Sculptor gathering in New Hampshire

Last Sunday sculptors, other artists, and art enthusiasts gathered at the
Millbrook Gallery in Concord, NH.  Donna Dodson  Andy Moerlein,
and Pam Tarbell  invited us to  gather, network and enjoy Pam's
beautiful gallery and sculpture garden. I hadn't expected prehistoric
creature decoys to await us including the Entelodont  by Bob
Shannahan pictured above.

Perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised.  After all, as I pulled
into the drive, I passed by this sculpture by Andy Moerlein
made of steel conduit, saplings and hand made stones. Andy
calls it"Suspense".  To me, it looks like a nest about to hatch
some fantastic creatures.

This wooly mammoth "decoy" by Bob stands at the entrance to the
gallery enticing any prehistoric creatures still lukring around to come
on by



Around back, Bob's giant ancient camel prances near the
Entelodont.

I enjoyed talking with Bob and hearing  how he constructs these
marvelous creatures. 

Bob explained that it takes about a year for each, figuring out scale,
making mock ups,creating the wire armature, collecting fresh birch
sapling branches and other natural materials and finally finishing
construction. Stones make the awesome jagged teeth and claws.  He
points out that the  toes of the mammoth are made from boulders
created when mammoths were wandering the nearby forest.  (Yes
 there is evidence they were around even in New England. )

The Entelodont  tries to be fearsome, but I'm not fooled.  I think he is
actually pretty friendly.

It was a beautiful afternoon in a gorgeous setting filled with good
conversation.The grounds are an ideal setting for outdoor sculpture.

Lin Lisberger's "Tall" is appropriately situated by the stream that
runs through.

 and Liz Fletcher's "Prayer of Rana" adds a meditative touch:


Anyone  going near Concord this summer, fall or anytime
of year, I highly recommend stopping by Millbrook Gallery and
sculpture garden. You won't be disappointed.

Thanks Donna, Andy, and Pam for organizing the gathering.
I returned with inspiration swirling. 


Adventure on! Wendy

Open Studios - Andy Moerlein and Donna Dodson

Fall in Boston is all about open studios events. Almost every
weekendyou can wander and relish the amazing art community
in our midst. Last weekend studios were open and tents appeared
in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood. Since I was blitzing for
Roxbury Open Studios, I couldn't wander too much, but did
manage to get over to see a few friends and finally meet sculptors
Donna Dodson and her partner Andy Moerlein. I've been on
Donna's email list for a while, but our schedules never connected.
Andy came down from New Hampshire for the weekend, so I
had the opportunity to talk to both and see some of their work
and to hear a bit more about their residency in Verbier,
Switzerland creating monumental on a mountain top! The
project is written up in Andy's blog: http://andymoerlein.blogspot.com/
and Donna's:http://www.donnadodsonartist.blogspot.com/
The image above (taken on my phone) is a close up of the base
of one of Andy's large pieces displayed outside. I'm drawn in by
the mythic core of their work, and strong bird imagery in Andy's.
I look forward to staying connected.

This weekend is Roxbury's turn - my neighborhood. Complete
info at: http://www.discoverroxbury.org/roxbury-open-studios
Discover Roxbury has used my eye journal image to connect
with their phrase "All Eyes are on Roxbury Open Studios."

Four days of events begin with tonight's showing of
"Waste Land": http://www.wastelandmovie.com/ at the School
of Art and Design - The film documents the journey of artist
Vik Muniz from his home base in Brooklyn to his native Brazil
where he involves workers at the world's largest garbage dump,
Jardim Gramacho, just outside Rio to create art. If you haven't
see this film, I definitely recommend it. It's a testimony to the
transformative nature of art.

Tomorrow we have our festive opening/reception at the
National Center for African American Art : http://www.ncaaa.org/
and Saturday and Sunday studios and venues will be open from
11-6. A dragon will greet you as you enter my home studio
and other creatures and books welcome you in, including this
guy who just showed up, asking " Will I see You?" I hope so!



Some new storytellers also appeared this week...images of
them in my next blog. After Open Studios, I'll pack up
everything to go to Northampton next weekend for
the Paradise City Arts Festival: http://paradisecityarts.com/
Hope to see some of you here in Roxbury or in Northampton!

Adventure on! Wendy