Winner!!!! Three in a row!!!!

ArtiGras turned out really well. Another WIN, starting to become a habit, a wonderful habit. 1st in wood. I was told that all 3 judges were really impressed with Jerry's work.

This last weekend was The Gasparilla Festival. Jerry captured another top award, the $3,500 Mayor's Award. This show was in downtown Tampa, right on the river. Pictures-Winners flag for AritGras, Jupiter and Gasparilla, Tampa University (across the river from the show)

The next and last show of the season will be in April, "Mainsail Arts Festival" April 16th through April 17th. Location: St. Petersburg's beautiful downtown waterfront Vinoy Park.

Mt.Dora Art Festival!

Jerry won Judges Choice in 3 Dimensional at the Mt Dora Arts Festival. Also mentioned in the Orlando Sentinel along with 2 other top award winners. He still can't believe he won. The piece "Party Cloudy" was a perfect name for the weekend. It rained off and on Saturday, but the people would go in and come back out every time, like you pushed a button. Everyone had umbrellas, big crowds, great neighbors, sold a few pieces inspite of the rain.
THIS SHOW IS RATED IN THE TOP TWENTY OUTDOOR ART SHOWS IN THE SOUTHEAST .....YOU DONE GOOD!
It is so nice to see a woodturner in the top award winners.
Next show will be Presidents Weekend, a 3 day show in Jupiter. Jerry was invited back this year because he won a first in wood last year!!!!! Only doing 4 shows this year, still has a day job.

Show Time

What does a Floridian know about making a snowman, think this is a snowgirl.

Snowgirl is one of the reasons why we do Florida Art Shows in the winter!

Feb. shows-

Mt. Dora 36th Annual Arts Festival - Feb. 5-6-First time for this show.

Artigra, Abacoa Town Center, Jupiter- Feb. 19-20-21- Jerry took a Best in Wood in last years show.

Holiday Colors

This little guy was my good morning gift. He stayed there until I got my camera.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday and a WONDERFUL New Year!!!!

Autumn - the season between Summer and Winter

Show Time

Last weekend we did the Melbourne, Florida show. Under new management. Set up and and take down went really well. Entertainment was good, quality of the show stunk, it seems they had buy, sell. I think the only people that sold anything were the vendors, especially the alcoholic beverages. The restaurants were crowded, we ate at two of our favorites. Saturday it was sooooooooooo hot, and the love bugs really enjoyed the tents, (getting out of the sun)! Sunday, we had a nice breeze and no rain!

I have been slacking on blogging, this month seems to be not my month, everything happens in threes, gone pass three. I am not complaining, oh, maybe I am. Things aren't to bad, just little aggravating things. Did get away for a couple of days, which was nice, nice to return too.

Pictured above is from the Bascom museum in Highland, NC, they also had on display, old motorcycles. The second photo - leaves on the Hiwassee River.

Next month we have a show, Jer has turned some really nice pieces.

(Please forgive the photo) Jer mentioned the other day that he hasn't seen anything on our (what's this our blog stuff) blog lately, so here it goes.
Jer's two favorite things to do, beside spending time with family and friends, happens to be cars and woodturning. He combined his two favorites-This is a photo of two of the trophies he made for the car club, I think it was for Peoples Choice Award, not sure. I was organizing, I know, again, and found this photo. I know there was more that he made, but this is what I found.

Rut row, hurricane season! Hmmmmm, woodturning supplies?

This photo I took after Hurricane Wilma, had lots of damage.
Today, it's tropical depression "Bonnie". We were told there was a 20 percent chance of developing then, a 40, then 70. Right now we have a very small breeze, a little rain, now and then. Good sleeping weather.

Dogs 4 Sale during Mango Season!

Dogs want to go out, then in, then out again

barking now and then

I have to race out there

to get the mangoes on the ground

They find them, I get them

a little game they play

sometimes they eat them

if I don't get them

their laughing all the way.

Reeeeeeal Funny!

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, Jerry hasn't had a whole lot of time for woodturning. Keeping his day job running, is a full time job.

