This & That ...

Sounds like one of those dishes you get at your sister-in-law's home during the Holidays. You can't really figure out what's in it. But it's covered with white chocolate, so it has to be good. "Hmmm ... this "This & That" is quite tasty!" ...

Loveland Winter Art Show

The conclusion of the Loveland WInter Art Show was Saturday, Dec. 14 and I had the good fortune of being named winner of the "People's Choice Award" for the second straight year!

There was a very nice turnout for this year's show, thanks in large part to the horse-drawn carriage rides that bought visitors from the downtown area to the Loveland Artists Studios.

People's Choice Award Winner

I want to especially thank Ed Aufdemkampe for pulling together all the many submissions and then spending untold hours hanging them through the gallery area.

Ed also shot this photograph for me along with the award tag. That was much appreciated!

Website Dreams

Been spending the last week or so working to develop a web site. Figure it's about time to get in to the 21st Century. While I am providing the fodder for the product, the real brains behind this project is my good friend, Stephen Schauer of Bluegrass Computers. While people can actually go online to see the site, it's really not ready for public consumption yet. (Hence the reason I am holding off on posting the website address).

I'm hoping we can pull this all together before the end of the year, though the holidays are fast approaching. Plus, I have to allow evening spare time for Stephen to study his fantasy baseball stats as he prepares to pound my teams in to a pulp again next season.

R.I.P. Blue Dog :(

George Rodrigue and Blue Dog

On a sad note as we come to the end of the year, one of my personal favorite modern day artists, George Rodrigue, passed away on Sunday at the age of 69 after a long battle with cancer.

A legend in New Orleans, Rodrigue was a world-renown artist because of what started out as a simple tribute to his deceased dog, Tiffany. But, like all great artists, there was more to it than the iconic "blue dog." Much of his work draws upon his Cajun upbringing and the lore and stories behind that culture.

Blue Dog, a blue spaniel-terrier mix, was a more family friendly version of the Cajun legend of the "loup-garou," the werewolf or ghost dog that hid in the sugar cane fields and haunted mischievous children.

His unique work will be sorely missed.

  

Year end note

I wish I had produced more work this year, but it was one of those years for various reasons. Maybe next year will be a more productive art year, though from an awards/shows point of view, I was very pleased with the year. Next year will be better!

Meanwhile, I most sincerely extend my best wishes to all of you who follow this blog for a very Merry and Joyous Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year!!

I will be back shortly after the first of the year -- hopefully with a website at last!!!