deviantART: by:handyrand

deviantART: by:handyrand http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:handyrand&section=today deviantART RSS for by:handyrand en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Sat, 26 Dec 2009 23:29:46 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png Tahoo Forhay Tahoo Forhay... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/29138175/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/29138175/ Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:10:58 PST

Hey all!
Just wishing you and yours and every one in between, Happy Holidays and an awesome and extremely prosperous New Year!
Thanks for all the friendships and support!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Department of Redundancy Department http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/29017489/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/29017489/ Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:57:55 PST So many things have happened this year...gotta try to sort it all out in my head and put it down on paper.
Soon, I'll be posting sketches for the new piece that is going to Kauai.
I've been putting off my rooster sculpt for too long, so that's another piece that I'll be tearing in to.
Still working on the Spectrum sculpts...
Not going to enter any sculpture shows this year...(sigh of relief)
That's about it for now.
Thanks again to all of you for the messages of support and encouragement!
Have a great weekend!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Figgly Bubbynuts http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/28680479/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/28680479/ Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:24:49 PST
I've been sketching more than my usual amount lately, coming up with the concept for my next big project.

In the mean time I'm still sculpting on my next two entries for Spectrum so it's been fun and busy.

Hope all of you who celebrated Thanksgiving had a great weekend!

Okay, gotta get some more work done...
Thanks for all the faves, watches, messages and support!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Awww pooo http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/28465778/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/28465778/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:57:11 PST But that's okay.
I've got this next big project for my client in Kauai so it's not for having a lack of something to do.
The only disappointment I have is that I don't get to see this piece super sized for now....
The good news is that they said they will have a whole new budget in January and they really want to look at my work for a children's play area in a park near the museum. (fingers re-crossed)
I figure it all happens for a reason.
That's why I'm sitting here with my razor blades, noose, sleeping pills, garden hose hooked up to my car exhaust, and my Jim Jones Koolaid.

Just kidding!...hee hee...

I'm working on a couple cool new pieces that I think you'll like and hopefully will be posting soon and entering in the Spectrum 17 call for entries.

Okay, gotta go work out and get these old bones loosened up.
Then it's back to work.
Thanks again for all the new faves, watches, and words of support!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Stuff about things and stuff.... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/28404598/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/28404598/ Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:21:53 PST I apologize but I've had to be a recluse lately due to a project I've been working on.
I have a meeting tomorrow afternoon with the art committee in Littleton,CO. (about an hour south of where I live) The city has a budget of $20,000 to spend on art...It needs to spend this money before the end of the year on art for a sculpture placement. (insert Randy Hand)
The theme needed to recognize the contributions of a family that donated land for a park that is named after them...The story of the La Rocco family can be found here.
[link]

My sculpture proposal can be found here: [link]
I finished the final touches on it this morning and then spent the whole day and in to the night putting together 5 copies of a proposal package to be reviewed by the committee members. It's been a long week!
I'm up against two other people so I'd really appreciate any positive vibes my way.
Many odd things happening over the last few months...
Balloon Boy was a fun little farce...
Makes me proud to live in Fort Collins, CO.
I hope the guy gets charged the maximum possible...
The balloon he launched went right over where my wife works...

I've been meaning to post a small note apologizing for not thanking each person individually who has faved my work or slapped a watch on me...I had to quit doing this because of how busy I've been and how much time it was taking...Just know that I really appreciate each and every one.
I still try to answer all my messages though, sooner or later....

Thanks again for all your support!
Hope you've all been great!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Cool links etc... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/28011444/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/28011444/ Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:43:27 PDT One link is from my buddy Ben aka

He hooked me up with this site and it's incredible...[link]
The guy takes old photos and manipulates them. They are holographic and go from the original image to something gruesome....VERY COOL.
Definitely need to put them on my must have list.
Also some really interesting links from

Go to my Halloween Series Pic 6 [link] and scroll down to their message and check out the links.
It's morbid but they are a series of post mortum shots of infants etc. that were taken about the same era as my photos.
Because of the high infant morality in those days, often the only shots they could get of the child was to dress them up and take pics of them after they passed away.
So sad but interesting at the same time.

In the middle of a huge snowstorm here in Colorado.

