You see...I had seen a large scale goat skull at the Oklahoma Arts Festival this past year. Like a magnet, I was drawn in by it. I wanted to meet the artist but he was nowhere to be found.
I thought oh well...maybe someday.
As you will see later on the blog....(months later) Heading home from Synder, Tx., I took a random road up north towards my home in Oklahoma.
I drove through a small town in Albany, Texas where at the entrance of the town was a bg cow skull. It was made in the same way I had seen the goat skull in Oklahoma City.
I thought...the artist must be around here somewhere and I wanted to meet him.
I found the Old Jail Art Center and saw his display. A lovely lady named Betty, told me Joe Barrington's studio was just down the street. I WAS GETTING CLOSER.....
I drove down the main street of this small town, and found his studio. It was so cool inside, but it was locked and no one was there. I thought...oh well...maybe someday.
I continued to drive north until I drove through a town called Throckmorton, Texas.
There in the small town, I saw a big baseball cap with a fish-hook on it. It was on display outside of a big brick building. There was a mural painted on the outside of a beautiful, dark woman dressed as if she lived on an island. The whole place was too cool and I had to stop. As I sat in my car...I thought...do I go in, could this be where this artist is, will I be intruding if I just stop by?
I found myself opening my car door and walking up to the front of the building. No stopping now.
I knocked on the door and J.J. his wife answered. I explained why I was there. She smiled and said come right on in.....Joe is working in his workshop. She walked me through their house to meet Joe. There he was, welding on a little boy he was creating.
Tall guy, rugged looking, long grey hair in a pony tail. He and his wife were very nice and welcoming. We got to visit and I told him my story in trying to meet him.
I later ask myself why am I so drawn to his art.
For now...I think I am drawn to his art because it is unconventional. He uses all kinds of ways, different kinds of objects, and medium, to eventually create the one vision in his mind. His work is large scale...and I like certain large scale pieces of art. The experience opened my whole mind as to what can be used to create a piece of art. Joe's house on the outside and inside is the same way. He told me that the building that he and his wife lived in as their home used to be a car dealership. The interiors of the dealership they made the interior of their home. Furniture, light fixtures, bar, shelves, dining room table were all created in ways one would not quite imagine, yet it worked. It was all very very cool!
They were both so very nice and easy to be around. I hope to meet them again soon.
Gayle...she looks like she is about "18" in this picture. We were trying to get in the frame with me holding the camera out in front of us. 
She looks about 13 here!!! Seriously...Gayle has a rich style. She says next month will feature all abstracts. Just this year, she has gained a new focus in her painting. She is a "woman on a mission" and will be making a name for herself in the art world. Everyone WATCH OUT!
Bob and Sue Hale...one of my favorite couples. Still in love, two clever minds, and Sue has a whimsical, light-hearted spirit. 
This is Sue near her collection of paintings, with another artist from the gallery Gayle Curry. 
This is me standing with Karen Orr, our gallery President. She is also the President of the Paseo Artist's Association. She does a great job at guiding a lot of artists (who process and think in a very random way) towards challenging and exciting endeavors. I can't think of a better leader for this time in Paseo. She also looks like trouble...doesn't she?
Lots of people, lots of art.
We had a steady crowd most of the evening, until it turned dark. Of course many had plans to see the light festivities somewhere. Next year, I would like to have a Fourth of July party at my house. It is against the law to light fire crackers within the city limits...but out in the country...you can do anything.
These are lilly pads growing in my pond. It has taken me several (five) years to try to get them successfully started. After many attempts, the roots finally took. They grow fast, and will soon cover the entire pond. Not only will they provide the fish extra habitat, but they will eventually bloom a bright, white beautiful flower. Can't wait to see what it looks like all over the surface of my pond. 
This is the first fish I have gotten from my pond. I thought the eyes looked a little black and creepy...my friend John said that maybe he was completely stunned by the entire experience!! I threw him back of course.
I had made some glass earrings one summer. I took several pair and hung them on a chain, then draped them from branch to branch.
I liked the way they looked...the shape, how they hung, and the clusters of them together in the sun. I know I will be doing something more with this idea, but don't know what yet. 
I was looking up at my white light fixture and was wondering if I created something from it's shape, would it work....well...this is what I created.
You know my inner-rebel, doesn't like to make things fit exactly...the places where you can see the clear light, shoot out, gives it pop, or an accent. Tourquoise, lime green, bright yellow are the colors of my kitchen. In the evening, this light fixture really stands out.
A view from underneath.
Before the rain...music was good!
This is David, Linda's husband. It was nice to meet him. I found out he likes old movies like I do.
I know a handful of courageous woman, who have become life long friends, she is one of them.
We listened to "Chuck Mangione" who came to Norman, Oklahoma for the Jazz in June Concert.
It was an outdoor concert. Soon after he began to play, rain started to come down...in a few minutes it was a downpour. She tried to cover herself up with a newspaper, while her husband ran to get something better. I didn't have anything..she kept asking me if I wanted to share, or if I was alright. I was pretty soaked, but by then I asked myself...When was the last time I got soaking wet in the pouring rain....? (it was too long ago), so I just sat there, with the raindrops dropping all over me and enjoyed watching everyone else run for cover. Several people left, but there were a handful of people who stuck it out. Within about ten to fifteen minutes, it was over.
My friend Linda. Smiling, Smiling, Smiling!
The sun was out, the music great, we are having a good time!
This is Linda and her husband, David.
Soon after the concert started, it started to pour....really downpour. Everyone ran for cover, but Linda and I sat in our chairs. I didn't have anything to cover us. She had a small newspaper. 
We were really getting into it!
I saw this guy and his buddy in a pasture along the side of the road, in the town of Throckmortan, Texas. He let me stop and take his picture. He was a big mule. There was another one there standing near him, but left as I drove up in my car. Both of them were really large...built tall, solid, and thick. I thought they were cool, and had to capture a picture.
This tall welder was on the outside the Old Jail Art Center in Albany Texas. Cool huh!
Isn't this cool!
Sooooo big!
I'm telling you it is big...and I want one! Joe has been commissioned to create sculptures for five different museums in Texas. 
I liked this statue. It was a large white buffalo near the courthouse in Synder, Texas.
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