Carl & Jody Wright

Why buy Sculpture?

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:02:28 PDT

That is a reasonable question – Why Buy Sculpture. Sculpture is a demanding lover and housemate. It demands to have its own plinth or pedestal to be seated on. With “sculpture in the round”, it demands to be placed so that all the visitors can see how beautiful it is, on all sides. It also demands a space of its own – not sharing wall space with those…those..paintings… For all that, sculpture does hold a wonderful place in the heart of a home or business.

Sculpture can bring a missing element to the interior or exterior of your home or business. Sometimes this missing element is physical: like a central point of interest to a room or garden, or maybe a tangible symbol of one or more of your values or special causes. Sculpture can also bring a room into a sharper focus by introducing tranquility, thoughtfulness, a general feeling of apprehension, etc. A lot of the time both a physical element and a sharper focus or feeling can both be accommodated by a sculpture.

Sculpture versus Painting:
Sculpture is just like a painting but better in several respects. With a painting, there is just one viewing point – the frontal one. With sculpture there are multiple viewing points and all sides have to be tied together visually to give the sculpture a feeling of completeness. Even as a child, I wanted to see behind paintings to see if the artwork was continued n the back. I was sorely disappointed to find out that painting was only for the front, frames for the edges, and the back left blank.

As with all artwork if you live with the sculpture or painting for a while, there will always be some new item or detail that will pop out at you. Difference will be that with a painting, the detail will be on the front. With sculpture that delightful detail could be on the back, on the sides, or slyly sitting on the top of your sculpture.

Sculpture has an advantage over painting. When you bring in a sculpture to your home or office, you don’t have to necessarily rearrange all of your artwork to accommodate it. When you buy a painting, many times all the artwork has to come down and the new painting had to find its home by displacing other paintings. Sculpture does not demand that. Since sculpture is its own island (on a pedestal or on the floor, it takes up floor space not wall space. This involves at the very most moving the sculpture around the room to find the penultimate placement. Contrast that to taking down every painting and reshuffling their order and placement in the room.

Sculpture & You
Sculpture as a symbol, can stand for the multi-dimensional person that either you want to be or are – just like sculpture is multi-dimensional. Painting has color and design to its credit. Sculpture has color, design and true depth or dimension. It brings a new dimension to the art-viewing experience and also your enjoyment of it.

There are two final reasons for “Why Buy Sculpture”. Your reaction to the sculpture and also the artist. Sometimes just like in love, there is that steamroller that flattens you when you walk into a space with sculpture. It is a bad case of love at first sight. This is not a bad thing. It shows that the artist is communicating to you on a deep level – ergo the visceral reaction.

Sometimes, you really want to buy a piece of the artist and the sculpture is the only tangible/feasible way to do it. The artist talked to you and you hit it off, made a new friend and wanted a symbol of that new friendship. This is not a bad thing.

A lot of the time, “love at first site” and the artist relationship overlap and create an irresistible desire for the art. This makes for a very long-lasting intense satisfying artwork relationship. This is a wonderful place to be at.

So no matter what the reason, go look at and buy some art. It will be a long-lasting relationship that brings you much joy. Art refreshes the soul, is a delight to the eye, and shows clients, visitors and friends some of what you value. If you are not sure about what would be right, get an interior designer friend or artist friend to go with you. It can be a real treat.

Sculpture Seminar in the Spring in Richmond

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:09:17 PDT

Ssssh. It's a secret. The possibility of giving a sculpture seminar in Virginia in the Spring has been proposed to Carl. Interesting. Details when available.

Takou sculpture

Silent Art Auction

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 11:42:06 PDT

Carl and his friend, Lee Badger of http://www.Anvilworks.net , have submitted artwork to the Rive Gauche: A La Mod silent auction/fundraiser at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center in Frederick, MD. You can see the artwork at: http://www.wsggallery.com/Sculpture-Pages/Delaplaine-Silent-Auction.htm The silent auction ends on October 24th.

