SKETZEL

The Circus

2012-01-20T08:13:00.000-06:00

The Circus

Last February my husband Jeff and I visited our daughter in Portland , Oregon. I love that town and it has a familiarity to it since my mom had lived there also. I found a chain belt with coins in a thrift shop and things started to collect in my house around this chain belt. Then I found a picture of a snake charmer (Big thanks to Muffet on Flicker.) I started making shades of pink polymer clay tiles and stamping them with India images. I deviated from my conventional blingy-ness; I wanted a matte look and I discovered Doc O'Brien's weathering powders. From the library, I checked out kids books on India to get inspired by some images. I used Apoxie Sculpt to create cow horns and painted them to look like Henna.

I learned that snake charming is illegal in India now, yet what a profession! There are some wonderful, authentic snake charming images from the University of Washington but, too many hoops to jump through to get permission to use. I try to be very careful about that public domain slippery slope. I actually contacted the estate of Man Ray whom his images are entrusted too. I asked if I could use some of his images in my art. They told me, "...Absolutely not," and signed the correspondence, "Remaining at your service..."

The piece measures 26 x 21 x 4 inches. The substrate is Wedi-board (concrete-foam-concrete sandwich used to frame in showers.) There are pink jasper beads, millefiore, smalti, old jewelry; oh-and a little toy elephant I painted blue and sculpted India-elephant looking garb on it (illuminated magnifying glass for that one.) The little tent is created out of polymer clay.

A river runs through it. I was trying to convey a sensory overload of exotic sights, sounds and smells moving through town, just for that one night, leaving stunned inhabitants in its' wake who later would recall, "Remember the night the circus came into town?"

Here are some detailed images. Blessings Everyone!

p.s. I'm kind of a big deal. I have 14 followers on Google and 8 on Twitter, 3 real people and 5 perverts.

Polymer Clay class at the Studio at Rush Creek

2012-01-13T12:31:00.000-06:00

I am teaching a class on Polymer Clay Tile Mirrors at the Studio at Rush Creek in Maple Grove, MN. Click on my post title and it will take you to the class schedule. Scroll down to Jan 21 and the class is from 1-4 pm. Kids are welcome too if they can handle a sharp knife by themselves. Here is the class description link:

http://www.studio-rush.com/classpages/polymerclaymirror.html

I hope to see you there!

Stephanie

Merry Chrismas from the Johnson's

2011-12-14T07:02:00.086-06:00

I thought it would be fun to create a diorama that looked like an old photo; the ones with the white deckled edges that usually had cursive pencil written on the border; (thankfully) indicating who the subjects were. The project started to be a study in black and white. I found a foam box in the dumpster, covered it with celluclay, then thinset so it could give tooth to the mosaic polymer clay tiles. After that, lots of beads, smalti, old jewelry and of course, my fave, Apoxie Sculpt. 'Used acrylic paints and Gilder's Paste also. It measures approximately 11 inches square. But, It likes to think it is bigger.

I should warn you that as I write this, I am coming down from a bad Nyquil jag. I have lost my censors being ill. I picture myself being carried off by white coats and yelling, "it's not me, it's the cold medicine!" But, I think it is me. So, I hope it is not too offensive when I say that all these kitchy frames you can buy with loving family adjectives on them make me nauseous. They are targeted at those who learned communication skills from watching old re-runs of Bonanza.
I sound so arrogant! 'Must be the Nyquil. I have become a creature I don't know. And, after lying in bed for too long, I realized how much I think in metaphors. Everything is a metaphor. I look at something and I am sure I see it's higher purpose; to show me in symbols. It drives me nuts and I started to pull on my hair and inside I was screaming, "Stop seeing Metaphors!"
Turning it around, in a kind of Byron Katie approach, I thought that a bumper sticker that said, "START SEEING METPAHORS" would be funny. 'Yellow background to it, similar to "START SEEING MOTORCYCLES."

This is Laura Marling, from the CD a Creature I don't know. The name of the song is Sophia and I love it. It starts out slow at first but, it turns into a totally different tempo half way through. Tempo changes are good, metaphorically speaking.

LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH***CELEBRATE

Okay, there is one of these frames in my house with warm, fuzzy adjectives. I think all that stuff on the frames is there in my family. But I would be lying if I said that like any family, we do not have our share of growing pains and drama. Not the least of which included me ordering my son the other night to get me some fucking gelato. Yeah, the effenheimer is cheap and easy; a readily available profanity whore. And I gotta lot of ornery currency to use right now. ( He was in the USMC so he can take it.) And what is wrong with learning communication skills from the set of Bonanza?

Okay, study the Johnson's. There is more to this piece than your first ~~gland~~ glance.

As disconnected as this blog is right now, perhaps you will see a thread running somewhere through it; I much prefer the broad spectrum of adjectives, including the difficult ones. I like a Patina on my people. I am going to leave you with a "new-oldschool-Christmas Carol." Really, what's so funny about peace, love and understanding? And I am going to blame the blabbering on Nyquil. Happy Holidays Everyone!! (p.s. My husband and son just got back from the store with the gelato.)

Another Fall Update.

2011-09-23T12:28:00.016-05:00

This is the piece I submitted for my first juried show. It is currently at YourArtsDesire

http://www.yourartsdesiremtka.com/current-exhibition/

for the Clean II exhibition.

It is about 3' in length and is an old cupboard door from my friend, Clare. It is called "A Serenity Prayer Mash Up." The Serenity prayer is interposed with a verse from the song Aretha Franklin sings, Son of a Preacher Man. Here is how the text goes:

Being good isn't always easy

God,

No matter how you feel

Grant me the Serenity

When he started sweet talking to me

to Accept the things I cannot change

Kissin'

Tell me everything is alright

The Courage to change

Can I steal away again tonite?

