Gargoyle vs Grotesque

The temperatures dropped below the freezing mark by mid-week, so I retreated to the warmth of the clay studio. I wanted to make a Gargoyle, and I came up with this design. It reminds me of the flying monkeys from the Wizard of Oz.

Meg pointed out to me that this is a "Grotesque", which is a non-functional sculpture of a fantastic creature. A true Gargoyle spouts rain water, directed from the roof. (I learn something every day.)

This is the stone block that I want to carve the piece into. It measures approximately 3' x 2' x 1-1/2' and weighs about 1,200 lbs.

I made a little more progress on the granite hand bench, before the temperatures dropped. I flipped the piece upside down, to drill a mounting hole and refine the bottom.

The guys with Roof Master Builders 'zipped up' the new addition before the snow started flying. The next step is windows and doors and metal siding.

Saturday, we went to the open house and Christmas sale at Charlie Oldham's rock shop. This picture that Meg took points up the contrast between the cheery warmth inside vs the bleak wintery cold outside.

Charlie has a great place, that he built himself - one of the best looking rock shops that I've ever seen. He's retired from a long career as geologist for the state of Kentucky. If I have a rock question, Charlie has the answer.

While I looked for specimens to add to my collection, we listened to homemade music from dulcimers. A great way to spend a snowy afternoon!

We finished the day out by attending the opening of the new location for Studio Works (on the corner of Eastern Parkway and Bardstown Road). We have a friend, Al Goreman, who works there. In fact, these are 2 of his creations from found objects that he collects at the Falls of the Ohio. Check out his blog called Artist at Exit 0.