Yard Installations Update

Here's a check-in about my yard installations that have been outside since May 2010. In getting ready for this upcoming winter, I cut the clematis off of the installation in my back yard (above), to give it some breathing space over the winter. Below is how thick the clematis growth looked before I cut it off.

Notice the green discoloration on the bottom part of the installation. It's not any different than what is on some of the houses in my neighborhood, and also on some sculptures made by other artists in my yard. I suppose I can wash it off if I want to.

Above is the installation in my front yard. No green on it. Just a little faded after years of sunlight on it, and also road salt in the winter. There's also a little rust at the very top where it's touching the iron plumbing pipes I used to hold it up.

All in all, I continue to be very happy with how both installations are aging in my front and back yard.

Yard Installations After Hurricane Sandy

My yard installations have survived our visit Hurricane Sandy very well. They've been outside since May 2010.

Yesterday, in Natick, Massachusetts, we had rain and very strong and scary winds for more than eight hours. Before the storm, we brought in or bungeed things that were in our yard. After checking the stability of both my front and back yard installations, I felt good about the frames surviving in the wind, though I wasn't sure how the stiffened fabric would do.

I'm happy to say that both did quite well. The fabric in the piece in my front yard (above) moved in the wind, and there was no damage. The piece in my back yard (below) was being held down by my overly healthy fall blooming clematis and wasn't going to budge. If the clematis wasn't there, I know it would have blown over, because it has in the past.

I have no idea how Fence/Curtain 2.0 would have survived in the garden outside of the the Boston Center for the Arts. It may have done OK because it was installed next to a raised bed garden which may have shielded it, but we will never know, because we deinstalled it on October 15th. I would have liked to find out, but ...

I can say that Fence/Curtain 1.0 did survive a wind storm with minimal damage in Kendall Square in Cambridge, MA in March 2012, but the winds then never came close to the 60 or 70mph gusts we had yesterday from Hurricane Sandy.

Yard Installations - Two Year Update

In mid to late-May 2010, I placed two of my pieces outside in my yard as an experiment. I wanted to see how mixed media on stiffened fabric would do outside in the elements in New England.

Over the past two years, I've been watching and documenting Weathered Fences #7 and Weathered Fences #8, and I'm happy to report that both pieces are doing very well out of doors.

Weathered Fences #8 is in my front yard, under a large maple tree. From May thru early-November, it's shaded most of the day, and has only late afternoon sunlight on it. The rest of the year, when the tree is leafless, it has sun on it all day long. This piece has been rained and snowed on, was buried in a snowbank (that had road salt) for many months two winters ago, and has had winter moth spray fall on it a few times. Besides a little fading of the fabric and a little staining from the rusting pipes holding it up, it's doing very well.

Weathered Fences #7 is in my back yard, and gets full sun every day. From late May until I cut it back in late fall, my fall blooming clematis grows on it, the grass (and weeds) below sometimes brush against the bottom, and a few times it's blown over during high winds because the legs of the frame aren't buried deep enough. As with the piece in my front yard, this piece has also been rained and snowed on, and was covered in deep snow for many months two winters ago. After all of that, this piece has a little mildew and green staining, and a small rip on the bottom right where I attached it to the frame, but other than that, it's doing quite well.

I also have a few other sculptures, made by other artists, in my postage stamp size yard. I also watch them as they weather (or get eaten by squirrels!). I can honestly say that my work is doing quite well in comparison, and I'm very happy about that!

What I don't know is how my work would do in more humid climates. I should discuss sending some small work to friends in the Pacific Northwest and Down South, in exchange for them taking a picture of it and sending it to me every few months, so I will know.

This experience has led to two temporary outdoor public art installations, Fence/Curtain 1.0 at the ConstellationsCenter in Cambridge, MA that recently ended, and Fence/Curtain 2.0, which I'll be installing in early-July at the Boston Center for the Arts in Boston, MA.

Snow Happy!

Yesterday, after what's been a really weird winter so far, we finally had our first decent snowstorm. In January! While skiers have been waiting impatiently for snow so they could ski, I've been waiting so I could get winter pictures of my installation, Fence Curtain 1.0

I was staying in Boston for the weekend because I was attending a conference, so I took the T (AKA the MBTA, Boston MA's subway system) to the ConstellationCenter in Kendall Square in Cambridge, to take pictures. It was a cold 18 degrees, with wind and snow, and well worth the visit.

I like this picture because of how gray it was during the storm, but I am looking forward to pictures of it in the snow on a clearer day, and I’m hoping that my photographer will be able to get there today. If not today, then hopefully after the next snowstorm, because it's supposed to go up to 50 degrees in the next few days and the snow will melt very quickly.

On the day we took pictures of this piece in the Fall, there were shadows on the ground behind the fence. Yesterday, there was the illusion of shadows, but it was really bare ground because of how the wind was blowing and how the piece was blocking the snow from the ground. I love that!

I live in Natick, MA, 20 miles or so west of Boston, where 6" of snow fell. When we got home this morning, I took some pictures of the installations in my yard, and they’re below.

