Monday, September 27, 2010

JEDC/Leon County Art Trail




Terry Jones installed my Tic Tac Heart today in Jewitt. Saturday Delbert and Wilma came over after picking up sculptures at the Gaylord (where Delbert sold 3 pieces). They brought back Virginia's and my piece from the show Delbert put on and took my Tic Tac Heart along with his piece to go in the JEDC/Leon County Art Trail Sculpture Show.
During Delbert's State Fair of Texas Friends of Lottie Sculpture Garden installation Wilma and I were visiting and Delbert hollers at me, "Lottie, focus!" Huh? Oh, he wanted me to decide where his pieces were going - that's why we were there. Well, I focused and Delbert got them installed in great places.
When Wilma and Delbert came over Saturday did Delbert holler "Lottie, focus!" at any time? No! So we loaded my Tic Tac Hearts in his truck and they drove off. Terry calls me the next day and says, "Where's the base for you sculpture?" OOOOOOOOOOOOOPS! I needed to blow 4 holes in the base so Terry could bolt them to the cement pads he poured for all the sculptures to be installed. I looked over and there sat the base, next to my tanks.
Today I drove the base down to Jewett and met Terry and his wife Carla. What a great place they have on the main street. Worth going to Jewett to see that many of Terry's pieces in one place. I asked Carla if any other women were juried in and she said, "No, you're it." WOW I feel like I'm really with the big boys now.
Terry installed my piece in a nano second. Then Carla and Terry took me on a tour of all the sculptures. Did I think to take pictures of these impressive pieces? No. I'll ask Carla where to find pictures of all and post the link in a day or two.
Terry and Carla have done an incredible job putting this show together and now everyone wants in including the more businesses. Speaking as someone who's put on a few art shows, you can see all their hard work in the end result. And check out the brass plaque Terry installs next on the pad with your sculpture with all your information. Are we talking classy or what?

Sunday, September 26, 2010

White Rock East Garden & Artisans' Tour




Your hardworking WRLAST artists were busy busy at Artistic Gatherings this afternoon addressing the studio tour brochures, licking stamps and sending to your mailbox. Never the diligent one, I went for a moment to pick up brochures and take pictures of the hard workers. Cynthia called to say she'd pick me up, but wasn't going to clean up so she could go back home and to work. Perfect. Well, Cynthia's idea of not cleaned up and mine are two different things. I'm sure all those people were embarrassed to see me in my overalls with slag all over me. Also surprised Cynthia let me in her car. Well, not like they don't know me.
What a beautiful day to be outside welding today. And the BlackJack walk tonight was delightful. I've lived in Texas too long, I know we could still have a few 100 degree days. I'll just be enjoying days like today when they're here.
Once again, White Rock Lake Studio Artists' Tour, Saturday and Sunday, October 16 and 17 from 10:00 to 5:00 - FREE - don't miss it!
And of course there's that incredible sculpture show going on now at the State Fair of Texas. I'll have a photo album of all the pieces on my website in a few days. You can enjoy installation albums of the Friends of Lottie show and the Butterfly House installation on the website now.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

White Rock Lake Studio Artists' Tour



Terra cotta cut into shapes with a tile saw turn into mud which eventually turns me into mud. I wore my clear face mask and wrapped myself in a big garbage bag and still I turned the color of red mud. Forgot to put anything on my head. OOOOOPS I washed my hair, but I still feel shards and won't even try to run a comb thru my hair. Did have a thought that terra cotta dust could be a root touch up.
The pots I'm cutting up are from fused glass class at CAC. Becky taught us how to drip glass in a kiln through clay pots. The pots retain some of the glass in great patterns. She was throwing the pots away. I asked if I could have some and the plan was to mosaic this heart I made years ago with this cool stuff. Well I glued about 6 pot bottoms to the heart and put that aside for a few months that turned into a year. Decided to finish it for the White Rock Lake Artists Studio Tour coming up Saturday and Sunday, October 16 and 17. The tour is worth me turning into mud. Should be out there right now working on it, but hooray it's raining.
I cleaned up my Tic Tac Hearts for Delbert to pick up today and take to Jewett, Texas so Terry Stone can install for the Jewett sculpture show. Now there's a big bare spot in the front yard and this heart will fill the spot nicely.
I used liquid nails to glue on the terra cotta pieces to the heart. Spent about an hour after my shower trying to get the glue off my hands so I could meet Debbie's Angels at Lee Harvey's to toast our Debbie. I used liquid nails because I bought a bucket full of tubes at one of Lynn's estate sales. Gloves? you ask. Please, that would be the smart thing to do, I'm not into that.
It sprinkled rain at Lee Harveys. We knew it was Debbie saying she was with us. Lovely evening, we all agreed we'll return often.
Meet Debbie's Angels Saturday afternoon October 16. They will be in my back yard wearing their halos, showing Ms. Stearns heart and visiting with tour goers. How often do you get to meet real live angels??????? Hearts seem to be the theme at my studio this year.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Jewett EDC outdoor sculpture show






