feather2pixels

Homebrew!

If I had lots of money that I could spend on myself, one of my top priorities would definitely be to collect work made by colleague artists I know and admire.  I think this is a great idea because in the somewhat selfish process of amassing a collection of expensive goods, this pursuit would make me appear more altruistic and supportive to my friends.

Of course I do have a little money I can selfishly spend on myself  and recently CELLspace welder-in-chief Cory Best made me an offer that I couldn’t refuse: a very good price for one of his ruggedly elegant/elegantly rugged geometric steel sculptures.

It wouldn’t be cheap, so I took a few days to rationalize.  Suddenly the offer hit me as monumentally worth it.  Not only is this thing beautiful and going to last at least a thousand years and probably even longer than that, but I simultaneously get to help the most legitimate blacksmith I know pay his bills and continue welding.  From either the aesthetic or the moral perspective, why the hell am I spending money on anything else?

(By the way, I think of Cory’s abilities as a true blacksmith not just in terms of shaping metal but also in always having a beer to spare.   Thanks for everything, dude.)

Me, Cory, and the Sculpture in the CELL metal shop.

The surface takes on many moods in direct light.

I just completed my fifth year teaching undergraduate engineering.

If you know me, maybe you find that statement amusing.  I would guess you might think this is funny in the same way that it was funny when Bugs Bunny put on a tuxedo and conducted Wagner’s theme from Act III of the opera, Lohengrin.  Trust me, no one is as surprised as me. And I am me.

Amusing or disturbing, the completion of the academic year always means graduation.  It’s one of my favorite times of the year because I always feel very proud of my seniors.  And because it means summer is here. And because sometimes I get presents.

This year, before accepting any gifts from the class of 2011. I decided to strike first.  I thought that since the senior awards so benevolently bestowed by the university are usually a little boring, it would be fun to make my own.  One for each senior, construction paper and typewriting, a safety pin sewed on the back: that sort of flaunt-my-masculinity thing.

Anyway, I did it. I got all twenty-five made!  I was a little fretful about offending someone, but each fortune came from what I think Christians call a place of love.  Therefore I ultimately feel comfortable about all that was said.  We had a small ceremony on the last day of ET460: Automation and some people even wore their ribbons for the rest of the day.  Class of 2011, I will miss you.  (And thanks for the booze, Lamar)

click to enlarge:

Like the ephemeral San Francisco cherry blossom, the beautiful flower that is spring open studios has come and gone. And to the extent that the passing of the weekend reminds us of the many mysterious cycles and rhythms of nature, spring open studios reminds us of the very meaning of life itself.  Where some may find no meaning in sitting around a mostly empty art studio for 48 hours, waiting for a tide of  approval that may never come, others will find illumination.  Through it all, the one unchanging truth is that all shall find free wine.

CELLspace studio artists populated the gallery space and I took the opportunity to set up one of the walls with collected works from the Two Feather Press screenprinting co-op membership.   In my mind, our unofficial motto is screenprinting improves everything and maybe that’s why I thought this spread looked so great.

…And when I arrived at the studio on Sunday morning there was a not insignificant pile of cash under my door.  Apparently some anonymous early riser–bless your soul  whoever you are–indulged in a small shopping spree through our highly affordable offerings.

Thanks to all my friends who stopped by in support.  I really appreciate it.  After the wads of cash, your encouragement always makes it worth it.

Beau walks into the gallery

surprise packs for $2 sold like hotcakes at a hotcake stand with three hotcakes available.