How to enter a bid: Come in to the Delaplaine Visual Arts center and get your unique bid number. Write your bid number and bid amount on the sheet that accompanies the particular piece.

Or,

You can bid over the phone, too ~ and the staff will add your bid to the sheet for you. You may get out-bid so check the activity on your sculpture/furniture throughout the month! Bidding stops when the auction ends during the Rive Gauche Gala on October 24.

For more details contact the Delaplaine at: Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center ● 40 S. Carroll St. ● Frederick, MD301-698-0656 ● info@delaplaine.org ● http://www.delaplaine.org http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=127333476303&ref=mf

Help making an artwork sale

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 07:38:50 PDT

Do you like a sculpture but can’t for the life of you figure out what to put it on? Could it go on the Chippendale table – on the arts & crafts side table? Are you thinking about buying an artwork but are leery of installing it yourself? Will you mar the sculpture or hurt yourself? Need some help on where to place an artwork?

All of these require a simple solution: ask the seller of the artwork. A lot of the time, gallery personnel will install the artwork at no charge or a nominal charge when you buy the artwork from them. Same with artists.

Photo: Takou Sculpture at Somerhill Gallery

Particularly with sculpture, ask the sculptor if they could make or suggest a pedestal for the sculpture. This will give you a pedestal in keeping with the sculpture instead of an unattractive plywood box painted white or black. For an article on pedestal design: http://www.wsggallery.com/Web-Page-Articles/Pedestal-Design.htm

One time for an install, I drove 450 miles round trip to install a sculpture properly in the customers’ house (I did get an install fee for that). The gallery was going to hire a local moving company to move in the sculpture. I proposed that I would come down and install the sculpture, pedestal for the sculpture and also give a couple of ideas where the sculpture would look best. Upon arrival, the wonderful client gave me several options. Looking at the layout of the room and how all the furnishings interacted – it was a snap.

So if you like the artwork or sculpture but are unsure of how to install it – you might be surprised how much help you could get installing it for free or a nominal fee.

Update on Sculpture News

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:18:32 PDT

Just got back from picking up sculpture in Algonquin. I drove through Ohio, Indiana, and part of Illinois on US Route 30. What a beautiful drive. If you are looking for a nice quiet spot to stay for the night I would suggest Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Nice people, nice community.

Eihei & Motion - above

Kind of like living in Martinsburg; you are 60 miles from anything fun to do, live in a semi-rural community, people are reserved but friendly. Big difference is that Martinsburg has 25K+ people. Upper Sandusky has 6,533.

Just a quick update on sculpture.

1. Eihei & Motion are back from Algonquin, IL if you are interested in them. The link to them is:

Eihei: http://www.wsggallery.com/Sculpture-Pages/Eihei-Sculpture.htm
Motioin: http://www.wsggallery.com/Sculpture-Pages/Motion-Sculpture.htm

2. A new sculpture named Counterpoint is complete. The link to it is at: http://www.wsggallery.com/Sculpture-Pages/Counterpoint-Sculpture.htm

The links to the sculptures listed above also have some extra information on the sculpture. This includes: the individual back story for the sculpture, how that sculpture relates to others, and what series the sculpture belongs to and what the sculpture series is about.

3. If you are interested in sculpture, or an approach to visiting galleries and artist studios, or an approach to hanging art on the walls of a home below are some articles to make them feel more at home. http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Carl_L._Wright

4. Available sculpture at my studio: http://www.wsggallery.com/Sculpture-Pages/Available-Sculpture-WSG-Gallery.htm

5. Finally, if you are curious, here is a 45 second video on the beginning of a sculpture (it is from one of my Facebook Pages): http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carl-Wright-at-WSG-Gallery/60300538120#/video/?id=60300538120 Gives you the feel of the zen of stone sculpting.

Counterpoint - above

White House Art

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:25:37 PDT

Really great article on the Obamas wanting new art for the White House, see link http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/African%20American%20art%20still%20needs%20support/18560 . Wonder who the contact person is to submit art to?