My wife and I are staying inside today...She got a snow day from work (hopfully tomorrow too) so we are going to cozy up and watch movies.
Been watching the horror movie marathon on AMC so it's been fun.
Hope all of you have a safe and fun Halloween!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Ready to hit it... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/27895904/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/27895904/ Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:35:36 PDT I had to take a break from being here for a bit in addition to cutting off communications from the outside world until some obligations were taken care of...
Just finished another purging project on my studio.
I had to re-claim the clay off the big tree and completely clean up the aftermath that it left.
I then ultra-organized the studio again and now I have it back.
My wife worked on our garage and now we feel like we've got our house back again.
When I get in to these commissions I have a tendency to become unorganized and end up having to side step and search for things and pull them out of a "Jenga" pile when I find them.
I'm getting better but this tree really did a number on me.
Gotta get my wife's birthday present done in addition to a few other small commissions and then it's on to the next big one for the same place in Kauai.
I'll explain what it is in another journal and post pix of concept sketches soon.
Hope you have all been great!
Thanks so much for the faves, comments and watches!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Proud son... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/27495548/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/27495548/ Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:41:21 PDT
So my Mom just sent me an email about something that my brother posted on Youtube...
We've been a water skiing family for years, but this summer, on her 75th birthday, she again got up her first try on a slalom water ski.
The video shows her getting up and tooling all around the lake for quite a while...
The link is
[link]

My Dad turned 80 while we were in Kauai...what an amazing milestone. We'll have a party for him on October 17th so that will be pretty cool and special.
Wanted to call and wish him Happy Birthday but there was no cell phone reception at the gardens and when we ventured out, we were either snorkeling or doing something that required us to leave anything of value at the house....
It ended up that the only thing we used our phones for was to take pictures...
Fair warning to anyone traveling to Kauai: If you leave your car parked in certain areas (especially rental cars) they often get broken in to so it's best to leave your windows down with no valuables anywhere in the car. This was a hint from the Fodors travel book and another blue book on Kauai.

Anyways back to my folks...
I'm not sure if I've posted anything super detailed, or if I have, it's been a long time so here goes...

I had a really cool upbringing so I feel pretty blessed when it comes to my past.
My Dad worked his butt off running his own Electric Motor Repair Shop back in Minnesota. It was successful because of his work ethic and amazing knowledge of electric motors...
My Mom raised us which couldn't have been an easy task with 3 bratty boys and 1 girl. The boys being the hard part.
If my wife and I had us as kids we would probably be in jail from putting us out of our misery...
My parents always made sure we had some sort of lake front property and a plot of land around the house to explore.
All of us started water skiing at an early age...I think I learned how to slalom in first grade.
My brothers and I got in to barefooting along with all the cool barefooting tricks...
My brother still is in to all of it, including barefooting backwards on one foot...(very cool to see) along with other cool tricks...
I've been too busy with the business to be able to do it to any great extent without severely pulling something. I don't like to take it easy when I ski and I know I'd do something stupid without warming up.

Anyways, back to my parents again...

Every Sunday, when the temperature was tolerable, it was a ritual for my parents to take us to the grocery store, load up on snack items, then head out to different wooded parks or forests in our area.
We'd all pile out and go our different ways to explore where ever we wanted.
I was always looking for snakes, lizards, crayfish, insects etc...
I especially liked catching as many snakes as possible and wrapping them around my neck...
(hmmm...theories anyone?)
One Christmas we crafted ornaments for our tree made only with things we found on one of our ventures...(milkweed pods etc...)
I saw a slide of it not long ago and couldn't believe how cool that turned out.
We lived in an age when it was okay to take off and run around the neighborhood and beyond without the worries of predators like there is today.
Sure we got our bumps bruises and scares and scars(a lot) but we dealt with it in one way or another.
The things my brothers and I have done to each other as kids make me wonder how I've lived this long.
We almost killed my younger brother by shocking him with a 1750 volt transformer (long story for another journal)
My older brother knocked me out cold with an arrow that had a small tomato juice can sized rubber plug attached to the end of it. He put it in a bow and drew it all the way back, snuck up behind me and said my name. I turned around and he released at just the right time.
Hit me in the forehead and put me out.
(this explains a lot I think)
Many of these stories to tell but I've rambled for too long and I apologize. Some day I need to start typing out as many of these memories as I can...
Just reflecting on what cool parents I have and how lucky I am to have them around still.
Thanks again to all of you for the great messages, new watchers and friends, and words of support.
I'm slowly whittling away at the messages that piled up since we got back...
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand We're back home! http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/27417024/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/27417024/ Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:06:59 PDT The tree arrived the day before we took off so we were very happy for that...
They had a cheese and crackers party for us that night and it was a blast.
Joyce loved the tree and the little surprises I put on it for her.
I'll be posting shots of the surprises but I figured I'd tell a little about them.
The most meaningful one was a small heart carved in to the tree that said Ed + Joyce...
Her husband Ed died of lung cancer this last November.
I also put in a tree gnome, a small nest with 3 little birds, a mushroom with a face on it, and a mouse laying on it's back all stuffed with a small piece of cheese on it's belly.
It was funny because the night I was coloring the tree it came time to work on the mouse and I wasn't sure what color I wanted to use.
About 5 minutes later a little mouse comes running out to the garage door and stops, just long enough to study it and then it took off.
I said out loud..."Okay, I guess that's the color then"
I've got many fun stories to share but will do that when I'm finally able to tear in to my full message box.
Please be patient with me on my responses...I've got a lot to reply to.
Thanks again for all of your support and friendships.
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand I get to sculpt some new cool stuff!!! http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/27247983/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/27247983/ Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:11:21 PDT The crate was held up in transit so we don't get to see her react to the cool little surprises I put in to it...
I'll post them after I know she's looked at it.
The REALLY good news is that she wants me to sculpt 4 animals hanging out and eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches together...
It's kind of hard to explain but the animals so far are an ostrich (something I've always wanted to sculpt), a giraffe, and the next two we'll figure out together...
I can't believe how fun this is going to be....
The giraffe won't be huge and life size, but definitely as big or bigger than the tree...

