Been a while since I last jotted something down here. The end of the year came to a quick close. I hope is was as good for you as it was for me.
Anyway, have a great one!
Cheers,
Paul
I had a post here for August and I seem to have deleted it. I think the gist of it had to do with my 2 and a half week stay at the Penland School in North Carolina.
I went there to attend a class they were giving on lighting entitled: Beyond Neon. I have a project that I intend to finish now that I have taken the class that I needed a light source for. I thought a neon type light would be perfect for that application.
My first rendering of ANYTHING. Rhinocerous has a Mac beta version that I have been using. Very cool stuff and way more user friendly then AutoCAD.
Anyway, I digress. The class was a great experience. It wasn’t cool enough that it was in Penland NC, but it had some really cool instructors and teaching assistants. The students also added some very interesting ideas to the class and presented some cool challenges that were solved by the staff.
Wayne Strattman giving a class demo on borosilicate tubing work.
Wayne was one of the teachers and is a world renown high voltage lighting expert. His glass working skills are pretty incredible. He gave a lot to the class in the way of time and personal knowledge. He really helped those that were interested in pushing the ideas they had.
One of the great things about Penland is the fact that you are able to really immerse yourself in the art environment. Next door to our studio was the hot glass studio and those guys were doing some really great work.
Pouring molten glass in the Hot Glass studio.
David Wilson is a Penland area artist and electrical engineer. He was a very hands on instructor and gave a lot in the way of personal time, equipment, experience and ability. He took the time out to give each student a session in the hot shop blowing a glass object.
David Wilson doing his thing. Julie Kumar looks on. Julie is probably one of the most talented three dimensional artists I have met. She was constantly challenging the instructors with her ideas.
David Wilson also was instrumental in getting everyone to participate in the class projects and Renegade Neon projects.
David mounting student tubes in the class sculpture.
Student Mary Sue and visiting artist Ken, sewing student project in the weaving studio.
The student project during the day.
Glass sculpture on the knoll at night.
The TA’s during our session were the best. David Smith came to set up the shop and did some great demos on neon work. He was also able to spot problems we were having with the borosilicate work and knew just how to help us overcome them.
David Smith demoing in the Neon shop.
Chris Coyle, another area artist practitioner of Neon, was up early and stayed late everyday making sure the tubes were right. She gave so much of her time and knowledge. I probably would have had a difficult time getting through there without her being around.
Last morning at Penland
Wow, I can’t say enough about this month already. I had one of my hooks featured on the daily ETSY feature. Woooooohooooo. I didn’t even know it until I realized that my site on ETSY had been hit over two hundred times in a short period of time. Also, a very kind ETSY person let me know too.
I sold some of my hooks.
My little buddies waiting to be packed for delivery.
These are just one of those things that I really love. I’m so glad I put them on ETSY. They make me pretty happy. That might be weird but that’s how I feel. I think that if I were to mount a bunch on a wall, anywhere, they’d be cool with or without stuff on them.
Strange, when I start thinking about doing other things, stuff falls in my lap. Not sure what it all means, but I’m having a great time.
Cheers,
Paul
Just wanted to take a second the say thanks to everyone that came by and showed support for what we’re doing. We had a great show opening last night at REX Art and man those mojito’s were great! Met a bunch of great people and caught up with some old friends.
Cheers,
Paul
June has been sliding by.
Was in New York at the end of May, helping a friend do an install. We were in Larchmont. That area and the surrounding areas, Mamaroneck and White Plains are prolly some of the most beautiful areas to be in during the late spring. Miami was HOT and HUMID, up there it was still cool, lush and green.
Driving through Larchmont.
Rick, Damiano and Carlos -Seti mockup
We were up there doing a mock up in a warehouse for a Park Ave hotel/condo. Crazy millwork and cabinetry to install. Loads of wood paneling and walls to straighten. Rick will send some picks of the finished product.
Next up was the Furniture Society’s annual conference in Boone NC at Appalachian State University. I didn’t know what to expect but had a great time commuting from Little Switzerland over to Boone each day. I didn’t get a lot of pictures but did learn a bunch.
Steel sculpture on the Campus of Ap State.
