Monk Installed at Monte Casino Winery

I sold a stone monk to the owner of Monte Casino Winery, which  is on the site of the old Monte Casino Monastery.  The monks at the monastery created the first winery west of the Appalachians at this site in the late 1700's 

 This week, it was time to move the monk from my studio to his new home in Newport, Kentucky.

 Davy brought out a 23 ton crane from JBB Inc. in Hardinsburg. 

The first thing we did was to lay him down.

 Then, we loaded him onto the 24' flat bed truck that I rented from Penske.

 Early the next morning, I made the 3-1/2 hour trip to the site. 

A 14 ton crane met me there for the installation.

 No, I'm not "stringing up" the monk. 

He has successfully landed in his new home, reverently overlooking the site where the stone monastery used to stand.  I plan to go back in the future and check on the progress of the Winery, as Mark Schmidt, the owner, has great plans.

 When I took the exit for Bardstown Road to refuel the truck, and was about to turn south to go under Watterson Expressway, I noticed a mural in progress.  This is something that I'll have to check back with, as well.  Looks Great! 

 Now...for the Weird of the Week...

Ginger Ale, on the Bears.

(photo and concept Meg White)

A luminescent contrail, beautifully backlit by the setting sun.

(photo Meg White)

A Craggy Bird Feeder in a Polar Vortex

A polar vortex has brought unseasonably cool weather to our region this week.

 This made great working conditions. 
I was able to finish this bird feeder.

 It's made from Indiana Limestone. 
It measures 66" high x 20" x 20".

 

 This is a side-by-side comparison of the view on June 25 of  my 8' tall sculpture, "Harmony", and what it looks like today.

 I also moved out 4 "personal" sculptures. 
This one is called "Almost Undamaged"

(named after a Ronald Jenkees song).

It is made from Alabama Marble, IN Limestone and NC Granite.

 This is "Needle"

(...and no damage done).

 This is the "Non Bench".

It is made from a craggy Stylolite seam.
Howlin' Wolf may have been built for comfort,
but this was not.

 ...and the "Royal Flower Birdbath".

 Tuesday, Paul and Maggie Breslin brought out their daughter Sarah for an overnight campout.

 Everyone was bringing out their kids this week. 

This is the first fawn of the year to venture up our way.

Mother and Child.

4th of July

I'm still getting up at first light and making the most of working in the shade on the 8' tall sculpture "Harmony"

 This is a side-by-side comparison of the progress from the last posting on June 25. 
It's coming right along - if I do say so myself.

The 4th of July fell on this last Friday. 
We had a visit from a new friend, Isaac.
 (shown here eye-to-eye with Oberon).
He brought along his Dad and Mom (Ben and Jessica), his aunt Josie and his younger sister, Grace.



All smiles when he discovered that the granite hand rocks.



No visit to our studio is complete without checking out the caboose.



This is the extent of my gardening skills - volunteers.

"Catrina, your hair is so soft.  What do you use?"

"Take a wild guess".