Sunday, March 14, 2010

Tiny Art in Minneapolis, MN

I've been invited to an Art-O-Mat Art Swap (open to the public) being held at the Chambers Hotel in Minneapolis, MN on Saturday, April 17th. The event is from 1pm til 4:30pm. I'll be there with many other local and regional "Artists In Cellophane", displaying/selling the tiny artworks we make for the Art-O-Mat machines (re-purposed old cigarette machines) and a few other larger works (whatever I can fit in my car). If you're in the area, stop by and check it out!


A little about what this project is all about, here's some info from the ArtOMat.org website:

"What is an Art-o-mat?
Art-o-mat machines are retired cigarette vending machines that have been converted to vend art. There are 82 active machines in various locations throughout the country."

"What do you get from an Art-o-mat?
The experience of pulling the knob alone is quite a thrill, but you also walk away with an original work of art. What an easy way to become an art collector."

"Want to be an Artomat artist?
There are around 400 contributing artists from 10 different countries currently involved in the Art*o*mat project. We are always searching for fresh work."

For more information and a list of participating artists, visit their website: http://www.artomat.org

Friday, March 12, 2010

Window Paris View Completed!

As of today, the "Window Paris View" painting is finished and being shipped! It was a few weeks in the making. First I needed to acquire an "old" window screen & frame to use as the base size for the piece. Habitat for Humanity's ReStore in Milwaukee, WI was able to help me out with this. So many ideas for art projects in that store! After I got the frame I painted a wood panel with my interpretation of a window view of Paris, and attached it to the back. Viola! Finished painting (customized request) for a very lovely lady. Finished size is 46.5"h x 30"w.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

The snow is starting to melt and it's time to test out new gadgets on the bike. In effort to shave some time off the bike portion of the triathlons, I started by purchasing a Trek 1.1 road bike last fall. I got in a few rides before the weather went south, but March 6 was my first ride of 2010. Road about 13 miles, dodging water-filled potholes and mud puddles, but overall a good ride through the park. The next day I installed some Profile Design Jammer aero bars (step 2 in my time-shaving strategy). Did a few laps around the block and wondered why I never bought these sooner! Instant neck relief and less wind resistance. And last but not least was the trial of the Sip-Away hydration bottle. This is an invention I wish I would have come up with myself. It's a Camelback-meets-water bottle contraption that allows you to sip water via tube/bite valve that's attached to the bottle that rests in the bike cage without you having to take your hands off the bars or break your cadence. I will now be well hydrated for the run before even getting off my bike. Highly recommended!


This year's race line-up:
April 25th: J-Hawk's EarlyBird Tri in Whitewater, WI (sprint distance).
July 11th: Pewaukee Lake Tri in Pewaukee, WI (sprint distance).
July 25th: Tri-ing for Children's in Southern Kettle Moraine, WI (olympic distance).

Official training plan begins April 4. Swim like the fish, bike like the French, run like the wind!