Up and Running!

It took a wee bit of effort to pull it off, but Merican-Tastic! is up and running.  We've had abnormally hot temperatures around here for the past three weeks which only hindered the whole process.  There were a few casualties along the way.  In less than 24 hours, I burned through not one, but two Dremel tools while carving my frames.  As a result of that, three of my frames were not complete in time for the opening reception.  But as my mother used to say, 'Life is tough, wear a cup!'

Here are a few shots taken during set-up while Heidi Hernandez and I arranged and rearranged the show until we got the flow we were looking for.  We had yet to adjust the lighting in these initial shots.

Here are a few shots from the opening reception at MidCoast Fine Arts' very own Bucktown Gallery.

We wrapped up the evening at Antonella's! I am demonstrating to the table that if I hold one hand slightly higher than the other, it looks like I am making a serious point about something.  Please also note that only one person is even pretending to pay attention... (photo credit Lisa Mahar)

For those of you who insist on doing your own stunts, may I present unto you, the culinary Ambrosia your stomach has waited for for years.  Ladies and Gentlemen, Giovani's Creamy Garlic Pan Pizza with a ladle of red sauce on top. POW!  You may now rightfully despise all lesser pizzas.....

Look for shots of the completed show in a future post.

48 hours until Merican-Tastic!

Guhhh.  Merican-Tastic! opens in about 50 hours and here is where I am with Mr. Peanut.  He is a foam, driftwood, plywood, and chicken wire construction just like Twinkie the Kid.  The spray foam doesn't stick to the sheet of plastic (one of the few things it doesn't stick to) very well, so I use it to give shape to the body

A few shots of the foam after I remove the plastic sheet.

Actually, a quite beautiful texture which I plan to explore in future pieces!

He also has Styrofoam ribs.

Laminating thin strips of plywood and duct taping 'the bend' in the pieces allows my to for the strips around Mr. Peanut's body.  After forming the ribs to their proper factory specified peanut configuration, I put on the first layer of fabric.

A long ways to go before Friday!  Here are a few shots of the carved frame for Halcyon Days of Yore. 

Coming soon, sneak peek images from the show installation!  I leave you with a glimpse of a piece from Merican-Tastic!

This show is gonna have something for everyone!

Merican-Tastic! The Teaser Show

Merican-Tastic! lands in two stages.  The first is the 'teaser show' which is in the 2nd floor display cases in Bucktown (a link to Bucktown's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bucktownarts).  Here are a few shots of the set-up.  Heidi and I spent as much time discussing piece placement and rearranging (and rearranging.....) pieces to come up with the final show.  Alot of artist overlook the importance of developing 'the composition' of a show.  The interaction between the pieces is just as important as the interactions within a piece.

A good stress-reliever after a bizarre install.

The opening date of our show hot bumped up by two weeks, so instead of kicking back and enjoying how the show looked, we both went back to our studios.  I snagged a couple quick images of what Heidi is developing for the main show. 

Please hold your applause until the end.....

You may now commence clapping!

Merican-Tastic! opens in one week!!!