Fence Holes Bandage 1.0

Weathered Fence Series #7

Weathered Fence Series #8

Update: I got a note from my photographer that said "I went to photograph the sculpture this morning, unfortunately the snow plows had pushed a large pile of snow up against the fence, so I was unable to take any pictures. Next time I will have to get there before the snow plows."

Bummer. I'm waiting to hear if they totally buried my piece or if the pile of snow was off to the side.

Outdoor Installations Status Update

On the 17 month anniversary of my front and backyard installations living outside, I thought I'd post an update. All summer, for the second year in a row, my fall blooming clematis grew on my backyard installation. Below you can see it just about hidden, and above in full view.

With the OK of a friend who is a much better gardener than I will ever be, I trimmed it back so it wasn't blanketing the whole piece because I wanted to know what it looked like under all of the vines and leaves. Being knowledgable about how my work does in nature is crucial as I investigate more outside opportunities, especially after installing a 35' piece last month.

Above is the piece in my front yard which is also doing quite well, and below are details of a few "problem" areas of both pieces.

Before you read about them, please note two things:

One is that the stiffened fabric is especially stiff. It feels quite paper-like though it is coated fabric.

Two is that outdoor work is subject to many different weather and seasonal conditions, all depending on where they are located, including climate and weather conditions.

In our yard is a number of sculptures that we acquired by other artists, that have also been affected by nature. Three are made out of screen, two are various metals and one is made out of lead. The metal and screen pieces are dull and some are rusting, and the lead piece is almost totally eaten by neighborhood squirrels. (Click here if you want some explanations about why.)

The piece in the backyard has a little dirt on it from the clematis, but amazingly it's minor and I think will wash off the next rainy day.

The bottom corner has a little algae on it on both the front and back sides. Above is a picture of the back side. It appears to be on the surface of the piece, and I think I could wash it off with a little watered down bleach but I don't think I want to do that at this time.

This detail of the front yard piece shows a little rust from the iron plumbing pipes that are in a few small sections. Other than that, the only nature this one has that affects it is a little sun, since most of the year it's under a Maple tree, and plowed snow because it's only a foot or so away from the street.

Outdoor Installations After Irene (so far)

As the worst of Tropical Storm Irene was starting to leave Massachusetts this evening, I went outside to check on my two outdoor installations, and also my house, yard and cars. All were OK, thank goodness.

Others in Natick were not as fortunate. At least two dozen roads were closed or impassable as of this evening. More than 100 trees have fallen, some on houses and cars, there were at least 44 downed wires across town, and many homes are without power. Our power has gone off only for a few seconds a few times this evening. Hopefully it will stay on.

As far as I know, we got at least 5.5" of rain from Saturday afternoon through Sunday night, along with the extremely strong gusts of wind.

All of my outdoor artwork is fine. The installation in my front yard is shown above. Below is the piece in my backyard. It's hiding underneath the vines from a fall blooming clematis. There is more information about these installations on my website.

Outdoor Installations During Irene

My two outdoor installations are doing well so far during what is now Tropical Storm Irene. They have been outside since May 2010 and have "lived" through plenty of rain, a few wind storms, 70" of snow, last week's earthquake and hundreds of sunny days too.

We've had 5" of rain since yesterday afternoon, and many extremely strong gusts of wind. More rain and really really hard winds are expected this afternoon.

The picture above is a corner of the piece in my backyard. It's almost totally covered with the vines from a fall blooming clematis, as you can see in this detail shot. When the wind gets stronger, it's possible the clematis vines will help keep it from blowing over, like it's done a few times in the past, only because the feet of the structure are not that deep underground. The piece in my front yard is never going to blow over because the feet are much deeper underground.

See more about these installations on my website. I'll post more about them shortly after Irene leaves, assuming I have power.

Outdoor Installations 2010-2011 Review

In mid to late-May 2010, I installed Weathered Fence Series #7 in my back yard, and Weathered Fence Series #8 in my front yard, hoping that these pieces would be able to will stay outside for one year at a minimum. Now that May 2011 is drawing to a close, it's time to review how they did outside and decide if they will stay where they are for another year.

These two pieces have lived through days in eastern Massachusetts that were filled with sunshine, pouring rain, strong winds, and/or a number of blizzards which accumulated to a total of 70" of snow over the past winter.

Weathered Fence Series #7
38" w x 49+" h
May 2010 - 2011

(click on image above to see larger)

Now that the year is over, I have to say that they have done quite well. There is very little fading, and the only "problem" is a few rust spots on the bottom right section of the front yard piece due to rusting of the pole holding it up.

My understanding when telling people from southern US climates, is that these pieces would never make it in the humidity down there. I don't know if that's true or not. I think I should consider making another one and send it to a family member who lives in Florida and ask if it can be photographed periodically so it can be evaluated over time.

Weathered Fence Series #8

22+" w x 46+" h

May 2010 - 2011

(click on image above to see larger)

The Weathered Fences Series is a combination of monoprinted textures of orange construction fences, with painted and hand stamped shapes, on one large piece of fabric. The fabric was stitched to highlight different lines and patterns, and then stiffened to help make it more stable, and to protect the fabric from moisture. Holes were then cut into the work to more resemble actual construction fences, to help enable the viewer to experience nature around and through the work, and allow the wind to blow through them so they are more adaptable in different kinds of weather.

