Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Low Blood Pressure and Shows Alert!

I recently made an unexpected trip to the Emergency Room because of something I was totally unaware.

Going backwards four days I began by setting up a show which was an hour and a half away so needless to say my destructive decision started early one Friday.

No one thinks twice probably about fluids during the average work day for an artist setting up a show (or for that matter just about anything you get busy with and distracted).

I was pretty busy the next two days and the fourth day I went to Denver all day so there you have it four days with very little fluids due to the fact I was busy, distracted (or just plain did not want to leave my tent to a stranger thinking I would miss a sale.)

Hypotension is caused from dehydration and can cause all kinds of symptoms but do not get me wrong it is not just water but electrolytes you are lacking (note: you can drink too much water).

People with already low blood pressure do not have that far a drop before symptoms begin. Lack of sufficient water cause your blood pressure to drop even further into a danger zone.  I felt like I had had a heart attack laying on the floor that morning but it can also cause dementia type problems or coordination glippes.

Electrolytes control a lot of things in your body and they all shut down.  Please just remember to take along at least half your body weight in ounces of water and use something like Harmless Harvest  coconut water with electrolytes to supplement (also a banana helps). It is scary to think that could have occurred while I was driving or worse.

Be proud of your low blood pressure (within reason) but also be aware of the need of electrolytes each and everyday. Be safe.

Amazing Find

I met a gentleman, Keith Martin, at the Loveland Sculpture Invitational Suppliers Tent that gave me some sample products to try that were a different concept for me.

In cleaning my waxes I always find tiny pin point holes that are unnerving but almost cause more damage than they are worth to go in with a hot tool and repair.

Well, thanks to Keith from REMET, http://www.remet.com or sales@remet.com I have used his Premiere Patch wax and find it super, just perfect for smearing a dab over those annoying tiny holes.  Also when reassembling my animal waxes  (ears, horns or other appendages) it is child's play with Sticktite a sticky wax they produce for just that purpose.

These are both really nice and I appreciate their efficiency of the products.  Hopefully I will still be saying this a year from now.  Will keep you updated.

REMET makes a lot of other products so check them out.

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Goodbye to an old friend

This particular piece of sculpture was created a while back and was always a favorite of anyone that ever saw him.  The piece was named "Keeper of the Sacred Spirit" and it was done using a model off the Spoomer Ranch outside of Greeley, Colorado. 

The model's name was Aspen and was a pet kept at the buffalo farm that the manager even rode because he was so gentle. As all fairy tales go things changed and he passed away.

The last of the edition Ed. #15/15 is currently being completed so that someone may have this beautiful piece and then I will only have my AP copy to give my children but I will always have my memories of this fantastic animal and the way he carried himself and also the way he enjoyed my scratching his nose while studying his beautiful eyes.

Sculptors often fall in love with their subjects (as I feel all artist must to catch their true spirit) but as I celebrate the end of a wonderful adventure by destroying the mold when this edition sells out I will also feel sad that this great beasts which had such a rich history in the making of the old west and the survival or defeat of the American Indian was for a brief time something tangible in my life.