The things I can

And the wisdom

The only one who could ever reach me

to Know

Was the son of a Preacher man

The difference.

The song is on my iPod and my thoughts started mixing things up and it seemed as connected as it was disconnected so, what the heck? Why not make a mosaic around it? It is for sale and the show goes until the end of September. There is a really fun, new coffee shop right next to the gallery, where a Dunn Brother's used to be. I happen to know that the floor costs about 60k and is made of very old barn wood. 'Good menu too.

The NEMAA Fine Arts Exhibit is this weekend, Sept 22-24 (2011, if this is archived.) The opening night is tonight at the Grain Belt Bottling House. http://www.nemaa.org/

I have posted this piece before but, this is what I have submitted to the NEMAA show.. It is called "Bad Habits."

I think I would have also liked to call it, "Huntin' for Sinners." On a blog, somebody had posted that as a caption for this photo. This triptych is approx 13 or 14" high. It is for sale, as is "Serenity Prayer Mash Up."

I had to pass on the St. Paul Art Crawl this fall; I will miss the energetic air and crowds that have been so fun down there.

In November, I will have my art at the Three Crows coffee shop in Delano, MN. I am excited about this one.

I have been working on a piece that I think I will be calling the "Circus." 'Seems like the circus is always in town, in my head. Ha!

Here is the link for Three Crows. You will see a video on the home page; that is my brother cooking Paella!

http://www.thethreecrows.com/Three_Crows_Website/Welcome.html

Alright, I am submitting this unedited. That takes a lot of time, you know.

Have a Great Fall Everyone!

Summer Update

2011-08-21T21:40:00.000-05:00

Here are a couple of Buffalo Girls. These are vintage toys in a wooden frame. There is a copper glitter background and, polymer clay drapes. It is still a work in progress. 8 x 11 inches.

This says "Arlynn's Garden" below a placid little bird. Sorry about the reflection; it is really a rich piece and one I made for myself. It is in memory of my mom, Arlynn. She was a master of so much. A friend of Jeff's once told him that she learned more about her father after he died, then she ever knew about him when he was alive.. I guess I thought that all mom's could garden, crochet, get their Master's Degree and make art like a pro. She taught me so much, by example, because she wasn't much of a talker. And she couldn 't cook worth shit.. She hated cooking. Some details follow of this piece.

Sushi Lovers Rise up! This piece is the same size as "Arlynn's Garden." About 5 x 7 inches and, the recessed part is an Altoid's tin. Here is a little plate of Sushi, with wasabi and pickled ginger. The righteous little fist I got at a surplus store and is a doll part. As usual, polymer clay tiles and beads were used. I sold this to a food and wine lover!

Oh, just one more thing....I am teaching a polymer clay tile class at The Studio @ Rush Creek this week. And, I am in my first juried show; the Clean II show at Yourart'sdesire, Minnetonka, MN. (see link under muses.)

Finally, Creations from my class last February.

2011-08-03T22:18:00.000-05:00

Cindy and Sherry. Cindy later e mailed me a picture of her completed shrine and, unfortunately, it is deep in the bowels of my many saved e mails. Trust me, it is beautiful and meaningful; honoring some of the places she has come through this last year.

Jill's little toy doll from childhood. She has the components ready to go and, actually covered the little doll with glass. Real bark, acorn and pebbles in this sweet, muted piece.

Gina, Melinda and Jill.

Diane made a little shrine in memory of her good friend, Joy.

So unique! The purple symbol, with her friend's picture, has special meaning for Diane.

Angela, an accomplished mosaicist, with her shrine honoring St. Joseph.

'Love the colors!

Melinda honors her inner bitch. Yeah! The finished shrine looked great.

Sherry framed a mirror to honor her beloved mama.

Gina collaged and tinted a picture of her mom. Some of the shrines we were unable to finish in class. Jill and Gina came over to my house and we ate my homemade rosemary foccacia with truffle butter and drank red wine to celebrate our finished pieces. Now, that WAS really fun!

In the "Lab," or " Why I don't have a social life."

2011-05-07T07:25:00.003-05:00

A vendor in Taxco, Mexico was selling these Mermaid and Angel ornaments and they seemed to belong to these frames. I am not sure how I will mount them yet; most likely I will construct a little box to attach to the back of the frame. The frames have pages from a Nautical book I bought at Goodwill. They will be covered with tempered glass.

I am trying to learn to sculpt. I was in Duluth, Mn last summer with two good friends and there was a shop with ship figureheads and they intrigued me. So, I scrunched up some tin foil armature and started to make a Mermaid with polymer clay. She is going to have reddish-orange hair and luminous green scales. Then I have to find a place for her!

First attempt at a ship figurehead; I think I will finish her with long black locks.

This piece will be a mirror. It has a thrift shop frame and alot of bling and beads (covered by the green masking tape.) I finished grouting the top, mixing my own burnt umber recipe for the grout color. My intention was to bead up the bottom half but, it competed with the top so, I will be tempered glass-ing the bottom half too. I gave some copper foil an oxidized look with acrylic paint for the bottom half as well. When I went to get another safety glass window at the salvage shop, I bought an '88 van window for $4 (forgot the make) and it was too tinted. I am stuck until I get a different piece of glass. The crown is polymer clay and the embellishments are jewelry and glass I cut. Bead caps line the outer rim.

More little tempered glass shrines in progress. The frames are rimmed with millefiori and the shrines boxes are Altoid tins. I use Apoxie Sculpt or Magic Sculpt to adhere alot of things. Including the shell at the top of the following frame.

Too much?

