Now the fun starts. We have been playing around with a combination of Sil-Leed cement board panels, strong and cost-effective sheets that not only exhibit a unique beauty, but they also help protect against fluctuating temperatures helping to reduce energy costs as well as any maintenance.   They are attached with rivets and you can cut them to any size so our plan is to use some interesting patterns in two colors. We are exploring two reclaimed woods, one is a redwood originally used as wine barrels and the other cypress from pickle barrels.  I think I should get some credit back for all of the wine I’ve probably tapped from those barrels and Gregg eats pickles everyday for lunch. What I love about the redwood is its warmer red tone with some irregular staining.   Both are from the Duluth Timber Company.

We thought about using a reddish orange cement board color as accent and then tabled it.  We’re boring, I know.  Has anyone every taken that what primary color are you test?  Seriously, from the bazillion colors I ended up as no color–snow.  I guess that says something about me and my artwork too!  Test yourself.

Bronze trim, two grey tones of cement board and cypress

Bronze trim, sand blasted window for shop, redwood and cement board

I walk every evening in my Linden Hills neighborhood.  Usually I get caught up in thinking about my day and forget to really enjoy and observe my surroundings.  So I’ve started to bring my camera with the intent of finding artistic expressions by my fellow neighbors.  Once you really start looking you will be amazed by what you see.  Some very tasteful and some just make me laugh.

Understated, almost hidden under some bushes

Neighbor down the street constructs these lovely little sculptures

Ted says this is better for peeing on than lying in unless of course there is a tempurpedic mattress and fan included

Crazy folks but I like that they are not afraid to be who they are

All sorts of things hang from this tree

This made me laugh, I remember my collection from piano lessons

Oh yes, it is Linden Hills after all

I love this video created by the Chicago Tribune that follows the creation of the highly anticipated public sculpture “Eye”, from Sparta, Wisconsin to downtown Chicago. The 30-foot eyeball, designed by Oak Park artist/sculptor Tony Tasset is on display from July 7 to October 31.

The “Eye,” modeled after one of the artist’s blue eyeballs, is in the final days of completion in the Loop’s Pritzker Park, at State and Van Buren Streets. Last week (JUNE 21), sections of the giant 30-foot fiberglass sphere arrived in carefully cut, expressway-friendly pieces via truck from their manufacturer, the Sparta, Wis.-based F.A.S.T. Corporation. Assembly on the white of the eye was completed last week and the sculpture’s striking blue iris was put in place Monday. The finished sculpture is scheduled for a public unveiling on July 7.

Barn swallows have made a nest in the corner of my future studio.  They have been so busy gathering sticks for their new home that I hate to break it to them that they will eventually have to move outside.   We also have a wood chuck that is enjoying the sandy surface with his paw prints tracking the interior.  Things are moving fast in spite of the torrential rains.  All of Gregg’s earth moving last week slid down the hill.

Barn Swallows Nest

Gregg and I visited our work in progress, creative getaway this weekend.  Gregg is there everyday but I haven’t seen it since it was a hole in the ground.  I will have to say I was in awe, scared, not sure we deserve it, thrilled and excited all at the same time.  When you actually execute on a dream it can be a bit surreal.  Literally we will be perched in the tree tops.  Amazing light, views and peacefulness will surround us. I’d say from the photos we look pretty darn happy.

Marilyn in front of future studio window

Gregg in awe of the view and cool breeze

Guys at work

View as you walk in the front entrance

View from my studio

Studio view looking towards the East

It’s been a long week but things are moving forward on our creative space.  It’s been raining on and off again for two weeks which has slowed things down.  I’m very exciting to see the framed walls going up.

10 Year Anniversary Show

Gallery 360

Opening Reception

Saturday, June 5, 7-10 pm

Show Runs

June 5 – July 4, 2010

3011 West 50th St, Minneapolis (612) 925-2400‎

Please join me for a special evening of art, food and entertainment. Saxophonist Bill Lang will be perched on the roof, appetizers  prepared by Corner Table Restaurant and 10% of the sales from this show will benefit Art Buddies ,  a program which pairs creative mentors with kids from low-income families.

There will be over 20 artists featured including several pieces I will have on display.   A great variety of Minnesota artists, mediums and price points.

Marilyn Stevens, Absence of Transparency, 2009

I’ve finally finished the piece that I started earlier this year.  What can I say, I got sidetracked with a new job.  Thanks to my friend Zac, I was able to add the perfect phrase of text.  It’s off to the framer since it will appear in Gallery 360’s ten year anniversary event in June.

Marilyn Stevens, All Your Beauty, 36w x 44h, 2010

We visited our Wisconsin creative space building site this weekend.  Although both Gregg and I are very excited, our reasons are very different.  Gregg wanted me to see the rocks he had collected for later landscaping,  where he planned to store the wood and how he was going to use his bobcat to clear out a nice landing.  I on the other hand wanted to stop and take pictures of the hundred plus horses in the pasture across from our land and take photos of what my art studio view will look like from above!  It’s all good.

Gregg's Man Toy

Rocks Collected from Site

Horse Farm Across From Us

Future View From My Art Studio