companions. I'm certain that there are artists with birds as their companions and I certainly want to see and "hear" all about them!" -Debbie

This is the story of Bandit-the-Wonderdog:

A black and white dog, mixed breed, was rescued from death row by a young woman and her significant other four years ago. They named him Bandit, and helped him settle into life with them. It was soon very apparent to them that their adorable canine companion must have suffered early trauma: he would cower and run if someone moved quickly or unexpectedly. Men in particular seemed to create a nervous and tense reaction. But Bandit became comfortable in his home, and especially enjoyed having a yard for running and playing.

There came a day that Bandit-the-Wonderdog decided he wanted to learn to fly. While having a vacation at the home of family friends, a severe storm began to brew. One of Bandit's super-powers is that he is able to sense a coming storm long before it becomes apparent to any of his human friends.

Already nervous and worried, and scared because he had been left in the apartment alone, Bandit-the-Wonderdog paced around seeking safety. Thunder rolled and lightening cracked, raising what had been sheer terror to utter insanity. An explosion rocked the world as a bolt of lightening hit an electrical transformer near the building. That was it......he could stand no more, he was going to flee from all the terrifying sounds. Taking a deep breath and using his powerful legs to propel him across the room, he took aim and flew out the window!

The friends returned home, found their home in chaos, and panicked when Bandit-the-Wonderdog was nowhere to be found. Some strange sense led them to the window.......as lightening flashed they saw what appeared to be something on the ground three floors below!

A shattered pelvis and femur. Specialists were called in from far and wide and debate ensued: "Amputate," said some. "No, we can put him back together," claimed others. His family said, "Please, do everything you can." The surgery began, and plates and rods and screws were put into place to hold the broken parts together.

A lengthy recovery followed, and Bandit-the-Wonderdog made a full recovery. Once again he enjoyed running and playing and jumping. He was happy. Then changes began to occur........nothing was the same in the house anymore: the man moved away, boxes were being packed up, and a "For Sale" sign appeared in the yard. The young woman was concerned about Bandit-the-Wonderdog..........now that the man was gone, Bandit was alone for longer and longer periods of time. He became lonely and felt lost. The young woman worried about what would happen to him when she moved........she didn't think she'd be able to take him where she was going, and even if she could he would be alone far too many hours a day. The young woman talked to her mother, and it was agreed that Bandit-the-Wonderdog would move to the mother's home.

Bandit-the-Wonderdog came into my life and home in January 2005. I was recovering from major surgery and was grateful for the companionship. My recovery process was helped along by Bandit's presence; having to take him outside several times a day pushed me to be more active. He has become far more of a companion than I had ever imagined. Although my family had dogs when I was growing up, and there were even a couple as my children were growing up, I had never experienced the real companionship of a dog.

If Bandit is not in the same room with me, he is snuggled on my bed. He has been lounging on the floor in my studio as I've been writing this. He will occasionally come and nuzzle at me, or lay his head on my leg.

I feel sad that I don't have a yard for Bandit to enjoy, but there is a school up the block with a large fenced-in field. Bandit runs the perimeter of the field, herding imaginary sheep and cows. It is so obvious at those times that he is part Border Collie. He makes me laugh when he charges full-speed at me, as if I am a stray sheep that needs to be sent back with the rest of the flock!

When Bandit runs through the field, he sometimes appears to be in flight. It's easy to imagine him sprouting wings and taking off! At those moments, he is joy in motion.

Thanks, Debbie, for prompting me to tell the story of Bandit-the-Wonderdog, my flying studio sidekick!

{SF}

Studio Friday: View From Above

This week's topic for Friday July 7th suggested by Michelle: VIEW FROM ABOVE!

"My husband and I went flying this past weekend and I had so much fun taking aerial pictures. Amazing what things you see everyday look like from above. It just got me thinking "what would my desk look like from above?" I have a feeling I would find some inspiration somewhere in there!"
-Michelle

My studio workspace. One of the best things about this topic is that it provided the motivation for me to move things away from the area so I could take the photos!

I've been in the midst of a major re-decorating project in another room; the rest of my home has become a "holding" area for all the stuff that has been temporarily removed.



The thing I noticed most, as I climbed up to the top of my stepladder, is that I found it necessary to show a "clean" workspace. Yes, I think it was important to remove the things that had collected there, but I created a bare workspace in the process. My stashes of supplies are contained in the surrounding area, but I have no work-in-progress there!

Thanks to Michelle and Tine for this challenge. The result is that I found some motivation, now that the work area is tidied up, to begin working on some of the projects that have been floating around in my head!

{SF}

Studio Friday: 7 Layer Salad

This week's topic for Friday July 7th suggested by linda: SF PLAYTIME "7 layer salad".

"... using 7 layers to produce a piece of art. Have you done anything using only circles or only triangles (squares etc.) I loved the challenge of creating with the brush in our teeth! Maybe creating only using pieces of mat board for the implement to apply paint! I do that with my students at school and they produce some really interesting things."

In the midst of repainting my bedroom, with my home in chaos, I stop and play. My 7 layer salad is:

decorative paper, gessoed to soften the image, natural muslin, a scrap of organza, twig tied with string, feathers found on yesterday morning's walk, a pressed leaf that fell from the pages of a book, iridescent gold fluid acrylic, and chestnut brown liquid chalk.

I would much rather play than paint, but I must now go paint so I can move back into my bedroom someday!

{SF}

Inspire Me Thursday: Body Parts

Hands

This week's topic at Inspire Me Thursday is Body Parts.

Aunt Diane and Clayton, August 2, 2003.
Edited in Microsoft, collaged in Picasa2.

Serendipitous Saturday

I stopped in at Rock Paper Scissors to say hi to my friend Denise where these great torsos were being made in a class. I got to make this fun little tu-tu loaded with ribbons and charms. The tu-tu is quite versitile.........it can double as a wild 'n' wacky bracelet, pony-tail holder, candle wreath, or funky tiara.

The afternoon was topped off with surprise visits from other old friends and introductions to new friends! You never know where fun will find you on a serendipitous Saturday afternoon!

Studio Friday: Time/Timing

This week's topic for Friday June 30th suggested by Jo: TIME/TIMING.

"When we are in our studios. I find that I can't be in there everyday. Particularly when I have just finished something I feel drained and need a good break. I also find that there are only certain times of the day where the juices get flowing. I'd be interested to read/see what others think."



Like Jo, I am not able to be in my studio every day, or as often as I would like. I have found that some of the best times for me are early in the morning. If I can get up two or three hours before I need to be at work, I find that time very productive and creative. Although it is by no means the crack of dawn, the neighborhood usually has not come to full life yet, and sounds are distant and muffled. When I enter my studio at those times, it is as if I have stepped into another world.....one that I have difficulty leaving when the world and other responsibilities call.

{SF}

Photo of flea market clock.