It's Run Its Course 13 #8

I woke up this morning and started making this piece. It required 38 holes drilled into coconut shells. I made it through without any neighbors complaining...

It's Run Its Course 13 #8, 6 x 7.5 x 4 inches, coconut shells, seashells, steel wire, copper wire, 2014

Summer 2014 Visit to Wormfarm

I visited Wormfarm for the first time since January with Jami, a friend and fellow artist-in-residence from last summer. It was a short visit but we got to say hello to Jay and Donna, and meet Lawton, a musician and current artist-in-residence, as well as this years Residency Manager, Loey, a flower essence therapist.

The Magical Barn-my home.

The swallow painting Pilar made last year. I thought it was fitting to photograph Pilar's favorite kitty, Jem under her work.

Dear Crookshanks.

I somehow forgot what a great friend he was to me last summer but he made sure I remembered.

Honey, lookin' a mess. I think she was molting.

Little Relly Belly (the black one) always looking so startled.

Dino.

Sunbathing!

This guy...Turkey the rooster was killed and eaten while this rooster remains...

We worked in the garden in the morning like old times.

Wormfarm from across the neighbors corn field.

Jami and Trouser.

Jami and I went foraging for black caps.

We visited Orange Cat Community Farm to see our friends, Laura, Katie and Little Anne (pictured above) and made delicious pizza with fresh ingredients from the farm!

Jami and I spent the night staring at the stars (and lighting sparklers with Lawton) and the day soaking up the sun (and meditating with Loey).

I am a Fartist. A farmer/artist. My friend, Nick gave me the title!

In the garden where we got our hands dirty every day last summer.

I was sent home with these beauties! I have only had one dozen eggs since I left Wormfarm last October. I don't see the point of eating eggs if they don't taste like these.

But not really...

It Was Good While It Lasted 13 (#7)

It Was Good While It Lasted 13 (#7), 5 x 6 x 4 inches, cardboard, wood, plaster, metal, jute, 2014

Opening Reception for Citizens' Greener Evanston 4th Annual Green Arts Show

The opening reception for the Citizens' Greener Evanston 4th Annual Green Arts Show was great!  There are 22 amazing artists in the show.  The work will be on display until September 23rd.

The Vegan Eats an Egg

Myself with 80 Becomes 40.

My friend and talented artist, Kristina Knowski with her piece, He prayeth well, who loveth well (Campephilus principalis, extinct 1951)

Installing Monsanto's Genetically Modified Crops at Garfield Park Conservatory

Monsanto's Genetically Modified Crops is finally in it's place in the Monet Garden at the Garfield Park Conservatory!

Almost Finished with Monsanto Sculpture!

I have finished sculpting and painting 7 out of the 8 crops Monsanto sells as a genetically modified seed.  The Sorghum is the last one to do and I should be done with it tomorrow.  All I have left is to seal up the jars real good so water can not get in and drill the holes on the wooden shelf I built to tie the jars to it with twine.  This is the frightening part since this piece will be outside for four months but I am excited for the challenge because I have never made artwork for outside before.

Sculpting 8 GMO Crops

I have been sculpting a ton to get 8 Monsanto Seeds finished!  Above is the sculpted soybeans in there tiny glass jar.

So far I have completed the soybeans, wheat, canola, and cotton.  The armatures were made out of thin wire.  I needed to make sure no part of them was touching anything since they will be viewed from all around and can not have any flat spots.  

Wheat!

Cotton!  I will glue in the cotton once it dries.

Canola!

I hope to finish the last four crops today.  Those include corn, alfalfa, sorghum and sugarbeets.