maude wren

This isn't a place to go on about babies, or make excuses, but by way of an explanation for months of non-activity here, I feel somewhat obliged to mention that in February, Maude Wren Ridout Bond arrived in this world. And there was a lot of non-creative stuff that needed doing before she came along - like bashing down knackered kitchens. We're all doing great, but it'll take some time to work out a new work-life balance. More soon.

on the road

One of a selection of fine roadside toilet sinks that I've encountered during my hither-thither travels over the last few weeks.

pots

I will miss opening up the cupboards and finding these sorts of treasures all over the place at WSW…

stroll

They say Fall's not that great this year. But there are still some glorious moments for me. Can't decide whether to look up or down…

v. small scrap

earthquake cakes and busted knees

gift

This morning brought a gift to my work station.
Amelia is great! She adds some lightness to the day. 
Thank you!

there's some nature in this place

A few days ago I found an orange tree frog in my bedroom.

Yesterday evening we saw a bear ambling across the road.

This evening I saw a snapper turtle crossing the road to get to the swamp (apparently judging by its size, about 70 or 80 years old. She was a big lady.)

And I didn't have a camera with me once.

This place doesn't do nature by halves.

shot

The ingredients

 Real live actual shot

Woody's beautiful template

Woody's beautiful template

Woody practicing his aim

Woody and the real target

My first spent shot

The results

The results

The back of the template

So Woody saw my Excoriate piece and mentioned that shooting paper might achieve a similar effect to what I wanted to create with the laser cutter. Funnily enough, when I first conceived the idea, it was with the thought of the phrase shooting someone down. But shooting things in Britain would require some organisation. Here, you just meet Woody, get in a truck, with a gun, some shot, some paper and ear shields, drive into the woods and bam - it's done. You can see what I mean about Woody being someone who gets things done. Look at the gorgeous wooden template he made me. A work of art in its own right. I'm sad I have to leave it behind.

And yes! It was marvelous fun! And yes it was scarily empowering! And no I don't want to shoot anything that actually moves. But I'd have another go at stationary non-living targets! I got so excited however, that I forgot to ask Woody to take a photo of me taking aim. I promise that a good percentage of those holes were due to my excellent aim…

the characters in this tale vol. ii

Woody. They're all pretty practical here, but Woody is on the top rung of the problem-solving ladder. Need a jig making? Need a gadget that hasn't been invented yet? Want something that is so broken you're ready to chuck it, fixed? Woody's your man. He hangs out with his loyal black hound Shy and they keep this place operating smoothly. He's also very up for showing an English gal an adventure… See tomorrow's post.

proof

© All rights reserved by women's studio workshop

Cheyenne has been taking some stealthy shots of me in the studio. Then Sarah made a flickr folder of shots too. Just so you know I am actually here.

rain glow

market day

From the top: eggplants, garlic scapes, red okra, soy beans.

From the Rosendale Farmer's Market.

There were giant bunnies too.

high & low

Depths and summits. Cement country here. And the Catskills in the distance.

Last week was trying to get out and about a bit. All work and no play and all that…
This week I think it's pretty much all work ahead. Deadline is creeping up fast and it's feeling a little out of reach despite long, long days hard at it…

candy corn

Yes. We eat this stuff.

the characters in this tale vol. i

People keep asking me to see more of where I am and who I’m with. So I thought I’d start doing some portraits of the people I’m working with here. A few at a time and staggered over the next few weeks as people are in and out here.  

To kick off we have the interns, who I reside with:

 

Steph has pretty much been my chauffeur since I arrived and is general strong person and just seems to be able to sort everything out (I am like an innocent in this country). She swims faster than me, is a bit of a chef and used to sport a mean mohawk when she headed out to town - but now she's cut it off. (I think she would have preferred me to use the picture where the mohawk was rigid - but I like these better as she is laughing.) She's also been my silkscreen clean hands lately…

Cheyenne (pronounced Shy-anne) is just lovely. She's also another scarily practical one (she was in charge of getting our temperamental generator to work during the hurricane days and filling the pump when the well drops below a level it considers that it can provide us with water at). Little and strong and wise. And a fine array of neckerchiefs as you can see here. She’s the one who did a marvelous job helping me hang my show and is actually even more fastidious than me when it comes to working out levels and things. She's also making my etched Flee image sing! We eat bad food together, like sweets and stuff.

Bryn is the third of this awesome bunch of ladies. She’s a mean cello player, and is currently teaching herself to play the piano too. Am awed by her musical capabilities. She's also a pretty funny commentator on life in the intern house. She’s been an excellent print demonstrator and has bag-loads of enthusiasm. And she runs even though she might catch Lyme disease. Again. Braver than me. I've been once and had to check myself meticulously for ticks afterwards, twice over.

And this is where we all live, happily:

Photo of Bryn and me in the dining room by Steph Bell