Light it Up - The Lamp

"Light It Up - The Lamp"●
One of the galleries where I show my work asked if I might consider making a few pieces of 'functional art'. . . If you follow my blog you know I make 'memory mirrors' - these are considered functional art because not only are they mirrors, but they are also beautiful pieces of art.

When I stopped to think about it, several things came to mind.  Lamps, candle sticks, clocks, even tables to mention a few. I am currently working on a few pieces, and they are coming along, and I will show them on this blog in a few weeks.

This lamp is my first attempt.
A wood lamp base, found at a thrift store in Cayukos, California last summer, provided the perfect substrate for this project. When I found the lamp, I knew it would need to be re-wired (a new skill), and it needed a lampshade.

There is a lot to see on this piece. I tried to show you all 4 sides with the images above.  Please click the image to take a closer look.

In the end, I was very happy with the final piece.

What do you think?  I would love to get your feedback.

Ro Sham Bo

"Ro Sham Bo . . . how to resolve any dispute like an adult"●

It all started when I found this beautiful rock on a beach near Gualala, California.

I asked my archaeologist friends Bill Roop and Kathy Flynn to help me ID the rock.  

It is a low density rock, composed of dark gray/black, volcanic material, 
the small natural holes in the rock are filled with white sandy quarttz. 
The proper name is ANDESITE, a volcanic rock with a so-called average 
composition. It is more felsic than basalt and more mafic than dacite.

Apparently, it is just a rock . . . I was hoping they would say it was a very special rock, believed to hold very mysterious powers for it's owner, but they didn't.

Andesite is a common rock. Important in other ways, but no 'mysterious powers' . . .

I like my story better, so we will go with that . . . this is a very special rock, believed to hold mysterious powers . . . (my art piece, my rules).

I knew I wanted to use the rock in an art piece. The small holes filled with sandy silica made it easy to drill into the rock.

The finished piece is small (approx 10"x4"x4") so it's going to take a few photographs to show it to you

 

Top View

Bottom View 

  The rules to play RO SHAM BO (also known as Rock Paper Scissors) are simple. But as a reference, here is a brief explanation:

Rock breaks Scissors

Scissors cut Paper

Paper covers Rock

In my interpretation, a 'vintage'cigar box (?) holds a vintage pair of SCISSORS stabbing the 'very vintage' magical ROCK.  And yes, PAPER which is a €5 bill (a Euro bill) wins!

My art piece, my rules!  Right?