Visit to Chicagoland

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:33:10 PDT

I will be in Chicagoland on July 29th/30th to pick up my two sculptures, “Eihei” and “Motion”. Would prefer to sell one or both to someone in the Chicago area rather than pick them up. http://www.wsggallery.com/Carl-Public-Art.htm Lets make a win-win deal.

If you need to talk to me about sculpture while in the Chicago area contact me by phone or email to schedule a time. Contact me at carl@wsggallery.com

What does Sculpting look like?

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:05:14 PDT

For some time, people have asked me if I really carve stone. Or do I just make molds and pour some sculpture medium (Industrial Casting Plaster, FGR-85, or eeek!!! concrete) into the molds.

Recently, Jody filmed me cutting into my latest block of stone. She managed to capture most everything except the zen moment of the dust blanketing your vision and the sting of the stone chips as they fly off the stone as it is being abused.

Am not sure if this video will convince everyone that I am sculpting, but it will prove eye-opening for people who live and work in clean environments. The link to my Facebook page is : http://www.facebook.com/friends/?id=776353289&flid=0&view=everyone&q=&nt=0&nk=0&s=0&st=0#/video/video.php?v=73337563289

Newest Video of Singer/Songwriter Steve Warner

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 09:09:41 PDT

Jody has just finished filming a new video for singer/songwriter Steve Warner. It is a song performed by Steve about having a bad day. Steve's inspiration for the song/title is a riff on an old Jimmy Rogers tune - "In the Jailhouse Now". Here is the link on YouTube to listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-A92DC4qac

Enjoy!

New Gallery Representation

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:02:52 PDT

Late breaking news.

As of Friday the 27th, Carl is now represented by Progressive Galleries of Lancaster, PA. The owners, Walter Diehl and Jonas Hair, are cutting an art swath in downtown Lancaster. Their gallery is located in an old candy factory in the downtown area. It is a gorgeous gallery with exposed beams and 16' (or more - they are tall) ceilings.

The Lancaster location of the Progressive is considered the "flag ship" of their operation. This is their central location. They also have two other satelite locations - one in Harrisburg, and the other in York, PA.

Jonas and Walter handle and sell great contemporary paintings, ceramic sculpture, and now of course stone sculpture. You can see some examples at: http://www.progressivegalleries.com/wpg2

Am looking forward to a very rewarding business relationship with them.

Painting Auction ends March 31st.

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:39:18 PDT

It just seems like yesterday when I put up the last post about getting ready for the Painting Auction - and now it is almost over. With 35 paintings up for auction this is a great time to get the painting that you always wanted of Jodys.

The paintings include not only paintings from Jodys colorful dog series but also includes paintings from her Famous People Series (Einstein at left is a part of the Famous People Series) and also my personal favorite series the Strong/Assertive Women Series.

The painting auction paintings are on view at: http://www.wsggallery.com/auction.htm. terms and conditions are also there.

If you have any questions either call me or email me and we can answer any and all of your questions.

An Auction

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:31:40 PST

Today Jody and I are working on an auction of some of her paintings. These are paintings not giclees nor prints. The auction will run for the month of March. The auction will be run off of our website. We will take bids by email. Bids will then be posted to the auction page several times a day. Payment and shipping details on the web address below.

Dog Pictured above is Back Seat Driver by Jody Wright

There are a total of 24 colorful dog and cat paintings, one 3-d spuds mckenzie fiberglass dog, 3 each Classic Women paintings, an Obama Portrait, Mark Twain Portrait, Einstein Portrait, and several abstracts up for auction.

Check out the link at http://www.wsggallery.com/auction.htm.

Email me at carl@wsggallery.com if you have any questions.

Art Collecting Article Part 2

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:46:24 PST

Where to look for art?

