Ceiling finally finished

Three weekends later, and the ceiling is finally finished. I guess that's how long it takes when you do it by yourself. If you look close, you can see by the door on the right, the "drop ceiling" section. This was due to the ceiling being off by 3/4" towards the center. To lower that section was my only solution and set me back at least one weekend. Next weekend I plan to start the walls.

Ceiling work

I started to do my first drywall job on the ceiling this weekend. So far everything has been going pretty well. One section by the front door is 3/4" lower that the rest of the place. That was unexpected. So it looks like I will do a little creative, drop section right there. It's going to be a lot of extra work just to deal with this problem, but I am picky like that. I hope to have the rest of the ceiling done over the next weekend or two. Time is always a bugger.

Drywall is here!

Finally. I went to Lowes and purchased 56 sheets of 5/8" dryall. My father-in-law hauled it home on his trailer and my wife's cousin helped me unload it. My studio is cleaned out and I am ready to start hanging. Now I need a weekend alone, without distraction to get it started.

Electricity!

Finally I have enough electricity to run the kilns. Check out this mega box! Now I can start on doing drywall and making it look nice.

No more galleries

Well, for now I am calling it quits on the gallery scene. I have pursued it for many years now and it just isn't worth my time, effort, and money. Long distance galleries are too big of a pain because I cannot monitor them and they need monitoring. I have had too many pieces, lost, broke, stolen, not paid for, or not on the gallery floor at these places and obviously I cannot visit them often enough to fix those situations. The galleries near where I live are too "home town" like to sell work within my price range. If they could, that would be the way to go. I have found that doing shows works best for me at this point. They are a lot of work, but I make sales and it pays off in the end. Right now my focus is getting the studio ready for this summer and my first round of classes. I see that as my primary income and selling my work as secondary.

Anxious times

Well after too long, our electrician is supposed to call me on Monday and set a time up to come out and do our electric. It hasn't been his fault. It has just been a matter of finances. Once this is put in place. Then I can begin to drywall, insulate and turn on the heat and continue to work during the winter times. We had our first snow yesterday! Too early for that.

Getting Burned

I've only been burned one time by a gallery until now. A while back I dealt with a gallery in California. It never did a whole lot for me to have work there, but I like it on my resume. One time I looked up the web site just for kicks, only to find out that it no longer existed. After a while, I found out that the gallery closed. Luckily I found the former owner of the gallery and after some time, I did get a few of my pieces back. I am sure I'll never see the bigger ones that I sent.
Now I have a gallery that I have been with for many years that is not paying me for several pieces. (22 pieces to be exact) A year and a half ago, the owner agreed to buy a set of minis sculptures that retails for $1500.00. Payment was offered within a month of the purchase. A year and a half later-no payment. Not only that, but when I called the owner, and she beat around the bush about it, I was told that some pieces were broken and already given away as gifts. I asked to have another set of mini sculptures at her other gallery sent back to me. When they arrived, I was missing two pieces. I emailed her and the response was that they were either broken or stolen, but she didn't really seem to know and she would send payment for those too. Funny though a few weeks later, a guy from Philadelphia emailed me saying he liked the 2 mini pieces at that gallery in New Mexico. I sent off one last email requesting payment at the end of September. Of course I haven't been paid yet.
You may have noticed I have failed to mention the specific name of the gallery, although if you do your homework, I am sure you could figure it out.
I am always amazed at the how gallery owners come off as if they are better or more important than the artists they "represent". I have read about it in books and articles and now I have experienced it. Unless you can pull big ass sales or a lot of customers in so the gallery can make sales, your pretty much on the shit list. In fact, I think when it comes down to it, your on the shit list either way. Your basically a means to an end to the owner. The art business is like most businesses- "it's not personal, it's business". However Art is absolutely personal and it's hard for artists not to take it that way.
Here is a great link for anyone who wants to read up on how to avoid scams and rip offs. I love this guys site. Look closely, there are lots of good things here. http://www.artbusiness.com/artists.html

Peter Pugger Rocks!

