Arizona Animal Neighbors

[Linda In Phoenix]

Just finished a piece I made for the Arizona state fair fine arts competition. It's a grand mix of intarsia, segmentation, and a little bit of carving. Some natural wood and paint/stain where needed Just over 2 feet tall and almost as wide.The walnut frame was the part that intimidated me the most because of it's size. Life is good when you get done with a creation and it all comes together like you envisioned it. On to my next challenge!

[Jim McDonald]

Quite a piece. That probably filled a good sized assembly station, especially as you were working that multi piece frame.
I have enough trouble with only four corners in a normal frame. The angles and fitting of that is a work of art in it's own right.

[Sandy Oaks]

My, Linda, another work of art. Except for the snake. Just don't get along with snakes.

[meflick]

Beautiful piece of work that should earn you lots of accolades at the Fair.

[Rolf]

What a beautiful piece. When will it be judged?
Making "normal frames" can be a challenge but doing something like this with non symmetry and angles is another level. Well done.

I really like the butterfly, is it painted or inlayed?

[Linda In Phoenix]

Thank you for your compliments.
Unfortunately judging is still a ways off -- not until mid September. Applications had to be in well before then though. So now it's a waiting game.
I'm not likely to get a ribbon. Unfortunately at our fair they lump all wood together (Intarsia, fret, lathe, furniture, etc.). The past few years all they've been liking is lathe work. But someone has to keep trying.
The frame was indeed a challenge!
Butterfly--painted. Too much detail in a 4" tall piece to do inlay, and few people here (in Arizona) appreciate the work that goes into it. You folks on this forum appreciate a good inlay and that's awesome.

[will8989]

Amazing! The simple background makes all the detail stand out.

[Linda In Phoenix]

Thank you Betty. I was concerned about it getting too "busy."

[Rolf]

Linda, how are you faring in this crazy heat? Being on these forums has some drawbacks, as we have friends all over the country.
With all of the weird wreathed there's always someone to worry about.!

[Linda In Phoenix]

Rolf, like much of the country it's awfully hot. We have been staying between 115-119 most days right now, but at least we aren't humid (yet)---that starts in another week or so. Our power grids are holding and so's my Diet Pepsi supply. We spend a lot of time indoors. Yardwork or anything outside gets done before dawn or after sunset so we are only dealing with 95-100 degrees when doing that stuff. Thankfully, my scrollsaw sits in airconditioning inside!!!! This gal knows that if you can't be in the heat you figure a way to work around it. Thank goodness for HEPA filters to keep my air clean. I do think about all the other scrollers though and what they are dealing with.

[NC Scroller]

Linda I can’t imagine.

[Rolf]

I always got a kick out of the " yes but it is a dry heat" . We have the humidity and mid 80 to mid 90 temp. Sold our boat last year. Can't wait for the electric bill

[Linda In Phoenix]

Rolf I grew up in Indiana and understand the humidity. I have memories of the 80's and 90's when the humidity almost qualified for rain. You'd constantly feel like you'd just gotten out of the shower and forgot to dry off. Yuck. I do not miss that. I much prefer it here where you are hot, but not clammy. Monsoon season here is my annual reminder why I prefer the "dry heat". We have 9-10 months of the year with spectacular weather.... and 95% of the year we have sunny skies to keep the mood happy. But I do hate the electric bill those 2-3 months where it's $300-$500/month.

[will8989]

Tomorrow and Friday is supposed to be the hottest here with heat index 100-110. After Saturday it drops back down to low 80s. Humidity is awful. Our electric bill is only $160 a month. It’s a nice 77 deg in here. I’m sure the new roof 2 years ago and new ac/furnace 4 years ago has something to do with it. And I have ceiling fans in every room.