The ideal non-confrontational place to start is in art history survey books. After spotting some “schools” or trends that you like, branch out from there. Also go to museums both for the older more classic works (Renaissance for example) and also to museums that carry the more contemporary and cutting edge artists. From sheer dint of observing, you can quickly start to see what you do and don’t like. The important thing is not to see 5 museums in one day. You will experience "art fatigue" – the sickness of, at 4 in the afternoon, not remembering what you saw at 10 am.

With a willing partner or spouse, this can make for a wonderful date. Not all dates have to end up at the movies or the amusement park. With this partner or spouse you have the opportunity to discuss art – why you like or dislike it. This can stimulate your thinking and move you past the typical subjects of discussing illnesses, what is happening at the office, and what Madonna is doing this week etc.

After getting your feet wet with art in museums and books – time to delve into the internet. You can find lots of galleries that handle artwork in similar veins to what you looked at on your previous outings. There is also a plethora of local artists that have open studios that you can visit, community art shows, public art, etc.

Now you are ready to fly on your own. By now you now have some likes and dislikes in art. The important thing with art is to look at art outside of your immediate likes and dislikes occasionally. You will occasionally find some wonderful art that you never knew of – it’s worth it. Also, as you see more art, your taste in art will also change. So when you buy – buy art that really grips you by the throat and won’t let you go. Those art pieces you will never outgrow.

To sum up in a pithy way the foregoing article from ehow.com said: ”Following someone else's collecting advice is generally more expensive than doing your own research and making your own decisions”. I would add that it is also not as much fun.

Go out have some fun, enjoy time looking with your loved one and get to learn about something that you do not normally encounter.

Painting: Women in Red Dress by Ralph Basford

Art Collecting Article part 1 of 2

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 03:04:26 PST

Who collects art?

Collecting art can be a rancorous beast. According to ehow.com “Collectors use art to decorate their home, earn money as an investor or simply satisfy the desire to build a fine collection. From ehow.com” But the categories are never that neat and clean. Some collectors do want to decorate their home and earn money on their “investment”. Some want to build a collection because of the intellectual thrill, emotional stimuli of acquiring and also the ability to show off their “prizes”.

On Collecting Art

How to go about collecting art? Do you listen to art gallery directors? Look at museums? Visit art shows and openings? Or just give up and collect stamps? I believe it is a combination of all but the last one.

Ultimately the benefits and burden on collecting art fall on the individual. Every person taste is different. Fortunately so are all the categories of art. So since everything is thrust on you, the individual, you should enjoy yourself to the max.

As to who to listen to? Listen to everyone but act on no one’s advice. Collecting art is a voyage of discovery. Just like being a sea captain, your voyage is about what appeals to you and makes you feel good.

Each person that advises you, the gallery director, artists, etc. all have a potent point of view. Gallery directors and artist want to sell you the latest and greatest artwork – they are in business after all. Your friends might be well-meaning but not know you very well – artistically. They all may be right about how their art is the greatest – but it very possibly will not suit you.

Good Artwork does not need adjectives or superlatives – it just is

There is also a fallacy here: there is a best or greatest artwork. The best and greatest artwork is always subjective to a particular individual. For instance, in college Picasso was always one of the gods to fawn over. Yes he was okay, had a long art life, and was productive. But he did not make me sit up and squirm in my seat. George Braque and Salvador Dali did that. So each person is different – no better and no worse. Anyone pushing artwork on you that is the greatest or best should be politely ignored so that you can get back to your browsing.

Kyouko Installation, private residence, NC

Upcoming Art Topics

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:10:50 PST

Recently I had pulled together all the "how to" art articles for the blog. I was surprised to learn that there were 14 articles. Did not know I had written so many. The articles are now grouped under the Selected Art Posts section on the right hand side of the blog.

Building on these articles, there are several more article ideas that have percolated to the top. They are:

Art Basics: Commissioning a painting
Art Basics Collecting Art
Corporate Art: what purpose does it serve?
Home: Thinking about exterior sculpture
Home: Installing a painting

If you can think of other ideas I will be glad to look at them. Just drop me an email or reply on the comments button below.

