CHIMES OF ENORMOUS SIZE

I have been wanting some large chimes with a deeper sound for a long time. On my birthday recently, after I had opened other wonderful gifts from my husband, he went into the garage for a minute and came back with some really big steel tubes, some chain and other paraphernalia - the makings of my wished for chimes. After some trial, error and trips to Home Depot, he completed them over this past weekend and mounted them to the corner of our pergola outside. They are so magnificent and sound great. Now, we are waiting to see how stiff the breeze will have to be to get them to chime. As you can hear from the video above, the sound is more of a gong, which is really what I was hoping for. If the required breeze doesn't occur soon, Merle will change out the wooden clapper to one that is a larger diameter. The "sail", the thing that catches the wind and moves the clapper, does move. If the clapper is wider, then it will be more likely to touch the chimes and make the necessary sounds we love. It's only a matter of time before the correct formula of clapper versus sail is achieved. What a guy!

Me, with a Dash of Dali

I'm in the process of creating a painting influenced by Dali. Our local museum has asked me, along with other selected artists, to create our interpretations of a "Dali" painting. So far, I am very happy with my results. The picture shown above is my main character, but there is much, much more.

To begin with, I went to the library and checked out two picture books on Salvatore Dali. One of them, as it turns out, was a book written for schools and the education of young people regarding his work. It turned out to be very interesting reading. As it was written for a younger audience, it was easy to read, wasn't filled with complicated words or ideas and provided a very good overview of this outrageous painter. At least it would appear from his bizarre paintings that he was outrageous. However, my opinion is that Dali created his outrageousness after he saw how well it was received. His frequently shocking images definitely got him the attention and subsequent sales that made him famous and rich. His first works were not surreal and showed his great skill as a painter. Later, during the surreal period of his career, he also showed his great skill, but it is somewhat eclipsed by the subject matter. Anyway, I read this brief biography and studied many of his paintings. I still pick up the book and go through it as I am working.

I am referencing some elements used in his work. However, as I paint, I am not trying to copy him at all. I would describe the process as coming from my own imagination with a dash of Dali.

This type of more detailed painting is something I don't usually do. At first it was a little daunting, but as I have been painting now, on and off for over a month, I have developed more confidence and now am really enjoying myself. Learning to slow down and think it out and execute it with care has been a very good lesson for me. Having had no professional training as a painter, I probably am slower than people who know better and faster techniques. However, I feel that I am getting the results I wanted and so being slower and achieving my artistic results is satisfying.

I need to turn this painting into the museum by November 13. I will have no trouble meeting that deadline. After that there will be an artists reception and then it will be on display and for sale for a couple of months. My hope, of course, is that it will be enjoyed by many people and if I'm lucky, might also be sold.

Here's a Dali painting.