I Still Don't Know About Eyes

Realization and/or Resignation? Plan or gamble? Put a piece of pastel in my hand and I still don't know what will come of the adventure. Here are two close-ups of particular bears made with no thumb-nail sketches or certainty in outcome. The top guy became "Mystery 3" and the bottom dude is "Martin." Both are looking at the world from long experience, but each would give a different story on how he thinks life might end up.



For the time being they both keep most of their thoughts to themselves. Maybe some day I'll have the guts to put one or both up on the wall and have a long chat. If you have any idea of what they might be thinking feel free to let me know. We can ask them if we're Hot or Cold... and see if they will open up a tad. Maybe tell a few bad bear jokes or sing some bawdy bear songs. Recall a mom's favorite recipe for venison? Hear a different version of "Goldilocks"....

Beware the quiet thinking bear.

Another day closer to Real Spring -

Sue
Look for our bears at the following Spring Boutiques:

* Chickadee Boutique - Shoreview, MN - most Thursdays through Sundays - Mar. 31 - May 15
* Northwoods Boutique - Braemar Golf Course Club House, Edina, MN - April 5 - 17
* Candleberry on the Lakes - Centennial Lakes Park Centrum, Edina, MN - April 6 - 17

Fern Frenzy

This little adventure is part of the Collaborations action combining poets and artists for an exhibition at The Crossing in Zumbrota, MN.



A line in the poem chosen spoke of the tightly wound ways of fern fronds. I so love ferns of many kinds - young and old alike, and had photographed a number of the varieties in our back garden though-out 2010. The photos are kinda "artsy" because I used black or blue photo box covers as backgrounds to the plants. This resulted in some fern images becoming oddly jewel-like.



We prepped a Masonite surface and let the madness begin!! Acrylic washes, acrylic mediums of different kinds, ball-point pen.... Whatever might work.
I must say - this experiment has actually been lots of fun. Flow has been happening. Hours pass. I see more and more. Often rules are dismissed. I am almost hopeful.


The project is due quite shortly. There is a way to go before I'll feel it's finished. And even if the final piece isn't wonderful the time spent creating it has been. Wow. Who knew?

Fare-thee-well,
Sue

Larry in the Rough

Once upon a time I was a Sculpture Major in college. However, the wax dude here was not roughed out by me, but by my trusty husband, Todd. The Larry is inspired by the drawing of "Why Larry Talked to the Lake," still, the finished bruin has an aura of his own. He's been about two years in the making, and looks not much at all like the part pictured. As a good wife/drawer of the original it was hard for me to critique along the way, and just as hard for hubby to hear it.

I was a wee bit testy at times because Larry the drawing is "mine" and I wanted the sculpture to be THAT Larry. Todd the Patient did go along with many (some) of my suggestions, but was just as stubborn as I am, or more so, when he wanted the wax to go his way.... I did sneak downstairs once or twice to tweak a detail or two.

Now that the guy is finished we are pouring some waxes and deciding what path of casting to take. On to the Grand Adventure!

A bunch of bears are heading for the Majestic Oaks Boutique, at the Majestic Oaks Golf Course, near Ham Lake, Minnesota. Dates are March 16 - 27. It will be our first time exhibiting here, and we hope that the bruins will cause many chuckles and guffaws.

Lots of snow still on the ground here. Sigh and sigh. No flooding yet, but plans for much sand-bagging downtown Stillwater near St. Croix River. Thoughts are with those dealing with the earthquake in Japan, too.
Ever-onward and
Fare-thee-well,
Sue

Caramel Roll - The Bikery

Hudson Hot Air Affair

We are excited to be part of Hudson, Wisconsin's Hudson Hot Air Affair!! This large hot air balloon festival is said to be the largest of it's kind in the Midwest, and weather looks to be cooperating this year.

Our bears will be available all day at the Marketplace in the gymnasium of the E.P. Rock Elementary School, 340 13th St. S., Hudson.

This is a close-up of one of our newest pieces. His name is "Pudge." I don't know why.

Come join the frosty fun in Hudson this weekend!

Then on to the Super bowl insanity....
GO PACK!!!!

- Sue

Packermania

Life will return to "normal" some time next week. This week the Green Bay Packers are in The Super Bowl. THE PACKERS ARE IN THE SUPER BOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am shallow. I am a fan. I am an observer of human nature - of talented human sports types (players/coaches/etc/etc), of those who get paid to talk about them, and of those of us who follow the annual professional football adventure.

For several years now I often spend the game sort of watching TV, definitely listening to radio coverage (Walkman headphones clamped over at least one ear & additional free-standing radio tuned to the wisdom of Wayne and Larry), and journaling almost every play on almost every down. Noting thoughts, emotions high and low, in tiny printing, occasional obscenities (not nice - but true), and giant scribbles. It's now an automatic doing. A writing discipline in observation, quickness of noting, using abbreviations, clock times and heart beats to add to the scene.

These high days come infrequently for many fans. Enjoying the whole deal because it goes by so quickly is part of the fun. Enjoying the thrill. Enjoying the panic. Enjoying knowing one has cheered for that other team when one's own team ain't in The Big Game. Enjoying the bonding with folks one doesn't know because of a Green and Gold sweatshirt or jacket or cap.

Soon life will go on. Bart Era. Brett Era. And now on to Aaron. And smiling with Coach Mike, Donald, Clay, A. J., B. J., and the rest of the NFC Best. Focus, follow through, hang onto that ball. Make the tackles and the field-goals. Inches and seconds count. Extra effort in every action.
I watch the games to get inspired. I watch the games and worry about pain. I watch the games and ponder metaphor verses reality. I am a fan of the universe........

Lombardi and Lambeau - "Go Pack Go!!!!"

- Fare-thee-well,
Sue

New Views of an Old Lady

This simple exercise in drawing is starting to grow into something bigger. I don't know what yet.