postcard for comic book convention

I'm not sure what possessed me to sign up for an artist's table at the Cleveland Comic convention. I'm approaching it like having a mini art show for three days. Here is a post card i'll hand out - thought i would keep in step with the Superman theme. I've been thinking of these (anti)inspirational messages for Clevelanders...

Near site of Ohio's infamous Cuyahoga River fire, gulls killed and maimed

LA Times item

CLEVELAND (AP) — Hundreds of gulls were killed or maimed in Cleveland after what investigators believe was cooking oil spewed from a sewer pipe into the Cuyahoga (keye-uh-HOH'-guh) River.

Investigators said Friday that several hundred gallons of the substance killed or disabled hundreds of gulls near the Kingsbury Run tributary.

Most of them are just downstream from the site where environmentalists last week celebrated the river's comeback since floating oil and debris caught fire on June 22, 1969. The burning river became a standing joke and a symbol of urban decay and runaway pollution.

Dozens of sludge-covered gull carcasses could be seen by rowers with the Cleveland Rowing Foundation early Friday, most near a sprawling steel mill site near downtown Cleveland.

Waterloo Arts Fest

I had three pieces in the Waterloo7 Gallery for the arts fest. The show was about work that incorporates recycled or natural items - the Lake Erie driftwood frames fit in. Here is Sylvie under my drawings.
We met up with some good friends. Here is Miss Hary Melen in the record store:

Here is Sylvie with our pal Tom. The Arts Fest was a big success, we'll be sure to go next year, too!

Tom on television

Tom was out for lunch last week and ended up being interviewed by Channel 19. He appears twice - at :40 and at 1:25. This is the second time he was on TV after lunch at Sokolowski's.

party carnage

after work and Sylvie's DR.'s appt, I had to rush home to meet with yard-scapers, then it was off to Waterloo7 gallery in Collinwood - i made it round trip in one hour and three minutes! in my haste, i forgot to document the dropping off art work experience, so i thought i would post images of the pinata I made for Sylvie's 1st birthday party last Saturday.

here it is in action:



here is what's left:

Lake Erie driftwood frames

here are a couple of frames I finished tonight made with driftwood scraps i found on the shores of beautiful Lake Erie. Had some trouble with plexiglass fitting - need to perfect my method. A couple coats of gold paint and, Voila! Lake Erie Glamour.

One idea for a project

As a lifelong Clevelander, I understand the ridicule our city has suffered for the burning river incident. What if we could make that embarrassment into an asset? Make the Cuyahoga River a tourist attraction. The fact is that the Cuyahoga River fire helped to create The Clean Water Act - an indispensible law that protects our nation's water.

I have been thinking about creating The Burning River Eco-Amusement Park and Museum. The Park would allow people to revel in the natural environment while learning about the city's industrial past, why the river caught fire on multiple occasions, and highlight the wildlife and natural history of the river's ecosystem.

Some of the "rides" would include swimming, running through grass, and rolling down hills. I would create rides that aerate the water or alter the chemical imbalances through physical exertion. This way the rides would benefit the participant as well as the helping to recover environmental damage. One example would be riding pedal-powered water bikes that oxygenate the water. Another example is donning a suit with limestone tablets attached so that the water's ph levels are improved.

Other attractions might include a water-baby contest, a waterski show or bathing beauties swimming in Busby Burkeley style productions, or a Lake Erie Monster haunted water slide.

The museum portion of the park would display artifacts/products that used to be manufactured on the river. I would show video interviews from former workers and firefighters who put out the fire. I would like to have some sort of interactive display where kids can help put out the fire. There would be river otters to watch play.

here is a great article from today's Plain Dealer:

Cuyahoga River fire 40 years ago ignited an ongoing cleanup campaign

and so it begins...

I've decided to write about my experience as a recipient of a Creative Workforce Fellowship. I wonder how this will change things, don't you? Stay tuned and we'll find out. The Fellowship year doesn't officially begin until July 1, but I'm excited to get started.