An added note: Some people thought that the prayer to plaid in my 4/3/2011 post was a real prayer. It wasn't. I combed the Old Testament for verbage ideas and I wrote it myself. I am not a Biblical Scholar but, I don't believe plaid existed before Christ. And of course, once Jesus got here, the development of plaid was a natural sequelae.

Hello Kitty

2011-05-04T21:46:00.000-05:00

Kitty has veneers. This is a cat skull my friend Mitch found. It had the most beautiful teeth and then, I dropped it and broke off all the teeth.. I thought maybe kitty could look like a rogue pirate but, I just didn't like it. So I used Magic Sculpt and gave Kitty and new smile. I had to fill in Kitty's delicate sinuses with Magic Sculpt also. So far, blue glitter, beads and millefiori has been glued on.

This is where kitty is going to go. I cut a shape out of foam and covered it with Rigid Wrap. The embellishments on the side are upholstery nails. I am in the process of covering it with mirrored cobalt blue tile.

Kitty is going to sit in that little recessed hole. The whole piece is about 12-14 inches across.

Practice Plaiditude

2011-04-03T20:00:00.002-05:00

Just pretend Plaiditude and Gratitude are interchangeable. Plaiditude is that change in attitude when you start to be thankful for your legs, your eyes, your imperfect relationships, your willing, but struggling, belief in something bigger than yourself; who happens to dig the heck out of you, by the way. Practicing Plaiditude is a conscious act.
I have found a little prayer, dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Plaidoration. Historically, like all good prayers, it begins with the word, Hearken.

(I just made that last sentence up.)

Hearken

O, for thou art the Divine of Plaid Righteousness

Have Mercy on us

As we strive to pleaseth you

By not wearing solid colors

Consider the wickedness

of those that have not woven

Contrasting threads at right angles.

Forgive the foolish

Where plaidness does not

dwell in their hearts.

Condemn thou who fail to cleaveth

to their nostril

the scent of plaid attire.

We humbly beseech thee to intercede

upon the tartan-less in distress

And unto thee, wilt bless and shield with favor?

The rest of us?

Ok?

Alleluia Alleluia

Our Lady of Perpetual Plaidoration

$325.00

10" x 7"

Detail of the plaid polymer clay tiles I made. I made polymer clay canes, then sliced them to make the tiles. The crown is also covered with plaid tiles that I made in the same way. Click the link to see how I did this. How to make polymer clay plaid canes

I also used commercial tile, red grout, beads, collage, small frame, jewelry. All items were thrift store or garage sale, excluding the purchased and hand-made tiles.

Robert Frost puts it this way: "No surprise for the writer, no surprise for the reader."

2011-03-19T13:29:00.005-05:00

I have received a few e mails this week, just when I needed to hear them. Thank you Gina and Clare (see links to the Three Crows and Room to Breathe under my "muses.") I will be adding another muse today. It is from the writer, Elizabeth Jarret Andrew.

I took a class from her a few years back at The Loft (also in "muses.") Today I opened an e mail from her, updating people on what she is doing and I soooooo like what she does.

An intimate conversation between oneself and a great mystery. When authors raise ruthless questions, grapple with awe and suffering, joy and doubt, paradox and unity in the context of their life’s story, they write spiritual memoir.

Her quote, right there, got me hooked. I would be adding an exclamation mark to that but, another instructor at The Loft, who taught on web writing, said you are only allowed 6 exclamation marks per year. I have already used 4.

Click on the Robert Frost quote, above, and it will take you to Elizabeth's site.

So, I have been working in "the lab," and will be posting some new stuff, including the cool little shrines from the class I taught. So, check back soon...

Zit as Metaphor

2011-03-13T11:56:00.000-05:00

You will sense the pressure mounting before it becomes apparent. You will know a discomfort, an unknown, a disruption of the harmony of every cell's established place. It will become a festering obsession; the giant flaw you are sure everyone will be distracted by. How big will this be? When will it get here? A thoughtless moment finds you in front of a mirror, hastening this thorn's trajectory. You begin to squeeze.

In one brief, misled impulse, you expedited the natural process of things; thereby delaying it's healing. You will feel shame for your impatience. And your face is now the Poster Child for Tribal Scarification.

That is what I have heard anyways. Which makes this a good time to re-post a favorite piece,

Some Stories Need Time Before They Can Be Told.

What Class!

2011-02-22T22:29:00.000-06:00

'Much fun tonight; I taught my first class of a two part series on creating Polymer Clay Tributes. It is a blessing to help others create.

I have been busy preparing for the class so, I haven't had time to post any new pieces. That is coming shortly, however. In the mean time I thought I would share a product tip: Apoxie Sculpt or Magic Sculpt. I have used both products and they are awesome for adhesion, making little cow skulls, etc. I have heard these products are used for the big facades in Disneyland. Epoxies have intimidated me but, these ones are so simple to mix. here are the links:

http://www.avesstudio.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&product_id=28&flypage=flypage.tpl&pop=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=4

http://www.magicsculp.com/

Something Wonderful Happened Today

2011-02-08T20:52:00.000-06:00

My work is now at Your Art's Desire; a gallery and framing shop in Minnetonka, MN.

One of the things I like that they do in the fall is exhibit work from artists who are in recovery from addiction. This subject is personal to me, as a person who grew up in, and has loved alcoholics. They are like magnets to me. But the disease is a seductive thief that robs you of your identity. And its' by-products are what you find in stinky vacuum bags that should have been thrown out a long time ago. I have learned so much from hearing alcoholics speak, and those that love them. Their collective wisdom and insight has helped me limp along to a very good place in my life.

I feel like signing this, Love, Peg leg.

