Letters to the Elves!

  The elves love to receive letters!  Here are is a nice one they shared with me recently:

Mac Grove Fest - Eagan's Art Block Momentary Certainties

 This September 9th weekend will be a busy one for me artistically.  I will be in person at the Mac Grove Festival with one of my Huldufolk (elf) Houses.  So if you have a problem that only an elf can solve, please stop by and leave a letter for the elves.  Here is some more information about the festival.

The Fest is an all ages, FREE event at the Edgcumbe Rec Center Fields!

Join us on September 9 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Edgcumbe Rec Center Fields (320 Griggs St S) to celebrate the businesses, organizations, artists, and residents that make Saint Paul a great place to live, work, learn and play. Attendees are encouraged to walk, take public transit, or bike to Mac-Grove Fest.

-Food trucks: Buy tasty treats from local food trucks and vendors: Soft Serve Social, The Big Red Wagon, and Thai Thai Street Food

-Music and dance: Enjoy a variety of performances throughout the day: School of Rock, O'Shea Irish Dance (OID), Kashimana, and Lex-Ham Community Band (you are welcome to bring blankets, chairs, hammocks, and more!)

-Arts & Crafts: Look out for the free teaching artists on site: Now Make Art, Art Start, Crayon Kelly, and Huldufolk Houses

-Activities: Face painting, craft fair, robotics demo from Highland HS Robotics Team, yard games, gaga pit, and more!

-Marketplace: Visit local businesses, artists, and organizations in the Business Marketplace and Makers Market!

The same weekend, at basically the same time, my new art piece "Rainbow Loom" will be making its debut at the Eagan Art Block Momentary Certainties exhibit.  Here's some information in that terrific event as well.  Fall is a very busy time in Minnesota!  I will post photos from both events here in the blog.

Momentary Certainties 2023, examines the intertwined themes of ephemerality and permanence. This outdoor, temporary exhibition will be installed along walking paths and throughout the lawns, meadows, and native grasses on the grounds of the Eagan Art House as part of the Eagan Art Block 2023 celebration of art and community.

Summer Fun!

  My last post had me re-thinking where summer had gone.  I took a quick stroll through my camera on my phone and remembered a lot of good times.  Here's some of the things I did!  Remember, the average human only gets 80 or so summers (if they're lucky).  Be sure not to waste them!

First off, we adopted a new puppy from a rescue organization.  She's my new shop assistant!  This is me holding her in the picture (she likes me best!)

This summer I made some more pottery.  I was happy to show this piece of mine in the Rum River Art Center's "Home" show.  The vessel's shape is meant to look like a Viking ship and the runes on the shields spell out the names of my family members.

I helped a friend get married.  I had previously married this couple at the Chapsicle of Love in January.  However, they wanted a summer affair with more friends and family.  I helped out by reading the epic poem I wrote for them in January.

I was certainly a proud father.  My youngest son painted these images for the newly opened TreeTop Trail at the Minnesota Zoo.  That was a good day when I got to see his art on the wall.

I went to some fun parades.  I marched in a few, but also enjoyed sitting on the sidelines.  The art bikes were definitely a summer highlight.

And last but not least, we went to New York to visit family.  I'm a retired firefighter, so one of my favorite stops was the New York Fire Department Museum.  It was just amazing!

Summer felt short, but we have a lot of things planned for the fall, including some elf houses!  Stay tuned for my next post and I'll tell you all about it.

Summer Went By Fast!

    Sorry I haven't posted much this summer!  So many wonderful but busy days!  We started the summer off right at Grand Old Days in St Paul.  We received over 200 letters to the elves and got a terrific view of the parade.  

This winter, I'll have time to sort and post the many wonderful letters the elves received! Until then, don't forget to enjoy these last days of summer.  

 

Wife and "Mushroom Stylist" Extraordinaire!

 Because my wife, Rachel, often helps put the finishing touches on my elf houses, she refers to herself as a "mushroom sylist."  Its a funny little title, but why not?  She's got a good eye for where to place the details that make a project come together.  Here is some of her recent styling work for my houses:

Recently though, she's taken her styling skills beyond the elf house work.  She named this guy Serge and he now lives on my piano.

She found this old boot vase at a thrift store and decorated it with both air plants and mushrooms.  I think it looks neat, but I'm starting to worry what else Rachel might add mushrooms too.  I don't want to wake up to find them in my moustache for example...

Pottery Throw Down

 I love the show the Great British Pottery Throw Down.  So when I heard the Rum River Art Center was planning a similar competition, I jumped at the chance.  This was a super fun day!  I think my sculpture looked just like Judy, our model AND my one minute tea pot held and poured water!

Sculpture Project Revealed and Installed

 My wife and I finished our sculpture project.  The theme "Fun in Good" really got our creative juices flowing.  To me, bright colors are really fun.  I haven't been down to see the Faux Blooms yet (snow! boo!) but I can't wait to see everything at the St Paul Saints Stadium.  And, of course, we'll catch a game.