The photo is what he looked like last night.

Dogs life

Dogs Life!

Too HOT to post- she says with a grin!

So lets go for a swim

or play in the sprinklers

or dig a BIG hole -where a plant just has been

or to shake all over and let the water fly

some People have a fit- and I don't know why :(

I get lots of attention from doing these things

so why wouldn't I-do it again?

That is why a life of a dog- is so very cool!:)

Searching

Searching for the sun, think it's found.

Been wanting to grow

with the trees all around

They have been watching

helping me along

Dropped most of my needles

but now the sun I've found

Now I'll be growing

like the trees all around

Suz

Multi Axle Turning

For my birthday Jer signed me up for a workshop in bookmaking, something that I have always wanted to do and something that I have never done before. I have taken loads of painting workshops and have learned or remembered learning about in each one. I thought I would sign Jerry up for a wood turning WS at the same time, even though he has taught and mentored over the years, so I signed him up for a multi axle class, making birdhouses, and other neat things, a motive behind my madness, he he. He had a wonderful time and so did I. Look what I got!!!!!!!!!!! He is so good!!!!! Did I mention that I collect birdhouses amongst my stuff.

Next I would love to take a class on Batik and one on writing.

Family

This is a photo of Jerry's fathers side of the family, His Mom & Dad in the middle of the photo. I only met Jerry's grandmother once, what a beautiful person.
Back in the 70's his grandfather, would go shrimping with us, (when he'd visit from up north) we would hoist a ladder off the cat walk down under the Rickenbacker bridge in Miami. Jerry's granddad would stay up on the cat walk and fish, and make new friends. One night, one of his buddies had some whiskey, I guess granddad had a little too much and was hanging by a harness over the cat walk, we rescued him. Have no idea where he got that harness. When we would leave everyone on the catwalk would tell him, goodbye. We would come back to Jerry's parent house and clean the shrimp, it was a good time.

turning

Practice piece.-Look at this little gem, Jerry did this a few years ago, I couldn't part with it. I do not know how he did this one, looks difficult, think it is Cuban Mahogany, I'll get back to you on that and how it was done.
We look for fossils on the beach and rivers, mainly sharks teeth and shells. I have so many that I put them everywhere and any place.

Dupuytren disease

Dupuytren disease
May 20, 2010 - Sorry I haven't posted lately, hard to type. I went to the hand doctor yesterday about my little finger, (I had a fall last month and my little finger made a right turn, ) I have to keep my two fingers bandaged for a month, go back in a month. While I was at the doctors I showed him the palms of my hand, he said that I had Dupuytren's Disease. Check out - http://DealingWithDD.com There are injection that can help. It tends to run in families. It is more common in individuals whose ancestors are from northern Europe. Now I know what is wrong with my brothers hands.

More Wood!

Beautiful weekend, dogs are back to cooling down in the pool, digging holes, eating my tomatoes, and relaxing in the shade, oh I can't leave out barking like a mad dog! A dogs life!

Worked in yard, mowed the lawn, I am back to doing grass art, just couldn't mow down those wild flowers!

Went to the Woodcraft store yesterday, Jer had to pick up some wood to finish a piece he promised someone, didn't have the wood so he had to place an order.

Jer had a wood alert Friday about some wood in Pembroke Pines, so he pick up three really big logs yesterday. Came home all bruised and cut up, his back is probably hurting today!

Last show of the season

Did the Melbourne Florida show, I took a tumble, right down on the sidewalk, my little finger looked like an upside down L, a right angle, half of a T, get the picture, I pulled it back in place, Jer and I both almost pasted out. Much better now. I had jury duty yesterday so I had to sit around all day, which was a good thing.

Sold one of my favorites, but it went to a good home. The photo on the left is a photo of the other half of the tree. the photo on the right (far right in this picture) is the piece we sold.

We are trying a new set up for the booth, pedestals instead of those heavy panels, we are not getting any younger, yea know. We really need photos around, I think, have to do that before the next show.

The show was good, made four new customers and it's the last show of the season, and I got out of the yard.