Okay, check them out:

http://www.yourartsdesiremtka.com/

Polymer Clay Tribute Class

2011-02-08T20:40:00.000-06:00

I will be teaching a class on creating Polymer Clay Tributes through the local Community Ed (Delano, MN.) Deadline to register is Feb 14, 2011 and I would love to have you there. The following link should take you right to the class info.

What you will leave the class with is your own 4 x 5 inch mosaic, that you created. 'Especially good for honoring someone you love, lost, want to remember, a memorable event,etc...

'Also good if you just want to do something humorous, like a shrine to Tabasco sauce or Sushi.

http://www.delanocommunityed.com/insight/registry/classinfo.asp?courseID=3223&catID=

Mardi Gras

2011-02-03T19:13:00.000-06:00

I think I am going to have to go all Darwinian on someone's ass. You probably have run into this at some point; someone wants to do something social with you and you don't want to have any more contact with them then you have to because they are MEAN. In Cesar Milan's rehab dog pack, they would be snipped and growled at until they get with "the pack" program.

Hmpffff! There will be no keys to the castle. Or kennel.

'Just kvetching. Hey! When is Lent?

Mardi Gras

21" x 14"

Thrift shop frame, Polymer clay, dresser pull, milliefiori, smalti, commercial tile, Swarovski crystals, buttons, beads, bead caps, brads, lipstick grout.

Available to purchase.

Mr. Tail is Dead

2011-01-28T13:08:00.000-06:00

I was alone on a Thursday night, my usual weekly call night at the hospital. My kids were under their dad's care in case I was called in the middle of the night. It was early evening and I was resting in bed for the inevitable phone call, summoning me to the hospital. My eyes were shut, yet I felt the presence of someone.

"MR TAIL IS DEAD!!"

My saddened ten year old son was standing in my bedroom doorway. His father had brought him and his younger sister home to tell me and, to grab something they needed for school the next day.

Yes; Mr Tail was dead. Their father's beloved cat had ran into a busy street and, well...one of his nine lives was over. In my children's grief, they followed the ritual which my son had learned about from Ancient Egyptian's mourning. They each shaved their left eyebrow off; much like a widow would wear black.

This piece is for the fishing people I know. But, if Wishes were Fishes, I would bring back Mr Tail.

Evolution of a Blog

2011-01-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

I just signed up for a web writing workshop at The Loft, one of my favorite, nurturing places for writers. It is a short commitment, just one Saturday morning in February. I see differences in my art work from a few years ago as I have learned and perfected new techniques (many bloodied fingers, 'still dealing with jamming a piece of glass down my my nail.) I guess a little exsanguination is part of the whole deal. Watch me!

Socrates and Malcolm X

2011-01-20T20:44:00.001-06:00

Over 10 years ago, I was living closer to the city. I lived on a busy road and had become accustomed to the noise; and the train only 2 blocks away. The rhythm of the airplanes, the bass of the high school kids cars as they cruised away from school, the bus route, and that beautiful rumbling train; well, it all fell to the background. At night, I often could not sleep, and I would listen to my neighbors' son and his wife fight in their front yard. I must admit, I was intrigued by their inebriated debacle's but, I did have to call the police once when they started swinging at each other.

Oddly enough, in the middle of the night, the most striking noise was the lack of noise. I would hear the dust that loitered in the street lights. I would watch the headlights of an occasional car sweep slowly across my walls. I would turn on the radio.

And one night, this is what I heard a man on the radio say.

"The unexamined life is not worth living," says Socrates. And, "the examined life is painful." Malcolm X."

I think it is courageous to have lunch with the skeletons in your closet.

Time Flies. Do Something Bold

A Coppenhagen tin, Apoxie Sculpt, Paper, Metal

Polymer Clay facade, grout and tile. 3.5" x 4.25".

$45.00

sold

Martin Luther King

2011-01-17T17:14:00.001-06:00

I just finished watching Oprah. Today is MLK Day and watching her feature episodes on racism were inspiring; such as the bravery of the children of The Little Rock Nine. One of Dr. King's quotes refer to the voices of his enemies being drowned out by the silence of those who watched such offenses to another human being, and said nothing. I wonder what I would have done.

In 1968, when MLK was assassinated at age 39, I watched the chaos on our black and white TV. I did not entirely understand the significance; but I picked up the gravity of those events from the energy of the adults around me. I look back now and realize what historical and electrifying times those were; the Vietnam War, the '68 Democratic convention, MLK, RFK and Sirhan Sirhan's deaths'--all shown on television. Racism sickens me. and as a Caucasian person, I struggle with the collective, historical guilt of what people with my skin color did to people with a different skin color.

Today, if my children refer to their friend, fellow Marine, roommate, etc, their descriptions never include skin color. I am really glad about that. And the word, "nigger," seems less charged to my younger co-workers. Jay Z uses it in his craft to take the power out of the word; and to remind people that somethings are still not being talked about.

Someone to Watch Over Me

10 x 7" Mirror

Polymer Clay, Tempered Glass, Paper

Beads, Map Pins
sold

2011-01-16T14:50:00.002-06:00

You finally do have to give something terribly intimate and secret of yourself to the world and not care, because you have to believe that what you have to say is important enough. May Sarton

Although this piece sold, Sarton's quote is so beautiful that it needed repeating. A woman bought several of my pieces to send to her foreign exchange students; two of which ended up in The Provence, France and, Africa. Cool.

May Sarton 4.5 x 3''Polymer Clay, glitter tile, canvas and wood. sold

Damn Kids

2011-01-10T23:25:00.000-06:00

La Vida de la Madre (The Life of Mother)

My work generates recollections from the public which I am priveleged to hear. Occassionlly, no actually just once, a very nice young man tried to engage me in the deeper meaning and the juxtapositions of elements in my work.

