What have I been doing?

After a relatively long hiatus that I really can't explain, here I am. I have been busy trying to get some control of my finances, which takes much more time than I want to give it.  I have also been producing various kinds of artwork.  The most recent is woodburning on this table I found on somebody's lawn.  The picture is as it sits now, completed mere moments ago.  I plan to finish it with polyurethane once I am sure I'm done.  It's an image from a book of Asian needlepoint designs.  I did in on 14 count needlepoint canvas many years ago and the pillow I made still sits in a chair in the living room. I tried to find another design for the table, but nothing pleased me as much as this. 

Here is the table "in situ," ........really nice little table with a drawer.  I spotted it at the top of the hill coming back from the dog park.  There were several pieces of furniture in front of an empty house with a for sale sign in front of it.  I'm assuming that they were abandoned after a bigger yard sale.  I originally was attracted by a bigger table, and went back to get it after taking the dogs home.  I wrestled it over to the side of the road, but no matter what I tried, I wasn't able to get it into the trunk of my car.  As I stood there despairing, my friend Lindy appeared on her bicycle.  She offered to help, but after several failed attempts she went home to get a truck.  While I waited for her two good samaritans in trucks stopped, proving that chivalry is not dead.  The other pieces of furniture sat tantalizingly in front of me, and before Lindy returned I had put this smaller table into my trunk. Together we loaded the bigger one in the truck and I drove home.  After a short wait Lindy appeared with my table and a big cabinet she had pulled out of the dumpster at the same house.  I used that table as an island in my kitchen, replacing the table top on two file cabinets I have been using.  I'm happy with both acquisitions.

Next is the pathetic result of my attempt at making mosaics.  I enjoyed doing it at Lisa's studio, where she showed me how to do it.  The first design I made I dismantled before gluing it, then proceeded to do this one.  The idea was good, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired.  My plan was to produce the ever-amazing (to me) Fibonacci  curve.  I was unable to accomplish it beyond this barely recognizable image.  It was fun, though, and I look forward to trying it again.

 Finally here are two pictures of the same paper sculpture.  Paper folding is so intriguing to me and I return to it every so often.  It is a form of origami, with a different focus.  I was introduced to it in art school in first year sculpture class......I was a non-tradional student in my 40's.  Right from the beginning I was crazy about it.  I have several books on the subject and am still amazed by the mind-blowing things people do with it.

So that's what I've been doing, with the notable exception of participating in a show at Lisa's gallery last week. The reception was the usual gala affair with food, drinks, and live music.  The regular art crowd was there and we all had a good time.