DRIFTWOOD AND WRITING BOTH TAKE FINGERS

           

As some of you, maybe most of you, know, I’ve become a “driftwood artist.” I take flotsam and jetsam and turn it into things of beauty…or at least I try. I’ve met some great folks in the process of doing this, taking classes and becoming a member of the Northwest Driftwood Artists.

          I am always amazed at the art that is rendered by the members of NWDA. So many of them and their pieces leave me wondering why on earth I’m attempting to meet the high bar they’ve established. But if I don’t try, then I’ll never get there.

          Right now, I’m working on multiple pieces that when finished will be one set piece. I’m thinking of calling it, “My Armada.” I was given a piece that will serve as the ocean. It looks as though it has a couple of waves. I have another three pieces that look like ships. I’ve placed them on the “ocean” and they look good even unfinished. I’ve already finished one other piece that’s also a ship and it’s mounted on a piece that looks like a rough shore. I’ve called that one, “Shipwreck,” and a photo is at the beginning of this blog piece.

          Prior to this month, it was difficult for me to work on my art in the house. To make myself a space, I pretty much emptied one bedroom to set it up as my driftwood art room. There’s a multiple shelf unit in there that originally held Thor’s CDs and now holds the rough pieces I haven’t gotten to quite yet. There’s also a table and three chairs. The best part of this whole room is the “dust catcher.” (I think it has a proper name, but I cannot recall.)

          My teacher gave me this unit. It had been gifted to her and she already had one. My son helped me obtain the filters for it and I modified the already modified cover by installing new double stick Velcro strips. Now, I can sit in my chair and sand the piece directly in front of the dust catcher. It pulls in all the sanding dust. I’ve barely used it and I can see the dust on the filter so I know it’s working.

          Now that I have a room devoted to this process, I’m getting more excited about my driftwood art. It can now be a year-round interest rather than my having to wait for warmer weather so I can sand outside on the deck. You can only do so much with the wood before you absolutely have to sand it…and that’s my least favorite part.

          Today (Monday) I began work on the ships. I felt like I was accomplishing a lot until my big sander’s battery died. Then, my Dremel died and needed to have its batter recharged. I also used a hand saw to saw off the base of one of the ships. Sheesh, it made me wish I had a band saw. It also made me wonder why in the hell I gave (or sold) all John’s tools. I can’t remember if he had a band saw, and if he did, it was probably so old it would have been unsafe for me to use. Ah well, patience.

          So, between writing every day and trying to driftwood every day, I’m not quite sure how I’m going to accomplish anything else around here. But, for now, with horrible and very cold weather, I’ll let my fingers either dance on the keyboard or grip sculpting tools.