At the school where I teach, mixing clay has been laborious and messy at best. We had a small Soldner clay mixer to mix and recycle our clay and that was it. I have four, high school clay classes and we go through a lot of clay. Plus high school kids are not exactly stingy when it comes to producing waste. I had clay buckets everywhere with soaking wet clay in them. I would skim off the water, dump it in the mixer, and add dry mix. It took up lots of space, the clay dust was horrible and it didn't produce the best clay in the worked either. But it's all I had to work with.
So last year, I ordered a Peter Pugger and it arrived yesterday. I went in early this morning to put it together and give it a test run. I did my homework before purchasing this and I had high expectations. I ran my first batch of clay through, de-aired it and the Peter Pugger met ever expectation I had. This thing kicks ass! I was addicted and kept mixing batches of clay all day. When I moved into this teaching position last year, there was four, fifty gallon garbage cans full of rock hard clay. I fully plan to put the pugger to the test next week by mixing up all the hard clay. Well maybe not all of it.
If you ever debated if it would be worth the money to get one, my opinion would be a definite yes.
This is the model I got with the stand. http://www.peterpugger.com/pugmill-extruder/pm-20-pugmill.html

Toss those crutches!

Well not a hundred percent yet. I did get good news from the doctor though. I can start to "one crutch it" now and go to physical therapy to ween myself off of them completely.
If you have never been on crutches before for a leg injury, there is something that goes on you might not otherwise think about. Not only was I unable to stand on one of my legs for 2 months, but I was also unable to use my hands to carry anything too. This was actually the worst part. I can hobble all day. But try not carrying things around for a week every time you walk somewhere. It sucks. I did it for 2 months. I could never imagine that for life.
I can image lots of good sculpture ideas from this experience.
My show comes down this weekend. There is a gallery next to this one and person who is in charge, emailed me asking to have a few pieces in his place. That's is very cool. I have sold a few things lately in various places too. I have at least 2 more shows lined up before Christmas and I am feeling good about my art. It comes in waves, so sooner or later this wave will hit the beach.

Getting ready

School is back in session in 2 weeks. I have been going in often to get ready. I had computer classes all day today. I have some inservice next week to attend. I actually don't mind the routine.
We finally have scraped up enough cash to get the studio properly wired up for kiln use. Of course nothing is easy and this is no exception. The house feeds the barn with the electric. The house needs new electric service. So actually the house is getting new service and some updates in order for the barn to be updated as well. I really feel this is the start to getting things finally going. Once this is done, I can drywall, insulate and be on the way to making it look good and be functional. Winter is approaching soon and I hope to be warm once it hits.

So how was the opening?

I showed up a little early to check on things. Found a few things to fix, but nothing to fret about. I was really bummed that I forgot to bring my business cards. I also forgot to bring a camera. I must of been in la la land. I was happy the way things looked. I think we arranged the pieces as best we could. Clean white walls and good lighting always makes things look so much nicer. The crowd was a little small but the ones who were there had lots of good things to say. I met some very nice people as well. I'll try and snap some pictures in the near future and get the here.
Had a doctor's visit Monday. I'm still stuck on crutches for 3 more weeks. Argghh.

Show is up

Yesterday A friend of mine came and gave me a huge hand loading and unloading my work and taking it up a flight of steps to the Heescheen Gallery. Although I hadn't planned on hanging around to help arrange the show I ended up doing so anyway. All and all, I think it looks pretty good. I wish I wasn't on the crutches. I think I could have had better work and even been able to put a little more into the show.
I never care to much to just go see art on a wall unless it really kicks ass. I am a little shallow and like to be entertained a bit too. Give me some music, or interactive stuff, something to read, anything but just work hanging there staring back at me. I kind of think this show is staring back at me a little too much. I'll get some shots at tomorrow nights opening reception and post later.

Screwed

Well here is my current situation in black and white. What a drag. Not able to do a whole lot. I have a good friend coming to load all of my work up and unload it to a gallery for a show next week since I am unable to do it myself. My dad is coming over today to mow the lawn. My house looks like shit since I am the only one who cleans it. Except for my mother-in-law who comes twice a week and cleans too.

