Wine, Women, and Wood

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

In my last blog post, I invited you to Florence, Texas, to watch stone carvers at work and see an arts festival at The Vineyard. That happens both Saturday and Sunday.

Now, Saturday NIGHT, is a different kind of event. I will be leaving Florence around 4 p.m. and headed to south Austin. Won’t you join me?

27 March Saturday evening: 6 - 10 p.m.
"Wine, Women, and Wood"
The Curiouseum inside the Village Green South
6800 West Gate Boulevard
Austin, Texas

featuring Kelly's sculpture and 2-d figurative art paired with Fine French Woodworking by Brittany's Thierry Amisse! Add some wine, pate and a demonstration of Petanque (France's version of boccie), and we've (Susan and Ruth) got a VERY curvaceous evening planned! Live music too! For more info, call Susan Buhrman: 512.925.4085 or Ruth Glendinning 512.744.3411


Both events are FREE. Invite your friends too!
Thank you so much.

Stone Carving Competition Florence Texas

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

During my Open Studio back in February, two stone carvers, Brooke and Matt, visited me from the Florence, Texas area. I was invited to join them in a relatively new event, a very short carving competition and art festival at a vineyard.

While I am not very competitive with other people (preferring to push myself instead), I really am looking forward to meeting other stone carvers in this area not far from my Texas home.

I understand that art will be for sale, as well as there being a silent auction of a variety of items to help out the local library in Florence. So, come on out to The Vineyard, try some wine, and watch us carvers work!

27 & 28 March
Saturday hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (but I leave around 4 p.m.)
Sunday hours: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. (with the Silent Auction closing at 4 p.m.)
“2010 Stone Carving Competition and Fine Arts Festival”
The Vineyard
8711 FM 487
Florence, Texas 76527
Contact: Kambrah Garland at 512-924-7447


Pictured here is a new marble carving that I have started and will probably be working on during the festival. I will also be exhibiting a few selected works of 3-dimensional art.
Come on out!

Portrait of a Young Artist Marley

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Back in February, in the heart of a colder-than-usual winter in central Texas, I had to admit that I would not be able to finish my marble sculpture “The Gymnast.” I am heading back to Italy soon and have so many other projects that I needed to wrap up before I leave.

So, here are a few images of how I have left her . . . for the time being. I also include a self portrait that I took on the day it snowed here: 23 Feb. For me, it was “a wasabi moment,” a phrase I coined after I enjoyed my first sushi with friends a few summers ago. I mean it to refer to any short-lived pleasure that tickles more than one sense.







One of the great rewards of an artist – or anyone really – is to learn that you have inspired a child. Recently on Facebook, I have reconnected with a friend from my college days. He told me that he and his family were enjoying catching up with my activities by reading this blog. In particular, his daughter Marley entertained him by emulating the pike pose of my marble carving above. I am sure that she could assume this athletic position easier than I can!

Later, my friend shared this self-portrait of his budding artist daughter, which I print with permission here. It is quite marvelous, do you not agree?