"Huh?" was my not-so-sophisticate reply.

I think he realized that I had no juxtapositions and I admit, I don't go there and my work is not that deep. So, when it comes to an artist's profile, I struggle. I do it because it makes me laugh, or it is pretty, or to honor something important to me. But, I can't art speak lofty reasons for why I do what I do. If I juxtapose anything, it may be just a little bit of the profane and the sacred, as funny fodder. And that is all. Maybe a Maplethorpe lite, super duper duper lite.

When I looked at the card of Mary, and the pain on her face, I instantly thought about what it is like to raise teenagers. It says "Damn Kids" below her.

La Vida de la Madre

9.75 x 4.5 "

Polymer clay, millefiori, beads, Altoid tin, Saint card, jewelry, charms, loteria card, and the cross in the top I got at La Capilla de La Paz (Chapel of Peace) in Acapulco.

(Sold to two sisters for their mom's Christmas present.)

Paying it Backwards

2011-01-10T18:18:00.000-06:00

I was 18 years old. My then-boyfriend picked me up in his old pickup and we went way out in the country to an old farmhouse where the party was at. It was winter and below freezing. I didn't know anyone and being anxious, and 18, I began to drink beer. During the course of the evening, my boyfriend began to smoke a joint; Me, more beer. And further into the evening, I became very aware of his interest in another woman, whom he had been engaged in conversation and smoking with most of the evening. More beer for me.

It was probably midnight when I decided I'd had enough of watching these two carry on. I left the farmhouse, passing his old truck and just for a minute, I thought smashing one of his windows would be a good idea. But, I didn't. I walked away from that farmhouse, and into a potato field. I walked across several fields, with my uber-cool red leather, belted jacket billowing open in the wind. I was too anesthetized to feel the cold. I had no plan; it was the middle of a dark and snowy, freezing night; and I was alone in a rural field.

I came upon a road and shortly after, the headlights of a vehicle shone behind me, illuminating the road around my shadow and the deep snow in the ditches. "Do you need a ride?" A kind young woman in the front seat of the car began to move over towards the male driver, to allow room for me to come in.

They asked me where I needed a ride to; it was about 20 miles away but they would safely get me there. " My step dad is going to kill me when I get home." They began to feed me several breath mints, to mask the smell of alcohol. The car was warm and their concern for me a lucky thing.

"STOP!" I yelled, when we were only four blocks from my home. Worry apparent on their faces over my outburst, they pulled over immediately.

"I have to pee."

I left the car and went around the corner for some privacy. I slipped my pants down and prepared to urinate in the snow bank. And that is all I remember about that.

I passed out in the snowbank, under a bright street light. The couple roused me, pulled my pants back up, dropped me off at my home and wished me well. The next morning, the now-ex-boyfriend called and asked, "Hey somebody smashed my truck window last night. Was that you?"

Fast forward 30-some years later; It is a dark, cold winter morning and it is snowing. I have to drive 36 miles into the city for work from my rural town. Traffic is already backed up in the next town over and moving slowly. I see a vehicle on the side of the road and, further up through the snow, the blurry silhouette of an adult and small child walking on the shoulder of the road. The car must have stalled and is anybody going to help these people?...Well, I guess I will.

A young woman, and her toddler, stuffed like a sausage in his little snowsuit, come up to the window. "Oh, can you give us a ride?" They gratefully hop in my warm van. She tells me she is pregnant and her cell phone broke and could she just get a ride up to the gas station? I let her use my cell phone to call her husband, drop her off at the gas station, and I am late for work.

But I felt really good about it.

The piece above is called, PEACE. It is mounted on Wedi board and composed of Tempered Glass, Polymer Clay, Saint Card, Altoid Tin, Origami Paper, tacks, mirrored tile and Lipstick-colored Grout. 10.5 x 7.25 ". $120.00

2011-01-09T20:12:00.000-06:00

I have to thank three people who have photographed my work. The first is Mitch Kezar of Windigo Images. Google him! We met at the Three Crows Coffee shop I worked at a few years ago. He always had me refill his USMC mug and that was our connection, as we both had deployed sons in combat zones.

The second is my traveling buddy and friend, Val Cherry and her husband Roch, of Cherry Photography. She is also an RN co-coworker of mine who is a delight to work with.

If there is a low resolution image, that would be mine, being impatient and taking it myself.

Love and the First Law of Thermodynamics

2011-01-05T06:09:00.000-06:00

They posture, growl, dominate and stop short of just drawing blood from each other. They lie in wait until the other one is distracted. Then they steal their bone. They chase each other and, as if on a turnbuckle in a wrestling ring, jump up on the couch and launch off the back to escape the pursuit. They fight over toys, give one more cursory, visceral warning, then cuddle up next to one another and nap. This is what love looks like to Cleo and Henry.

I have no problem acknowledging that there was an eternity of not-me before I was born. Why is it so hard to imagine an eternity of not-me after I die.

- Sy Safransky's Notebook, Sun Magazine, Jan
2011.

At first I thought Safransky meant he was struggling to believe he would continue as, perhaps, some kind of other energy form after his human body's death. However, he had no problem believing that he may have existed as some other life form prior to his human birth. Maybe he was referring to something else. But I like what he writes and it seemed to be a good segue into the First Law of Thermodynamics, which in it's simplicity, goes something like this: Neither matter nor energy can be created or destroyed.