Chairs at Bernhardt Furniture Factory
Went on a tour of the Bernhardt Furniture factory. They do beautiful stuff but could learn a thing or two about “Lean Manufacturing“
Also went to Hickory Chair. These guys do know a thing or ten about “Lean Manufacturing“
One of the interesting demos was by Paul Henry. He did a great demo involving horse hide glue and hammer veneering. I grabbed this shot off the Furniture Society’s facebook page. I figured it was OK since I’m in the shot looking like I just took a dump.
Paul watching Paul hammer veneer
All in all the Conference was a learning experience. I did learn that you should make friends asap if you want to stay abreast of what cool things are going on. I also learned that if you don’t get a ticket early to the auction, it don’t matter if you donated a piece or not, you still ain’t getting in. Also, if you’re going in order to meet people, go to the frigging parties, especially the closing party.
That brings me to International Surfing Day.
Here’s some information about the concept and spirit of International Surfing Day:
1. WHY IS INTERNATIONAL SURFING DAY ON JUNE 20?
* June 20th is the Summer solstice (the longest day of summer) for the Northern Hemisphere. It is with ISD tradition that we pick the Summer solstice as the date we kick off our celebrations!
2. WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL SURFING DAY?
* International Surfing Day is an annual worldwide celebration of surfing. A day to give thanks and go surfing, ISD organizers aim to raise awareness of the state of our oceans, waves and beaches and help protect and preserve these recreation areas. This year, Surfrider Foundation and industry friends and partners will commemorate the day by hosting events around the world, ranging from beach clean-ups to concerts and film showings.
It was a great time!
Sunset and Miami Beach and 79th Street.
Cheers and stop back soon.
Paul
Jerry Blohm came by tonight. He’d been at the studio today while the first of the two commercials was getting shot. He told me he’d posted some stuff on his site.
Anyway, I guess in the world of film, getting in the door can be a tricky thing. I feel rather fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with the guys I did last week. Rarely have I worked with such a good natured bunch of great guys.
Paul(Rex), Mark, Dave, Jerry, Paul, Paul and (bending) Roger. Can you see the one that doesn’t belong??
Last weekend I hit Art Basel and spent the weekend pretty much on South Beach.
Monday I started helping work on a set for a commercial. I’ve been helping out with the crew that is building it. It’s been daily getting up at 4:30 to getting home after 6 at night.
I’m not a set guy, but it’s been quite an interesting experience. Today we moved the set to the Greenwich Studios, an old studio that I guess could be likened to something like a tiny Hollywood studio.Building a set for a commercial is pretty complicated. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to do it for a larger production. Some of the carpenters and scenics (completely high octane painters) I’ve been helping have worked on films like Meet Joe Black and the Titanic. Everyday has been something new.
Anyway, thats the reason for the lack of updates on progress and studio happenings. I’ll probably be working through this weekend too as shooting starts Monday or Tuesday.
I might take some pictures tomorrow at the studio.
Have a great weekend,
Cheers
Today and yesterday I went to Art Basel on Miami Beach. I was helping my friend Marcus Haugg again with a photo shoot of an installation. I had fun and I am now part of the “Press.”
Marcus was making something look way better then it actually did in real life. The finals were pretty amazing.
On the way to Basel for the third time in two days, I noticed this building being constructed close by. I’d noticed it before but for some reason it really caught my eye the third time. I think it must have been the light, because the red, which I don’t normally see was really bright. Maybe because it looked more yellow.
Well hope you are having a great weekend.
Cheers,
Paul
I’ve been trying to change the look of the site a little. I’ve moved some things around and soon I’ll be updating the portfolio. I’ve added a gif to the front page to try to draw people in. I want this place to feel like I do and the reflect how I want people to feel about my stuff.
I think I’ve spent to much effort looking at where I’ve come from and not enough time looking towards where I’m headed. So, I’m changing direction and heading north so to speak. Look for updates early next week. My son is going to be in town so maybe he’ll be able to give me a little more inspiration.
Cheers,
Paul
Today I went with Tee (first day of school was canceled due to weather) and we checked on the boat at the marina. As we were leaving, we spotted the remains of several hundred natural “Sponge Bobs” on the back of a local fishing boat. Not sure what the old cuban gentleman was doing, trying to find safe harbor or getting ready to unload.
Hope all are safe and secure during the crazy weather.