Really exciting new. Terry Jones' Jewett EDC outdoor sculpture show in Jewett, Texas is juried and about to be installed. Terry invited me to enter and with all that's going on I wouldn't have except he has been so faithful bringing incredible pieces to my Friends of Lottie Sculpture Show at the State Fair. So because of Terry I entered. They juried 12 pieces in and I was accepted. Jetett EDC awarded $500 to each accepted, plus a complimentary one night stay at the Executive Inn & Suites on Main Street. Now that's the way to put on an art show. Delbert Beckman (also one of my faithful State Fair artists) was accepted and graciously offered to take my piece when he goes to install. More graciousness, Terry is going to install the piece on the 4 foot slab he probably built. I blew out some holes in the base today for his bolts. How about Delbert and Terry taking care of me? Seriously good people. I appreciate them.
More information as the show unfolds.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

State Fair of Texas




We're installed!!!!! I haven't counted how many pieces or artists. Next post. The fun flew during installation, my favorite day of the year. I love these wonderful friends/artists who show up to for me along with the new artists. Go to my website www.lottieminick.com for installation pictures. My phone rang constantly and I was a little busy so taking pictures wasn't my priority, but I got a few cute ones. Had a panic attack when I lost my water bottle. Darling Staci to the rescue for Lottie DAAAAAAAA with a cooler of water and Little Debbie Snack Cakes. I ate 5 red velvet mini cakes. Simply delicious. Then after calming down, I found the water bottle in the pocket of my overalls. Shame on me for worrying, I was surrounded by people who take the most excellent care of me, allowing me to put on the best and biggest show in Texas. They are the best.
Come out to the State Fair of Texas, get a map from the information booth, ask the people in the booth to show where Sculptors' Way is located on the map. Then have them point. Follow their point and go see the FABULOUS sculptures by my most FABULOUS artists during the State Fair of Texas.
And maybe even take out your checkbook and buy one of the most incredible pieces. I promise, on my Friends of Lottie Sculpture Show curator oath, the sculpture you buy will bring you good luck, good friends and good thoughts about you. Where else can you get all that from one purchase???????

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

State Fair of Texas sculpture install

Today is install day for the State Fair of Texas Friends of Lottie Sculpture Show. I'm going out this morning to install my pieces and go back at 5:00 until dark for the artists while they install. Love installation day. Not crazy about all the walking I'll be doing. I was worn out from the butterfly house installation and that's in a confined area, not to mention mosquitoes will be vicious tonight and you know how they treat me like like their favorite buffet.
Usually the night before installation Lynn and Sissy call me and ask if I need help grouting. I say, "No, I'm OK." Of course I'm not and they know that, so they trot on over. I told them a few weeks ago my mosaic football was finished and I would not need them.
Last night I called Lynn around midnight and told her I'm astonished she didn't call to check on me. She said I assured her I was OK weeks ago. I've assured them before and not been OK. Actually, I am OK, but while polishing the football I found two teeny tiny spots I missed grouting. I'm out of black grout so asked Lynn to put two teaspoons on her porch for me for this morning. I'm on my way to get it right now. Thanks Sisters in Art.
Here's a few more pictures of really pretty artists with their great pieces during install at the Butterfly House Sunday. More pictures on www.lottieminick.com

Monday, September 20, 2010

Texas Discovery Gardens


Yesterday, we installed sculptures in the Butterfly House in the Discovery Gardens at the State Fair. Pictures of install day are on: www.lottieminick.com Great pieces, wonderful artists. Sarah, our Butterfly House liaison, so professional with her clipboard checking in the artists and making sure she has all their information.

As you can imagine, it's a bit humid inside the with the butterflies. I felt like someone took all the juice out of me after being there from 1:00 to 5:00. But the show looks great and my artists/friends outdid themselves. We all enjoyed the butterflies hovering around giving their own advice as to placement of the pieces - so opinionated to be so small.