Shop and Destroy

The economy is in a slump, a recession... a slow down.  How do we know?  The news said so.  We were out and about last week and it did not look like anyone watched the news.  In fact people were out buying stuff at a furious pace.  Their social awareness and tact seemed to vanish with every item selected.  No one held doors or bothered to look behind them.  Eye contact and courtesies were at a minimum.  The only thing anyone seemed to care about was getting the obligatory present in a fashion that seemed to say "check it off the list" and not "I'm thinking about you".

We are wildly optimistic and filled with love and affection for those around us... even the strangers at the mall who let the door slam on us.  We are aware of the misfortunes in the world and it makes us even more appreciative of the gift of friendship and the love of family.  Here is the thing... It's the holidays.  Who doesn't like receiving a present.  But when we can't see the menorah or the tree for all the presents it may be that we have lost our way.  It is true that it is better to give than to receive.  Give... not lavish.  Receive...  a gift.  Not stuff.  A gift.

From us to you...  Ellwood T. Risk "Shop and Destroy"

When moved... MOVE!

 We often hear the story of a piece of art that was love at first sight for a potential collector.  As the story goes the collector, walked into the gallery saw the piece and instantly fell in love.  For whatever reason they delayed in making it their own.  After agonizing over the commitment or in this case the non-commitment, they returned to find that it was gone.

Here is the thing.  Original art is original art and by virtue of this there is only one.  Once it is gone it is often gone for good.  Here, we would much rather regret the things we did than things we did not do so our message is this:  When moved, you better move.  These are ones we moved on...

Gretchen Gammell  "Morning Mourning"

Daniel Ochoa  "Piñata Moving"

-Art Cartel                                     

The Perfect Bookshelf

We have been looking for a bookshelf for a while.  A long while.  Amidst the drudgery of the box stores and the pseudo boutiques that claim to have the most exquisite pieces was nothing but frustration.  It is difficult to find lasting quality these days and harder to find it with a level of taste and sophistication.  We had one hope... build it ourselves.

8/4 Solid white maple clamped with seats routered for uprights

Live edge maple

Clamped guide for plunge router

Plunge Router

Finger joint cuts and clamped seated uprights

A good fit

Together... finally

It's in the details

Finished