Slow stir of Spring

Alas! Spring is waking from the long nap of winter. Slow. Groggy. Full of promise, good smells, and hope.  The weather flips between snow and sun, rain and snow, sun and hail, blue sky and thunderstorms. Sometimes I believe Mother Nature is ready to furl herself into spring full-time only to see her pull the covers back over her head, hunker down and go back to sleep. I know how she feels. I find myself stirring slowly like Spring after a long winter of post-surgery healing. I am anxious to leap fully back into adventures both inside and outside the studio but find myself flip flopping like the weather between promising energetic days and pull-the-covers-over-my-head days. I am happy to report the trees are budding outside, I am healing inside, and the momentum is picking up in my world. Happy Spring!

Gallery of Woodworking GREATS!

WOOD Magazine just inducted me into their Gallery of Woodworking Greats . I am not sure wether to write Wow!” or “Shucks.”    Their editor posted quite a few photos in the online gallery along with a link to the 2002 feature article “A Star Rises in the West.” I’m pleased and honored.

Out of the Box: The Art of Wood

I have been asked to participate in the Holter Museum's exhibit, Out of the Box: The Art of Wood July 1 - October 17.  The curator Yvonne Seng will combine the works of 12 master woodworker/studio furniture makers from the Montana region with approximately 30 internationally and nationally renowned woodturners and sculptors.  One of the Reliquary sculptures will travel to Helena for the show.

Sculpting in Chocolate

Once again Nestle has hired me to create a large creation out of chocolate for their ChocolateFest during Memorial weekend.  

Ten years have passed since my last round of carving chocolate in "Chocolate City, USA"  I can’t tell you what the creation is going to be (its traditional to keep it a secret until the unveiling) but the theme is The Wizard of Oz.  Imaginative and fun, I encourage you to follow the project on my blog  and YouTube channel.

NEW artworks

Last year I sold and donated over 120 original Works on Paper.  So far this year 36 Works on Paper have shipped out into the world.  My collectors always get the "inside scoop" on new art before it goes live on the web.  Last week 12 brand new artworks found homes before they were published on my website.  I just inventoried a big batch of new work so take a peek each week in the portfolio or join the Patron Place  if you want be the first to know of new projects and events.

Museum of the Rockies Wine Classic

Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman will host an evening of MORart (June 3, 7-9) to meet artists of the upcoming exhibit and Wine Classic Fundraiser. I will be there with “Sojourn” and a few other artworks along with a batch of great artists and look forward to seeing you!  The fundraiser event is set for July 10th.  The Museum of the Rockies is an affiliate of the Smithsonian.

New Videos!

Ok…some of the film footage isn’t exactly new but it has never before been published on my site. PBS aired an interview with me a few years ago and the Oxygen Network did a fun segment featuring my life and art on “Pure Oxygen” (a motivational show for women). Click HERE to see them.
Also, three new clips have been added in the last few weeks on my YouTube channel. Visit. Comment. Rate the videos. Subscribe! (it’s free and fun!)

Posters Available

Despite reservations about putting myself on a  poster, I have listened to your requests and made one available. I hope you find it inspirational for your woodshop, office, or studio!    

FREE art!

Each season I randomly select a Patron Member who gets to pick out FREE art (an original Works on Paper ). I put everyone’s name into a white crystal bowl.  The winner this season is - Nona!  She is a multi-faceted true westerner who combines her heart and hands as a professional caregiver with the skill and intuition of being a successful hunter.  She's a Montanan who puts wild game in her freezer and stashes canned goodies from her garden. She WON a selection of her choice for spring. Fun!

Spring Break - Moab

Spring Break was a blast with Paul and the kids down in Moab, Utah. Camping, mountain biking and rock climbing with three gutsy kids was more than memorable. The blog and my YouTube channel have video, photos, and stories from our adventures. I look forward to more adventures as I catch up from surgery and get back into the studio part of Sculpting a Creative Life!

Thank-you!

A deep sincere thanks for all of your well-wishes these past months. A wonderful posse of friends took good care of me and continues with encouragement during my rather long healing journey. Paul Meyer and his father at Vern's Wood Goods instigated a sweet successful "fun raiser." Warm fuzzies and the money they raised with the help of many kind supporters boosted my spirit during the post-surgery down time. Insights were gleaned, dark inner places explored, patience broadened, compassion deepened and my gratitude continues to grow.

Thank-you!