Bring It.

Hey people. After hearing from AgentCoolAssChicka last week I went into proof-reading-like-a-mofo mode. It’s all I did between approx 7:30 p.m. Thurs. and 7:00 p.m. Fri. besides sleep a little. After sending my 85k word baby out into to world attached to emails saying variously, “I don’t expect you to get through this in 2 weeks, but I’ll take whatever feedback you can offer in that time frame” and “try not to make me suicidal” I promptly fell into a Girl Scout Cookie coma.

An online writery type pal (you know who you are O Evil One) posted a link about Samoas Fri and I became obsessed. They had to be obtained, and, in my fragile state, had to be consumed—all at once. I know, my AssFat almost laughed itself off. Can you say running like a mofo this week?


Now AgentCoolAssChicka is twitting about her 575 unread queries, and her 175 files of unread material and I once again feel like a needle in a haystack I haven’t even jumped into yet. Insecurity—it’s a bitch yo.

While I was finishing my little horse today I was thinking about how slim my chances at publication are, and how much time I was taking on such a small, probably not very expensive sculpture. A smart friend was observing the other day how this economy will weed out weaker businesses. Publishing people are talking all the time now about how no one’s buying anything, and people are getting laid off left and right. Art sales are down too.

I was more determined than ever to make the little horse as awesome as I could, no matter how long it took-- and I will keep ramming my head into the publication brick wall until either I get through, or my head is reduced to some kind of gross meat knob that will completely rule out future book jacket photos.

If you’re a creative pro, now isn’t the time to quit striving for extraordinary. Maybe only really special things will make it through the marketplace’s filter right now. Does that mean some crap won’t also get through, or, sadly, even some extraordinary things will be overlooked? No—But I for one am bringing my creative A-game.

If I wind-up never having anything else to show for it, I’ll be able to hold me head up knowing I didn’t quit, and I didn’t lame-out.

Have a good day people. Now-- caffeine, shaking it vigorously, welding a bit, running like a mofo, and more welding. Then, maybe skiing. But caffeine immediately-- stat! (blinks blearily)

Naked As We Came-- Also, You Suck Youtube.

Hey people—Welcome to Fav Lyrics Fri. Today’s pic is actually a really beautiful love song, so rock scaredy cats, you can listen without fear of your faces being scoured off. You bangers, sorry man, I almost went with “Hardest Button To Button”, maybe next week.

BUT FIRST—other SueNews.
The little horse needs another half day. It’s taking longer than what it should, and the longer it takes, the more expensive it’s getting. There is no way I’ll get what it’s worth time-wise. You never do. If you’re just starting to do art, do yourself a favor and never keep track of your hours.

As work proceeded yesterday I knew I was spending a ton of time on it, but just thought I needed to make it as cool as it appeared in my head. When it’s done it will be awesome. I figure, would I rather make a couple hundred bucks bringing someone food or cleaning a hotel room—or making a super cool little horse for a few days surrounded by the snowy woods? Yep-- #2.

In writey news—AgentCoolAssChicka emailed little old me last night to check on the revision, and I practically spat raisin bran all over Dan. She suggested revisions but I assumed I then dropped off her radar screen and would have to remind her who I was when I send the new version to her, but no, she’s like, waiting to hear back form me!

Ahhhhhhh! BOOMPHSPLAT! (head exploded)

OK—on to the music. This vid is gorgeous. (BUT Youtube is being a total douche bag this morning and refusing to load, so I'm going to have to attempt a risky and dangerous html fiddle which probably won't work and I'll have to just post a link-- which most of you won't click because after all, you've got lives to lead. This has incurred my wrath. Here goes.) (No. Effing. Way. It worked!)



It reminds me of a C.S. Lewis special I caught on PBS once about his discovery of “joy”. Check that out if you’ve got 10 minutes sometime. (3rd Clip-"Surprised by Joy") Really cool, watch to the end. (As if you will, I know. You've got shit to do! But it IS cool.)

When I first heard today’s song it actually made me tear up a little. Granted it was one of those weeks where I fall into extensive day-dreams about getting into a fist-fight one minute, and am overcome by emotion the next. Hallmark commercials really pose a problem at those times because I totally want to punch those ladies in the face.

Anyway, it’s about life-long commitment, as in getting super old and dying in front of each other. Sniff.


"Naked As We Came" By Iron & Wine

She says "wake up, it's no use pretending"
I'll keep stealing, breathing her.
Birds are leaving over autumn's ending
One of us will die inside these arms
Eyes wide open, naked as we came
One will spread our ashes 'round the yard

She says "If I leave before you, darling
Don't you waste me in the ground"
I lay smiling like our sleeping children
One of us will die inside these arms
Eyes wide open, naked as we came
One will spread our ashes round the yard

Horsing Around

Hey people, I've officially become "the man" (as in workin' fo). My new shop is so pleasant though. I feel so lucky to be able to do something I love in my own way. Independence has always been my primary driver (alongside creativity).

