WERE IN!!!

Thursday, Oct. 16: Several of us met today at Mellwood.  The rent has been paid!!!! The van was moved into the space and we attacked it: taping out the essentials we wanted to protect; beginning to prime the interior; figuring out how to remove the seats in order to remove the carpet (we want to use it for a template); untangling the bead screen; removing hubcaps and bumpers (Ben has that on campus to measure for Debra's face molds), discussing the logitstics of the antenna/brush; how the tire-spirals will work...and exploring the rooftop (not of the van, but of Mellwood), which seems to be an interesting rendezvous spot as indicated by some left-over evidence.  It was a pretty fast and furious two hours.  However, we need to figure out how to find bigger chunks of time to get this in a presentable form by December 4. I'll post some images from today after Steve processes.  I saw him several times crawling around in the belly of Mellwood shooting our antics. I also spoke with Rob about some exterior primers (he's my car restorer guru), and I'll look for his suggestions tomorrow (Friday) before I go over...I'll be there around 1:00-ish, so if anyone is available, c'mon over. Thanks to Alan Evil for the warning about the leaky ceiling and to Conrad Bladey (peasant) for all kinds of adhesion tips (see THINKTANK II). Hope to see some of you tomorrow.

We need: some cat litter to absorb some the oil on the floor (anyone have cats?); newspaper to mask out windows; more pens, brushes, and pencils donations (Randy brought in a small stash);...  

Thursday, October 16 (posted the 15th): We'll be meeting at Mellwood.  I'm meeting Debra at 9:00 a.m. to move the van there and then I'll be taking her back to her place so she can get her regular auto to get to campus. I'll see the rest of you in the 12:20-ish range.  Bring anything you've collected for the cause.  We can get things taped out we want to protect like the windows, and start on the interior (removing carpet and getting it measured.).  I don't know if Susan and Donna have sorted the drawing still-life materials, but someone might check with them to see if there's some of that to bring over.  We'll need some tools to take off bumpers for Ben to work with, bring what you can to accomplish that, keep in mind that we'll have to put them back on.  I haven't (obviously) scanned the sketches yet, but will within the next few days. I've been busy getting ready for my exhibit that opens on Sunday at Galerie Hertz.  The reception if from 1:00-4:00, so please stop by if you have the time.  It's new work I've done while on my sabbatical last year.

Later in the day: The above images will show the transformation of the studio space that Brian and Scott accomplished in a fairly short period of time.  Not only sweeping up the debris, but also driving and pushing the other two art cars out of the space.  In the third image you can see the one art car that we pushed out of the studio across Mellwood avenue into the gravel lot. 

Scott was a big help in getting the space ready for us.

There were a lot of decisions made a few days ago, some examples: Ben is going to cast Debra's face for a clay mold to line the bumpers, he'll manipulate each one so they'll be a little different, he's also going to address the antenna, it'll be a paint brush, and he's going to spiral the tires (thanks, Ben); Brent, Laurel and company will create a stained glass image of Van Gogh's, Starry Night, for the back window, they're working out the logistics of applying and stabilizing the image (thanks, Laurel and Brent).  This is an experienced glass group and they assured us it could be done by December 4 (that's our initial deadline); Samantha and Pascalle are going to start working on the seat covers, Although we may start referring to them as something different. They both have textile experience and can bring a new point of view to "seat covers" (thanks Samantha and Pascalle).  We need pens, pencils, and brushes donations. Please give what you can!  Bring them to my office or to Mellwood.  The Drawing program is donating some of the old still-life materials, such as old mannequin parts and other still-life materials that are not used very much but have been drawn a lot over the years (thanks Susan and Donna for sorting out those materials).  I have a lot of sketches, some of which I'll post in THINKTANK II when I get some room to breath.

Would loved to have had more help in the studio, may have to find a hot tub to soak off the car pushing....ohhhhh, I found one!

See you Thursday at the Mellwood space, and don't forget your magical camera and eye, Steve.