This is a test, only a test. Should my first blog entry be profound? Am I feeling profound? Hmmm. It's Friday afternoon just after work. I'm on free-float, stress release, after coasting home on a warm summer sea breeze. 23C, sunny with a slight haze. Eminently gentle and delicious. Too forgiving to inspire thought. Too nurturing to be profound.
I am thinking about what the weekend holds in store for me. I might have a date tonight, one of those situations where it is hinted at by someone who likes me but someone who rarely follows though on his word. I am debating whether to give him a call or just to enjoy the freedom of a commitment-free evening. In a minute I'll have a shower and think about it.
I have to do some stained glass work this weekend. I have a tall, narrow window to design for friends in Calgary, some big, tall irises. Irises on steroids, large enough to fill a 2m window. First though, I have to finish a project I am doing for myself. I call it "Stepping Out". It's a large, reddish penis in a too-too in the foreground with a closet door hanging open in the background. Pretty simple actually, just 68 pieces and about 17 types of glass. 17 is my lucky number. I only wish I had been able to aesthetically make it 69 pieces, which seems more appropriate.
The window will ride down to Oregon with me next month, to the Radical Faerie gathering at Breightenbush Hot Springs SE of Portland, if the border Nazis don't seize it first. The subject matter alone should get me banned for life if they find it.
Stained glass isn't my profession, just a hobby, but also not a just a hobby. Next month will mark my 30th anniversary of doing stained glass art. It's about time I began doing something more interesting than just flowers. I don't know why I stuck with it so long, why it stuck to me. At first I only learned it to help overcome my fear of sharp edges. It worked though I still cut myself. But it always offers me something new to learn; new glasses, new techniques and design ideas.
Sometimes new ideas come from clients wanting unusual things, but "Stepping Out" was inspired by a caustic comment I made to my friend Danzante last summer after I received news that my art would not be accepted for the gay pride week show of local artists, "Pride In Art", because it did not meet the politically pre-determined theme of "Gender Twist". I have nothing against quality control, but I was pissed off that some non-artist should be telling me what is appropriate for me to be creating in a pride week showcase of local artists, a show that should give exposure to as wide a range of artists, art expressions and themes as the gay community has to offer. So I said to my friend, "What do they want me to create, a bearded drag queen or a penis in a too-too? Danzante responded, "Why do I like those ideas?" and since then I have been musing over how to do a realistic penis and/or a too-too using different types of glass. I really like how it has come together.
So, as I have no place to market such a project and no space left in any window in my condo to hang yet another creation, I am auctioning it off at the Radical Faerie gathering to raise scholarships funds (Faerie funds) to send others less fortunate to a future Faerie gathering. It is perhaps the most Faerie-esque window I have ever done. I'll post a photo when I am done if I can figure out how to do that.
I am thinking about what the weekend holds in store for me. I might have a date tonight, one of those situations where it is hinted at by someone who likes me but someone who rarely follows though on his word. I am debating whether to give him a call or just to enjoy the freedom of a commitment-free evening. In a minute I'll have a shower and think about it.
I have to do some stained glass work this weekend. I have a tall, narrow window to design for friends in Calgary, some big, tall irises. Irises on steroids, large enough to fill a 2m window. First though, I have to finish a project I am doing for myself. I call it "Stepping Out". It's a large, reddish penis in a too-too in the foreground with a closet door hanging open in the background. Pretty simple actually, just 68 pieces and about 17 types of glass. 17 is my lucky number. I only wish I had been able to aesthetically make it 69 pieces, which seems more appropriate.
The window will ride down to Oregon with me next month, to the Radical Faerie gathering at Breightenbush Hot Springs SE of Portland, if the border Nazis don't seize it first. The subject matter alone should get me banned for life if they find it.
Stained glass isn't my profession, just a hobby, but also not a just a hobby. Next month will mark my 30th anniversary of doing stained glass art. It's about time I began doing something more interesting than just flowers. I don't know why I stuck with it so long, why it stuck to me. At first I only learned it to help overcome my fear of sharp edges. It worked though I still cut myself. But it always offers me something new to learn; new glasses, new techniques and design ideas.
Sometimes new ideas come from clients wanting unusual things, but "Stepping Out" was inspired by a caustic comment I made to my friend Danzante last summer after I received news that my art would not be accepted for the gay pride week show of local artists, "Pride In Art", because it did not meet the politically pre-determined theme of "Gender Twist". I have nothing against quality control, but I was pissed off that some non-artist should be telling me what is appropriate for me to be creating in a pride week showcase of local artists, a show that should give exposure to as wide a range of artists, art expressions and themes as the gay community has to offer. So I said to my friend, "What do they want me to create, a bearded drag queen or a penis in a too-too? Danzante responded, "Why do I like those ideas?" and since then I have been musing over how to do a realistic penis and/or a too-too using different types of glass. I really like how it has come together.
So, as I have no place to market such a project and no space left in any window in my condo to hang yet another creation, I am auctioning it off at the Radical Faerie gathering to raise scholarships funds (Faerie funds) to send others less fortunate to a future Faerie gathering. It is perhaps the most Faerie-esque window I have ever done. I'll post a photo when I am done if I can figure out how to do that.
1 comment:
Highway's "End", huh? Then why do I have a strong feeling this is just the beginning of a wondrous ride?? I'll hold your hand once we hit the road!
PS: Pride organizations these days are mostly corporations and "friendly" tourism strategies. They're in it just to take ppl's money. But some cities are doing really fine in alternative Pride events. I'll just have to organise one with my buddies here in Madrid.
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