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Drum roll please….here’s the sketch I promised ages ago of the piece I’ll be working on for the World of Wearable Art competition. Unlike my other pieces where support materials (like galvanized wire mesh) for the sculpted form are not a concern, in this case I’ve needed to consider materials with a more sensitive side. After all this sculpture will be protecting someone’s “ta-tas” and I don’t want my piece being the cause of some unwanted piercings. As I’ve said before, 75% of design happens in my head. In this case I think it’s more like 90% just for the the “think-time” spent on working out the details of proper support, and softer ways of making details like the ridges and spines of a cactus. This is going to be fun, if not at times a little frustrating. I look forward to keeping you updated with the successes and trials as this project progresses. Wish me luck…I’m going to need it:)

You know life just sometimes gets in the way of my good intentions to post more often:) I do have the sketch I promised of the next piece I’ll be working on for the WOW show, but first I want to show what took my time between posts…

A good friend recently fell on the streets of San Miguel. While the cobblestone streets of this little town can be treacherous, John’s fall was not caused by the cobblestones but rather by the construction debris on the street. Basically he tripped on a cable wire and fell on his arm shattering his elbow in about 10 pieces. Through John, many of his friends are now seeing the medical profession in Mexico up-close – and I can honestly say I am not concerned about the quality of care I’ll receive should anything similar happen to me. However, there was one item John found could be improved upon – his sling, and I was happy to help improve the design. The old sling had a few faults I think simply because they are mass produced to be worn for a variety of breaks and angles of casts. In John’s case the 90° angle wasn’t ideal as his cast is set slightly less than 90°.  As a result of the conflicting angles the length wasn’t long enough to support the entire length of John’s forearm causing the sling to continue to ride up his forearm and lessen the overall support. Also the connection of the strap to the elbow side of the sling was placed over the center seam. As a result the strap didn’t stay in place across his back and again reduced support.

So John came over first to show me his old sling, then to act as a model for the new pattern and finally to select a fabric from my studio stash. Below John is modeling the new and improved shoulder sling. The ultra suede outer fabric comes from a recycled Clearwater Creek jacket. The lining is cotton canvas for durability. This new model offers proper back support, a strap guard and cell phone pocket. All-in-all much more stylish:)

I know I said I was going to try to post more frequently in the New Year…clearly that hasn’t worked out so well just yet. While there is really no excuse for not taking just a few minutes a few times a week to update, I have been a little preoccupied this past month. I was getting ready (promo materials, pr, etc) for my first local show in San Miguel which was hosted at the Oasis — one of San Miguel’s renown boutique properties and a Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice 2010 Winner for Service and Bargain. Nancy Hooper, the owner of the Oasis, was so gracious to open her doors to host an invitational reception on January 28th for me and Bill Fares, a local sculptor of reclaimed iron. The artwork was well received and I did sell a piece. Flor de la Noche, which recently received a “Special Recognition” in the Upstream People Gallery Juried Art Exhibition, is installed in its new home in Mexico City. I hope the new owner is enjoying it as much as I enjoyed creating it (you may view the piece on my site here).

Below are a few photos from the opening. I will be posting again next week to show the new piece I’ll be starting for the WOW (World of Wearable Art) competition and show. I’m really looking forward to getting started on that piece…it’s going to be a lot of fun.

Andrea Soto Alegria, Textile Artist Wendy Moyer, Alexis White and Oasis owner Nancy Hooper.

Doug, Brett (owner of Shanti day spa in San Miguel), Oasis owner Nancy Hooper, and me. Paraíso is the piece in the background.

One of Bill’s pieces. This piece is hooked up to a propane tank and incorporates fire into the sculpture.