John Michael Kohler Museum, Sheboygan, WI

Animal Instinct: Allegory, Allusion and Anthropomorphism Oct 2010-June 2011 You could not take pictures in the galleries, but the classroom contained one of the elephants by Billie Grace Lynn. In the galleries they were ghostly white. They are inflatable and move and sway with the air. The artist considers the sacred white elephant a metaphor, too expensive to sustain, too precious to surrender, and in a state of rapid change. Looks pretty magical with all the children's paint on it in the classroom.

Ojo Ajuda Rest in Peace

I have some wonderful Door County pictures to share, but tonight I will share Ojo's tale once more. He passed away peacefully while I was gone and I'll miss him so. Ten years back when I was animal control warden, I was called out ago by a forest ranger who thought he came across a wolf tied out in the woods. The soulful brown eyes met mine and he knew I intended to save and protect him. He was starving, thirty five pounds, subsisting for how long on his own feces, unable to fend for himself in any way. I took him in and brought his weight uo to a natural 80# build. He was highly intelligent, able to climb 6 foot runs and escape. Several people requested to adopt him, although he seemed untrustworthy. He adored children and I would let him loose to walk among the visiting tours of children, but he distrusted all men. He moved in with my children and I and considered himself a guardian of my boys. Time passed, my younger son, Randell had been tunneling in the pasture snow drifts when the tunnel collapsed on him. Ojo dug him out. There isn't a hero greater than Ojo in my life. He was a difficult dog to care forbut it mattered not. In time his boys became men and whatever horrors he knew from his previous life faded away. He became the wonderful, faithful companion everyone hopes for. I knew his days were numbered. The summer heat had taken a heavy toll on him and I hoped that winter would bring back his youthful frolicking in the snow. He's there now, rolling on his back making snow angels. I miss him already.

Another Good Reason

Last weeks photos again, but another good reason to get up in the morning. Glorious, magical views. Have to clean pictures off my camera for road trip to Algoma, Wisconsin with cuz Laura Lein Svencner. We're going to pick up her work at The Flying Pig Gallery, and some time with the sights. Is it Friday yet? Wretched cold last week wiped me out on my birthday and lost some time at jobs that I've had to make up this week. So far three days with three jobs a day plus a chiropractor appointment. Only two today and tomorrow. I might be napping on the road trip... at least through Illinois.

Afternoon Walks

Whatever would I do without my lunchtime walks? I listen, I smell, I've got all my sensors ready for a wildlife rendezvous. I find many pennies from heaven and exclaim "why rusty?" I long to walk the creek beds and visit deep in the woods as I continually enjoy visits with SunHawk, WhistlePig and Blue Heron. Once in awhile even Sister Turtle crosses my path. But see here, see here at the lovely fall colors! A treasure in the woodlands, some sprite to my soul.

Sailor's Delight

This was taken earlier in the week, but my schedules run far too tight to stay on top of everything! Clearly I need to remove the downed mulberry in my backyard. I had to crouch below it to take this shot, it obscures some beautiful views. Another project for another day.

ARTBYJOSEPH

Francis Joseph Gagnepain IV demonstrated his recycled junk art for the Kendall Art Guild's September meeting. Check out some youthful vibrant work! www.artbyjoseph.com

Monotypes with Ingrid Albrecht

What a great trip to be invited with! Cousin Laura invited me to join some Midwest Collage Society members for a mini workshop with Ingrid Albrecht at her new Ravenswood Gallery in Chicago. Three days learning rolled into one eight hour session. Ingrid is a great teacher and there were so many new techniques to get involved in. She has a gorgeous setting for her gallery and studio. The blue and gold piece is an acrylic and india ink piece, I think it's upside down, but when I viewed the photo it looked better that way. I rather enjoyed the subtractive quality working with india ink on a plexi-glass plate, some new supplies to play around with, soon again I hope. I pulled many prints that are ready to be basis for some additional drawing or painting.