Spark and Anvil

05/23/2026

Doing a little upgrading on my packout system. Greased lightning y'all.

02/26/2026

Here's a really great example of the issues that can arise from using the wrong product to clean and treat a bronze sculpture. This all happened within 3 years in an indoor environmentally controlled space.

The staff was using lemon Pledge to clean the surface and the chemical stew within that product was more than enough to remove the chemical patina on the surface.

Note the protected surface that shows the original patina from 3 years ago. If you EVER have questions, send me a message. No charge, I just feel better when things are safe and protected. I'll steer you in the right direction with safe products and methodology.

02/22/2026

My portable bench vise block set up has needed a little love for years. Added a little 12" measuring strip inlay, a vacuum clear-out hole for the smaller drill vise, and clamp receiving holes on the ends (not pictured). Then went further and ordered some UHMW strip for the underside and finished it off with a bit of Danish Oil.

02/13/2026

Haven't made cool snakes in a while. I forgot how much fun it is.

11/20/2025

In local news...

A media report cites internal documents raising alarms about financial problems at the Palm Springs Art Museum, but the museum refutes the reporting.

11/13/2025

Things are happening...

The forthcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles will open on September 22, 2026. The museum has been in the works for over a decade.

11/13/2025

In other news...😬

Three trustees have left the board of the Palm Springs Art Museum after a new director was appointed in September. One says the process was flawed.

08/12/2025

Egads! My heart goes out to all the Smithsonian staff. Hang in there!

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/08/letter-to-the-smithsonian-internal-review-of-smithsonian-exhibitions-and-materials/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMIly1jbGNrAwiWN2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEerRc4xXD8vJyoWdtirz5wzo4_KDIPaRVZXV6zoNq29VbnU4xtFxCMVhfYlHc_aem_oePSe552VdshcA9ExAxolQ

The Honorable Lonnie G. Bunch III Secretary, Smithsonian Institution 1000 Jefferson Dr SW Washington, DC 20560 Subject: Internal Review of Smithsonian

07/31/2025

Got mounts?

https://www.facebook.com/reel/629524813498674?mibextid=9drbnH&s=yWDuG2&fs=e

07/12/2025

Long time coming here. I'm mostly excited that their mountmaking team (who I adore working with) can finally land in a proper shop once again.

🖼️ A museum reimagined—or a missed mark? LACMA just unveiled its long-awaited David Geffen Galleries with a live performance by Kamasi Washington.

The bold new space is drawing praise and criticism.

🎷Art, architecture, and a little controversy—read more ⬇️

https://lamag.com/arts-and-entertainment/lacma-unveils-new-david-geffen-galleries