The Dudes are Back!

My studio room, about 120 square feet instead of about about 720 total, is beginning to be functional and to test it out I worked on some Dudes. These three Dudes went over to Austin Art Garage this week-end, just in time for ACL (Austin City Limits), which totally snarls up our traffic but makes music lovers happy.

The snarls are a rehearsal for Austin's first-time Formula One race coming up in November. We had no idea what Formula One was but we watched the movie Senna and had a little bit more appreciation for people who drive noisy cars around in a circle. Our city leaders, in all their infinite wisdom, have estimated over 100,000 people will attend. They have will 18,000 parking spaces available at the track and shuttle buses to take 70,000 people in. You do the math on that one.

Go here to see some of Eva Funderburgh's terrific work (below) and here to see her brother, Dan Funderburgh. They are the niece and nephew of some of our new neighbors here who brought them to our attention.

Susan speaks: Computer is still totally messed up, won't talk to any USB ports no matter what fixes I apply.  Lots of  Blue Death screens also.  A new computer is being researched, hoping for a bargain price if it doesn't have the newest version (late this month) of Windows on it.  The theory is to buy cheap now and save up for a Mac. I was a programmer in another life and cut my teeth on DOS so I'm not too eager to switch to a Mac. We'll see. I'm thinking an iPad for Don for Christmas, as long as he promises to do better at looking at people's blogs.

A Texan in New York City, Finale

This is sort of jumping around but we did see this weird thing in Columbus Circle. Sometimes art is all about "Made you look!" and other times it is something that totally changes your perception of your environment. Seeing The Gates in Central Park a few years back changed how we see Central Park when we walk through it.  Now we'll  always look at the Columbus statue here at the Circle, something we actually never noticed before. 

Yes, that's a little room they made around the statue.  Susan hates heights but she gamely went up with me anyway.

When we take a trip people often ask us what we are going to do and our answer usually is "Museums!" The next question is often "Which one?" Not just one, but as many as we can. Susan has a grid she prints out and goes to museum websites to fill it in about 2 weeks before we go. It isn't a firm schedule but it keeps us focused on what is out there. When you are walking all day in an unfamiliar city it's easy to have a brain fart and forget something you meant to see. 

The really cool part about the list is looking at it on the way home and talking about the stuff we didn't plan on seeing but wandered into anyway and found to be really interesting, like the Quay exhibit at the MOMA or this Discovering Columbus deal. Every morning, no matter where we are, Susan makes me find her the local newspaper and that's how she learned about Columbus and how to get tickets to get in.

Where do we stay in New York City? Most often our choice is Hilton Garden Inn on 8th Avenue near Times Square.  The staff is great, especially Charles "Steel Drum".

On the plane ride home I did my final Zentangle.

This art is going to have to hold you for awhile. Susan has been fighting computer battles for several weeks now, including a major crash last week and the expensive hiring of a guru to give it CPR. It is limping along but driving her nuts because she can't upload anything to it because of something in drivers and USB, which is not like driving a bus, and stuff I know absolutely nothing about. Sometimes it just sits there doing nothing while she types and mouses and then she looks up at the screen and says really bad things to it.  Probably it hears her and deliberately acts up. A new computer will be ordered soon and then she will spend hours on end screaming at it while she tries to make it do stuff (good stuff, not bad) like this old one does. Then, finally, peace will be restored to my life.

NYC, Part 3: Matt Greco and Mattiusi Iyaituk

Seeing Matt Greco's tools at the Museum of Arts and Design made me realize I needed to get more serious about my clay work.  He was working on a pot and was very patient and helpful in giving me ideas and suggestions about how to improve my work.  It's always good to talk to an artist who isn't afraid to tell you how he actually creates his work. The picture below is of the piece he was working on at the Museum, the picture below is of one of his completed pieces and below that are two of his photographs, photography being another one of his skills.

In addition to having open studios where you can visit with the artists in residence, the Museum always has an interesting collection of works on display. This piece by Mattiusi Iyaituk caught my eye because of the use of the antler and the amusing faces.