It's time for a new "postcard"...#15 in the series. Fortunately, I've found that most people I've encountered this crazy year have tried to remain humane to each other...it's worth the effort, folks.

 

CHALK ART: "Postcard 14"

After nearly 2 months, I finally worked up another "Postcard to the Neighborhood" (#14). While drawing on it, I had three unexpected inquiries as to my health from folks on their walks. Nice to have neighbors that care if I keel over!! Truth is...I had hit a "Creative Covid Slump" for at least the last month. I just didn't have any ideas or energy to make stuff...highly unlike me!!!

So...I picked a topic that is like my "nemesis" each year...I love the colors of the leaves...but hate raking them. Now that I have my Snapper Riding Mower...we'll see if my attitude changes. Have a Happy First Day of Autumn tomorrow!!!

 

CHALK ART: "Postcard 13"

We've finally had enough days around here with cooler temps that I felt like working on another "postcard". I spent WAY too much time on it. Partially, the time was wasted by mashing up a couple of quotes that just weren't working together...and I had drawn it too large on the chalkboard. (Should have "expected" that, right? I'm not a lettering artist.)

Anyway...here is "postcard #13"!! A little bit of "magic"...a little bit of "steampunk"...and a philosophy that I've lived by all my days.

CHALK ART: "Postcard 12"

Got another Postcard for the Neighborhood.

CHALK ART: "Postcard 11"

Time for my latest "postcard" to the neighbors. This one has no message...just a peaceful  image to cool the brain in this fierce Summer heat.

CHALK ART: "Postcard 10"

Spent the day sweating it out while I drew up another "postcard". Ironic, considering the subject matter. I had to sneak in one of my "Grand-dogs"...Meeko, the Husky in the middle!

 

UPDATE!!

Since today is officially SUMMER, I decided to modify my dogs a bit, and squeeze out a few more days before changing the theme. 

 

CHALK ART: "Postcard 9"

Today's "postcard" to the neighborhood is a bit different. With all of the pain, the pandemic, and pandemonium that is out there, my thoughts have been heavy. My hopes and prayers are that we as a country can find a way to actually CARE about folks around us...even if we strongly disagree with them. It's okay to embrace the person, even if we don't embrace their beliefs. Try to find a way to give some GRACE today. It's a choice, not a feeling.

CHALK ART: "Postcard 8"

Today was gorgeous, so I spent some time outside working on the latest chalk "postcard". I was definitely influenced by having re-watched "King Kong" earlier this month.

SCULPTURE: "Robot Puppet"

 

Keeping myself busy at home is not really a challenge for me. I have more projects in my little brain than I know what to do with. Today, I was delighted that my grandson Jackson was very happy with one of those projects I finished this weekend. I surprised him with a "Robot Marionette" I made for him. He often asks to play with one that I have in my art studio that I made many years ago. The hand-held operating mechanism is based on a Czechoslovakian puppet design.

I referred to an older puppet that I had made back around 2004. Here is THAT marionette. The hand controller is made a bit differently, so that the puppet's mouth can be opened and closed. The TOP heavy-gauged wire acts as a spring mechanism. Push it down, and gravity allows the mouth to open. The mouth string is attached to a little plastic bead under the jaw.

CHALK ART: "Postcard 6 and 7"

Finished a new "postcard" this afternoon...#7, if you're counting. I may have to try to sand down my chalkboard surface, and re-spray it with chalk-black. All the "ghosts of postcards past" are showing through.

I almost forgot to post this one. We've had a lot of rain in the last couple of weeks. I got inspired and worked up a quicky.

CHALK ART: "Postcard 5"

Here's Postcard #5. And below is a slight change I made for my young neighbor, Avery, who suggested it.

CHALK ART: "Postcard 4"

I finished up another chalk "postcard"...#4 so far. The sun was about ready to go behind the tree line, so the photo is not as well lit as usual. I tried something different...chalk spray in a can...was NOT happy with it. I had gone to the trouble of taping off the shape of the unicorn. The spray chalk goes on very wet, and starts to "droop". It was meant for the sidewalk, not a vertical surface. I had also tried some sprays that were supposed to be bright colors...they weren't. So...I went back to drawing with chalk, which does not allow for thick coverage of color...it's just chalk. Anyway...enjoy!