Also have joined the 21st century - the blog is now on http://www.technorati.com/. Selected articles can also be found on http://www.ezinearticles.com/ .

painting above by Jody Wright - Begining

About Show RSVP's

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 18:04:40 PST

In a recent show, an RSVP was requested for guests who planned to attend. Not many guests bothered to RSVP but lots of clients showed up. This caused some problems beforehand and during the show.

Beforehand, since so few people had RSVPed, there were some potentially sour moments between the galleryowner and the artist involved.

Both the gallery owner and the artist harbored thoughts that the other had not done as good a job of mailing invitations or pumping the publicity for the show. This is a problem since the gallery/artist relationship is based on trust to a large degree.

RSVP’s can also be used as an arms race. From the gallery owner’s viewpoint – the last artist show had lots of RSVP’s and the current show has very few. Means the current artist either: has no clients coming, is relying solely on the gallery’s drawing power, or the artist ranks so low in the clients mind that if there is nothing better to do they will go to his/her show. All not real comforting from the gallery owner’s view.

The artist has similar concerns. The gallery has no clients coming, they are relying solely on the artist’s mailing list, or the gallery is a very low priority for the client. Problem is that neither the gallery owner nor the artist can or should address this issue because of it’s volatility. Not a great way to engender warm fuzzy relations between a gallery owner and an artist.

During the show was the other problem. The RSVP’s give the gallery owner a feel for the logistics involved. Such as should the band be outside because a crush of people is expected? How much wine and cheese to order? Should there be police involved to direct traffic? Does the gallery owner need extra sales or cash/wrap help?

So what to do? Be kind, RSVP. Yes it does commit you to being someplace but what better way to spend a night – seeing great art by an artist that you enjoy, breaking out of the mold of staying home or going to the movies (doing different things than normal), meeting new people and renewing old friendships, and perchance buying some art. Not a bad way to spend an evening.

Your RSVP is a small item with larger ramifications. Just think, because of your thoughtfulness, you have indirectly helped make a relationship stronger (gallery owner/artist). This leads to less tension between the gallery owner and artist ergo a better evening for the client. Such a small gift with large benefits.

Another Reason for Excitement

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:18:28 PST

Am very excited about the New Year in another way. The new Obama Administration is no longer coming in - they are running things. This is important since DC is a town that is by, for and about the US Government. If you don't believe me, check out the next time Congress takes a recess. Traffic is down on those days in DC. No more lame duck waiting for the old administration to make decisions.

There is also another reason to celebrate - at least for DC area artists - new people are coming to town. That will mean all new homes that have to be fitted out with drapes, carpeting, and something that I am mildly interested in Art. Should be an interesting time for real estate as well.

Besides - change is always good. The Republicans had been in for 8 years - time for new people and ideas. Just like in 4 - 8 more years - new people and ideas.

New Things for the New Year

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:36:41 PST

Expanding on the 12/25 theme, Jody and I did more office revamping.
She and I both bought new computers. Hers is a "Beast" at least according to the salesclerk at Circuit City. My new computer is not quite the Beast hers is but is quite a bit faster and also has lots more ram than my old computer.

While we were buying computers, Jody thought I needed a new office chair - so we got one. that started me on a new journey. Got rid of the old office chair and now the new chair is too low for the computer, resulting in aching wrists and shoulders. Can't cut down the legs on the old computer table since it is an Arts & Crafts table.

Now because of the new computer and new chair - a new desk, at the proper height, is in order. I am proud to report that the new computer desk is just about complete. Hopefully by Saturday, the wrists and shoulders will get back to normal with the new desk. Does this sound like a normal chain of events in your life?

On to better news, have bid on 4 new public art projects and am just starting on a fifth one. All of these projects are less than 250 miles from home - a plus. Am very excited about the prospects of new and much larger projects being shipped out of the studio. Also excited about the January weather receding a bit from lows of 15 degrees at night.