Love Transcends Time

3.25 x 4.25 "

Polymer clay, millefiori, cardboard reinforced with Apoxie Sculpt, Christmas ornament, metal charms (wings,) paper, commercial tile (inside) and grout. $45.00

2011-01-04T09:43:00.000-06:00

I have been reading Post Secrets, just a few samples from the book on Amazon and, the blog. That led me to a book by Andy Selsberg, Dear Old Love..

Here is a quote that I found hilarious. (By the way, I think our secrets humanize us.)

Maginot Lining

Remember in tenth grade when I said we should meet at Victoria's Secret and you showed up with your friends? I was giving you a visa to the land of adult sexuality and you tried to smuggle three doofusses across the border.

WooHoo!

2010-12-29T20:32:00.000-06:00

I am teaching three classes this Spring! The first one is free and takes place January 25, 2011 at the Delano Public Library. 6 to 8 pm. The class will be demonstrating how to make Polymer Clay Tiles.

The second class is through Delano Community Ed. I will be treaching how to make Polymer Clay Mosaic Tributes. 6-9pm February 22 and March 1.

Both classes can be found in the online catalogue at www.delanocommunityed.com. Pages, 63 and 10, respectively.

The third class will be at Big Lake Community Ed, the first two Tuesday evenings in April. It will also be Polymer Clay Mosiac Tributes.

I'm excited!

La Exception Mirror

2010-12-29T20:13:00.000-06:00

I have been teaching myself how to work with tempered glass. I went to a salvage shop and got the driver's side window of a '96 Chrysler van. I had Seth, my loveable neighbor kid and his buddy shatter it for me. I started with silicone as an adhesive but,I am now using an epoxy resin since it is a little easier to move the glass pieces around. A Tetanus shot is a sure prerequisite for this kind of work.

La Exception is a cigar. And underneath the glass and blue grout are cigar labels, iridescent paper and bronze and gold foil wrappers from some chocolates I stole from work. Yum.

It is 9 x 11 " and also include polymer clay, millefiori and beads. $120.00

St Michael II

2010-12-29T19:34:00.000-06:00

Okay, so here is the deal. I read online today that everything I do on my blog is the wrong thing to do. I am supposed to be inspiring people and posting prices. I am supposed to blog much more frequently. So, the new me is going to be ruthlessly candid, perhaps even controversial. That should at least up my hits up to 82 or something, 79 of which are my own.

But, yeah, that is what I am going to do. I will probably have to ease in to it. I think thoughts that are candid, irreverent,and even perverse. Now, I just gotta put it out there. I might get my feelings hurt but, if it is making somebody feel something, even if it is an unlikeable peice, at least someone's looking at it.

So, this second Saint Michael, Patron Saint of Kick Ass, has the Corona Beer cap I found snorkeling off Rocheta Island, near Acapulco, Mexico. I had to dig it out of the sand and I like it's

rustiness. 5 x 9 1/2", it also is mounted in an Altoid tin can and surrounded by beads, polymer clay tiles, millefiori and charms. $105.00

...a Thrift Store Frame

2010-12-21T08:53:00.000-06:00

The Handsome Jester

That is how this one started, from a little thrift store frame, now reincarnated as a mirror, I think it has a little more masculine feel to it. It's frame is surrounded by polymer clay tiles, beads, commercial tiles. That is all surrounded by bead heads in Sierra colored grout. It measures 11 x 91/2 inches.

Hidden Message

2010-12-21T08:14:00.004-06:00

Secret Truths (know you are enough)

9 x 11 inches.

Perhaps I needed to remind myself at the time; so when I put together these left over word tiles, this is what I came up with. That is often what happens when I create. I ignore my writing and journaling but, in a way I am still writing and journaling, just with tiles and objects instead of a pen. The Secret Truths Mirror has colorful polymer clay tiles, a sculpted epoxy cattle skull, beads, antique keyhole, wood, millefiore.

(sold)

Cute and Precious

2010-12-21T07:46:00.001-06:00

The Daisy Mirror is 5 x 5 inches and is composed of polymer clay tiles, millefiori, beads and jewelry.
sold

CYA 24/7

2010-12-21T07:12:00.000-06:00

Well, here they are, CYA I and CYA II. (Covering you Ass, 24/7.) Both are 5 x 6 " and, have an image of an angel mounted in an Altoid tin can. Polymer clay tiles, millefiore, beads, milagos and jewely surround them.

both recently sold at the Delano Old Fashioned Christmas

Summer

2010-07-28T20:50:00.000-05:00

I can't quite focus on being indoors. I just want to grab every good weather day and hang outside. As soon as the cold weather hits, I will be back in the studio, working on the ideas I have and, also working on a piece that you would like to have. Email me with ideas!

sketzelstuff@gmail.com

2010-07-07T19:56:00.000-05:00

hope

"hope" is going to be offered at the Silent Auction at the Delano Relay for Life, July 30-31, 2010, Delano City Park.

The "hope" mirror is 24" in length and composed of bronze Van Gogh tile, copper mirror tile, polymer clay, beads and wood.

Here is the link to the event:

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=22996

2010-05-26T06:16:00.000-05:00

I will be at the Minneapolis Farmer's Market most Sundays in June (starting with June 6, 2010.) It is a fun experience and they are trying to bump up the artist's section. So, now you can get your potted plants, good coffee and see art!

Bad Habits

2010-05-05T20:03:00.000-05:00

Bad Habits

Bad Habits is a mosaic triptych measuring 18 x 18 inches. It is composed of collage, polymer clay, commercial tiles, beads, jewelry and a little cupcake cherub. I love these ladies and I got to know them a little better as I added subtle color to the photo. The one in the middle looks a little maleficent.

Available for purchase.