I have been able to spend some time on the computer though and have two meetings lined up with galleries in Pittsburgh, I figured I needed to do business a little closer to home since the long distance galleries have given me a little trouble in the past.

broken hip

Saturday I was out on a 100 mile bike ride. At about mile 70, it started to rain. At mile 80, it began to thunder and lightning. As I headed home, it really began to rain hard. I was coasting into a small town about 6 miles away from home when it happened. The next description happened in real time, about 1/2 second. Mega rain splashed in my face and all over my glasses, I started to slow down and then more rain and wind blew water up, under my glasses. I hit the brakes, I am blinded and I feel the front end catch a big rut in the black top. Before I could even think, I was being body slammed into the road. It dazed me more than it hurt me. A car drifted by as I lay there. He did pull over as I walked myself to the side of the road. He asked if I was OK, and I said "yeah, I'll be alright". I let the haze clear my head and waited for the rain and lightning to let up, but it wasn't going too any time soon. I began to walk my bike and felt a soreness in my hip and decided to ride to the nearest gas station to call for a ride home rather than risk getting hit by lightning. I got to the station called for a ride and waited. When my wife showed up, my leg was really sore at that point. We went home, I changed my clothes and the girls ate lunch. I told Heather we should probably go get me checked out. Everything was calm and cool at the emergency room until the x-rays came back. Suddenly I was the life of the party. I had broken my hip and was scheduled for surgery in two hours to get 3 screws put into my hip.
So now here I sit not being able to do much of anything. Which really sucks. I went from being too busy down to being bored and fidgety already. I need to hire some people to do some work for me.

What a steal

I have re-designed my center table three times now and I know what I am going to do. A poured concrete top with old barn posts for the legs and barn slab for some trim. Now if only I could afford some old barn wood. That shit is expensive! (enter craigslist.com) I found the deal of the century. I got a trailer load of old barn slab and posts for a deal and a half. I am working on getting a big enough trailer to haul the 6 huge beams home too. I am so excited!Here is my gold mine.....

Decisions, decisions

I went to the library yesterday to get some books on interesting barn designs. I also ordered a book on pouring concrete counter tops. I saw this site http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/how-to/pouring-your-own-concrete-countertops-tutorial-by-splatgirl-073544 and decided for sure that these are the type of table tops I am going to make. There are so many cool ideas out there, that I am just not sure where to go with the overall look and what I can afford with my budget.

Shows coming up

I finally have a show coming up. It will be at the Heeschen Gallery in Meadville from August 7th -September 5th. I will be displaying work with another artist but at this point details a vague at best.
I will also be participating in another show over the winter time at the University of Saint Francis in Indiana. This will be a figurative ceramics show and looks to be a high quality show.
I've spent the last two days building a heaving duty work table for the center of the studio. I have been doing a little research on pouring concrete table tops. I'd like to make it look nice and be functional too. I am finding it hard to make a functional clay studio have the clean look that I imagined. I am thinking things over and over a hundred times before I make a move. I'll take some shots today and post them later.
Details on the way.

set backs

I met with a friend today about the plumbing and heating situation in the studio. He told me what needed to be done. It just wasn't what I wanted to hear. Basically the studio needs it's own electrical service. Right now it is wired from the house in a bad way. It also needs it's own gas line. Same situation as the electric. Both are not too expensive, but more than I have at the moment. It also sets me back with finishing off the work area.
I did manage to score some blow in insulation from craigs list for a screaming deal though. I just missed out on a bunch of drywall. I have been keeping my eyes peeled for any deals. It looks like I'll need to scrimp and be very thrify for a while.

