Sometimes I marvel at my life. Take today for instance. I’d borrowed something from Bill Loyd (see previous post The Farmer’s Mantra) that he needed back, so I decided to return it after going to the post office. When I arrived, Bill was working with a huge cylinder. Apparently he has an idea for a new sign he’s going to make out of it.
I live in a village that is full of artists and I still believe Bill Loyd is the most creative person I have ever met. He is always creating, if not physically, he’s working something out in his head. It’s an inspiration to be around him—around his energy. I happened to have my camera with me and thought you all would like a glimpse into Bill’s day as well.
As I was standing there taking some pictures, Anna (see previous post The Art of Anna Karin) came out to greet me and invited me into her studio. She’d been painting so I didn’t want to stay long. But, since I had my camera, she asked me to shoot a few photos for a possible still life. Very cool. Then Bill came in needing some paper.
We all talked about projects we’re working on (Anna is excited about setting up her printing press to start making prints again), and then it was time for me to get out of their hair. Lots of people don’t understand that artists work all the time. Casually dropping by their homes and studios for a visit interrupts their work. Artists know this. (Don’t get me wrong, though, we’re always open for the public to come by. Showing our work to potential buyers is something we are all more than happy to do).
So I headed back to my own studio where my work awaited me. But not without a great dose of inspiration given to me by my two good artist friends.
Love to you all,
Jeane
Wonderful! I have to say the metal welding art reminds me of my Father, who took care of us with his family company – Kane Brother’s Concrete. Dad was one of those men who could build anything, fix any tool or truck etc. In his retirement Dad took up metal sculpting from “retired” metal objects he collected as well:) It warms my heart to see Bill’s video of him casually using heavy machinery to accomplish his art and seeing his welded pieces of sculpture. He has an extra special place in my heart for reminding me of my Dad as well as being an amazing creative artist working today.
I didn’t know that your dad did sculpting from retired objects in his retirement. I can sure see how Bill brings him to mind. They are very similar in so many ways. Bill can fix and build anything, too. Wait until you see the post of him installing the sign he was just beginning here–will post on 3-6. Bill’s shop reminds me of my great grandfather’s shop on Vashon Island. I spent many long hours with him there while he was creating, too.
Awww, such wonderful memories:) Both my Mother and Father are/were artists…they just “worked” at other things. Mom always makes quilts still to this day when she is 93, and she loves fashion.
No wonder you are such an amazing artist–born of two artful souls. I’d love to see your mother’s quilts.
Looks like a wonderful day in Truchas. How cool is that sign 🙂
I see there is some snow on the ground.
ShamanArtist
Well, you’re not seeing the sign yet. The last shot is of one of Bills’ sculptures called Balancing Woman. There will be a post, a week from today, showing him installing the finished sign. It turned out great.
Yes, a little snow but we need MUCH more!
Rigging a lift is one of the great arts. It is transient, like the sand painting of the buddhists, made to be gone. Good riggers get a feel for things like where the balance point is and where the strong points are. A great lift like a bridge section can be a great work of rigging. It can take weeks to rig a lift that is done in minutes. Do it wrong and men die. In smaller work, adaptations to apply the machine to the need can be beautiful. I knew a man who got a bargain on a forklift, and soon it had gained a blade to maintain his road, and a log arrangement that the lift could pick up and use for a crane boom.