The Woman came home

The Woman and Kaleb came back from London on Monday( I'm always happy when she returns from one of her trips - you never know she might hook up with someone and stay ) so I spent the day driving to and from O'Hare to pick them up. (That also meant standing outside the terminal with Ellie, the dog, because they both wanted to see her bad and they wouldn't let her in)
Tuesday was my day on www.cubs.com to have fans vote for my audition. I don't know how I did yet, I'll be sure to pass any info on as I get it. I did all I could do on such short notice , managed to get interviewed on the local news and sent out e-mails to everyone I know.
Hopefully back in the studio tonight as I have inadvertently ( OK maybe not) forgot the Bohemian meeting should be tonight.

Back in the studio

I've been back in the studio painting every night as The Woman is off to London to visit our oldest son. It's pretty boring around the house without her and my youngest son who went with her.
I've quickly learned who the popular one is in the family, as my phone doesn't ring at all ( except for survey people ). At least I have no excuse but to get things finished.

Sugar Creek

I was in Normal at the MCAC Sugar Creek Art Festival and despite an ominous beginning ( at set-up it was pouring down rain and looked like it was going to wash out the first day ) the show was a great success.

The patrons of the show are very knowledgeable about art and supportive. I again opted for the more expensive booth site located on the Illinois State University Quad. This tree covered park is a great place to have a show and it was well worth the added cost ( 50.00) to be on grass and have a chance at some shade.

Hopefully with the pool finished and the next show not until mid August I can get back to painting.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

While I was working making prints the other night, I was naturally listening/watching ( I can only watch when I'm not cutting - I don't want to loose a finger). The Cubs were on the west coast, I think playing the Giants, Len and Bob were calling for entries in the Baby Ruth "Take me out to the ballgame" competition. On a lark I stopped matting and went to the Cubs.com site and signed up.

I told some friends about it the next day and they told me that there was little or no chance at winning as everyone was signing up. So the whole thing was sort of put out of my head.

Until yesterday when I go the e-mail that invited me to come and audition at Wrigley Field on the 18th.

Even if I don't make the cut to sing at the game - this alone is a huge event - to get to go to the stadium and try out for the Majors.

I've sang the National Anthem at the Single A Peoria Chiefs game a few times but this is the pinnacle - wish me luck!!!!

Wrigley Field South





Last week I worked on the pool area to finish for the massive 4th of July festivities. The gazebo was finished two weeks ago and it looked good but the wall along the garage needed some attention. My friend Tom Walker told me it needed a Cubs logo painted on the side facing the pool. ( The garage is poured concrete and it makes for difficult decorating - like real siding)





After some thought on the matter, I decided to use some stuff I had laying around to go it one better.





I had my old art booth in the garage, it was what I called the house of bricks. I had enough wood and brick paneling to create a 10 x 10 display to hang my cityscapes at shows. I used it for a couple of years and had recently switched to pro panel display boards. So with all the four foot square panels mounted to the garage wall and some ivy ( courtesy of an artificial tree) stapled to it, it began. 355 painted at one end in yellow on the bricks, a ten foot foul pole (complete with Hey Hey and 355). I even managed to put the basket along the edge of the garage.

I took the remaining wood and constructed a replica of the famous Wrigley scoreboard to house a stereo and TV - so we could have tunes by the pool and be able to watch the Cub games without leaving the pool. At six feet long and three feet tall it is a nice fit in the scene.

It has been a big hit with people that come by to swim - although the Cardinal fans are jealous and are lobbing for some kind of representation.