August 21, 2005
Scratch House Shots
![](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6184/1346/320/SMsunny.jpg)
The National Sunflower Association says that sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) have been cultivated by Native Americans in what is now the Arizona and New Mexico area since around 3000 BC.
photo by Mary Predny
August 15, 2005
August 08, 2005
"Stick To Your Guns" Art Show
Joe Kelley's Piano Puppets are currently on display at the 5th annual "Stick To Your Guns" art show in Roanoke, Virginia. The show, which features artwork from ~40 artists, runs from August 12th to September 9th, open Thursday through Sundays from 10am-5pm (or by appointment) at Warehouse Row on 113 Norfolk Ave (look for the big "Art Show" banner over the door).
For more information about the show, see the article "To Delight and Disturb" in the Roanoke Times or listen to the podcast interview with Beth Deel.
![](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6184/1346/320/SMdancinghams3.JPG)
Here is a picture of some dancing hamburgers at the STYG opening on August 12th. The Roanoke Times has a slideshow with more pictures of the opening.
For more information about the show, see the article "To Delight and Disturb" in the Roanoke Times or listen to the podcast interview with Beth Deel.
Here is a picture of some dancing hamburgers at the STYG opening on August 12th. The Roanoke Times has a slideshow with more pictures of the opening.
Piano Puppets
The following pictures show a series of sculptures I made from an old hand-crafted upright piano that I found on the side of the road about 3 years ago. The carved characters were intended to be puppets/props for an as-yet unfinished film project.
Each puppet was created by intuitively combining molding and other shaped pieces, with additional carving to accentuate facial features. Appendages were added by reconfiguring the various intricate mechanisms of the piano. The frames for the wings were made from piano parts, held together by string and beeswax, with feathers made from sheet music from an old Hank Williams songbook.
The handmade joinery and signatures found inside the piano indicated that it was assembled by several craftsmen 70 years ago. The upper right arm of the SunMan/MoonMan puppet displays one of the original signatures and date: December 19, 1935.
![](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6184/1346/320/pianosignature.jpg)
Each puppet was created by intuitively combining molding and other shaped pieces, with additional carving to accentuate facial features. Appendages were added by reconfiguring the various intricate mechanisms of the piano. The frames for the wings were made from piano parts, held together by string and beeswax, with feathers made from sheet music from an old Hank Williams songbook.
The handmade joinery and signatures found inside the piano indicated that it was assembled by several craftsmen 70 years ago. The upper right arm of the SunMan/MoonMan puppet displays one of the original signatures and date: December 19, 1935.
![](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6184/1346/320/pianosignature.jpg)
(photos by Mary Predny, except where noted)
August 03, 2005
Bubba: The Super Grouper
![](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6184/1346/320/SMbubba1.jpg)
This is a sketch of Bubba, a 140-pound Queensland grouper in the Wild Reef exhibit at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. A note near the exhibit said that Bubba was found in a cooler on the steps of the aquarium in 1987. Bubba is currently recovering from chemotherapy treatments for malignant cancer on his forehead. He is believed to be the first fish to undergo such treatments. You can read all about Bubba and his extraordinary fight against cancer at the Shedd Aquarium website.