After having a very long conversation with my dad about Japanese B-Movies and their influence on America B-Movies I finally was on my way to Roadside America. I was soaked by the time I got there (a theme for the day). It was bizarre, it was full of Mennonites, and it was amazing.

I got there just as “night time” was being initiated. They play a goodnight hymn and God Bless America and they project a bunch of strange religious pictures next to the Statue of Liberty and a jiggling American Flag. I had a great time looking at all the homes and scenes. They have a Patreon you can check out.

After I reluctantly left to get back on my bike to go ride in the rain somewhere, I decided maybe I should call it a day. Originally I was going to go to Raystown Lake, but I decided I would head to a campground that’s specifically for bikers, Steel Steeds. The ride to the site was a test of my will. I know that sounds dramatic, but riding in the rain for hours on huge hills while your bike stalls out from being wet will make you question a lot of things. At one point I took refuge under a church driveway just to dry off and eat. It felt very silly and sad, but I was happy to take a break.

When I finally got to Steel Steeds it was almost dark and I was completely soaked. Bob, the owned of the campground, was there to greet me. “You want a cabin, I think you need a cabin.” I needed a cabin. I unloaded my bike and Bob let me know there was a bar right next to the campground and that if I hurried I could get a meal. I don’t know about you, but there is something about having a bar right next to where you’re staying that brings me so much relief. I thought I’d only be in there for a half hour, I ended up staying til the placed closed, the conversations we’re that good.

I was told I should take a picture of the Crown Royal we drank, because it was very special.

In the morning I got to see more of the campground and loved the place even more. There was a cat, a huge fire pit, a washer and dryer that were just out to be used, and to trailers with a bunch of bathrooms, and the Susquehanna River was right there. Serious, if you ride, or even if you don’t, go to this place.

My drive to Pittsburgh was less eventful, but till very interesting. I do have three observations. One, I hate special weather roads. I was not ready to be wiggling all over the place on the not-highways Google put me on. Two, you can drive through major power plants whenever the mood strikes you in PA. Three, Pittsburgh is hilly, like so much more hilly I’m surprised I’ve never heard anyone mention it before.

I got to stay inside this time, with a friend of a friend, Amanda. Her cat was a sweetie and liked sitting on my stuff.

It was a bit of a party that night and we had a great time talking and hanging out.

Some of the things I saw in PA.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLH4bLGj0xt/

Here you can see one of the many preparations we’ve made for the upcoming studio tour. Chloe and I finally put flooring down in our bathroom. We have a long way to go and only a few days left. I’m confident in our ability to get to a place with the studio where it looks good and we feel excited for others to see it… Instead of hanging our heads in shame anytime people visit. 

Now that the weather is turning, I felt like I should post something that resembles an update. I had a bit of a slump in my art the latter part of the Summer. I’m not a complete believer in seasonal depression, but if I was, Summer would be the season that gets my gloom going like no other. That hot, groggy veil is slipping away now and I’m getting back on that ol’ horse called creativity… or project management… or personal accountability. Back on that terrible monster that I have to tame and somehow monetize in order to prove my worth… Ok there’s a lot of self-judgement in that statement, but that’s where I am right now. So here’s to more posts and more artwork. October, here I come!

Lots of lovely and exciting things have happened so far this Summer. Before the official start of the season, I completed two successful art endeavour. The Motorcycles+Art show in Hampden and the Temporary Temple project at Wicker Man Burn in PA. I had a lot of help from my friends to get these tasks accomplished and the experiences have been so rewarding. I’ll hopefully get the chance to dedicate more time to similar opportunities before the season is over.

Katy C. looks over the submitted artwork. 

My work displayed next to Stephanie Murdock’s

The set-up for Temporary Temple at Wicker Man Burn

A more direct view of the meditation dome

I made an Indiegogo for a public art project I’m producing with a friend later this June at the Wicker Man Burn Festival. The project is called Temporary Temple. We will be making a sacred space to practice folk/pagan rituals as well as artwork that interpalys with those beliefs. I’m excited to start this project, but we have limited funds. Please check out our proposal here and if you want to join us at the festival, you can find out more information here. Thanks!