Day 3 - Jazz Duet

Woke up this morning with a nasty bug -- almost decided to sleep in. Definitely caught something that is sapping my energy. Bad timing!

A few days back, I popped into Centennial Galleries on Linden Street and chatted briefly with Lynne, one of the owners. My first MARBLE/marble piece is still there near the front window. I mentioned to her in jest that I would like to displace this piece with a new one from this year's M/m. She mentioned that next week Fort Collins will host its first Jazz Festival. This ultimately became the inspiration for my Saxophone --now joined by a Clarinet.

Had a good day despite my low energy. Taking a break every half hour (to calibrate the new Crystal River Sundial...details to follow) surely helped.

Fort Collins might as well be a million miles away. This...is true creative Bliss.

Day 2 - Flow

The Internet situation here is abysmal. The one connection we were counting on isn't going to happen -- the satellite receiver is outdated and must be replaced. I'm 'stealing' a very weak off-and-on connection coming from the woods west of here.

Made good progress today. What a break from yesterday's deadlock. I experienced a bit of a rush that I cannot explain other than "flow".

Going to try to upload one photo...

Success! Let's try another...

My subject is an abstract sax. More on that later...

Today, we officially launched the "Crystal River Sundial Project". More detail later.

Very tired. Going to bed early.

Day 1 -- Extreme Exhaustion!

Trying to cut back a bit on my time away from home, I decided to depart on the 260-mile Marble drive this morning at 3am, rather than departing yesterday. Last night's resulting foreshortened sleep probably contributed to the severe case of artist's block I fought through the morning. By around noon, though, I arrived at a design I'm feeling pretty good about. More on that tomorrow...

The spot I have this year is the best yet: A great view of the river, excellent shade and fairly remote. Removed quite a bit of marble for a half-day on a half-night's sleep. Tonight I have a room. I will miss tent camping a tiny bit...Nah.

No internet onsite until tomorrow. I drove down to Carbondale for dinner and a connection.

t - 2 days - Zilch.

Maybe I'll find my inspiration on the beautiful 5-hour drive through the Rockies in my Solstice. Alas, there is hope: last minute inspiration for 2007's Diosa del Sol came during the Glenwood Canyon drive.


View Larger Map

t - 3 days

t - 4 days

Still no inspired direction. Creative Stress continues to mount.

The cluster of white in the middle of the right half (click to enlarge) contains a 55 ton block of Yule marble reserved for The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

To the left of this cluster, just north of the sharp river bend, is the site of MARBLE/marble. You can see evidence of marble scattered about. In about 5 days there will be a fine white cloud of marble dust slowly rising above these aspens.

10 Days Left -- Still Seeking Enlightenment

I depart for my third MARBLE/marble in 10 days. Still, I am without a clue so far as what I'm going to be spending my time creating while there. This isn't necessarily bad, I suppose. Some of my best work--both artistic and technical/scientific--has been the result of last-minute stress-induced hyper-creativity. We can only hope.

Time to get out the plasticine...

MARBLE/marble is 20!

Getting ready for the 20th annual MARBLE/marble event this summer -- and doing the annual update of the title of this blog: XIX -> XX.

I'm thinking about moving from my 'usual' 2nd session attendance to the first session.

"Gala Mask" Award!

My 2008 MoCA Mask has been awarded "Gala Mask" status! This means that it is in the group of 30 masks (out of 150) which have been selected for live auction at the Gala Party -- MoCA's biggest party and Fort Collins hottest fundraising event.

Zebras for Cancer

Just finished this little Zebra marble piece (a business card holder) for a local fundraiser. This zebra marble is very hard!

Can't wait 'till MARBLE/marble XX!

Masks at MoCA 2008

Not exactly marble sculpting, but close: this year's annual contribution to the Masks at MoCA fund raising event (the largest event for the local Museum of Contemporary Art) is in fact a stone sculpture. I think I may stick with stone in the future. It's increasingly difficult to create something unique for this amazing display of local talent and there have as yet been no other stone sculptures in the mix. Here is the finished piece formed from Colorado Alabaster (which is sold about a quarter mile from where I live), "Break-Out":



And photos of a few steps along the creation process:






The 2006 Masks at MoCA brochure is available as a pdf. I'm still trying to track down the 2007 brochure pdf.

Centennial Gallery!

My first MARBLE/marble sculpture (Muse of the Dance) has been placed in the front window of the Centennial Gallery on Linden Street in Old Town Fort Collins. Centennial (previously known as Jean Wilson Gallery) is my favorite in Old Town: as much for the people who run it as for the charm of the building and eclectic collection of work on display. I am tremendously honored.

Thank You MARBLE/marble XIX

Thank you M/m!
Until next year...

--

Notes for next year:

1. notepad (cheap spiral; for workshops and Mark's recipes)
2. tool bin (big plastic container. Walmart?)
3. fix power cord (!)
4. shaving mirror
5. get there earlier; stay over on last day.
6. Yes, the food is that good, but try gaining a little less weight.
7. Start maquette by early Spring; not night before.
8. Calling card
9. WD40 -- tools get wet.
10. rain gear
11. no books/magazines
12. box wine
13. ibuprophin
14. fan!

