Happy Father's Day Dad

This is to my dad, the best dad there is and that ever was. I can not thank you enough for all your support, love and encouragement you bestowed upon me/us. I am so proud to call you my dad and love you so much.

I hope you have a wonderful day (perhaps watching the improbable, impressive Tiger Woods) or on your own course or out with Mom but whatever it is you are doing know you are being loved and thought about in the far reaches out West and how grateful I am to have a father like you.

Thank you for everything Dad (you too mom but today is father's day) and we can't wait to give you a big hug in the coming weeks. We leave Thursday!!!

I love you

Your son,

Matthew
xoxo

Pic of new studio in progress

Since moving out of the Georgetown studio (and before) Heather and I were working on converting an unused and once undesirable space into the new headquarters and studios of Olds Art. Here it is in its latest state.

Out the double doors leads to the next building which is Heather's studio. Beyond that lays a twelve acre estate that we are caretaking, and beyond that, Quartermaster Harbor a finger of Puget Sound.

In the foreground we poured the concrete floors and built it up from there. Any one who needs finish concrete work contact Heather because she has the touch. A true natural. Me, well I just made a big mess but I'm strong and could at least move the stuff around. Thankfully the roof was already in place and sturdy so unlike the loft in the tipi which I regret profoundly for those who risked life and limb to sleep under there (sorry mom and Kris) while Heather and I slept above in sweet rickety bliss. Well, the leaky top of the tipi due to a poor choice in lodge poles (aspen not pine-do not duplicate this mistake) meant we caught the downpour that occurred that evening, or any other night for that matter, so the sleeping wasn't all that sweet but at least you were dry although in grave, grave danger. For the record the loft never (this night and beyond) never collapsed and my construction skills are much much improved. Thankfully we all made it through the night, although at times it seemed a distinct possibility that we may not. Where was I....

Ah yes, the studio. To the right in the pic leads to a hall that leads to the second painting studio and then finally to the woodshop. It is a pretty cool and unique layout and some of you I have talked to know how great I have been feeling to have all elements of my work back in one space. The work in Georgetown was very important and I learned a lot by having such different and distinct spaces which demanded scheduling, preparation, and acuity which was and was not always just right there.

More to come from soon from Olds Art on Vashon.

Some additional works in progress

Here are some additional works in progress from the studio, some of which will be included in an upcoming show at the Seattle Art Museum Gallery in July. Click to enlarge