Woodturning/carving

We are doing the Melbourne, Florida show this weekend, so I thought I would photograph Jer's latest, wellllllll, it is already packed up. I wanted to post something, soooooooooo------here it is--- a little gem Jerry did awhile back, it is turned and carved. The piece is called "Life Circle" and the wood, Mahogany.
Jerry does a pieces that I like to enjoy for awhile, then I turn them loose, this just happens to be one. Enjoy!

Woodturning latest

Just beginning, lots more sanding, polishing etc. This piece is 15inches wide and 5 inches in height, Jer still has to make a finial, that will probably be another 2 inches. He wants to finish before the Melboune, Florida show.

Happy Dog!

Jerry and I did a show Saturday, only 5 hours and the space was free. It was inside and there was Wine, Dine and Design. The show was at a wine and self storage in West Palm Beach, a benefit for the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation & the American Red Cross Haiti Relief. There was music, really good food from local restaurants and of course wine, and we didn't have to set up a tent. I think the benefit did well, and we did too.

Yesterday, Jerry spent most of the morning out in the barn studio turning. Our next show is next month in Melbourne, Florida. Since he sold some pieces, he had to restock. We are not retired yet, so he likes to spend a weekend day making another masterpiece. Now that we have day light savings, he can spend some time in the studio after work. We even had time to take schizo baby dog (she is the oldest) for a walk in the park yesterday evening. We left the other two at home, that is the trouble with having three dogs, they need that individual attention.

We are in the process of revamping our booth, want to start using pedestals, it will make setting up and tearing down a whole lot easier.

Subconscious Staging,

I think an artist best customer is another artist. Went to a Fine Craft Show on Saturday and bought Ninnie. She is hanging on the wall next to other artist works. She is the work of Nancy Kubale. I hung Ninnie on the wall not realizing that she fits right in with the other colors, bringing your eye right back to her. It's call "subconscious staging".

Another Car Event

Did I mention that Jerry has the mad car disease, he was effected as a kid. I have to say I get a little teary eyed when we sell a car, I guess I have the disease too, I just have a tiny bit, not caring what I drive as long as it gets me where I want to go.

We had a good time, meeting our friends at the dinner for breakfast and then off to the car show. The weather was a perfect day, chilly in the shade, little windy but blue skies. Now that I have this phone that takes pictures, I forget to bring my camera, I have to stop that. I missed the opportunity to take some nice shots. The seagulls against the beautiful blue sky, pets and there owners, of course the nice cars. This show was for German cars only.

Artigras Art Show-Jupiter, Florida

Back from Jupiter, not the planet, but the Artigras Art Festival in Jupiter, Fl. Nice show, and wonderful artsy neighbors. Set up and breakdown went very well. It was cold on Saturday. I think some of the people from out of town wanted to go back up north. It got warmer and no rain, that was a plus.
We set up Friday, Feb. 12th. Friday night it rained and winds, I thought I was in a hurricane, they were so bad. I really thought our tent and stuff would end up in Canada.
Saturday- the tents were all there, like nothing happened. Judges came by, didn't say much and left. Nice day but chilly. Sunday-The awards committee with the bugles and a big blue flag that read "WINNER", what a pleasant surprise, 1st in Wood!!!!!!!! Icing on the cake. No more to say but-------- WOW and a double WOW!
All orders for Artigra show were sent out today.
Susan
Jerry has to get busy for the Melbourne, Florida show in April.

Cold Trees

No, this isn't South Florida, although it has been very cold. This is North Carolina near Bald River Falls.

Being from South Florida, always taking pictures of trees, and have seen trees in the snow, but never have I ever seen trees so beautiful.

Jerry picked up some cherry logs, small but really nice. We meet a guy at the gas station that had a pick up truck full of wood. He was going to chop it all up for fire wood, so Jer rescued a couple of pieces.

Jerry's next show is Presidents weekend-Arti Gras-Jupiter, Florida http://www.artigras.org/

Greetings From Florida

Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday

Which one you'd like to choose

And we don't want to forget

A Happy New Year?

