A Few Favorite Photos...

Blog, oh blog- how I've neglected you...

Cantalouper has been keeping me pretty busy, as well as preparing for a new baby- two things that I'm glad are keeping me busy! As Jen & I get ready to create a space for our little one, I contemplate some photographs I might like to use as reference for drawings or paintings- or to just hang as they already are. Here are my favorites:

Sunset on Edisto Island II, 10/02/08 Photo: Charles W. Parzych III

Sunset on Edisto Island, 10/02/08 Photo: Charles W. Parzych III

These two were taken during a trip last year with Jen's dad Pat to Edisto Island, SC. We had just been "crabbing" during late afternoon, off of one of the docks. As the sun set, I felt a need to try and preserve the beauty and serenity.

Sunset on Edisto Beach I, 09/30/08 Photo: Jennifer L. Parzych

Sunset on Edisto Beach II, 09/30/08 Photo: Jennifer L. Parzych

Sunset on Edisto Beach III, 09/30/08 Photo: Jennifer L. Parzych

These last three were taken by Jen, as we walked on the beach. While I was trying to take it all in physically & emotionally, Jen had the idea to take it in digitally as well. I'm glad she did.

Carp 10/22/2008 Photo: Charles W. Parzych III

Carp II, 10/22/2008 Photo: Charles W. Parzych III

Carp III, 10/22/2008 Photo: Charles W. Parzych III

Carp IV, 10/22/2008 Photo: Charles W. Parzych III

Carp & Duck, 10/22/2008 Photo: Charles W. Parzych III

These last few were taken at the Botanical Gardens in St. Louis. We had the idea to feed the carp/goldfish, as there was a dispenser nearby where you could purchase food. I liked the way they seemed to materialize from the depths through the ever-changing patterns and textures the water provided. Little did we realize that the local ducks also like the food. I managed to get a few shots of carp before the ducks took over.

A New Day Today: Band & Baby

This post is brought to you by the letter 'B'

I didn't really want to write about both subjects in one post, but I find that since I'm currently thinking about them at the same time it would be inevitable that they would get mentioned together anyway.

Band
I mentioned in my last post that I joined a band called Cantalouper. I was contacted by Trevor last September to see if I wanted to "sit in" with the band at one of their rehearsals. Trevor is the husband of one of Jen's nursing classmates and he plays guitar & bass (just bass in the band). I "sat in" or auditioned for the role of drummer and was asked to join. I have to admit, just before Trevor called me, I was lamenting the fact that I wasn't playing music with anyone anymore. I was also considering giving Trev a call and seeing if he wanted to jam. Seems like a manifestion to me. I like the music, although it's hard to describe- which is one of the things I love about it. The music is written by Levi, and he asked me in late October if I could help him record drum tracks for the album he was working on. We got together for two weeks in November and recorded the parts in the studio/apartment he shares with Andrew (his brother & keyboard player). As I was learning and recording the songs, we as a band were also learning the songs and how each other makes music. We played a couple of open mic nights at the Blue Fugue- a downtown bar and a few weeks back opened for another band. The album is finished- we are just waiting for it to come back from the manufacturer. We are currently working on a new set of Levi's songs for an EP (his second) and hope to get that recorded soon. Also we will be playing a festival in Washington, MO called 'Skoolz Out' with 14 or 15 other bands on May 30th. Exciting times! You can listen to Cantalouper at: www.myspace.com/cantalouper
We are currently working on an official website, and I will update everyone when it is completed.
The affiliation of mine with Cantalouper has also brought me into another creative project, with Andrew, called Milk of Human Kindness. He has also asked me to help record drums for an EP that he has been working on. It's very cool and I will keep you posted on the progress. Milk of Human Kindness at: www.myspace.com/milkofhumankindness

Baby
Another exciting thing happening is that Jen (my wife) is pregnant! We suspected it was possible when she took a pregnancy test (twice) that came out positive. After a confirmation appointment with the ob, plus an ultrasound (complete with beating heart) it's all starting to sink in. To think of myself as a father is strange. Well, technically I'm not one yet (except to my creative endeavors) and maybe I'll feel this way until I hold the little one in my arms. I don't see it as a bad feeling, I'm just noting it. I think if I leave my feelings and observations here, it'll be interesting to look back on- see where I went & how I reacted. I am excited, and this feels like the right direction for me (and us-Jen & I) to be going. She is so excited and it pleases me to see her so. I never realized how much I love to see Jen happy. I always loved her laugh (just one of the many things) and, as a result, do whatever 'dorkiness' comes to mind just to hear her laugh. It'll be fun to make the little one laugh as well.
Another new adventure is upon us!

New Day, New Work

It's been a while since I last wrote and many things have happened. I joined a band called Cantalouper, but I'll write about that in another post. Some of the things I've been working on include this design for a local fellow who cooks bbq. It's not a big restaurant or anything- he just does it for fun (like most of his other brothers) and enters contests and bbq festivals. It seems to be a big thing around here and I'm told Kansas City style bbq is different from, say Memphis or Charleston. Not too sure about the details, though- I don't eat much bbq (not a fan of the drippy, sweet or spicy sauces)- the amount of sugar that usually goes into that gives me a head & bellyache. I don't mind a dry rub, but mostly I like smoked pulled pork...mmmm.

Ahem, I'm getting a bit off subject here.

This is the finished banner:

*Image copyright My Three Sons BBQ Team and Charles W. Parzych III 2008*

The idea was given to me and I drew it up with pencil & ink. The three sets of pig feet represent the three sons of the guy who runs the bbq team. They took the image to a sign maker and came up with these colors. The banner is shiny which made for a difficult photograph, but I think the idea comes across anyhow. I believe the banner size is 4' x 6' .

Another project I recently finished was a bison animal totem for a friend recovering from breast cancer. The idea came to me after I asked myself, "Is there anything I can do for her?"

Everything about this small sculpture came to me via the great Universe- from the materials I was to use, right on down to execution. I was even guided as I constructed the box to ship it in. I'm now seeing the artist is indeed a conduit for the Greater Divine or Universal Energy or whatever you'd like to call it.

Here's a photo of the finished totem (approx. 4" long, not including feathers):

*Image copyright Charles W. Parzych III 2009*

The material, used to shape the bison out of, was paperclay- the same material I used to make the bear totem box for my sister. I also used a river/lake stone from Minnesota (under the arrowhead); tree bark- which I carved the arrowhead out of; bluejay & cardinal feathers, and sewing thread. I used acrylic paint- red sponged over white, after which I rubbed further with a damp cloth as the paint became tacky. I used an acrylic glaze to seal everything, except the feathers. Here's a photo from the other side:

*Image copyright Charles W. Parzych III 2009*

I'm quite satisfied with the outcome of the sculpture and my friend was very happy with it too. It is an extra treat when you make a gift or art object for a family member or friend and they truly treasure it.