Monday, July 30, 2012

where's busy buoy?


Can you believe this?

No, really...
Can you believe this?
 We all knew that Britta Lindgren's metalworking skills were off the charts, but she's just made a bee from a buoy and some forks.


I don't know about you, but I just want to take it home with me right now. RIGHT NOW!
Oh, and the pattern? It's burnt into the buoy - because she hadn't showcased enough skills already.

10 points if you can guess the movie that the title refers to.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

faux scrimshaw

For those of you who have stopped into Island Spirits over the last week, you've been lucky enough to have seen this buoy in person.
Presenting...
Faux Scrimshaw
by Chris Clarke
(I know Chris is a fan of cats, so he wouldn't mind the one who decided to model with his buoy).
Now, you may be wondering why, if Chris gave me his buoy last week, it's taken so long to get it up on the blog.
Particularly since it's so awesome.
Well, it's a lot of pressure taking photos of these beautiful pieces and to post a few photos here and hope people like them enough to come and see them in person.

For whatever reason, Chris' buoy was a bit camera shy and hard to capture. I don't know if any image will ever do any of these buoys justice.
The finish on it in reality looks like old bone (someone actually mistook it for a whale bone). 
It is rife with Chris's trademark precision, and is inked from top to bottom, following the scrimshaw theme.
Because Chris means for this buoy to be displayed horizontally, and because there is a 360 degree design on it, he's even included these handy little knots to help keep the buoy in place, and they're adjustable so you can have a different view every day, if you like!
Less than two weeks, folks! This is getting exciting.


Saturday, July 28, 2012

i couldn't resist...

I couldn't resist...
Many of you probably know Susan Philbrook, commonly known in our house as "Livvie's Mom". She is the French teacher at the Vinalhaven School and both of our children will be in the same class in school (the class of 2029, in case you were wondering).

So what better model to showcase Susan's awesome fishy buoy but Mr. Finn himself?
I love those fish - each one so unique.

I believe this means the buoy gets his seal of approval.
One last fish for the road...


Thursday, July 26, 2012

shacks on the side of a buoy


Heather White is one of those people who can do anything.
We all know someone like that, right? They're pretty great to have around, especially when they're as generous as Heather is.
Not only has she donated this (awesome) buoy to our auction, but she ALSO took home a second upon dropping this one off AND has been working hard on the Arts Night committee for the past several months to make our little event shine.


Appropriately titled "Shacks on the side of a buoy", Heather took a concept from her Art classes (she's the Art teacher at the Vinalhaven School) and created these 3D (but really 2D) houses out of matboard and nailed them to the buoy, which has been painted deep purple and white (with just a touch of silver for distressing)





In case you didn't notice, I couldn't take enough photos of this buoy.


I'm really looking forward to Heather's next submission - this is a real work of art.


Thanks, Heather!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

susanne heller



This buoy makes me smile.




From one side...



to the other...

from the top...




to the bottom.



a Susanne Heller original in vivid color.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

inspiration


Now is probably the time that I admit I know nothing about art.





But that doesn't mean I don't love it or admire those who can make it.


It doesn't happen often, but every once in a while, I get the urge to make something beautiful. I'm not sure I'd call it art (because who am I to call myself an artist?), but inspiration strikes and I find myself getting itchy fingers to create.



There's just something about this buoy by Jaki Peterson that makes me feel that way. I don't know if it's those flowing lines of the landscape or the way she captured the essence of Vinalhaven in a way that is uniquely her own, but it just makes me want to DO something.



You know?


Maybe I'll just stick to taking pretty pictures of these buoys, but maybe (just maybe) I'll give into those itchy fingers.

Thanks for the inspiration, Jaki.

a twig buoy

And the winner for most unique buoy goes to...


Jim Conlan!




Who says you can't be a plumber AND an artist?


Jim calls this a "twig buoy" - it's very precisely constructed and has great character - I can't decide whether my favorite part is the copper around the top or the neat row of nails holding the twigs in place...or is it the pot warp?











Lots more to come...stay tuned!