Sgt. Dennis Weichel 2012

           I am not fond of sad stories... but this is a story that should have as much exposure if not more than of the soldier that went on a shooting rampage- I haven't even followed that story honestly.

           I could sit here and babble about this hero's wife, and the children he's left behind... but I feel he wouldn't want that.  Instead, take the time you would have spent reading my babbling...and have a moment of prayer for them.  And if you cannot feel to pray for them, pray and thank God for men such as this man.

.....And watch the link for the story:

http://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625/us-soldier-gives-his-life-to-save-afghan-girl-28773324.html

I couldn't embed the video like I wanted to.  

Harney Peak Eagles Commission Complete

 I am thrilled to announce that I have shipped off my latest commission as well as my first burned piece, the Canada Goose portrait.  My latest and my first, all in one order....wow.  It's a little sorrowful, letting go of my creations so quickly... but at least they will stay in good hands for many years.

Picassa is doing wonders for my photography.  I still don't have a good camera, but these pictures turned out nicely- and that is important to me because it is all I have left of my burning!!  

I have been busy with a medical course, but I still squeeze time to burn in there every few days and I have more projects lined up!!  So check out what I'm up to next on Facebook and subscribe!!

The Piano Guys

HI Everyone,

This is a different sort of post.  I will link you to some amazing music!!  Recently, a friend and I were chatting away on Facebook and she shot me a link to a you tube video.  When I watched it I didn't hesitate to subscribe to the channel.  And now, I am going to share it with you!!

I am a super big fan of the Piano Guys!!  Jon Schmidt and Steven Sharp Nelson (name?) from St. George, Utah.  Jon Schmidt performs on the piano, and Mr. Steven on the Cello.  The two have only been at their you tube videos for just under 6-8 months and already have a big following.  I only wish I could have found them when their following wasn't so large, but I am here to make it bigger!!

I won't say another word about it because now it is up to you to explore the links below to their channels.  Here is Jon Schmidt's personal channel:  http://www.youtube.com/user/carlosian2
He has a wonderful variety of music there.

And here is the official Piano Guy's channel:  http://www.youtube.com/user/ThePianoGuys
Which will in turn take you to the official Piano Guy's website and other sources.  Check these guy's out and if you like them- which you will, give them your support.

That is all fellow artists,
Get watching those videos!!

BTW- their music is playing on this blog now. ;)

Commissions Lined Up

I have commissions lined up and one has a special deadline.  May I introduce the Harney Peak Eagles- being burned in time for March 21st for a special anniversary.  

 This gorgeous piece is of two eagles - talons locked, sailing above the granite needles of Harney Peak in South Dakota, the home of Mt. Rushmore.

I debated weather or not to put the historic fire tower in this picture, but the granite needles seemed a much more dramatic effect than the layout the rocks around the tower presented.  There was too much depth and scope to be captured, a lot of foreground and a sea of background.

The sharp needles however...seem to do this picture wonders and I am very excited to be burning it.
After this one I have a horse commission and then if nothing else shows up at my steps, I'll go back to the cowboy portrait and a nifty little piece of leather I have planned out to burn.

I am eager to try out leather burning!!

Am hoping to turn out some cartoon portraits soon, but my sense of humor isn't...well... I've never been able to put it on paper, pen it, or re-create it in any fashion.  It just comes out, makes the room laugh...and then it's gone.  sighs, oh well.


Thanks for stopping by,
Remember to find me on Facebook and comment

Updates is What This Blog is ALL About

Page views have really been down, but then, Facebook is like THE internet for a lot of people now.  I haven't had much time for blogging, but if I may be allowed to ramble for a few minutes I'll just say that:

Jaw Surgery didn't put me behind or out of the mood.  I healed up quickly, swelling went down super-fast, it was the easiest thing I ever did - totally easier than having wisdom teeth removed.  And apart from still being on a broken jaw diet, it's not all that bad.  I can do things like blend up my turkey breast dinner and scarf it down with mash potatoes quicker than anyone else because they have to chew it and I don't!!  I may post a Jaw surgery post in a few days here for those of you looking into Jaw surgery to help encourage you about the path ahead.  I know my life story has always been to handle sickness, injury, and surgery better than everyone else (I always do) but I know there are other people out there who don't and wont swell nearly as bad as I did even and who probably handle pain even better than I do.  So I will proceed to encourage.  It was easy.  Is easy.