Next step is to take another look at the finances and re-formulate a plan.

too long

Man do I need to update more often. So here is what has been happening. I have been training for my Ironman race. Well trying too anyway. I have had injury after injury. So I am a little behind to say the least. On a lot of things.
As far as the house and studio goes. Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. I cannot believe the amount of garbage just laying around here. Over the weekend, someone came with their pickup truck and we filled it with all the metal I have found lying around. Chicken wire, sheet metal, pipes, you name it. I have been trying to get rid of a big pile of cinder blocks and broken cement too. Maybe that will go this week. I finally have the lawn picked up enough so I can mow it now. All of this is free for me to do of course. I did manage to get a deal on some blow in insulation from craigslist. Now I need somedrywall to do the ceiling, then I can blow it in. The space will be at least functional at that point. Far from ideal though. In two weeks I have a heating and plumbing guy to come give me some options and prices on heating and plumbing the whole place. Once that gets done, I can wire up for kilns, drywall and paint and then I will be in business. I need to start selling some stuff to pay for this.
Patience!

New Studio Pics

I finally got some pictures of the new studio here. I did some wiring on the first floor for lights and outlets. I took down and moved a small wall by the main entrance too. The next step is to do some plumbing, then drywall and insulation in the ceiling. In general, I want to go for a light Japanese style on the inside. Something very calming and therapeutic. If all goes well, I hope to be open for "business" next spring.

FIRE!

We have been at the new place for almost 3 weeks now. I was using my way cool leaf vac cart this past weekend to suck and shred all the leaves left from last fall. There is a ton of them. I was dumping them onto a stick pile out in our field and decided to and burn them. IN the past, that never worked, but I thought the stick might help get them going. It sure as hell did. The grass in the field caught on fire and started to spread fast. I tried to put it out with a rake at first, but that was too slow. I ran and got a shovel but that was useless. By now the diameter of the flaming circle had grow quite a bit. The wind picked up and started to push the fire faster towards the neighboors complex which is seperated from the field by a nice big row of pine trees. It go to the point where I realized there was no hope. I was out of breath and had to admit defeat or watch the neighboorhood go up in flames. I had to get help. I ran back to the house and called 911. 3 fire trucks and 20 firemen arrived in 10 minutes. Just in timne to put things out. traffic was stopped in the road, neighbors came to see what was going on as I introduced myself to them. talk about embarassing. In the end, no one was hurt and half of our field is now black. And I know my neighbors now.

Finally arrived

We are finally moved into our new place. I just got our computers up and running yesterday. I was out in the new studio tonight rearranging things. There is so much space and so many possibilities. I will be taking some pictures soon to post here. Stay tuned.

sad news

I used to teach elementary school for eight years until this current year. The last four years while I was teaching K-5 I got to know a boy named Nick. Since kindergarten, Nick battled neuroblastoma. In case you don't know, this is a form of cancer that mainly affects kids. When I transfered to my new school this year, Nick was going into 5th grade. Last night around 11:00, Nick lost his battle with cancer.
I can't imagine.

On the move

Well one more inpsection to go, some paper work and we are on the move. The scheduled closing date is Feb 16th. Yahoo. I hate to count my chickens......but if all goes well, then the new studio will be mine ha ha ha ha! (evil laugh)

Sold!

Just a few hours after my last post, our realtor called us to say we have a buyer. We'll start going through paper work tomorrow and the mayhem will begin. The tentative date for moving is Feb 16th. Now that the reality of it sets in, it's funny how my priorities have changed about the studio. I know it will be a reality soon, so now I can't wait to get it rolling. Maybe I'll be ready for a few trial classes by the end of summer??

New work

Finally, I updated the web site with some new work. It is always tough to find the time to do that. Taking pictures and working on the images to get them posted on line takes many hours. It's not worth the hassle if I only have 3 or four thins done. So it's this game of making enough work and breaking up the rhythm to stop and shoot pictures, measure everything, price them out, edit images, post on line, etc.....
Anyway. We are inches away from possibly selling our house. I hate to count our chickens before they are hatched, but I do have hopes on this deal. If it all works out, we would be moving into our new home around March. Even if it doesn't work out, I planned on getting the studio whipped into shape next winter and being ready to offer a teaching studio situation by 2010. My fingers are crossed.