Outdoor Installations Update

My front and back yard installations have been in my yard for nine months now. I installed them in May 2010, and since then they've lived through rain, snow, wind storms and bright sunny days.

Above is the the piece in my back yard and below the front. When I posted pictures a week ago, there was still a lot of snow surrounding both pieces. We've had warmer weather and the snow is melting quickly.

In my backyard, the bottom of the fabric has a little surface dirt which can be easily washed off because the fabric is coated with matt medium which makes it easy to wash. The dirt is almost impossible to see because there's also a lot of light black fabric paint at the bottom where the dirt is.

The only "damage" is to a section of the piece in the front of my house. After its being outside for nine months, there is a little rust on it from the stake I used to hold a part of it up. No big deal. Next time I'll use something that won't rust. Unlike the surface dirt on my backyard piece, I think the rust may have penetrated through to the fabric. I'll try to take a closer look at it soon to see.

In the next week or so, I do need to trim the clematis that's growing on my backyard installation off of it and back to the ground. I really should do it in the fall, but I like seeing the snow on it over the winter. When I do trim it, I'll get to see if there is any staining beneath it.

Besides my own artwork, I also have a number of sculptures in my postage stamp sized yard by different artists. I have must say that my fabric pieces are holding up just as well as the metal ones. Most of the other sculptures also have rust on them, so it's no problem that mine does too. I'm quite happy about that!

Oh! And besides all of the snow melting, prove that spring is coming is that my rhubarb is starting to peak it's head out of the dirt in my garden! And so are my day lilies!

Outdoor Installations Update

Not to jinx it or anything, but spring is coming. Hopefully we won't get anymore snow, or if we do get some, not much more. The snow that's blanketed my back yard (above) and front yard (below) installations since December 26, 2010, has been slowly melting.

The snow is past pretty. Now it's really dirty, especially near the street, as you can see in the picture from my front yard (above). I hesitate to use a picture with dirty snow, but I want to show it as it is.

I would love to get a straight on picture of my backyard piece, but the snow on my back deck, where I could normally get a good picture, is 2-3 feet deep, so I had to settle for another diagonal view. I assume we'll have snow on the ground for at least a month more, so my next update might also be diagonal.

I've been documenting both pieces as they live in the elements. You can follow past updates here on my blog, and travel back in time. The most descriptive pictures, from last May to now, are on my website.

Outdoor Installations Update

My back yard (above) and front yard (below) installations have been buried in snow since December 26, 2010, and will be for I'm guessing at least a month more.

I've been documenting both pieces as they live in the elements. You can follow past updates here on my blog, and travel back in time. The most descriptive pictures, from last May to now, are on my website.

Even More Snow Around My Installations

My back yard installation is buried in even more snow. Above is a detail form the back, and below is what you can see of the piece sticking out of the snow.

The installation in my front yard is poking it's head out of the snow.

For those who don't live in eastern Massachusetts, we have had at least 70" of snow so far this winter. There is at least 24+" on the ground now, depending on where you're standing.

You can follow my installation snow updates here, and travel back in time by following more links.

The most descriptive pictures, from last spring to a week ago, are on my website.

More on the Way

Here we go again. Two back to back snowstorms are coming tomorrow through Wednesday, and we're expecting up to 18".

We currently have at least 18" on the ground, and a total of over 60" fallen snow so far this winter.

These are my two outdoor installations as they were this afternoon. There are back and front pictures of the one in my back yard (above). The front one (left) has a lot of snow with road salt and sand surrounding it. Time will tell how it survives.

I brought paints, brushes, and fabric home from my studio so I can paint and stitch while I'm stuck indoors this week. I need to I catch up on some web design projects first though.

Click here to see pictures from the last week's storm.

I'll post new pictures in the next few days.

Buried in Snow

It's a winter wonderland here, and my two installations are living in it...

My backyard installation, the front side and back, before digging out. It really is under there.

My front yard from the front, also before digging out, but after our street was plowed.

Front side and back side closeups in my front yard, after digging out.

It's nice to see the changes of nature around these pieces over the months, as documented on my website, and be reminded that we'll see green again in a few months.

More Snow Around My Installations

Oh joy! We're expecting another 5-10"+ of snow tonight. Here are my back and front yard installations, after the 8" we got last Friday. It's only January and we have had a total of over 50" of fallen snow this winter, with at least 18" currently on the ground (and roofs). It's a winter wonderland here. I'll post more pictures after we dig out some time tomorrow.

Click here to see what the installations have looked like (monthly) since I installed them outside in May 2010.

Outdoor Installations After 20"+ of Snow

Yesterday, we had a powerful blizzard that graced us with 20"+ of snow. Here are my front and back yard installations, toward the end of their second blizzard. The first one dumped a foot+ on us in late December, and melted away off shortly thereafter. Click here to see what the installations have looked like (monthly) since I installed them outside in May 2010.