I entered the Broward Art Guilds Juried Art Show-”In the Mix” and I came in 3rd place. I have been happy all day. I dropped off 2 pieces on Sunday and was given a receipt with a phone number to call back on Wednesday to see if my work made the cut. So this morning when I awoke, I pulled out the number, but afraid of rejection, I told myself that I will call at 3pm (why ruin my morning if it was bad news) at 1pm the phone rang and from the caller ID I knew it was the guild but I decided to let my voice mail get the call (why receive rejection in person when voice mail can do it). Now anyone that knows me, the Type A personality that I am, I have no fear. I a run a multi-million dollar division of a major corporation and deal with people all day, the good, the bad and the ugly. But this was different. So I retrieved the message while holding my breath, to find out that it was a congratulations call and one of my pieces titled “A Train” came in 3rd place. I have been smiling all day. This Saturday is the gallery reception and originally I was to be out of town, but my plans changed and I will be able to attend. Did I say I have been smiling all day!!!! You can view my work here or please visit the gallery this Sat. July 19 from 6-8 (the work will be on show until August 23rd)
Leche-VItrines Art Alliance (it is on the second floor) SE corner of Oakland Park Blvd and Federal Hwy (US1) you can also go to www.Browardartguild.org or www.lechevitinesart.com for the address.
Stop bye and see the other artists work.
I had been wanting to use a propane torch to fuse my work, so today I went to home depot and $25 poorer I now own a blow torch. I let it sit in the package all day, as I have to admit, I am a bit afraid of the thing. Two days ago a house in my community had a fire (no one was hurt) and when I was 14 yrs. old the gas grill at my house singed my hair/eyebrows and lashes (my brother went to light it but I guess there must have been fumes so it made a big fire ball when he lit the grill) and then 2 weeks later I caught my sleeve on the stove and it caught on fire (I grew up in a house with an industrial range before they were in vogue that had huge gas jets) I now only have electric in my house, stove oven and all. So this Torch is a huge leap for me considering my bad experiences with fire.
So I went outside on my patio, with a fire extinguisher, removed any items that looked flammable, locked the dog inside and after many attempts finally got the torch ignited. I took a few sample of boards that I prepped outside to test. One panel caught on fire because I had some paper that was stuck in the wax so it flamed up, the others went okay, the problem being- I could not see the flame. A few more attempts and then I decided back to the heat gun. Since my studio is in my den; I can’t use the torch inside. I can see the practical use if I was working on a very large surface as the flame fuses fast and even. But for right now I will stick with my heat gun
Any one have an suggestions on the torch let me know as I am sure with practice I can get the hang of it and not hurt myself or anyone.
