Updates from 2009 Bathroom Remodel

We completed an upstairs bathroom remodel in 2009. For a small budget, and some help from professional mosaic tilers, we refinished a modest but very comfortable bathroom for two growing kids.

Kids giving a helping hand

The local design centers wanted $1200 for a sink base like this. We put this together for $250.

Test fit for sink

Sink installed upon base, in place

We had an idea for shower tiles with salmon swimming upstream...

Sketch of salmon swimming upstream...

Gina, our mosaic artist, putting the design into tile

Tiles in place, waiting for shower doors

 The bathroom has been in good use since 2009...

Earth Day, 2015

Hope everyone enjoys Earth today.

Hay rolls study, 12 x 12, acrylic on canvas

Altamont Pass wall mounted

The idea for this work is to install several wooden display boxes with solar powered "windmills" in a storefront window exposed to sunlight. As the sun crosses the sky and hits the solar panels, each windmill will spin, individually or in groups, following the path of the sun. The spinning will occur in a wave-like pattern, similar to how windmills spin at the Altamont Pass.

I showed the first box at the Cafe Gabriela show in 2014. I'm thinking of starting a "Kickstarter" campaign to raise funds and locate a suitable storefront for this conceptual work.



Video of wall mount display test

Altamont Pass - Desk top series

After completing the successful Altamont Pass Study, I created small desktop versions in cardboard. These works were shown at the Rhythmix Gallery as part of the Mini-Masterpieces Show in December 2014 and at the Cafe Gabriela Show in 2014. Currently, all the Altamont Pass Desk Top series have been sold.


Video of Desk Top works in action

Altamont Pass inspired

In 2010, my day job required that I drive 110 miles passing through the Altamont Pass. The Altamont Pass is a windy road through the foothills near Livermore and supports many windmills for power generation. The windmills always fascinated me. Early in the morning, before sunrise, I can see these giant towers with their slow churning blades silently working to power our cities.

The windmills inspired me to create a series of artworks celebrating the mysterious spinning blades powered by nature. I created this piece titled "Altamont Pass - Desktop" using store-purchased picture frame, recycled wood, wire and paper, and solar panels. Under sunlight (or the switched, internal incandescent light) the blade will spin.

Video of Altamont Pass moving

Give me an "A"

Here is the Art Jam Puzzle challenge from 2013. Bill S. created a puzzle, gave us each one piece to decorate/craft, and then we put the pieces all together again. So, what does that spell?

Shepherd's Beak Whale

It's hard to tell what the whales look like in the flesh by just their skulls. I think this one would be very dolphin-like.

Whales at the Academy

The California Academy of Sciences is hosting an educational and entertaining whale exhibit. I did not know that whales are descended from hoofed mammals, like an ancient sheep. Here's a sketch of a sperm whale skeleton on display - the skeleton filled half the room...

Wooden Toys doing Double Duty

Here are a couple of past projects using recycled plywood and fencing from a previous home project. I like designs that can serve multiple purposes. So, the Doll House was designed with floor heights that can be used as a book shelf once the dolls get put away, same for the Pirate Ship.

While they are Doll House and Pirate Ship, the kids have lots of imaginative fun.

Rearranging furniture

Front view, with lights on

Pirate Ship with Crew

Pirate Ship plowing forward

Struggling with Moonlighting

This whole idea about working a day job and moonlighting to sell art is starting to overwhelm me. I was reviewing the Etsy stores yesterday and noticed how polished each store appeared online. The artists on Etsy must spend lots of time and effort to make their art appealing to shoppers. They couldn't have done this as a moonlighting gig - could they?

To start myself off, the best option is to sell some of my existing work as prints. This is just to gauge the public's interests. I have an eclectic portfolio, not necessarily appealing, to the mass audience (Etsy).

A print of my cafe sketches, like this one, might (might) be desirable as a postcard or thank you card...

There's no way to know unless I try.

OK, onward.

CoWaBunGA!

From March 27th through May 1, 2015, I will be part of Art Jam's show "Surf and Turf" at EBMUD Gallery. The show information is here:

EBMUD Exhibit information

Added a website

Hi Folks:

Well, it was about time I added a website for the art and projects I've created over the years. Many friends have asked me over and over to see work in my portfolio. I always felt uncomfortable about self-promotion, but giving access to previous work might help me get feedback and potential sales opportunities.

Here is the link:https://sites.google.com/view/billjengstudio/home

Enjoy.

BJ