Suz & Jer

Happy Turkey Day

Happy Thanksgiving

This last weekend, Fairchild Gardens had "The Ramble" Three Woodturning club participated, Jerry went to help sell on Saturday.

Sunday we went to Mandarin Hotel, for a car show. A beautiful day, alittle on the warm side. The food was wonderful, of course I ate way to much.

Disney Show

What a GREAT weekend, the weather was sooooo beautiful. Setting up Thursday, it was a bit windy, thought me and the tent were going to take off, it was cool, and the sky was so blue.

Festival of the Masters

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/downtown-disney/special-events/festival-of-the-masters/

Packing up stuff for the Festival of the Masters show, Friday - Saturday - Sunday

cont. from Oct. 27th post

Shogun Kabuto

Well, we are almost finished, need some more sanding and polishing. The tittle is "Shogun Kabuto" (Warriors Helmet)-Jer and I both thought of this name together. Great minds...........

The main wood is Norfolk Island Pine, the top, 5 or 6 different woods and bone.

Now I can use the shavings for mulch, better get busy.

My Redheaded Dog

Cars and Woodturning

Sorry, sometimes I am a little backwards. This should have been #1. (Oct. 25th post) The log before it's turned, acually I am way backwords this is the other log that Jerry picked up, oh well you get the picture.

You really want to get backwards, Jer's first love happens to be cars. This VW truck was taken at a car event we went to last weekend. Liked his smile. The other photo is a Porsche engine part before the car.

Day 3 As I See it by Suz

This photo should have been part of #7 before the shake down and before the discovery of the knots! He drills the hole, then he uses a chisel to hollow out the inside. Check out the shavings, need to get those, mulch for my trees.
Is this #10? Oh well, not very good with order. Jer took this turning down so the knots were showing. He went out to his studio last night, didn't do anything, I don't think. Said the piece was still to wet, whatever that means.

"As I See It" by Susan (continued from yesterday)

#6 Figure out what the wood is trying to say and what shape would look right with where the knots or grain run. Jer said that this tree lost it's limb when the tree was very young. The knots didn't show up until he got into the piece, small knots but they were deep inside the wood.
#7 Whole new shape, take it down so the knots are fillet like a fish.

#8 Drill a hole in the top, and then go in with a very, very sharp tool (that could fly across the room or worse yet, suck your whole body inside) maybe this should be #7 what do I know.
#9 Jer is not finished with this piece so I will continue, maybe Jer will tell you his thoughts and techniques as he sees it.
I will say, "It's lookin Gooooood" that's something I do know.

As I see it by Susan

Step #1 Break your back getting that log on the lathe, of course that is after you almost saw off your leg with the chain saw.

Step #2 Get as much of the wood shavings all over your body so that you can drag it into the house!

Step #3 Followed up by me nagging, so he can go back out and turn some more.

Step #4 Feeling guilty, come back in and ask sweetly - "How does it look, should I do this or should I do that?"

Step #5 Ruin all that sweetness by asking whats for dinner.

cont. tomorrow, maybe-Jerry doesn't appreciate my humor

Woodturned

Just a glimpse of Jerry's masterpiece, he doesn't like me to call it that, but I like too.

The piece can be hung on the wall, something about a stud, it's heavy, or it can be left on the stand. It's almost 22 inches wide and 4 inches thick. How he turned this "Masterpiece" I haven't a clue. Maybe Jerry will start writing on his blog, especially after he reads about his Masterpiece!

Well he was complaining that I blogged on my blog and not his.

More Wood?

Love this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson-

When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Jerry brought home some more wood last night. I said this before "a woodturner can never have enough wood" even when they have a small little car and a hurting back, go figure!

Continued - Art show

Continued from http://remistuff.blogspot.com
We were so busy trying to survive the heat that I only took one photo. The tree is Cedar (had to get a tree into Jer's blog)and the man sitting on the bench was one of the musician waiting his turn to WOW the crowd. The music was another thing that kept us going, in one word FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!

Jerry has to get going on some pieces for the Disney show, and has to finish his Masterpiece, almost there.