My Big boy, Wyatt, a beautiful Easter Egger rooster, passed away in my arms the other day after battling a fowl illness called Coccidosis.  It took him rather quickly and I am very sad that he is gone.  I put the flowers the orthodontist and oral surgeon gave me on his grave.  This has kept me out of the burning mood.

And on Wednesday I went down to pay tribute to a fallen police officer, a man who was killed in action, Officer Steven Green of the Mobile Police Department.  The motorcade procession was impressive for such a sombre time and included sqad cards and officers from surrounding states and counties!!!  I would estimate the procession included 150 motorcycles, several ambulances, firetrucks, Marine police, Airport security, state troopers, Judges, lawyers, state representatives, the mayor, K-9 units, and retired military, not to mention the large group of family, and the wide circle of friends, and then his lovely wife, all mourning the loss of their hero.  I stood there at attention with my hand on my heart for just over 40 minutes until the last vehicle passed.  It was quite a procession and one he well deserved.

Now, on to pyrography!! Yet another client commission is out of the way and I have continued burning the Cowboy portrait.  However, sadly, my camera is not taking good pictures of my work no matter what lighting and backdrop I try, so bear with me.  These are the best representations of my work at this time.

       There is more burn present than what met the camera's eye.  I am about to kill the family camera.  Or...I am apparently, no photographer!!

Thanks for dropping by!! Please leave comments,

One Behind Two More to Go

The Daisy commission is now behind me.  And two new clients have approached me about pieces they want done.  I am very excited and can't wait until someone hands me another adorable Dauchsund to burn.  Most any cuddly pooch will do, but Dauchsunds are truly fun to illustrate.  But then...this was only my first dog.  

Since I know Daisy's owner personally I burned a short message to her on the back of the wood piece.  I am sure she will cherish this piece for ever and ever.

My Jaw surgery is coming up fast and after January 25th I will be resting and recovering so it may be about seven days before I am in any mood to sit at the art table.  I may rest a little longer, but soon enough I will be back at my burning.  

I have spent a lot of time lately sharpening my techniques on the pan-flute.  I believe knowing that I wont be able to use my jaws for a couple months makes me want to play all the more.  

For those of you who do and don't know, I have a Class III malocclusion - that includes a cross bite, and I am very excited about having it fixed.  At the same time I've very nervous, confident in my surgeon, but nervous at the same time.  I will gladly accept E-attention during my recovery. ;)

Thank-you all for visiting, come again soon.

Piebald Dauchsund and WIP

Finally, here is the update!  This is what I have been up to all this time.  I am beginning to dread uploading pictures for some reason.  For one thing it is hard to get a good picture of artwork with the camera I am using (parents camera). 

The Piebald Dauchsund in progress you see her is a commission of a friend.  This portrait is of her dog Daisy, taken directly from a photograph.  Replicating photographs is not easy.  But that's what I'm here for!  So far, this pooch has been alot of fun to burn.  I know her personally and she is so sweet and spoiled.  I feel knowing her helped me to portray her engergy and charm onto the wood.

Next is the Work In Progress I laid aside to do Daisy, the Dauchsund.  This is a Cowboy at the Cross portrait that I sketched on paper in June of 2010 and decided to improve.  I did indeed improve it, tweaking things here and there, and am pleased with how it is turning out so far.  I am struggling to add texture to the horses skin at the moment, as I know horses are so spongy, fleshy, and alot more bumpy than a pencil or pen will often allow you to portray.  The eyesets, and the mood overall are pleasant, contrast is fine but I will continue to work on deepening that contrast.  I like being able to set it to the side for a moment because it allows me to contemplate my next point of attack. 

I hope to offer prints of this work in the near future.  I do not know when the origional will be for sale.

Also, I am now burning on Birch Ply which is very fine for burning.  In fact, I like it better than Basswood.  For any of you pyro guys and gals out there, who are like me and wonder just where in the world can I find good fine art proffessional canvas wood.  I looked high and low, here and there, but the only place I was able to find fine birch ply was at my local Lowes.  But it was fine wood, and a good price ($4.00).  I just had to have my dad run it over the table saw, cut it into three pieces of different dimension.  Cheaper than basswood and an excellent burn, excellent grain.  I just love it!