The Octopus is Out!

With grand opening’s, shows to prepare for, commissions being worked on and family fun all going on, when is a girl supposed to take care of business?! 

For family fun we are huge Wallace & Gromit fans, have all of their DVD’s and just finished watching their latest movie, “A Matter of Loaf & Death” which we gave two thumbs up. Though our favorite Wallace & Gromit movie is still “Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” perfect to see for Halloween.

The “covert Octopi” is now out in the open! Artist, Shara Dorris hired me to design and weld up some metal art for her new shop that will open this Friday at 410 G Street, in what is quickly becoming Anchorages new Arts District.

Octopus Ink Gallery will feature “recycled, reused, organic and

local art.” Shara is known for her line of unique organic, graphic T’s designed and screened by Shara herself. The large Octopus I made will be mounted on her new storefront in the now closed Tuliqi retail store. Tuliqi used to feature high-end items for all well-heeled beds and baths. I also made a half dozen custom Raven and Rebar face-outs for Shara’s shirts and a few other pieces of metal sculpture for an interior concrete wall that has the most amazing finish. Octopus Ink’s Grand Opening Reception is this Friday, October 16 from 4-9 pm. The Opening is highlighted by an evening of festivities and music with the also very talented Evan Phillips of the Whipsaw’s fame.

Trying to do my part of “taking care of business” I hired my photographer friend, Heather Thamm to shoot some of my commercial and “installed” sculptures. I have not done a good job of updating my portfolio with commissioned works as I should. This I realized when I submitted my design of "Bicycle Bloom" and applied for the 1%  For Art Mountain View Road Sculpture Project. The RFP requested each design proposal to include high quality images of up to 10 recent works... The truth is I’ve been too cheap to want to hire a professional photographer to shoot my recent works on location, recent as in at least the last two years –geeze has it been that long?!  Then I saw some photography my friend Heather shot, I was so blown away by her talent and use of light I was truly inspired

(to pry open my wallet) and asked her if she would have time to shoot a few of my sculptures. I realized I had quite a list of pieces I needed shot due to my lapse in taking care of business and due to time restraints needed to split the total number in

 half, some now, and some in the near future. I put together a shot list of the artwork, locations, contact names and budget, and fortunately, she squeezed me in. I’ll be picking up a CD this week of low-res and hi-res images! These images are a couple of thumbnails she e-mailed me. Thanks again Heather, what you are a

ble to capture through the lens is truly artful!

Oh, AND don’t worry for those of you that have given me your special requests to add to my production schedule for this year’s BAD GIRLS OF THE NORTH show! Yes, I’m working away on fun pieces for one of my favorite shows of the year. I’ll make postcards, but mark your calendar for Friday November 6, 4-9 pm, and Saturday November 7, 10-5 (yes, they will have a cash bar set up again!!) and make note of the NEW LOCATION, Bad Girls Anchorage will be at the Millennium Hotel on Spenard Road.