Trust

2010-05-04T21:21:00.000-05:00

Trust
(then Leap)

8 x 8 x 3 inches. This little cherub is illuminated against a sky background with a little pink LED light. Embellished with fringe, polymer clay and commercial tiles, a few different colors of grout, jewelry and millefiori. Available for purchase.

Adorable

2010-05-03T19:15:00.001-05:00

ADORABLE

This shrine measures 11.5 x 7.5 x 1.5 inches and is an Altoid tin illuminated by a pink LED. It is composed of commercial tile, polymer clay, sculpting epoxy, beads and millefiori, backed by a Wedi board substrate. The sides are grouted around bead heads with a Sienna colored grout. In the middle, purple Van Gogh tiles form a Harlequin pattern with gilded violet polymer clay tiles. A banner across the bottom announces "adorable." I like the bleached bones and skulls of Georgia O'Keefe's landscape so, a cattle skull, graced with a filligree crown, stands guardian over whatever you would like to place in here. sold

2010-05-03T18:36:00.000-05:00

This little Man Ray shrine was a gift to my sister. The image (copyright protected so, I can't sell it) is mounted in an Altoid tin can, embellished with gold bead fringe and illuminated with an orange LED light. The facade is composed of my polymer clay tiles, millefiori, bead heads and other jewelry and commercial tile. It is approx 7 inches, not including the jeweled earring I hung at the bottom.

Stories II

2010-05-02T21:23:00.000-05:00

Stories II

Stories I was such a hit that I decided to make another piece, from the same batch of packing foam that I had found. Stories was inspired by acceptance; acceptance that I don't need to know all the details and I don't need to know why some things happened. I just need to accept and get on honestly with life. I trust that when it is time for me to know, the story will be revealed to me. Yeah, so I guess it is about trust too. Some stories need time before they can be told.

Some detailed photos follow; I wrapped casting material around the foam to strengthen it. The sides are mosaic with commercial tiles, marbles and millefiori. The front is mostly polymer clay. The little egg inside, illuminated by an LED light, is also polymer clay. I chopped off the top of a birdhouse to cover the battery. 8 x 3 x11", approx. Contact me if you are interested in purchasing.

2010-05-02T21:01:00.000-05:00

This is what "Stories II" looked like during its construction. The substrate is a piece of computer packing foam that I dug out of the dumpster at my day job. It already had the concavity in place so, I just tiled the inside, installed an LED light, and started putting mosaics and beads on it. The glass is a magnifying lens I purchased at the Axman Surplus Store, probably left over from an ophthalmologist's office. For adhesive, I use Apoxy Sculpt, Silicone and Weldbond, depending on what I am adhering.

2010-05-02T20:46:00.000-05:00

Picture Frame

The substrate frame was brand new and purchased by my husband at a garage sale. I had alot of fun arranging my hand-made polymer clay tiles, commercial tile and millefiori on this 24 x 16" (approx.) frame. It holds four 4 x 6" photographs. It can also hang on the vertical. Please contact me for purchase.

The Enchanted Pear

2010-05-02T19:44:00.000-05:00

The Enchanted Pear

This little shrine is for you to put a picture inside of whomever, or whatever, you would like to honor. I discovered its potential accidentally when I chopped off about 1/3 of it for the belly of another piece. The pear is about 7.5" tall, not including its curly antennae. It is foam, covered with commercial tile, millefiori, a button, jewelry and beads. The curly top is off a wine bottle embellishment. That cute young lady in there, that is my beloved daughter! I included a picture of what the pear looked like before I finished the front. Contact me for purchase.

2010-04-12T06:41:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone! Come visit me April 23-25, 2010 at the St. Paul Art Crawl. I will be there starting Friday (the 23rd) from 6-10 pm, at the Tilsner Building, 300 Broadway St, St Paul, MN, 55101.

I will post my new pieces that will be there very soon and I hope to see you there!

Stephanie

http://tilsner.net/cgi-bin/artman/exec/search.cgi

2010-02-14T21:37:00.001-06:00

Currently my work is being displayed at the Three Crows Coffee House in Delano, MN. Stop in and listen to some fun music, have some wine or good coffee or tea.

Check them out at: www.thethreecrows.com

2010-02-14T21:25:00.000-06:00

The Siren Mirrors

Siren I
Sold

Polymer clay tiles, beads, aquarium gravel. Approx. 18x10x1 inch. 'Now lives is a warm massage studio.

Siren II

Beads, picassiette (broken plates,) polymer clay, acrylic paint, marbles, aquarium gravel and commercial tile. Bordered by a 14" thrift shop frame. sold

2010-02-14T20:57:00.000-06:00

Hope

The Hope mirror created itself. After playing around one weekend with the skinner method of achieving color gradients in polymer clay, and the desire to do something with copper tiles, this piece evolved. It took about two months after that, and lots of beads. Occasionally an expletive. But that happens, doesn't it? Even with hope.

Contact me if you are interested in purchasing.

Approx. 24x17x1 inch.

2010-02-14T20:47:00.000-06:00

Some details of the Hope mirror; Bronze Van Gogh tiles on all sides and, copper mirror tile on the front. The mirror is framed by gold mirror tile, layers of beads and finally, a polymer clay border with more beads.

The Hope text is in a thrift shop frame that I "tricked-out" with more tile, beads and a gold finish; Then, of course, wings (wood.)

2010-02-14T20:17:00.000-06:00

'Mornin'
Gorgeous
sold

Inspired by a few things; a southwest trading blanket, a postcard of a cowboy, and a crazy story of my sister-in-law in Sturgis, South Dakota during the annual motorcycle rally.

A Mixed Media Mosaic Mirror of nail heads, conchos, polymer clay, commercial tiles, leather, beads, ephemera.
Approx. 20x10x1 inch.

