Factory

72:365

It's still raining... and for brief periods... it is snowing. Somehow, I managed to sleep 'til almost 2 o'clock this afternoon... woken only for the phone ringing... and for the Jehovah's Witness lady that came to the door. (I think she saw my car with out of state plates... and figured I needed religious help).
By 4pm... I was on the road with my niece... driving to Bradford, PA to the Walmart store there (*the closest one in the area... and about an hour away). She got new bunk beds for her 2 boys who are sharing a room. Miraculously, we got the box in the van.... along with her 3 children, carseats, both of us, some toys, etc. While we were in the area... she stopped at my Aunt's house so that I could see my Aunt and Uncle. I love these guys ... and I think they are some of the best people on the planet. They have been having some health issues... and I was glad I was able to visit for a short while.
And... we got back to my hometown around 8pm.

~~~
Talked with my mom... no word on a possible transfer of my dad to a local facility. He still has an NG tube... but no further bleeding in his stomach/bowel/ innerds. Still has an IV... still getting pain meds... which are (fortunately) holding back most of the pain.
In other news... my mom's only living brother passed away early this am. Mom is the youngest daughter of 10 children (5 boys/ 5 girls)..... and now it's down to just my mom and her next older sister who survive. The news was very traumatic for both my mom and her sister... whom I visited with earlier today.

~~~


The photos for today's post are a bit of a diversion for me ... I guess I needed one.....


The first shot is a house that was built in the 1930's by architect Lynn Hall. He later became the lead contractor for Frank Lloyd Wright's "Falling Waters" house... which is pretty famous. When you look at the photo (and the link)... you will see that Lynn's house heavily influenced Wright's house. (link: Lynn Hall House info)

We were driving in the rain when I took the shot... so when I edited it, I tried to make it look very retro feeling... to set the mood.


The next photo is of a mysterious looking factory in the middle of nowhere ... in the woods... just outside of the town of Smethport PA. I didn't even realize it was there until we took this road to get to Bradford. Apparently, it was built in 1923, and was originally an oil/petroleum factory. Later... it bacame a wax factory (wax that is used to line cups, boxes, and also for tires, candles and such). Somewhere along the way the EPA got involved... because the info I saw on-line about it mentioned that they were working to resolve some issues in regards to soil and water contamination. Yikes. (link: Weird Factory)

I digitally colored this photo. I used to do alot of Infrared B&W photography, and I hand colored the photos with Marshall's Oil paints. I love the look... and tried to replicate it here with this shot of the factory.

Then... just some pics of what PA looks like right now... (ie: chilly and rainy)....




And lastly... a photo of the woods near Bradford PA. I thought it was looking rather "Blair Witch" out there in the dusky light... so I tried to make the photo appear a little creepy....

(link: The Blair Witch Project website)



...............................................................all photos by Elaine A. Russell

29:365


*all photos by Elaine A. Russell


Art Gallery "Sneak Peek": 5G Gallery at the The Factory on 5th

The Factory on 5th has been a second home to local artists for about 6 years. It has seen alot of changes in that time... but the past few months have seen even more.
The main building on the property houses "The Kosmos" (home to the Church of Beethoven; as well as a new coffee shop), and about 30 artist studios.

And now; there is the new 5G Gallery towards the front of the property... which is what I am featuring today.

The 5G Gallery is a relative newcomer to the art scene here in ABQ.
Kudos go to RC Naso and David Cudney for the bulk of the work behind the scenes at the 5G Gallery. Recruiting fabulous artists from the Santa Fe area; they put together the premier show "Canyon Road Comes to Albuquerque," held in December.
Last month's show was entitled "The Peoples Art Show", and the next show starts February 26th--"Horsescapes."
(see the flyer at the bottom of this post).
Here are some photos of some of the fine artwork shown at these events:


artwork by James Jimenez



artwork by Alex Chavez



artwork by Annie Lindberg



artwork by David Cudney


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I have always loved this grouping of buildings, and it seems the perfect local for a gallery space.

The premier show in December had quite the selection of vibrant and interesting art; and time will tell how cool and exciting this venue can become....


For more info: check out the following links....


Link to the 5G Gallery website: http://www.rcnaso.com/gallery/albuquerque.htm
Link to the Kosmos space website: http://www.thekosmos.org/
Link to the Church of Beethoven website: http://www.churchofbeethoven.org/
Link to the Factory on 5th website: http://www.factoryon5.com/

the last hurrah

Tonight is the last showing of the 9x9x9 show at the Factory on 5th.
Please come if you can -- the show runs from 6-9pm.



Artwork shown by ( left to right, top to bottom)
Regina Portscheller, Leau Phillips, JoFish, Robert Redus, Glenn Bigelow, Elaine Russell, Trish Rogers, Raine Klover, Paula Scott.

