Hi People. Last week I made a mad dash to the north shore (an over 4 hour drive each way in one day) to deliver the first batch of "Groves" and some swoopy, delicate looking, almost sea creature-like steel and driftwood sculptures to Kahneetah Gallery between Lutsen and Grand Marais. Be sure to stop in if you're going up.

I've actually added a link list of all the galleries I do business with over on the right. Check them out-- all different, all cool.

Second order of business-- the drawing for two tree sculptures is only a few weeks away. Two of the "followers" of this blog will win-- sign up over on the right. It's private and safe, plus, even if you don't win you'll be known far and wide as a cool in the loop person. Who else would follow this blog?? Get on it people.

As far as my work goes, preparations continue for my next show which opens Fri Oct 2nd at Seasons On St. Croix in Hudson WI. Oh- excuse me, got a little loud there. But I'm getting so excited!

I've had birds on the brain. I think there will be some birds present. Also some trees. Yesterday I went for a little walk around my woods and it was like some magical faerie land. I have visions of the canopy I'm working on being like a midnight garden- full of roosting birds and bursting with life.

These- okay I don't even know what they're called but they came from inside water heaters- are mysterious shapes I've been looking at for almost a year. I'm seeing them becoming some kind of cool modern shelves now, we'll see...

This next show will be a melding of my past work- things taken from nature, and of course what's going on with me right now. I really love the material I work with, and my skill level has really gone up in the last few years as far as welding etc.

I love the process of coloring the steel, even when it's being uncooperative as it has been this week. I have about 4 tables I'm pretty psyched about, but the tops are being very stubborn.

The process I use isn't easily controlled. The layers of color need to be like veils- just the right amount of moisture to let the rust come through. Sometimes the steel just doesn't want to oxidize as fast as I want it to and I use salt and vinegar on it.

Sometimes it looks perfect, but when I go back an hour later to check it the rust has completely obliterated the beautiful color I had gotten just right. Layers. Layers and layers of rust and color not always cooperating.

Stay tuned... (Remember to mark your calendars for Oct 2nd, sign up to be a follower, and pass this along to anyone you think might be interested. Thanks!)