Well I'll be. Read an article on expanding one's artistic horizons and I have to say, that was kinda cool. I may have to give it a shot and see if that doesn't jar a few cobwebs loose. Maybe i'll toss the new pieces into the gallery and see what you folks think.

Other than that, it's hot. 100F at the house, 105F in town. Humidity was enough to have use steaming in our juices. Yuck. We can stand some rain to knock the heat down. No hurricanes, tropical storms, or tornadoes. Just plain rain. Like maybe 2 days worth of nice soakers.

In other news, I have been getting gouache from Dick Blick and settled upon Maimeri Blu. Funky name, insanely smoothe paint. Even after it dries and needs a rehydration. Holy Carp! This is the shiznit for paint. I ordered more to fill out the greens, browns, whites and blacks. Plus Prussian blue. Once that's all in, I'll inventory the colors once more and replace my Winsor Newtons with Maimeri Blu.

Yes, it made a major favorable impression on me and I am one picky person at times.

Also, the egg shards have arrived. Triple WOOT! 3 pounds of ostrich egg shards and I am negociating for leg bones. Heeeehehehehehe... Me a bone collector? Hehehehehehehehehe.... *hides the box of animal parts under a table cloth* What ever gives you that idea? *sits on box of antler and horn* I simply have no idea what you are talking about.

I need to get the Foredom out to rough shape the pieces and then use the turbine to work on the fine details. I love that turbine. I do. However, the air compressor gets hot after a bit and that sends hot air throught he turbine.

I guess I'm going to have to give it breaks every 30 minutes or so to keep it from over heating. Maybe a fan to keep air circulating about the compressor is a good idea.

It's cool when I can carve opals into skull beads with hinged jaws. Do not ask. I will not say how I do that. I'm just trying to establish a master carver's reputation and title. It's nice to be called a master carver. Articulated skull beads help there.

Only thing left is the ASFA Chesley awards. Yeah... I want one. I'd like a dozen! But what I want is a nomination to at least get me on the board. So if any of you are ASFA and you like something you see in my humble gallery, please nominate me. I know the competition is tough, but I think I might have a chance.

Ok... Enough of that silliness. I got eggs to carve and opals to turn into miniature marvels.