Locksmith

I have been sitting here for about a week and a half trying to complete a sentence on why I decided to spend the next phase of my life creating art around the word Locksmith. The act of Locking/unlocking something seems to me to be one of the more sacred things man has accomplished. We have spent our lives trying to lock everything we find important; transportation, homes, money, our hearts etc., all while trying unlock the powers and mysteries that control our lives today. Fire, the wheel, agriculture, light, information and the atom are things that come mind when I think of the things Man have unlocked (only to lock again under chemical codes, patents and secret formulas). Locksmith is the title I've given my next Series. My aim is to try to create some things that express the magnitude of locking and unlocking. I'm starting by making a mix CD for my friend Patch in New orleans the holidays. The cover for that mix represents the unlocking of mass destruction.

Shanna Leino

Shanna Leino is a New Hampshire artist who makes handmade books as well as tools. Leino also explores historical methods for making books. Shanna was an exhibitor in this year’s Pyramid Atlantic Book Arts Fair at the Civic Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her booth seemed intentionally minimal, strewn with little pieces of carefully honed bone and steel. To the left, highly polished bone-folders made of Elkbone. In the middle and to the right, equally shimmering awls, punches and chisels. The latter are made of high carbon heat-treated tool-grade steel. There have been many occasions where a sturdy awl was an essential tool for my work. I was elated to find a “maker” that took the time to make tools both strong and beautiful. The steel tools were made in two “flavors”; One ornate, the other hammered. I chose the only “hammered” awl/burnisher on display at the time (above). I am very grateful to add this to my collection. To view more of her work, visit shannaleino.com

Heart Throb

Cage

I dunno if rendering internal anatomy is considered body art, but don't see why not. I have some (a lot) of resource material on the subject, and I find it fascinating how intricate the body is, inside and out. So many processes are so over my head, I liked it better when I thought the body was filled with round, oblong, balloons and if you got injured one of them would pop and you would go to heaven. Life is Not like that, unfortunately. People get injured, they suffer, and then the rest is whatever. oh well, more to come.

Drip

Here are a few versions of some recent inkwork. Washes take a lot of patience and skill which I don't have yet. The first time I drew tje image i got carried away and tried to do a wash too soon. I started over and focused on the details rather than trying to render it fully on paper. I am lacking in many aspects of pen and ink, and probably won't be good for a while, but i gotta start somewhere.

My latest bike concept is complete. I wanted a bike with a classic, natural, understated look. Not too flashy but eye-catching none the less, this bike is really coming together nicely. here is a rundown of the specs: limited khaki-green Soma Rush (with no braze-ons or bottle-cage holes!!), hand-built wheels by my co-worker/friend Bill and I at Capital Hill Bikes. velocity fusion rims, , DT Swiss spokes, Suzue Promax hubs, Velo-flex tires, Sugino 75 crankset, fyxomatosis chainring (48tooth) Dura-Ace cog (15 T), Thompson seat-post, Selle Royale SLR saddle, Campognolo Chorus Front brake, Campy record headset, Velo-Orange Stem and toeclips and MKS GR-9 platform pedals. I need to to more upgrading to dial the colo-way in just right but the concept is getting closer to completion every week.

I'm working on some new stuff. Just letting everyone know. Just in case.... you know, you were wondering. Because I am..... Just wait.