Material Studies

Nearly every night, before I go to bed, I walk into my studio, pull the chain to turn the lights on, and just stand there and stare.  Those minutes before sleep really produce some interesting thoughts. 

Nozzle's Mouse

There's a town in Southern Wisconsin called Sun Prairie.  There are were several elementary schools.  Royal Oaks was kinda out on the edge of town and it had the best playground equipment.  There was a big wooden structure that had a horizontal wooden cylinder inside.  It was big enough for three or four children, or maybe a couple adults.  If everyone tried walking up the walls, it would spin like a giant hamster wheel.  It was really scary and fun.  That's what this coffee mug reminds me of. 

Fresh Water

There are three small islands forming the shape of a right triangle.  There is an underwater island too.  If the underwater island was tall enough to be a regular island, the four islands would make a rough square.  On the island closest to our point, there's a long rock bar that juts out under the surface for 30 or 40 feet.  I like to go out there and sit on the smooth stones and watch the tiny waves break.

The bottom of the lake is soft, murky and dark.  But the water is crystal clear.

Ghost of New Year's Past

There are these little green leaves on the trellis that never lose their color, even in the winter.  Something about climbing plants is really appealing.  Maybe people think of them as ambitious, inspired.

Lost Portraits from Minnesota

Jan and I pretty much stole this camera from the high school he taught at.  Their photography department was no longer using traditional methods.  When I plan on using something I steal to fulfill its original purpose, I call it "liberating".

What I remember most about this trip were all the little tear-offs from the apricot flavored rolling papers falling into my lap on the airplane home.

This wall was a really cool color.  It's alright in black and white too.

It's important to wear a seat belt, I guess.  Dying in a car crash probably isn't as exciting as it sounds.  It just doesn't seem very sporting.

Hang it out to dryClo

Clotheslines are pretty damn homey.  Mmm, it smells fresh!  Put it on my face!

Professional businesses sometimes do the weirdest things.

Sunny Smoky Morning

He couldn't fall back asleep.  The first he remembered thinking about was an old cabin.  It was now his, but wasn't always.  It was cursed, or rather, it held cursed objects.  The objects were letters or maybe books.  They had to be destroyed.  The thought was terrifying.

Then, all he could think about was learning how to skateboard.  What type of clothing should he wear?  Would it be a good idea to wear pads?  Would they be comfortable?   Do other skateboarders wear them?  It was quite a moment of regression.

Eventually, he left bed.  It would still be a few hours until the sun came up.