Works In Progress

It's Tuesday, my favorite day of all the week!
Last week was crazy, with too many opportunities to think about how I have ms. But I am on to the next one, and here I am with just a few days until the inaugural gallery opening at the studio. But it's okay, I had lots of WIPS up my sleeve.
I have two of these; unicorn skulls with chamfron sculptures. Here is one in the making:

Here's where I hang silver I'm working on; those are the rings I cut the chamfron plates out of. Right over my workbench I hung the beautiful bat my friend Jason made me! I'm so lucky to have such talented and generous friends.

Here is a silver cuff work in progress under my Grandaddy's magnifying lamp. It is huge, I really need a picture of the whole big, beautiful, 1940's thing, it's very cool. I use it every day I'm at the studio and I can always picture him hunched over it, looking at something under it's florescent glow and chattering about what he's studying on.

I am newly enamored of photographing things under it's magnifying glass.
Here is one of my favorite silver patterns made into a cuff. The patina on this one is an almost "color case hardened" finish that is so desirable in guns. Tones of blue and purple, like an oil slick. I need to learn to replicate that.

I'm reminded to appreciate each moment, and slow down on occasion and to be more patient with myself. I'm so patient with my art. I learn what I can do with a given medium through repetition and exploration. I don't get frustrated when I push things too hard and they brake, I just replace the saw blade or whatever it is. I don't think to myself  "Keep running, fatty!" when it turns out I have a necrotic hip bone. Who the Hell says that?
And even though it sounds cheesy, do I refrain from making some cutsey metaphor about how I, myself am a work in progress? Nay!
I am, forever a work in progress.
I'll let you know when I reach perfection!
P.S. I wouldn't hold my breath...

Semi-Annual Uncles Visit

It was another beautiful day up to The Farm last Sunday where I met up with the fam for a little semi-annual Uncles visit.
Pickens were oddly slim here in the little "swamp" where critters are usually abundant. Did'nt stop us from tryin' though!

Even the trash is fancy down at The Spring House.

Them ol' sorry Pearsons are at it again.

Uncle Tom telling me about the red beans & rice he's fixing for dinner. He's a Louisiana Coon Ass, and his red beans and rice are the best!

Cassie caught this beautiful brim, a Red Ear. Into Brandi's aquarium he goes!

This is the logo on the little boat I grew up in. My Popaw gave it to Dad nearly 40 years ago, I'm guessing. I always loved this aggressive, head-dressed Indian.

It was my first day in this year! I can't believe how late I am this season. The water is clean and cold and kids swim about, learning to map out the submerged stumps like I did.
This is my absolutely most favorite place in the world.

I finer 42 acres you will not find.