Raku Rumble

Spent a great weekend, with old and new friends, making lots of smoke and fire at The Raku Rumble during the Dia de los Muertos Festival and Fall Art Walk in Denison Texas. It was great fun. Thanks to our gracious hosts at The Denison Arts Council and all the volunteers who made it happen.

Glazing pieces to fire at "Raku Rumble" in Denison Texas tomorrow (Nov. 3). I have been a potter for more than 40 years and glazing is still my least favorite activity.

Sweet Potato Pi.

Cathy successfully converted my Sweet Potato Pi to Sweet Potato PIE. Delicious, no matter how you do the math.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

DRY

He has had all of the drought that he can take. He's cracked, parched and looking for a way to turn on the faucet. I made him in 2009. After bisquing I sat him on the top shelf in my patio/kiln room to await glazing. Wren's built a nest in him and have used him to raise several broods ever since. They finally decided to build elsewhere this summer so I could have him back and finally raku fire him. He is signed and dated 2009 but was just finished today.

Last Of The Summer Garden

Last harvest from the summer garden. Possible frost on the way for the next several nights. I harvested the tomatoes, peppers eggplant,and squash. I didn't feel like covering and uncovering them. Winter garden will be fine.

Brain Drain And Life Of The Party

Back to work after taking time out to catch up on some much needed home improvements.
These Jugs have been waiting to be fired for almost a month.

The wine is casting resin in an antique glass. It looks real, right down to the tiny bubbles.

The rejects have to work also

Jugs that crack, or are damaged in some way, end up scaring the "Bejesus" out of unsuspecting critters in the garden.

The Devil is in the details? Nope, the Devil is in the Broccoli.

The cats in the Garlic.

He's almost as frightened as he is frightening. Scares the hell out of the potato beetles.

Today's Catch

Today's Catch! It's what's for dinner and dinner and.....dinner.
Yesterday's catch was two catfish about 19" and 22".

This is the first music video I have made. The guitar I am using is a 3 string fretless, handmade, slide cigar box guitar. This is the first piece of music I have ever improvised and the first instrumental I have ever played.
I have only been playing since Feb 20, 2012. It's not even close to perfect but it was fun.
The video (taken by my wife Cathy) is the Red River Crossing about 20 miles west of I-35 in southern Okla.
Hope you like it.

New Bookcase From Recycled Materials

Cathy and I just finished our recycled bookcase.
Doors from, Habitat for Humanity, store (50 cents each!).
2” x 12” lumber from big box store (15 dollars). Using the “good” ends of water damaged shelving (free). Feet made from fence post tops (3 dollars each). Miscellaneous hardware (free. I have over 300 pounds of misc screws, brackets etc.). RECYCLE WHEN POSSIBLE. Not only do you save money but you get the satisfaction of making something with your hands. No special tools were required. Hammer, screwdriver, saws are all we used.

R.I.P Cowboy Sculpture

A car sped across the lawn at the Fine Arts building at Murray State College and destroyed one of my sculptures.

Happier days for the Cowboy.

Poor old "Shiftless Cowboy" in a pile and a box after being struck by a car.

The sculpture was knocked off it's base and the stone it was mounted on was broken.

What I Have Been Making Lately

Many of you have inquired as to what I've been up to the last month or so. I have been taking a computer break to work on some guitars and stuff.

Here is 

THE TWO BIT RASCAL

This is a slide played, electric, 3 string blues guitar. It was made from a cigar box and some other recycled junk. I tried to give it some Art Deco, 1930's retro, depression era styling.
It's called "The Two Bit Rascal" because it is the colors of our cat, Rascal, and there is a 1930 Standing Liberty quarter inlaid in the headstock.

ZANE'S DRAGON
This is an electric, Cigar box guitar that my wife and I built for one of our Grandsons 13th birthday. it is played with a slide. The only actual guitar parts used in it's construction are the tuners and strings.

My wife ,Cathy, made the Dragon . The wings spell out his name. The dragon was burned into the wood then painted with acrylics.

The Headstock features a Dragons eye that has a inlaid piece of Tiger Eye.

MISS MONEYPENNY

This is a dulcimer type instrument made from an old copper tea kettle. Since it is a tea kettle I thought it would be nice if it had a U.K connection so I named her "Miss Moneypenny". I found the 1944 penny and inlaid it in the fret board.  She rings nice and bright.

She's made from an old teakettle and assorted junk.The kettle was black and fuzzy with grime when i found it. An all night bath in vinegar and salt water brightened her up.

Tuners are eyebolts dressed up with some gromets.

Snow Princess

My cat, Princess, in the snow.

Southern Fried Turkey

One 13 lb. turkey, plus 4 gallons of hot (325f.) Peanut Oil and 45 minutes of your time....Equals.... the tastiest, juiciest,turkey you have ever had.

My son-in-law, Clint Wallis, is truly a master chef of all outdoor cooking.

Elephant Face Jug In Progress

Here's an Elephant face jug in progress. He's taking some pesky birds for a ride. He doesn't seem all that happy about the situation. I was just in the mood to make some Elephants .

Princess Helps Build A Slab Roller

I'm working on a video showing how to construct a slab roller . Princess decides to help in this out take. Check back in a couple of weeks for the full video. Hopefully, without Princess.