Perfect Ride to the Crest Today, We'll Catch the Bird Next Week

I had intentions to ride "Libertad" up to Snowbird, schedules got complicated for my riding partner and we cancelled by noon with the promise of next week. But on an overcast day in the middle of the fall season in Utah, doesn't Suncrest sound more inviting anyway? I have cell coverage up that hill (I don't up Snowbird, and by myself?...not a good idea). Besides, I ate breakfast like I was going on a big ride, and never made it to swim training. So, I just went by myself. I love climbing up that monster mountain with oodles of space in my mind to just think. And I especially love after I've earned the right to race down. It was one of those days when all the world felt right up at the top. My phone doesn't take the best pictures and it certainly doesn't show how spectacular the valley looks up at the top. And there is no way it shows how great I felt up at the top either. Have a safe Halloween weekend!

Portrait of an Artist, My Dad

Forward to the 70th Birthday Celebration post.


Burdell Moody, 2005 (photo courtesy of Roger Hawkins)


Burdell Moody (on right), US Army
Combat Artist for the Vietnam War

What can I say of my father? He turned 70 this month. He is a very talented artist, recently featured at The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia with other works from American soldiers. His painting, "Point Man", pictured below was the painting on the cover of the art exhibit's program handed out on opening night. Can I further brag and say this piece was chosen out of 16,000 works in the entire collection? To see his work printed on keychains and mugs in the museum's gift shop seems like iconic art to me.

"Point Man"

I spent most of September planning a secret surprise birthday for him, so I couldn't spend the time honoring him on my blog earlier. Better late than never. So I'll take the liberty to brag about him now, and I'll post pics from the surprise party even later.

For more details on the exhibit, click here, then click on "Online Gallery" and scroll to the 1960's. You will view 3 of the works posted below.

To see his recent work available at the Belleza Gallery in Bisbee, Arizona click here

All artwork courtesy of U.S. Army Center for Military History, Washington DC
Burdell Moody, US Army
1960-1969
oil


"Killed in Action"
1968

"Night Operation"
1967

"Heavy Lifting"
1967

"Big and Little Fire Power"
1967

The Halloween Season Turns Official

Eye saw Mommy kissing Frankenstein (original artwork by Julie Nelson)

(original artwork by Ann Gardner purchased at Art Market)

Deck the Halls with witches and pumpkins, fa la la la la la la la
(Stackable & Nesting Witch and Cat painted boxes by Barbara Young, Handpainted Gourds by Jeni Gochnour, Wool Pumpkin and Spider by Macey Wilcox, all available at Art Market)





The candy jars are filled of creatures with care, in hopes that the Phantom Ghost soon will appear.



Oh Spooky Tree, Oh Spooky Tree, how fragile are your branches?

And Back in September...

It was Fine Art Night for Art Market. Nanette wanted to serve light refreshments opening night. I wanted to experiment with an artist theme buffet table that I could use for my dad's 70th birthday as well, so this is what I came up with for her buffet. I know, I know, the picture quality isn't the best. I forgot my camera and we just used a phone camera, but hopefully you can get the idea. Some of the trays are actual lucite artist pallettes. A little condensation formed where the clear glass cylinders met the clear trays. The varied sizes of the cylinders were filled with colored water to raise the trays to different levels, in addition to adding color to the otherwise black and white table.

Fright Food Night at the Ferre-nstein's

Well every party must start with an invitation of course...

(Ignore the spelling error, I was out of my mind for this one. "Specimans" of course is "specimen", but they were already sewn and ribbonized, so forget it!)

Then we have the 36 specimen samples on the soapstone lab surface...


Start concocting. I had sample pizza ideas listed on the lab sheets, or you could use those living brains and create your own.

John unable to keep the creature parts out of his mouth any longer



Jean Michel, always a straight A student, got extra credit for siting his research.


Yea, we are telling our scariest moment tales now. Can't you tell?


The couples' Trick or Treat bags filled with guests' favorite treats they brought to share with the group.

Nanette made caramel apples from the freshly harvested apples off her tree. Go Martha, go Martha!

Julie dried us some vulture brains (AKA amazing caramel corn)

Below, please find interesting specimen of the male gender:



Too bad girls, they are all taken.