Opening Exhibition 08.07.09 • Noteworthy* Paper&Press

The Leaving and the Left - Teardrop on the Fire opens August 7th, 2009 at Noteworthy* in Missoula

Tender, Laughing and Lovely

Originally uploaded by love not fear

I used this photo in this piece. The only work I did on it in the digital darkroom was to adjust levels, contrast & brightness. The distressed effect of the photo in the final piece is from the glue that I used to apply it to the glass.

Magic Love

Originally uploaded by love not fear

Finished another one. Learning a lot about love, myself, relationships in this process.

The love I have now is real, true, and lasting. I am so happy.

Also learning much about the logistical process of putting these pieces together. One major struggle I’m having is that the metal upon which I’m mounting everything is so thin, I’m having to mount the metal itself onto a piece of wood & hanging it with wire means it pulls away from the wall quite a bit.

Using the “teeth” style hooks may be an option, but there is so little control with those, I think. That, plus pounding them into the wood may break the glass in the artwork.

I may just be having to figure out how to cut my own metal and tack weld a box frame fro these pieces. If I pay Bitterroot Welding to do the same thing, it’s $60 a pop. Worth it, but I don’t have that kind of money for the amount of work I’m planning to produce with this series.

One of my Favorite Days Ever

Originally uploaded by love not fear

Back in the studio after what seems to me like a long abscence. Completed four new pieces. Will write more about the process soon.

Decayed Screws

Originally uploaded by love not fear

I used muriatic acid to rust the screws. Once I got them to rust the way I wanted them, I coated them with an acrylic finish to prevent further rusting.

I tested them, and they are still strong enough to hold things together, the acid did not compromise their integrity.

I’ve abandoned the practice of poking holes in the metal with an awl.  I’ve found it’s much faster to drill the holes.

Muriatic acid, I’ve found, is much like the Wu Tang Clan — it ain’t nothin’ to mess with.

Metal Sheet 1 (opposite side)

Originally uploaded by love not fear

Got the metal cut, and a camera to record the results. Am going through letters again. Scanning the letters I rip up. Not sure how I feel about this yet. Cleaning glass, cutting wire, hammering holes with the awl, affixing glass to metal. Playing with the paints, too. As well as experiments with other rusty things.