Speaking of shipping out - just got word that I have been picked up by an art consultancy with offices in Atlanta, LA, and West Palm Beach. This is very exciting. Been working towards this for awhile. Am looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship.

Finally, have gotten around to making it easier to subscribe to the blog. Sometimes all it takes is 6 months to get to things.

ps - the sculptures name is Shizukesa. It is carved in white marble

Bringing in the New Year

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 16:23:53 PST

The end of the year is upon us. That means two things: a major clean up to get a fresh start on the New Year and also time to reflect on how we did on our goals for the year.

Yucch! I am not the world’s biggest proponent of cleaning up but this year was different. Jody suggested that we clean up the office area since it gets the most use. We both started on our file cabinets (yes we still have file cabinets). Our two file cabinets are 4 drawers each and they were stuffed to the top. We took about 4 hours over 2 days and threw out an amazing amount of stuff. Three exterior trashcans full of junk. Now Jody and I use 2 file drawers in each cabinet – each drawer is ½ full. Anything that was 6 years or older got the boot automatically. That was cathartic! It is amazing how something that you have not used in 6 months is so completely useless – at the time it was filed it was priceless.

On to the even more dreaded reflection on how our goals went. Don’t know about most people but I am not the most introspective person on the planet. A little too squishy and touchy-feely for me. I found that the goals I set in June were fairly well accomplished – they were in pictures in a central place. The goals I made back on January 1, 2008 were sadly not fulfilled for the most part – they were written down not in pictures.

So the first thing to do is to round up pictures, display them in a prominent place, and work harder at getting the goals worked on. Might also think about formally reviewing the progress made on the goals every 3 months. Nahhhh, that is getting a tad squishy again.

Don't you think a nice chunk of sculpture would go well in front of that blue glass building? I think it works - don't you?

Is art for your company necessary?

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:54:46 PST

Art is necessary for your company but only if it is a good fit. Art for your company should reinforce your image and brand. It should add to your clients comfort level about doing business with you. If you are a financial company it should be: abstract but not bizarre, stately but not pretentious, and understated colors.

Art is a wonderful way to introduce your client subliminally to the company values. Also helps reinforce your sales message. Like in the financial company example above: warm and delightful design would be far better than cold, hard, metal like surfaces.

According to two recent studies[1], art in the workplace is a way to enliven your work environment, produce better results for in-house projects and convey professionalism and sophistication to clients.
[1] The two studies are:

Work Environment: An Organization’s Intangible Asset
By: Jackie L. Hartman and Ningkun Wang of Colorado State University

Contemporary Patronage: Corporate Art Investment
By: Caroline Made of University of St. Andrews

Maybe now would be the right time to reinforce your corporate image and align it with your brand. Might make it easier to close the sale. Also changes the industrial look of a building or suite of buildings.

Surviving Financial Imbroglios

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 17:32:34 PST

Everyone by now feels the sting of the financial panic brought down around your ears by our great financial solons at the various banks, Lehman Brothers, JP Morgan, et al. The great blame game of who did what to whom is in full swing. Also the geat scions of our economy that brought about this mess now are crying for their handouts. All of this is of relatively little importance unless you have been thrown out of work or in some other way are affected.

If you have been affected, what do you do to counteract it? If you are self-employed, you have had some experience with thinking creatively on how to make money. If you have worked for other people all your working life, it could be a hard cruel time.

If you are self employed, you probably wont starve but life will be interesting. For instance, here at WSG Gallery, we are working hard to expand our business into closely allied fields. Jody is making videos of artists, musicians, and lawyers. You can see her work at: http://www.wsggallery.com/videos.htm. The videos are a way for videoee (coined a new word) to reach out to a new market via YouTube, and other video websites. These are also good for the Facebooks, etc of the world.

On the other hand, I am working up a seminar on teaching budding artists how to turn their art education into a paying gig. With 20 years of being an artist, I have some very good things to show artists. Particularly along the line of "how not to do this....". Have to wait and see how this develops. Nice thing about the seminar is that I really enjoy speaking to groups. With the students, it will be small groups under 50 I would suspect.