Yesterday I started the little horse that's been in my head a while. I actually dreamed about it a while ago. That happens sometimes-- I dream about a sculpture or sometimes even words. I'll wake up and be like, "vociferous huh, I think that's an actual word." Then I'll go look it up and work it in somewhere.

It's probably hard to see what this is, I don't know. (you can click the pic for a bigger view) It's easy for me to see the parts that aren't done yet as simply fill-in-the-blank sections that I just have to keep putting steel around. Not surprisingly, this little horse is behaving badly, getting ready to kick. I like depicting the two sides of horses as I see them. All they really want to do is relax- stand around and eat, but we put them to work, make them wear a bunch of equipment, do what we say, carry us around. They have ways of rebelling, showing attitude. Stay tuned.

Stuff like spending two half-days on a little horse I won't be able to sell for much is one reason I'll probably always only be a thousandaire. I don't care though. I have to make what I want. I'm having so much fun with this one he may get a few friends.

The first part of my day yesterday, before starting the horse, was spent at the local auto body shop digging through their scrap dumpster. Score! Two hoods in nice colors for tag necklaces and who knows what else. I could see a blue dog... The people there were really cool so it's a good lead for more free steel in the future. I'll probably start working with this today. Once I see how it cuts and how thick the steel is it may give me other ideas.

One thing about my job-- bad hair day? maybe just a poorly-drawn-head day? No problem! First of all, I have no coworkers, so no one sees me-- in fact, if anyone did see me, I'd pretty much look like a storm trooper anyway.

It's felt really good getting back to welding. It's so totally different than writing (although I love that too and am still at it). The whole coming up with ideas part is similar, but the actual welding is miles apart. I just crank the tunes (and since I'm in the middle of the woods where no one can see or hear, jam out unrepentantly) and use my tools.

I'm not mechanical in the same way guys are. I'm not good at talking about it or understanding it on that technical level (as you may have gathered from the SuckWOW posts). I've been around other welders and when they talk about amps and volts etc and all the technical aspects of it I kind of blank out even though I've been through welding school and had to force myself to "get it" at one point. That's not my preferred way of thinking. When I'm alone with my stuff, I just know.

I know exactly what I'm doing, how fast to move, or slow, what angle to hold my arm at, how stuff is supposed to sound. This is one of those things no one will probably get but me but my favorite types of welds are the really tricky ones where something doesn't quite meet up and you have to bridge a gap or fill a hole without burning the material away.

I just know how the steel acts, and it feels good to feel proficient and use that part of my brain.

Weird Wed -- Buffalo Gals

Hey people-- It's weird Wed again. Time for some disturbing subversity to get you over the mid-week hump. Me and buddy Linda hit Buffalo a couple weeks ago and here are some shots from our exploits.

Behold -- puritan liquor decanters. I think the tag actually said something like "pilgrim booze bottles".

Well, if you say so. "glug glug glug". I got busted by the store lady doing this. Right when Linda snapped this she came walking around the corner to "see what we were up to" as she put it, and started laughing so hard she had to do the pee dance. Spreading joy and happiness wherever I go people-- and crime fightin'. It's a full time job yo.

This doll is kind of cute really. I just found the whole idea so bizarre. Maybe it's just me.

We stumbled across a couple of disembodied heads on our journey. How can you see a detached head and not go all zombie? She looks like, "Now see? I knew this would happen. Another zombie attack. This town is just going to hell in a hand basket I tell you."

I loved this. I've always had a fantasy of going around changing signs around in the middle of the night. There is a small Baptist church down where sis lives that I like to think we scared into changing their sign policy. Their sign said, "If you think this is hot wait until you're burning in hell assholes" -- or something like that. We took pictures of each other sticking our butts out underneath it and pretending to sizzle etc. Now they've tamed it down. Good times, good times.

As I recall, there was a local politician named-- not kidding-- Mr. Shwing too on that trip too. Somewhere there are shots of us busting out our Mike Meyers pelvic thrusts on people's lawns by his campaign signs.


Another head. Lest you doubt Buffalo is a secret bastion of disturbia, click and try to read what it says on her neck. See people? It's not just me.

Found another possible crime fightin' get up, but there are only two pair. Linda and I are considering forming another separate wonder force of two. Maybe "roller copz"? These shorts are kind of roller derby aren't they? We'll see what happens.

That's all for now. Big time welding day today. With the backlog of commissions on hold until after my next show it's time to start getting stuff ready for that. I've got a little horse in my head, and a life sized dog (we'll see), some wall pieces, garden cats maybe, herons, and more tags. We'll see what else happens.

Have a weird wed freaks. Try to shake something at some point.

Commish update

When you're right you're right. The client suggested more detailing on the trunks. I had been thinking along those lines already, but her suggestion was the final push. I had to make myself a "NOT SCRD" tag, but then gritted my teeth and took a torch to it. Scary! But it came out really cool. A little highlighting with a metallic pearl wash in a few areas and voila. It's done yo.