This on a little creepier note...
We found out that someone called the main office here at Na Aina Kai gardens and said they were invited to the Mr. Cheesencrackers party that would have taken place if the tree had arrived when it was supposed to.
They said there were 7 people that would be there and that they were invited by us.
We are trying to rack our brains figuring out who we have talked to since we've been here that would have the audacity to do that....
We didn't remember telling anyone about a specific night that the party would be held...
Plus that, it's a private party for a select few volunteers and people that work here.
CREEEEEEEPY.....

Anyways, aside from that, I'm on cloud nine right now, knowing I get to sculpt 4 completely new subjects in a completely unique situation....AND we get to come back here again....WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!

Thanks again to all of you for your faves, watches and words of support!
I'll keep slowly whittling away at responses so please be patient with me......
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Ahhhhhh Kaua'i http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/27201410/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/27201410/ Sun, 13 Sep 2009 23:34:38 PDT It is AMAZING here, to say the least...
Since we got here we've snorkeled, hiked, took a Blue Hawaiian helicopter tour, went to a luau, driven all over the island to beautiful places etc. etc. etc.
We will be doing a tree top zip lining tour tomorrow and then we'll be going to tour a Hindu monastery this Wednesday....
Between all of this, Mr. Cheesencrackers should arrive on Tuesday.

This morning I woke up early and went down to the beach to watch the sun come up...
A monk seal was sleeping on the beach and I got some great pictures of it...
This place is one of the most beautiful spiritual places I've been to and it's such an honor to be able to stay right here on the gardens.
I found out that I get to do another piece for the gardens but she won't tell me what it is yet...
I'll post another journal as soon as I find out...
Thanks again to all of you for putting me on your watch or friends list,your words of support and encouragement.
I'll try to start picking away at replies when I can find time....
Aloha!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand I DID IT! No more nightmares or worries.... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/27017880/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/27017880/ Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:27:34 PDT I am now drinking a beer and celebrating the end of a long arduous and very fun(sometimes frustrating) journey.
I knew things were getting to me when I had a nightmare about a different foundry working on my tree and having it turn out really sloppy and loose and only 3 ft. tall. (me jumping up from a sound sleep and screaming)
I'm finally feeling the weight lift off of me now that it's delivered to the shipper, safe and sound.
I ended up keeping 4 of the leaf clusters off of the tree and I'm glad I did. It gave the piece a lighter more interesting look I think.
I worked on the patina from 2 in the afternoon till 5:30 the next morning. (me walking around like a zombie)
I was bound and determined to work straight through till it was done and I'm so glad I did...
We leave for Kaua'i on Tuesday morning and the tree should arrive later in the week or early the next week.
My cheese and crackers are already over there along with our snorkel gear....
We'll be there from 9/8 through 9/24 so we are extremely excited to be on our way there.
My wife has been putting little tabs in a couple Kaua'i books so our time there should be pretty amazing...
We are doing a helicopter tour, a zip-line tour, snorkeling, scuba, hiking, biking, Luau, etc etc.etc.
Okay, back to my Sierra Nevada....
Thank you all so much for your support through this project.
Your friendships, encouragement, messages and faves have really helped me keep my enthusiasm going.
Thanks again,
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand My aching digits.... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/26795346/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/26795346/ Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:19:09 PDT If you don't hear from me right away please accept my apologies...
These joints don't work like when I was a spry young whippersnapper...
Thank you again to all of you who have put a watch on me, made a comment or faved my work.

