the studio and gallery :: the construction
With doors ready to go, the next step that we needed to complete before winter was the chinking - the stuff between the logs. My friend Wanda recommended two guys from Spruce Creek, PA. Jim Brown and his cousin Bud did some restoration for Wanda and do some of the best chinking work that I have ever seen. Jim and Bud are both the quiet type, but man, did they do good work. This was the only point in the project when I didn't do much. I did mostly "helper" work and "clean-up", which I don't think they appreciated, as they often couldn't find anything afterward. Because of their skill and schedule, I kept them on for the rest of the main project. Winter came and went as Jim, Bud and I stayed warm and finished the interior, trimmed out all of the windows, and built some awesome steps up to my loft.
Spring was close, but Memorial Day here in Boalsburg (the birthplace of Memorial Day) was the goal for completion. "General Dad" and the cavalry of two laid the ceramic tile and carpet in the gallery and finished the loft floor for my studio. Before Dad worked his magic, those floors looked really awful - rough, colorless, warped and dirty. After a day under his skilled hands, they glowed with beauty.
At this point I had to get the gallery ready for the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend 2001, so that I would have an entire day to break in the new place before the big day on Monday. Unfortunately, I wanted everything to be just perfect and didn't open until 4:50 p.m., just an hour before the Boalsburg parade.
Despite the late start and the all of the little details that were (and are) still left to do, my new studio and gallery was and is the most beautiful space that I had ever seen. As each week and month goes by, it gets even better. You may be thinking that this story is a little long. Let me assure you that I could have written much more, because I left out a lot. Please feel free to visit and I will fill in the gaps in person and walk you through this beautiful place!
Finally I must thank God for the talents that he has given to me and my inspiration, vision and abilities to have worked on and accomplished such an awesome project. And to the wonderful people with whom I have been surrounded by that made all of this possible!
(Also, thanks to my dear sweet Mom who always raved at my progress and results, and slipped me cash whenever she could - my mom and dad are the BEST!)
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