Day 8 - French Toast and Aliens

I think it's going to be a requirement to get a photo of Connie every year:

After a couple-day delay, we were finally treated to Mark's famous baked french toast. I've not eaten this well for a very long time. Last night's lasagna and salad were sensational. Madeline: charge more for this meal plan!

Today my aspirations of pulling out the Calcite stone I hauled up to begin a new piece quickly evaporated as I enjoyed strolling the grounds saying good-bye's. I stopped by the Redstone gallery to pick up Muse of the Dance. A quick stop at Dos Gringo's for coffee and I'll be off with my 500 pound payload for a careful drive back -- reflecting all the way. I'm hooked

--

MARBLE/marble is an experience of a lifetime -- once a year.

Day 7 - Roger Seal

Today is very unique in the history of MARBLE/marble. Today we mourn the loss -- and celebrate the life -- of Roder Seal. Roger touched the hearts of most everyone who's ever had anything to do with M/m. He was a lovable generous man; always willing to help anyone in need.

At 2pm a special ceremony was held in the new "Roger Seal Garden" that has been carfully and lovingly crafted on the M/m grounds. It was very moving.

Today I very nearly finished my sculpture! We located and drilled a granite base and re-drilled the sculpture then mounted it. What satisfaction! I struggle for words. The joy this brings is immense. Thank you Madeline Weiner and Crew!

Tonight is a lasagna feast. A band is setting up to play; the celebration of Rodger's life is in full throttle.

Day 6 - Sanding and Sipping

With all of the major surfaces finally placed where I want them, its on to sanding. With new diamond-grit pads, this isn't nearly so time consuming as it once was. Colorado Yule is especially attractive when sanded to around 220 grit. At this point, the marble crystals come alive and put on a show.

The workshop this morning was on pinning and mounting. My piece will be pinned to a granite base so this was quite relevant and very informative.

At 2pm, Scott delivered his much-anticipated treatise on art. Indescribable. At three Kathi Caricof gave a talk and demo on relief carving. Next year, I think I'll incorporate some of this into my piece.

This evening was the Redstone Art Center's annual Sculpture Exhibition where I entered my piece from last year's MARBLE/marble. Again, this was an amazing event. An unbelievable spread of food; free-flowing wine; old and new friendships.

One of the above photos is M/m founder Madeline with one of her amazing pieces. Check out that face!

Were I not so tired, I'd add much more. And will...when I can also add photos. Check back early next week. ***

Day 5 - Quarry Tour

I need to photograph this with a longer lens. The wide angle used for most of these photos tends to distort the figure somewhat.

More lipo today. Finally pulled down the legs all the way to the base. Each time I take a fresh look after a break -- or with different lighting -- I see work that needs done. She's still a little heavy in the thighs compared to my now-shattered maquette, but I'm starting to like it that way.

In the evening we had a tour of the marble quarry. Much has changed since I last was there some 35 years ago. Colorado Yule, they said, is now the most expensive marble in Europe where 45% of the production from this mine is shipped.

After the tour, we came home to an amazing Indian dinner cooked up by staffer Ravinder Bhardwaj. Why didn't I do this meal plan last year?!!

As always, I'll be adding many more photos to each of these posts once I get back into civilization...

Day 4 - Lipo

Today's 10am session was Cool Tools. Two tool vendors come to each M/m session to hawk their wares and this is when we find out why we need them all. $400 on an Italian in-line chisel is typical. This can get expensive.

The afternoon session, Fase Off, has two accomplished staff sculptors -- Rex and Scott -- sculpting a face in wood (Rex) and marble (Scott). Very informative and entertaining.

I broke my maquette today. It fell to the ground and before I knew it I had stepped on it and shattered it. Bummer. But it did force me into a needed shift in focus.

Today, I mainly did liposuction to the sculpture (she needs a name): gradually pullling in surfaces to where they need to be. This year's sculpture (and last) is mainly nice nurbs-like surfaces and are best shaped with the MadKat diamond blade. Next year I want to switch radically to an almost entirely chiseled piece with much more fine detail.

Speaking of next year, note to self: bring a fan. Helps keep the dust and flys at bay.

Day 3 - MadKat

No, it isn't a forest fire. It's mid-day at MARBLE/marble!



Every morning at 10am, a bongo drum alerts the sculptors that a training session is about to begin under the tent by the tool shed. Today's topic was the in-line chisel. Listening to and watching these on staff instructors instructors is certainly one of the highlights of the symposium. Scott, Petro and Madeline (left to right) shared many valuable tips and some priceless humor (particularly the inimitable Scott Owens).

Made a lot of progress today! I may actually finish this piece by the end of the Symposium. Spent most of the day with the newly-christened "MadKat" blade. This is a 5 inch diamond encrusted wonder. It's new name comes from the two staff members most responsible for the high sales rate of this blade.



Tonight, after dinner, a rescheduled slide show is on the docket.