Joe Rohrman and his incredible Clays

Joe Roahman ClaysIt’s hard to describe Joe and some of the works he creates, in his own words from his website he say’s:

“Throughout the years, I have created a generic cast of characters loosely based on people I’ve observed.  My subjects are familiar to everyone and represent my vision of everyday life.  I consider myself an advocate of the ordinary.  The inspiration for my clay figures has always been ordinary people in everyday settings, and sometimes in quirky situations.  Artists have their own unique or peculiar way of looking at and depicting life.  I attempt to show character in an individual through exaggerated facial expressions, body proportion, and subtle mannerisms. If there is a message I’m trying to convey to the viewer it’s that there is no message.What I consider important is that my work is accessible and easily understood.  My intent is to connect with the viewer and elicit a response that doesn’t require serious contemplation or analysis.  The most common reaction to my work, I’ve observed, is a smile, and that suits me fine. ”

Now where he came up with some of these charters is beyond me. Can people like this really exsist?  Like the “Nut Sack Boys Series”, is this you Joe on a good day?? The Peeping Tom that from behind strangely resembles you?? Maybe the Baseball player or the Maestro you wish you had become??

As with any artist, Joe has a very creative mind, he told me about the piece he calls “Thud”, he set a head he had just finished out on his balcony to dry before firing, somehow it fell from the balcony and made a thud sound when it hit the porch below, hence the name!! He tells me too that the piece he calls “Brigs and Stratton” is a copy of the original 1959 Briggs and Stratton  engine, I think it’s time for a new lawnmower Joe!! His series entitled ”Gentlemen of the Jury” is nothing short of awesome!! Two of his pieces entitled ”The Col and his Brother” depict Col Sanders before Kentucky Fried Chicken pondering the age old question, and his Brother trying to come up with his own fast food chain, selling Brain Burgers.

For over 30 years Joe has perfected the art of using different clays and firing techniques to obtain the colors in the skin tones of his sculptures, when fired in such a way he can come up with a multitude of different ethnic groups without using any coloring in the skin tones, in fact the only colors you see are in the cloths, hair and other items used to better describe his subjects.

If you are looking for one of a kind works of art, go to Joe’s website , from there you can contact him about purchasing his one of a kind sculptures.

Thanks Joe, for allowing Fredric’s Photography to record your works, it has truly been interesting!!

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Posted in Fredric's News

The Red Rock Country of Capitol Reef

The old orchard at Capital Reef National Park.Capitol Reef National Park is characterized by sandstone formations, cliffs and canyons, and a 100-mile long bulge in the earth’s crust called the Waterpocket Fold. Erosion has carved the rock into incredible shapes. The most scenic portion of the Waterpocket Fold, found near the Fremont River, is known as Capitol Reef: “Capitol” for the white domes of Navajo Sandstone that resemble capitol building rotundas, and “Reef” for the rocky cliffs which are a barrier to travel, like a coral reef.

Human use of this area dates back at least 10,000 years, but the Waterpocket Fold is best known for its Fremont and Anasazi Native American peoples. The area was also used by Paiute, Ute and perhaps Navajo until it was settled by Mormon pioneers in the 1880′s. Archeologists have identified several kinds of artifacts that are distinctive to the Fremont people. One was a singular style of basketry, called one-rod-and-bundle, which incorporated willow, yucca, milkweed, and other native fibers. They also created pottery, mostly gray wares, with smooth, polished surfaces or corrugated designs pinched into the clay. Pictographs (painted) and petroglyphs (carved or pecked) are depictions of people, animals and other shapes and forms left on rock surfaces. The figures are often elaborately decorated with headdresses, ear bobs, necklaces, clothing items and facial expressions. A wide variety of animal-like figures include bighorn sheep, deer, dogs, birds, snakes and lizards.

Settlement came late to south-central Utah; the Capitol Reef area wasn’t charted until 1872.  The origin of the little community at the junction of the Fremont River and Sulphur Creek is obscure. The first “resident” may have been an 1879 squatter by the name of Franklin Young, but the first landholder of record was Niels Johnson. Others soon followed, and the community that sprang up became known as “Junction”, later called “Fruita”. The Fremont River was the key to life; without irrigation, farming would have been impossible. Visitors to Capitol Reef National park are often curious about the fruit trees that lie within a mile or two of the Visitor Center. These trees – apple, pear, peach, cherry, apricot, mulberry, even Potawatomie Plum  are the most obvious reminder of the pioneer community that once prospered in the narrow valley of the Fremont River. Although it became widely known in south-central Utah for its orchards, Fruita residents also grew sorghum (for syrup and molasses), vegetables and alfalfa. The one-room schoolhouse, constructed by residents in 1896, also served as a community center. The desks were movable and the community enjoyed dances and box socials in the little building. Residents also held church activities there, as well as in private homes. Women often quilted together and men and boys were especially fond of baseball. “Putting up” foods was not a hobby in Fruita; it was essential for survival through the winter, farming techniques in Fruita remained in the 19th century, it was not until World War II that the first tractor was purchased.

Although most of the structures of the Fruita settlement are gone, with the exception of the restored schoolhouse, the Gifford house and barn, the Blacksmith Shop, and a few others, the orchards remain and dominate the landscape. Owned by the National Park Service  and maintained at a level of about 2,500 trees with 1,800 in production a small crew is kept busy year-round with pruning, irrigation, replanting, and spraying.

I hope you enjoyed the Photos, and the brief History of Capitol Reef National Park, there is so much more then I covered in the day I spent at the park.  If you ever visit Capitol Reef, be sure to visit the Gifford House and pick up some of their Cherry and Peach preserves, made from fruit of the orchards that remain from the early pioneers of the area. Thanks for visiting!!

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Posted in National & State Parks

Mason and Kelley’s Wedding

Mason and Kelley ZaineyMason & Kelley were married on the Veranda at Valle Vista Country Club on March 19th,2011 . They had a wonderful wedding and reception, also held at Vale Vista. I for one can’t say enough about this venue for a wedding, Lisa, one of the Wedding Coordinators did an outstanding job of keeping things flowing smoothly, the Bride was late getting back from the hairdresser, the grooms grandmother was late getting to the wedding on time and Lisa was right on top of things making sure that all went as planned. I don’t know how she does it, but she made sure the wedding didn’t start until everyone was where they were supposed to be, and even held the time back on the wedding to accommodate Mason’s Grandmother, making sure she was a part of their ceremony, this was very important to all members of the wedding party!! Outstanding job Lisa!!

Mason’s job is with the airlines, he works 3 months in Kuwait and then 1 month at home, needless to say it was hard for him to help in the wedding planning, but Kelley, a School Teacher for IPS, being the remarkable person she is had everything planned down to the last detail, except the hairdresser, but this was not her fault, Kelley thought she was going to be at the venue, as it was, Kelley ended up going to Broad Ripple, clear on the other side of town to get her hair done, she arrived at Vale Vista at 4:30, the Wedding was planned to start at 6pm, this is where the stress factor went way up. But with the help of her 6 Bridesmaids and her Mother she was ready to go right on time. The funny thing was that the Groomsmen were right on time and waiting at 3pm as planned, usually they are the ones running late. I had a fantastic day with Mason & Kelly, they are a wonderful couple with the best Family and Friends they could ever want.

Rounding out their event was Terry Mauther of DJ’s Direct doing an outstanding job keeping the flow of their reception going. Thanks too, to Donna Edwards for her assistance in helping me to cover this event!!

Thanks Mason & Kelley for allowing me to share in your day!! Here are a few of the photos from their wedding, hope you enjoy them.

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Posted in Weddings