Fleeting Moments of 2009

Bruno, Richard, and I shared one more hike in 2009 at Dupont State Forest. The waterfalls were in free flowing perfection despite a fun, slippery trail of ice.

A Storm

The long, anticipated winter break began a day early with an artic blast. Normally I don't believe the weather predictions and the hysteria that follows, but when Asheville City Schools gives you your pay check a day early, ya gotta wonder if they are on to something. The clear skies and balmy conditions seemed to justify my scepticism on that Thursday. However, I woke up early the next morning with a smile as i saw a light dusting of snow and more falling. I knew the plowless/ salt-truckless city of Asheville would be parallized. Still funny to this ex-snowbelt buckler. Ah, but I live in the Biblebelt now, where we buckle down with all the bread and milk available at the local bodega and beg for mercy.
School was cancelled for the students, but somehow teachers are expected to sled in for a workday. Luckily I have an all-conditions diesel, as in my "dez'll get you anywhere" boots. So I laced them up and leashed up my pooch Bruno and hoofed it the short mile from my place to the schoolhouse.


Above is the young pup trying to figure it all out. Yeah, I didn't get much work done that morning, unless you call sledding down a hill on a cafeteria tray work. Hey, I'm an art teacher and I was gathering inspiration.
As the snow kept falling an announcement was made for those brave educators who where there to head home.
Here's a shot of Montford Ave as I walked home.


That afternoon some friends came over to my place, the "Bro-Pen", for some sled riding at Montford park. The snow kept piling up, and my friends, being from Florida decided to hunker down.


We played games, music, cooked, and some creative holiday-inspired barbering took place.


We ended up walking through the snow to see what was open downtown. On are way we met lots of folks enjoying the storm. There were snowmen, snowballs, even a 4x4 pulling a snowboarder through the unplowed streets. It was truely a winter-wonderland.

Too much fun...

with self-portraits....Insert your own captions when required.







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FYI: I've been teaching printmaking the past week, so the hands and nails are a wee bit stained.
So, what's your favorite soap?

Works in Progress

A bird ornament and a playful pooch.


I start off with building the armature using balled up newspaper and masking tape (see poochie), then apply Sculptamold, a paperclay (see birdie). Will sculpt some more and sand as the paperclay dries. Next step would be the paint job.
Anybody have experience with this stuff? I'm planning to teach this, so any hints are most appreciated.

Whatever happened to...

Blow Up Your T.V. ?

An Epic Satuday

The day started off with a light dusting of snow. No need to panic and head to the grocery to stock up on bread and milk like so many locals do. Instead, Bruno and I took a nice walk downtown and checked out the storefront's holiday displays. There I met up with my friends Ben and Ashe, who works at a shop downtown. I was able to check out behind the scenes and the dusty, raw second floor space of the old building. I couldn't help but imagine converting it into a sweet gallery/ studio.
Later I met with the Chassner brothers Jon and Josh of the "Man Den", and their friend Stephen for the best Indian buffet at Mela. It was the perfect compliment to cure any remaining side effects from celebrating Jon's birthday the night before at my place, Jon dubbed, "The Bro Pen".
I ended up hangin with Jon after lunch, and took Bruno to the dog park, where he got all muddy. So Bruno had to have his first ride in the back of an open truck bed. He is a southern boy, thank you. He handled it well and we even took him on the highway to Ben and Ashe's place about ten miles outside town to meet their dogs and watch a little football. Good thing the pooch's handsome coat is warm.