CHALK ART: "Postcard 3"

Here is my latest "postcard". I've had about 20 people stop and chat for a while as I was drawing...super nice folks that have been most gracious in saying "Thanks". If you are faint-of-heart, don't look at the one photo of me erasing the previous chalk-art with a rag and a bucket of water. I decided to show my rough sketch so you can see how things change as I'm drawing. Happy Spring, Everybody!

CHALK ART: "A few more"

As I was posting my latest "Postcards to the Neighborhood" tonight, I realized that I had forgotten to share several other murals that I'd done on my driveway. So here's a little gallery of a few more.

Sometimes, I will come up with a theme, and then invite kids to add their drawings to the driveway. 

CHALK ART: "Postcard 2"

I finished another "Postcard" for my neighbors. I'll post new ones as I finish them.

CHALK ART: "Postcards"

After a few years of creating chalk murals in my driveway, I had to face the sad fact that I'm not as young as I used to be (turned 63 on April 1st). Typically, after spending hours and hours crawling around on the pavement, my back would hurt for a couple of days afterward. My knees are also giving me trouble. Because I enjoy doing the sidewalk art...necessity became the mother of invention. SO....

I made my own "old school chalkboard"! The drawing surface is 6 feet by 4 feet. I gave it some wheels so I can roll it around. I can put it into my garage at night, and when there is nasty weather outside. This means that I can draw more images throughout the year without having to worry about how many days I have before it rains again.

I decided to call this little project my "Postcards to the Neighborhood" (as the sign says). I have really enjoyed talking with passers-by and kids that live nearby while I draw. So that will continue.

Just yesterday, I was told by a good buddy that he saw my artwork one of the local news channels. He was kind enough to snap a photo and send it to me. Thanks, Dave Ellis!! So I was very pleasantly surprised to be the focus of a featurette about people doing good things, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a few more days, I'll erase the chalkboard, and sketch up another idea. I'll try to update this post with a few more images as I finish them.

SCULPTURE- "Flute Faces"

I just finished a fun little project in collaboration with my talented friend, Amado Espinoza. He asked me to sculpt some faces that he will make molds of, cast them, and then attach the faces to some ceramic flutes that he is making. They are influenced by Aztec designs...another new direction for me to explore! I can't wait to see the finished flutes. They are "special effects" flutes, rather than melodious...creating the sounds of a wild jaguar, or the wind. The face with the headdress at the top was my attempt at a stylized portrait of Amado.

SKETCHBOOK: "More Dino Bones from KU"

It's been a long time since I went out sketching, so today I visited one of my favorite places: Kansas University Natural History Museum in Lawrence, KS. I love drawing their dinosaur/mammal bones exhibits.

SCULPTURE: "Godzilla Car"

Last year, I got to attend my very first Pinewood Derby with my grandson's cub scout troop. I was so excited to learn that the grownups have a "no rules" category for cars that they design. The races aren't until February, but I just finished my entry yesterday and had to give you a sneak peak. I don't care at all if my car makes it down the track...I just needed an excuse to sculpt GODZILLA!!! (He's made with wood, foil, wire, and epoxy clay, painted with acrylics.)

 

 

Once I had the main sculpture finished, I was concerned about the overall weight of the car. I drilled out as much as I could from the core of Godzilla, then packed the holes with very light foam, and sculpted back over the holes.

I will be sure to post photos from the actual Pinewood Derby races in February! Stay tuned! 
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UPDATE!!! What a day at my grandson Jack's Pinewood Derby for his Scout troop! My "Go-Zilla!" car performed better than expected, and I won a certificate in the "Outlaw" division! The best part of the event was during my car's first race...all the little cub scouts were chanting, "God-Zil-Ah! God-Zil-Ah!" In my races, the best I placed was second...I got smoked quite a few times! But we all know that Godzilla is not built for speed...he takes his time smashing things.