An overview of one of the walls of art....


photos by Elaine A. Russell

Back from the Dead – The Re-Animation Show, Friday, July 24


When:
Fourth Friday, July 24th, 20097 – 11 pm

Where:
The Factory on 5th Art Space1715 5th St NWAlbuquerque, NM, 87102(between Aspen & Haines)

What:
The Factory on 5th’s grand re-opening celebration. Arts, crafts…zombies!
We will be showcasing work by over 20 local artists and craftspeople.
Rick Lujan will present a chilling zombie fashion show!
A zombie-themed art exhibit will allow you to vote for the Best in Show.
Burning Paradise Video will be spinning zombie flicks all night.
Refreshments. FREE parking!

We’re just *dying* to see you all again.

Summer BBQ at the Factory on 5th



--------- photos by Elaine A. Russell, taken after the Factory on 5th -Summer BBQ

This past Saturday, there was an artist "meet and greet" as well as a fabulous Summer BBQ at the Factory on 5th. Lots of people arrived early in the afternoon and stayed long after sunset. Amongst the delicious brats, dogs, and even steak... potato salad, tabbouleh, chips.... fruit salad and desserts ( and of course, drinks of your own bringing )..... there was lots of conversation, laughter, enthusiasm, and stories............. Excitement about the resurgence of shows at the Factory. A Grand Re-opening !!! coming on July 24th.
More info to come...


looking up



photos by Elaine A. Russell, taken at the Factory on 5th

So. About a week ago I hurt my neck and left shoulder blade area. Yesterday is was so painful... that I finally went to see a doctor. Those of you who know me... know that I have to be dead or dying to go to the doctor.. so you can feel my pain.
I went to see a local acupuncturist and traditional chinese medicine physician. He is fabulous. And while I am still in alot of pain today.. I know that I am on the road to wellness.
I have also been taking sleeping pills for about 3 years now, because I have a terrible time getting enough restful sleep. Hopefully, with the help of this new guy, I can get off those medications naturally.
And, I have been having trouble with some liver failure... and that was one of the first things he addressed... so I am feeling better in general.
Things are looking up. In light of that.. I have posted some photos of the Factory on 5th that focus not only on my physical limitations at the moment ( fencing/ barriers )... but also on the beautiful skies towards a brighter future.

way down south



photos by Elaine A. Russell, at the Factory on 5th



---as in the south end of the Factory on 5th building. I need to get keys from the owner and explore inside some more... but in the meantime.... here are some more shots in my on-going series.

I took a photo of the ceiling line inside the building. The wood tones are just amazing. Not to mention the whole..."feels like I am in the bowels of a ship"... feeling I get when I am in there. Cozy, safe, secure.

Then there is a photo of some of the industrial windows. I just love how they have chicken wire in them. And air bubbles in the glass. Wow. Fantastic. It reminds me of some of the windows in older buildings back east... which I adore.

Lastly, a photo of some chili peppers in the rock parking lot. Not sure how they got there... but they looked cool.

Thanks for everyone's comments on this series. Your feedback helps me to do better.

opening the door

massive door at the Factory on 5th. Photo by Elaine A. Russell

This week I am getting ready for a show on Saturday. It is the usual last minute RUSH. I am not sure that I will get everything done I had intended... in fact, I know I won't. But that's ok.
I am doing my best to at least finish the projects I had already started.. and then we will go from there. I also need to get tables for the show, and some folding chairs. But -- I did order a brand new show tent from DickBlick.com, and it looks fabulous. I also ordered a small-ish print rack to hold some of my photos.. so that is cool.

So -- why the title ? Because I am slowly but surely opening the door to my new artistic life. The door may be heavy, awkward, and hard to budge... like the massive doors at the Factory.... but they are wide open to the world ... and colorful... and totally me.

power


photo by Elaine A. Russell


I just love this photo. Taken yesterday, it is another in my series of photos that features the Factory on 5th. This is in the south end of the building.
I just love the grit in the photo.... kinda like life.

You've gotta have the grit to make the beauty.

~~~

and.. on an unrelated note.....
Check out this video !!!

Holly Dolly - The best home videos are here


.. and the website: www.holly-dolly.eu/

For Wednesday

--------------------photos by Elaine A. Russell


So hey now.

I have been taking a series of photographs of the Factory on 5th --((http://www.factoryon5.com/)). It's a cool old building with a ton of local history attached.
I share a studio there with 3 other people, and the atmosphere of the place is fantastic.

We are hoping to garner a resurgence in the place. There will be upcoming shows and special events. The one end of the building is the home to The Church of Beethoven, ((http://churchofbeethoven.org/)) and they showcase special music events every Sunday.

The photos from today's blog are all ones I took at the factory. Enjoy......

tonight's the night ~

----------------------photo by Elaine A. Russell

...to see Sylvia Browne at the Route66 Casino. I am really excited. Will post more tomorrow.

Here is a shot I took around 1am last night. It was a beautiful night. A bunch of the artists who have studios at the Factory on 5th just hung out and ate fresh mangos, fresh radishes, and had a great time.