Clients sound happy, and when they see it in person I think they'll love it. every time i look at it now I like it better. Feels good when a piece comes out really nice, and you know it's going to cool people who will give it a good home and enjoy it.

PWNing it.

Oh-- having a little too much fun with the dogtags, but too bad. Some are trash but-- y'know, experimenting. (Remember you can click any of these pics for a bigger, better view)
I like "EFF EFF EFF" and "FDL STX", also "BOO" "WEE" and "UGLY"-- what a provocative word. (Scott Westerfield's book "Uglies" really makes you think about it.) "EFF ITY F" is a keeper, and I did a couple potential pet ones-- "WOOF YO" and "ME OW". Some of the best people are animals.

I like the idea of mixing them up. Tomorrow I'll do some more. I like "BOO RDLY" and "STAY GOLD" -- or "STY GLD"?, and really really like "NOT SCRD". If anyone has any good ones comment it up puh-leeze.

Birch sculpture-- pwned baby-- I think. I need to hang out with it a few days and look at it to be sure. I always want to keep filling, but these guys are all about negative space. I might email them a pic tomorrow and see what they think.

This is art, not monkey bars, and these welds aren't super strong, but they're solid (wiggle and yank tested), and pretty sweet if I do say so myself.

I likes it. I'll have to keep looking at it for a while though. Normally I'd wash it up outside and scrub all the welds w/ a toothbrush and let the edges all rust. No hose right now. Considering hauling it to the manual car wash in town. I can always rust it up a little w/ spray bottles.

I don't know if I fell into a wormhole today or looked at the clock wrong or just actually pwned the hell out of my run, but it was a fast one yo. Pam says when I am in front and go down hills it's like I have a rocket on my back. I have pretty limber hip felxors and several gears, and sometimes just windmill it out. On flats and down hills I keep telling myself, "this isn't costing you anything-- just go for it." Uphills it's usually more about not screwing up the trail right now for the bikes. Sometimes I kind of hop it up the side edges. Anyway, felt good, plus met a couple of kitty hat fans from the trail forum so that was cool.

Almost totally done with this pass of revision and I'm liking it big time. I know that's not very Midwestern of me-- liking my own work etc, but-- I did grow up mainly in Montreal. Whatever. I'm super into it. One more pass and it's out to betas (people read for you to give you feedback).

That's all the fascinating SueNews for now. Later peeps.

T minus 6

That's how many weeks I have until the show people. This week I need to start strategizing. This is the part I like least, and almost always wind-up rebelling against. I even hate it when I tell myself what to do. I'm thinking in this economy I should concentrate on low budget stuff. I've got an idea for kind of dogtaggy necklaces with messages stamped into them. I'm tempted to conduct a little experiment and have a bunch that say, "O FDL STX" and some that say, "EFF EFF EFF" and see which ones sell better. I suspect people secretly like to be bad and sweary when they can get away with it, but I could be projecting. My fav saying so far is "PWN IT BB".

As you can see Ray is still trying to poison my ass with cutosterone. Here he is pretending to be a bolster pillow. Look at his curled-up little feets-- or wait-- don't! I'm not sure if he can transmit through the internet at you. Better safe than sorry.

This horrible blurry shot is of a couple of holes I burned in my finger yesterday, and Annie pointedly ignoring me. "Let me know when you're ready to pet me, or feed me. Le sigh."

I played a lot of White Stripes and Black Keys yesterday to dispell the suck of last week. Whew-- iPod = still awesome. I run on tune power. it probably tires me out more because I have to occasionally rock out and that uses up energy, but, it needs to be done. After listening some more, I do actually like some of Dan Auerbach's new album. I just had really high expectations and was looking forward to super dirty guitars and more oomph-- yelly stuff.

I almost made my goal of finishing the birch commission. Painted rusty steel is my favorite kind to work with but the absolute WORST to weld. So this one is taking forever because there's a million tiny tack welds all over it and it's too heavy to get onto the SuckWOW (bench). It's about 4' in diameter, so most of the welds yesterday involved a squat of some kind. Good workout anyway.

These people really like Asian art and that aesthetic-- lots of negative space and a weird asymmetrical balance. My version is surely some bastardized hybrid, but they seem to like it. Today I'll put on the finishing touches and open up the edges of the design more. Pics tomorrow.

As far as other stuff-- was exhausted after work yesterday but Trusty Pam dragged me out for an hour + 20 ski that woke me back up. (I told her when we met if she hung with me I'd turn her into an outside girl. I created a monster yo.) Then last night I got on a revision roll (another 35k down) and got sucked back into "Uglies" (cool book btw if you like kind of sci -fi stuff) and was up until, like, 3:30. Yikes.

Today after I finish waking up I'll weld up that commish, then run a little, then, yep-- more revision.

So-- would you be an "O FDL STX" person or an "EFF EFF EFF" person??? I'm kind of both. Maybe I should sell ball-chains separate so people can mix them together...