06 April

Back in the Saddle Again



Feels good to get back to work. With all of the sour and frightening economic news, both my husband and I feel fortunate to have great jobs. Jobs that we love and have benefits, his providing our health insurance and my being self-employed allows the opportunity to better manage the home and family affairs with the added benefit of being able to put the kids first when necessary (without the threat of being let go).

A big box was waiting for me when we returned home! I love getting mail, especially packages :o) My folks, (my Mom) are the best at sending us care packages. This box was from my Dad sharing his found object bounty with me. 
We both do assemblage work and he came upon a generous frame shop owner who gave him a ton of unwanted frame ends! There are some really great pieces that will be perfect for my Shrine-a-rella's. Above is a picture of one of my favorite Shrine-a-rella's, "Know Yourself." I couldn't part with this one so it avoided the Gallery and hangs on our wall at the cabin. Some pieces are like that. I have mini love affairs usually with all of my work which makes it hard not only to price the work, but give it up and turn it over to the Galleries to sell. The love affairs make me feel like the price should be be ten times what the market will bear, but how practical is that? I suppose loving the work is a good thing because I frequently hear comments from customers of how "It looks like you enjoy what you do." I suppose the majority of the time they're right...
Before I can go digging and sorting through my new treasures I brought back from Seattle, and the huge box of 
lovely's my Dad sent, I forced myself to get some metal work done. Wow, what a difference working in the shop and not have it be -20 below! It was sunny so I threw the doors open and swept out the volcanic ash that seemed to be everywhere. The Gallery's and I enjoyed good sales last month and I need to create more pieces. Today was a plasma cutting day and I cut out some crabs and other metal for some wall sculptures that will get welded and assembled tomorrow afternoon. In the morning I meet with the Tabernacle client to deliver the commissioned piece...I am sooo hoping they like it as much as I do...

6 comments:

Anji Gallanos said...

I stay home for the exact same reason. I can't believe how nice it is to stay home and do something I love, be there for my kids when they need me and basically not worry about much in the morning except for if I have coffee or not.

What a great box of treats.

cindy shake said...

Hi Anji, thanks for the post. I totally agree. Taking and picking up my kids (now just one is in elementary school) and being able to attend his school events is very special. They grow up sooo quick.

It can be a bit lonely working on my own, so I'm sure to network with other artists, get out, get inspired and try not to "hole up" too much -especially in the winter! I'm much more sensitive to feel the blah's or the lonely-blues set in, so I try to head those off as best I can and keep making art!

Linda Starr said...

What great parents you have, I wouldn't be that self-displined to work before looking through the treasures. Yes working at home is the best, I like the solitude and being close to nature. Good luck with your tabernacle. Our weather is going into a cooler spell again, I wonder if Mt. Redoubt is affecting the weather?

cindy shake said...

Hi Linda, thanks for the post. That's and interesting idea about the volcano affecting the weather...hmmm? I just checked the AVO site and it said that Redoubt was calm (maybe calm & cool!). I agree that working close to Nature is an added benefit. Anymore I tell people that I'm "unemployable" because I've gotten so spoiled and independent working on my own. I don't think I could survive in an office because I'd come and go whenever I wanted and then I'd have the windows open all the time ;o)

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

Wow, you are such a talent! I love the shrine. Glad to hear the gallery sales are going well too!

Cynthia said...

audible GASP - I love this shrine! Fantastic.

Your parents sound awesome - so nice that they share. :)