2010-02-14T19:43:00.000-06:00

Stories
Sold

Some Stories Need Time Before They Can Be Told features a little egg, nested in a window behind a magnifying lens. Mixed Media Mosaics using foam (computer packaging that I salvaged from my job,) polymer clay, glass, beads, commercial tile, feathers. Approx 9x9x3 inches, hangs in front of a window on a brass chain.

2010-02-14T18:56:00.000-06:00

Pink Cattle
Sold

A little sacred heart shrine with wings, Approx. 11x9x4 inches. Beads, commercial glass, paper mache, polymer clay, sculpting material (the cattle skull) and other ephemera.

This piece went to a most lovable home!

2010-02-14T18:45:00.000-06:00

Blue Cheese

Polymer clay, wood, commercial tile and glass, ephemera. This piece is illuminated with a red LED and the teeth (a cast of my own) glow in the dark. Approx. 9x9x4 inches.

'Wish those were a cast of my bodacious lips too. But they're not.

Contact me for purchase.

2010-02-11T21:06:00.000-06:00

White Owl

Private Collection

Approx. 9 x 10 x 3 inches. Illuminated with a haunting white LED, this cigar box probably held old nails for decades before it found new life as the background for this little sacred heart. Jewelry, beads, milagros, saint charms, Loteria images, polymer clay, commercial tiles, cigar labels and "brads." First in the series of "Cigars and Saints."

2010-02-11T20:12:00.000-06:00

Camp Counselor

Polymer clay tile, commercial tile, compass, wings, fish and grasshopper; all swimming in a blue lake of tile around a mischievous Camp Counselor. Some people have told me they were this person at one time! Approx. 8 inches in height, illuminated by a white LED light.

Available for purchase.

2010-02-11T19:51:00.000-06:00

String Theory looks fabulous in its new home.
Sold

Mixed Media Mosaic using an Altoid tin, glass, polymer clay facade, old jewelry, commercial tile and a little green LED light. Approx. 8 inches in height.

2010-01-08T20:08:00.000-06:00

Peace
Sold

Commissioned by North Memorial Heart and Vascular Institute.

Mixed Media Mosaic

24" Length

Handmade tiles

Commercial tiles

Beads

This is the "first" Peace creation (another "Peace followed; see subsequent posts.) Again, my son's deployment to a combat zone influenced my work. I hope the concept of peace becomes less and less nebulous for our world.

2010-01-08T20:01:00.000-06:00

Detail of 'Love's Currency"

The heart is a Christmas ornament I found at a thrift shop. The wings are wood. The crown is a piece I made out of polymer clay, adorned with an antique key hole.

2010-01-08T19:50:00.000-06:00

Love's Currency
Sold

Commissioned by North Memorial Heart and Vascular Institute.

Mixed Media Mosiac

24" Length

Red Mirror tile

Handmade clay tiles

Beads

2010-01-08T18:19:00.000-06:00

Transformation

SOLD

This was the first piece I sold. It has broken shells and crystals that looked beautiful after being tumbled and smoothed in the ocean, or broken open on the driveway when dropped, revealing a whole new spectrum of colors. It seemed metaphoric for life events we get to walk through; Things emerge that we never thought would have in those broken travels.

This went to a warm and loving person. 'So glad about that!

Approx. 18 inches in height, polymer clay, bead, commercial tile, acrylic paint, Loteria card, jewelry.

2010-01-06T06:52:00.000-06:00

Loved
SOLD

Mixed Media Mosaic

This gentle little piece is the Infant of Prague. It is lit with a pink LED light and, as most of my Saints are, the image is mounted into an Altoid tin. The facade pieces (two) are hand made out of polymer clay. It is approx 7" in height.

2010-01-04T21:40:00.000-06:00

"Iconoclast"

She likes to smash things. (Not literally.) Although this image is not my daughter, I think of her when I look at this strong woman who is rarely led by convention.

Available for purchase.

2010-01-04T17:38:00.000-06:00

"Omar and Lazarus"
Mixed Media Mosaic
sold

This is the second in my "Cigars and Saints" series. Also, the last. I like cigar label art. Lazarus is in a little nicho and his crutch hangs from the middle pennant at the bottom. The border alternates commercial glass and handmade clay tiles.

I think Omar and Lazarus would be a great name for two kitties.

2010-01-04T17:03:00.000-06:00

"St. Michael, Patron Saint of Kick Ass"
Mixed Media Mosaic
Sold

I made this as a prayer shrine while my son, a US Marine, was in Afghanistan. It was the summer and fall of 2009, and the USMC embarked on an historic mission that was totally trumped by the death of ---, (still pisses me off so, I can't even mention his name.) St. Michael is the patron saint of soldiers, firemen and police officers. I haven't heard my son's stories yet, and I don't know if I ever will have that privilege. This kept some serenity in my life during his tour, and I really had to trust in the best possible outcome, as my mom would say.

It was also a way to honor, in my own private way, the bravery of these young Marines (and soldiers too.) My son was with the 1/5, 2 MEB and, some of them did not return. I will never forget these men. Their names will stay with me forever.

Semper Fi

"Peace"

Mixed Media Mosaic

Again, Mary has a little white LED light shining on her. Polymer clay tiles, commercial glass, beads. She became a gift to a good friend.

Notorious M.

2010-01-04T16:09:00.000-06:00

"Notorious M."

Currently at the Minneapolis Institute of Art; Foot in the Door Exhibition. (Feb 19-June 13, 2010)

Mixed Media Mosaic

The Virgin Mary has a little white LED lite, behind a piece of clear glass. Lots of clay tiles I made, as well as the facade around the glass. Milagros, broken jewelry, beads and "hay" colored grout on the sides.