Redwood Coast Creative Arts

The Cabin of Curiosities gets a "Clean Sweep"!

Spring Cleaning arrived early this year.  Here is what I am working on.  Clearing out the clutter in The Cabin of Curiosities and making room for a new jig saw, drill press, and kiln.

Please beware, the following content is not suitable for all audiences.  If you experience dizziness, nausea, or a sense of overwhelming despair, don't say that I didn't warn you!!!!

The Workbench

Handmade, natural soap blocks curing on the workbench.

Little ball of soft soap pushed into one of my original faces.

The book shelves.  All of the open space on the bookshelves was full.  I have already purged a couple of boxes of books.   Notice the broken shelving.  I may get new vshelving units or I may just mount brackets and boards onto the walls.  I am not sure yet.  All I know is, this has got to go!  Absolutely unacceptable!!!!

Fabric stash (which has been cut down to about a fifth of what it once was!)  Folding tables and repurposeable lumber in the corner.  This is where the built in for the kilns, jig saw, and drill press will go.

Left side loft: luggage, seasonal linens, travel crates and cages for dogs birds and just about any other animal, pool toys, and camping gear.

Right side loft: holiday and seasonal decor, crystal, china, and other kitchenware that doesn't fit into my ridiculously small kitchen, and gift wrap.

Now this is where it gets really embarrasing but, apparently, that is the only thing that gets me off of my ass and makes me get it done!  There are lots of empty boxes, bags of bubble wrap, boxes of paper "ephemera" and other fodder for mixed-media artwork.  Some of it is going to have to go!!!  Here is a clutter close-up of all of the mayhem!!!

I just want to point out that under all of that foolishnes there is a nine foot church pew, a futon matress, and a gazillion magazines, and jigsaw puzzles.  It's totally not as bad as it looks, Really!!!!  OK, I may be a little bit in denial but, I am getting better and you will hold me to it.  I'll post my progress next week...................

 

Dia de los Muertos, dead doll

OK, so, I have been working on a Dia de los Muertos, dead doll for the past few days. I finally have the sculpting all done. Now I get to move on tho the fun part, costume and make-up. I am getting excited and looking forward to meeting her. I will post pic's soon.

And for any of you wondering about the bike chain bracelets. Those are in the works too. I need to let the tumbler do some of the sanding and buffing work before I move on.

I never did get around to cleaning my studio but, I cleared off a spot on my work bench. Baby steps!!!

La sombra del viento

I have decided to read a book and clean up the clutter before even thinking about another project.

What book?  There are so many to choose from.  The book I have chosen is The Shadow of the Wind, a novel by Carlos Ruiz Zafón.  I started reading it in September while on vacation.  I thought I'd have so much time to lounge about in the English countryside and read a novel, HA, fat chance!!!  I got through 8 chapters and 60 pages and haven't touched it since. 

It has been way too long since I have allowed myself the luxury of time to just read a book.  I read magazine and news articles daily but a novel requires a bit more commitment of time.  I am looking forward to it.  Here is a bit about the book I have chosen (pilfered from Wikipedia).

The novel, set in post- Spanish Civil War Barcelona, concerns a young boy, Daniel. Just after the war, Daniel's father takes him to the secret Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a huge library of old, forgotten titles lovingly preserved by a select few initiates. According to tradition, everyone initiated to this secret place is allowed to take one book from it, and must protect it for life. Daniel selects a book called The Shadow of the Wind by Julián Carax. That night he takes the book home and reads it, completely engrossed. Daniel then attempts to look for other books by this unknown author, but can find none. All he comes across are stories of a strange man - calling himself Laín Coubert, after a character in the book who happens to be the Devil - who has been seeking out Carax's books for decades, buying them all and burning them. 

I am also determined to clear out the clutter.  Here is a peak at some of it.  I can't show you all of it because I don't want you to sic Niecy Nash and the Clean House Crew on me, 'cuz my studio is "HOT MESS"!

My desk, URGH!!!!

My work bench, pathetic!!!!  Please don't tell on me!