If you have some ways of making a living in tough time, that are a little different, feel free to email me and I will post the best ones. There are a lot of people that would like see how creative you can be in a recession/financial panic/depression/whatever.

Having a positive attitude helps. If you can't manage that, at least a non-wrist slitting attitude is helpful.

One way to buck up your attitude is remember that on January 20th, the lame duck leaves and a new president comes in. New can be better we hope.

Christmas and other Occasion Gifts

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:45:25 PST

It is that time of year again. Time to think about Christmas and those unique gifts that you love giving to very special people.

At WSG Gallery, we have opened up the on-line store. It contains wonderful, majestic gifts for special people. Thee gifts include:

●Prints of Jody's Paintings - in three different sizes
●Books:
Fifty Secrets That Humans Should Know
Stained Glass Pattern Books:
Contemporary Stained Glass Sidelights
Cats Stained Glass Patterns
Birds, Flowers & Friends Stained Glass Patterns
●Special Occasion Notecards
●Tote Bags with Great Dogs on them
●Blank Journals - to write your innermost thoughts on.

All of these items can be seen and ordered at our site http://www.wsggallery.com/Shop.htm

All orders are made custom and will take approximately two weeks to ship after receipt of order. Shipping and sales tax are extra.

Come by today and take a look at our artfully done gifts. You will be glad you did - so will your friends who receive them as gifts.

New Shop Dog

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:58:19 PST

We have the pleasure of announcing our new shop dog Oberon in the upper left hand corner. He is a delightfully playful 9 month old mixed breed rescued from the local animal shelter. Obe has been "sprung" from the lockup now for two days. He seems to be very happy to have found new bi-peds to care for him. So far in two days he has learned his name and also sit. He seems to be quite oblivious to "No" though.

Obe is now trying the patience of our other dog Ryan with wanting to play 25 hours/day. Ryan is looking very tired these days from all this puppy attention. I believe Ryan wants an older dog to boss around not be bossed around by a younger dog. Ryan is in the lower right hand corner.

On a nonrelated Go Vote for the Rascal(s) of your Choice Tomorrow!!

Election Eve

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 04:04:50 PST

Today is a serious day for all. It is Election Eve 2008. If you haven't thought about who to vote for in the upcoming presidential election - GET TO IT. Tommorow is going to be a historic day no matter who wins. The important thing about the election is that you participate by voting. If you do not vote, which is your ill-informed choice, I do not want to hear you bellyache for the next 4 years - my incredibly well informed choice.

The choices do not end at the presidential level, there are US Representatives, US Senators, State assemblyman, state and local issues. Whatever you do - get out and vote. You are allowed time by federal law to go out and vote. It is a precious commodity. Do not waste this precious opportunity to make your viewpoint known. You don't not want your boorish, lout-like neighbor making choices for you do you?? So do the right thing Vote!! You will be glad you did.

Thank you for your attention. I will now get off my soapbox and will return you to your normal programming.

Lobby-Size Sculpture Underway

carl@wsggallery.com (Carl Wright) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 07:02:03 PDT

Have a new sculpture underway. The finished size will be 8 1/2' to 9' tall. It consists of a 6' tall sculpture itself mounted on a 3' tall base. Made from Indiana Limestone. This is the largest sculpture to date that I have worked on. Finished weight should be around 4,000 lbs.

The sculpture was originally slated for a corporate lobby in NYC. Unfortunately, the renovation for the building ran over budget. Happens to the best of us in business, personally and on a governmental level. The link to see the new sculpture in progress is at: http://wsggallery.com/Sculpture-Pages/Sculpture_In_Progress.htm .Pictured to the left is me working on the sculpture.

The working title for the sculpture is Big Whumping Sculpture.

The sculpture should be finished by the end of the year - sooner, if there is interest shown.