Blog

Studio: Recycled Books to Sketchbooks

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:25:53 -0800

Our local libraries often sponsor sales to sell or give away old books to keep their stock fresh and updated. These books make wonderful altered books, reconstructed books, board books, and other structures with new meaning and purpose.

Hardcover books are especially useful because of their existing book board covers. The books are first disassembled, the spine piece reinforced, and quality paper signatures are folded and sewn back onto the spine. The exterior of the covers are then covered, then the inside of the covers may feature marbled papers. These papers were created after instruction with Galen Berry and Peggy Skycraft, two master marblers and wonderful teachers.

Incoming: Deborah Davidson, Sapporo, Japan

Tue, 5 Jan 2010 09:33:52 -0800

Sapporo resident Deborah, another talented artist, creates these beautiful cards featuring "etegami" - this one, a cross section of a persimmon. The words translate to "change of perspective".

A great thought for this new year.

Incoming: "Wackystuff", Victoria, B.C. Canada

Tue, 5 Jan 2010 09:27:40 -0800

Mr. Wackystuff, out of IUOMA fame and fortune, so graciously sent me some of his colorful and delightful artistamps. Direct from Victoria, BC, this talented mail artist throws out the welcome mat to new artists who join the IUOMA Ning group.

Building design: Kitchen Addition and Remodel, RWC, continued

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:54:49 -0800

The underlayment, stucco wire, scratch coats, and final stucco finish have been applied. The Durafoam roof was finished before the rains - it's made a huge difference in helping the home's interior temperature during hot and cold weather. The foundation vents will keep the air moving so that moisture evaporates properly.

Sheetrock has been taped and mudded, kitchen cabs and island have arrived and fit. The hardwood floors have begun their process, too, as we've planning to integrate new and existing surfaces.

Studio: First Impressions

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:27:10 -0800

After days of anguishing over holiday gift giving ideas - well, I'm still stuck. Or overwhelmed. Ideas are plentiful, but execution is torturous and circumventive. Prototypes abound, here are a few.

Left: Idea #3: Okay, I'll make some mail art stuff. Three new hand-carved rubber stamps, newly purchased date stamp
 Right: Idea #3b. Pulled out those dusty templates and made some easy envelopes with handmade Thai papers, etc.. Cut some new templates for smaller sizes.

Building design: Kitchen Addition and Remodel, RWC, continued

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:18:22 -0800

The exterior walls and roof have been sheathed, windows are framed in, and the new electrical main has been repositioned. The owners will add on a deck in the near future. The roof's finish material is by Durafoam. You'll see more and more applications of "cool roofs" as the new Title 24 regs go into effect this January. Over seven million homes were built pre-Title 24, so remodels, additions, and even reroofing projects will have more stringent energy requirements.

No dog (Chewy, a Chinese mountain dog) in sight today. Yes, that's his name. I believe we're somehow related.

Building design: Kitchen Addition and Remodel, Redwood City

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:34:24 -0700

Shawn and Rita are adding on a kitchen and sitting area to their existing home. Plans include a bbq and entertainment deck. Left: Underfloor framing. Once the new perimeter foundation is poured, the subfloor is then built. Additional plywood panels will be added for lateral strength and seismic considerations. Right: Stud wall and roof framing. Once the subfloor is established, any interior and exterior walls are framed up, including window and door layouts. The existing house features a flat cool roof of Durafoam, so this addition will also reflect that style and profile. LVL's are used to avoid potential bend or softness of the flat roof and to maintain the gentle pitch that helps drain water.