Bitter Root 2

Here is the other bitter root we purchased over the weekend. This one has more of a yellow/orange cast to it.If you want to find out more about bitter roots go here or here

The Bitter root

My wife and I got over to the nursery yesterday. While browsing we came across some bitter roots. This is the Montana state flower. I very pretty small plant with rather large blooms. I thought it looks similar to a blood root.

So we purchased a couple, one that is blooming now and another that is about to bloom. I had to take some photos of them.

Alley photo

I was walking around the town of Billings last month and went down this alley. Grabbed this photo.

Snow Patterns part 3

Here is a softer texture. It is so interesting how this changes day to day. Now to figure out how to get these types of patterns and textures into my metal and ceramic work.

Snow Patterns part 2

Again here is another photo of patterns in the snow. Different from the first post but still containing pattern and texture.

Snow Patterns part 1

Throughout the winter here in Montana my eye has been drawn to the different patterns the snow will make. I have been slowly trying to document this. Here is the first of a few photos picturing varying patterns.

What I would like to do in the future is find a way to take these patterns and apply them to my art work.

Still Getting snow with some sun

Yes, we are still getting snowstorms blowing through town here. But the sun then comes out and melts it all again. Where upon another storm blows in.

The first photo is a closeup of the snow during sunrise.


The second photo is in our neighborhood from Sunday, once the snow had all melted. It was just a gorgeous day. The wife and I had to go on out and soak up the rays.

Cheers Mate!

AAaaahhh a good dark beer. Cheers everybody.

If only I was in Denmark right now drinking this. Photo of me from last year in Roskilde, Denmark, picture was taken by my wife.

More Blacksmithing Work Part 4

My Fireplace set. I still need to get the broom/fire sweep finished.

More Blacksmithing work part 3

Here are some other new items, my ginko leaf hooks. These were inspired from my trip to Japan.

More Blacksmithing work part 3

Hello everybody, long time no blog post. Sorry about that, I have just been busy with a new full time job while a coworker is on maturnity leave.

So, I am sneaking in this post this morning. I new item I have just started to do, a dragon fly. This is my second prototype of the dragon fly. It is made to actually stick in the ground in a garden. I made 4 more for Christmas presents and am starting to refine the design a little more. I have 4 more in the works, but these are going to be paper weights, with legs and all. Once I finalize those up I will post them too.

More Blacksmithing work part 2

Another candelabra. This one I also made in California probably around 2001 or 2002.

More Blacksmithing work part 1

Candelabra from a while back. I forged this one up when I was at the California State fair with my friend Mike Carson in the Blacksmith Booth. Those were some good times. Hammering away in 100 degree weather.

Let's see some Blacksmithing work

All right enough of the ceramics for now. Now I am going to start showing some of my Blacksmithing work. This is a 3 paneled folding screen I did a wile back.

Portfolio Photography Soda Fire 3

A soda fired mug. This one actually has two different glazes on the inside. That s where the spots on the inside are coming from.

Portfolio Photography Soda Fire 2

Here is a pitcher I made from two separate clays again. There is a white glaze on the interior and just the soda from the soda fire on the exterior.

Portfolio Photography Soda Fire 1

A soda fired mug with flashing slip on the outside.

Portfolio Photography Gas fired pieces 6

Three cups with the cherry blossom shino. Again I received some great carbon trapping in the gas fire (which was the same firing as the other cherry blossom shino pieces.)

Portfolio Photography Gas fired pieces 5

Back when I made these saucers I was watching an anime by the name of Mushi-Mushi. They kept drinking tea from saucers like this. So I decided to make some, well not just some but A LOT of them. This is just a few that when through the firing process.

My wife uses them for water color and sumi now.

Portfolio Photography Gas fired pieces 4

Here was the first large bowl I threw on the wheel. Not very good but it has something about it so I keep it around and use it for large salads.