Snakes alive (but not for long), it must be Halloween!

Around Halloween last year I jumped out of the car to help a snake off the road.
Turned out to be a rattler, and I had nothing to help it with, and the road was busy, and it was right at the entrance to our local community college.
So in pretty short order it became snake jerky.

It was the first rattler I've seen around here, every other time I've escorted a snake off the road it has been a harmless, non venomous bullsnake, which does do a remarkable rattlesnake impersonation.
Here is a video of a very large bullsnake I found on YouTube. It's demonstrating its hissing vibrato, and head flattening routine...



Yesterday I found my neighbor in the process of using a spade to hack off the head of a pretty small rattler (other neighbors have done the same thing to at least one bullsnake I'm aware of: a case of mistaken identity).

Well, in this instance it was definitely a rattler. So guilty as charged I suppose. Maybe a foot long, with 2 little buttons on its tail.

Even with its head off, it was wriggling all over and its mouth was opening and snapping shut repeatedly.

I reckon if I'd found it I would have got it in a plastic bin and let it go, away from houses somewhere, which is what I did with a baby hognosed snake a while back.

Anyhow, a little unsettling knowing while Meridee's gardening there could be more hiding out amongst the hollyhocks...

Besides that, here's the latest Kickstarter project news... I got double the funding I need to get my Winged Angel Mice up and running (or flying), so THANKS BACKERS!!!

They're still available for pre-order if you'd like to get in touch via email etc, although once they're in galleries it will be retail price only. I'm expecting that to be around Feb sometime.

Have a spooktastic evening!


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Click these links to visit my website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back
or my Etsy store, CritterVille

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An artistic assault on the ears

I read a great little article which explains why 'museums are bulging with visitors who come to view works they secretly detest'.

Something happened in my twenties which this article reminded me of straight away.
It's why I think the author's  main point is right on the money (there's a link to the article at the end of this post).

Here's what happened...

A friend of mine has a musical genius brother who was participating in a recital of his latest composition at London's South Bank.
I persuaded another friend of mine, Jeremy, who is also a splendid musician to come along too.
I thought he might enjoy it since I had it on good authority the composer in question was extremely talented and capable.

After the lights went down and the composition started Jeremy and I were both in for a bit of a shock.

In the dark, it sounded like some people with their shoelaces tied togehter were trying to steal the instruments, or perhaps a bunch of animals with xylophones and pots and pans strapped to them were banging into each other.

Sounds clanged and squealed. 
It was worse than listening to a construction site.
At least there you could discern the rhythm of a jack hammer.

The players emerged from the dark as spotlights were employed.
I hoped their visibility might cause them some embarrasment, perhaps enough to squeak out a tune.
But the music remained relentlessly awful.

We were just at the start, with a couple of hours to go.
Jeremy just got up and left, since he wasn't a friend of the family.
I had to sit there, for what seemed like an eternity, for fear of seeming rude.


After all, I knew the composer, and was there with his brother.
And I was a friend of the family.

And I fancied his sister.
So there was really no escape for me.

For a while I kept hoping this torture would evolve into something bearable, but eventually I just stoically accepted my fate and sat it out.
At least until the interval, when I darted off for a strategic 'emergency bathroom break' and headed for a bathroom somewhere far across town.

On the way I had a drink with Jeremy, who had been nice enough to wait  outside.

And now, with no further ado, I urge you to read THIS ARTICLE and discover the secret of how the 20th Century art scene got away with it (although of course it's not over yet)...


Besides that, my Winged Angel Mice are still available for a half price pre-order on Kickstarter (click HERE to see more).

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Click these links to visit my website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back
or my Etsy store, CritterVille

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Bronze toad bottle opener...at least it will be later.

Future bronze bottle opener...

I been busy testing my Frogoholic metal master, with very satisfying results!

What you see here is its toad cousin.

I have a cunning plan for this toad bottle opener, which is currently a wax and clay model ready for molding before creating bronzes.

...I'll go into more detail once I have a few cast...

Besides that, my Winged Angel Mice are still available for a half price pre-order on Kickstarter (click HERE to see more).

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Click these links to visit my website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back
or my Etsy store, CritterVille

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Pre-Order my upcoming new Angel Mice at Kickstarter (for around half their expected retail)

Angel Pug wax and clay original (pre-cast)

That's right, if you like my new upcoming Angel Mice series now's your chance to snap one or more of them up for a steal!

They're a available for pre-order through Kickstarter.com for 30 days until Noon on Tuesday Oct 18th New York time.
Click HERE to go straight to my project.

It's my second Kickstarter project.
I had a blast first time, and I have to say I love their whole win-win concept.

I'd like to offer another huge thanks again to you if you participated last time or have collected my work through galleries or my Etsy store.
You are making it possible for me to do what I love to do.

And also a big thanks to anyone who's reading my blog and enjoying my handiwork!

I can't speak for other artists, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who's ego gets a tickle every time someone likes what they do!

Above: Angel Chubby wax and clay original (pre-cast)

Winged Sprightly wax and clay nearly finished original (pre-cast)

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Click these links to visit my website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back

or my Etsy store, CritterVille

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James Bond, beer, and tree frogs.

Frogoholic - raw bronze (no patina yet)

Frogoholic - raw bronze (no patina yet)

It's fun combining things I like, so I'm combining
• my bronze wall hanging tree frog,
• secret James Bond-like gadgetry, and
• beer...
to make Frogoholic!

It's the wall mounted tree frog that's now also a stealth bottle opener.

What could be more fun than that?!

Unassuming wall mounted tree frog, soon to become weaponized to 'Frogoholic'...

Frogoholic has yet to receive its patina, and is currently still in the testing phase, since I want to make sure the bronze doesn't get all chewed up after opening bunches of bottles.

I call it research and development.
Then, a bit later, I call it searurch and dvelelopment...

Then, assuming the metal holds up nicely, I'll get some made, probably with a yellowish green patina and send them off to M-I-5...

'Right, now do pay attention double-O seven...'
'Excellent, just the thing for unwinding after a rough day at the office.'

Frogoholic patina options- I think I like second down on the right best...or possibly top left...what do you think?

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Click these links to visit my website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back

or my Etsy store, CritterVille

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