I just called the foundry and the big tree is fitting together really well...(me knocking on wood)
Last week my welder asked who did the mold because it was fitting together so well. (my head swelling)
I'd like to say that my mould making skills are superior and that's the reason, but I kind of felt like I got lucky with how it came out and the wax pourer was the one who should take the credit for really nice waxes.
Believe me, if it didn't mean putting around $10,000 in my pocket by doing it myself, I wouldn't have attempted a mold this size by myself.
Right now I've got the majority of the cheese and crackers cast in resin and now need to dremmel off the seam lines and paint them and attach the wire/stem.
It's looking like I'll have a bronze ready to color by early next week.
Our goal of having it arrive while we are there in Kaua'i is looking realistic.
I really appreciate all of your great messages and support while this tree has been coming together.
It's really helped to keep me excited about this project.

I stumbled across an amazing artist this morning who recently joined Deviant Art.
It's

I have a feeling that he is going to get popular REALLY quickly...
Please pay him a visit....

Okay, back to my cheese and crackers...
Thanks again everyone!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand A FIFTH Daily Deviation???????? http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/26761073/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/26761073/ Sat, 22 Aug 2009 19:05:40 PDT Who the?
How in the?
I woke this morning to find that my table top size of Escargot [link] made it in to the Daily Deviations....
What a great way to start the day.
Thanks goes to Rich aka

for featuring that little guy.
And thanks to all of you that faved it, put a watch on me or put me on your list of friends.
Your support and friendship means the world to me.
Hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Now back to exercising my digits and answering all my messages...
(tap tap owww tap tap owww)
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand latest tree developments http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/26742097/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/26742097/ Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:04:09 PDT They are cast in resin so I have control over that part of the process and that's a good feeling.
The bronze of the tree has been coming in panel by panel and piece by piece and is being welded together.
The foundry thinks I'll have something to color by the end of this next week and that's a good feeling as well.
It will take a few days for the shipping company to crate and then it will go by boat to Kauai.
We're shipping out our snorkel gear this week along with some other odds and ends so needless to say, our brains are already on the island.
We're booking a helicopter tour plus my wife has been marking all sorts of pages in the Fodors travel book and another book we just got today.
This is our second honeymoon and neither of us has been to any of the Hawaiian islands before so it's pretty exciting.
I'm going to try to post pix while we are there so that should be fun.
Okay, gotta go decompress...
Thanks again to all of you for your friendships, support and kind words..
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Recuperation... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/26535398/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/26535398/ Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:59:23 PDT I have a dial tone going off in my brain.
The show was fun and successful and now I can put all my energy in to finishing the bronze of the Big Tree.
Please check out [link]
to see a sampling of some of the show pics...
All were done with our camera phones...
Doing an art show in Loveland is always fun because you see old friends and make new ones.
Allright, my body needs to be prone...
Thanks to all of you for the incredible support you've given me!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand sell sell sell http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/26437947/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/26437947/ Fri, 07 Aug 2009 05:38:58 PDT I'm sitting here drinking my cup 'o' joe to get my brain kicked in to gear.
Wednesday was set up day and today is the first day of a 3 day show.
It's nice today cuz it only goes for 3 hours, shuts down and then re-opens for the patron party which is an invite only party for people the artists invite.
Free food and beer....my favorite words.
My buddies

and

will be there to help partake in the festivities...
Should be a good time...

Info. on the show is at [link]
if you are in the area it would be great to meet you in person...
Thanks again to one and all for your kind words and support!

I would appreciate any good vibes and energy for the weekend!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand sssssssigh.... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/26206402/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/26206402/ Mon, 27 Jul 2009 07:54:20 PDT The tree has been all-consuming since January and now it's up to the foundry gods to get it through in a timely manner.
"Bahome inna gah sobey mah hominah hominah"
sorry, I was just talking in tongues....hahaha ha

Have you ever seen those televangelists and heard people doing the "so called" talking in tongues? It cracks me up...they babble and then say that only people "of faith" can discern what they are saying...
Me coughing and saying "Bullshi#!"

Okay, on to reality....
My next project is preparing for the Loveland Sculpture show which will be here in less than two weeks. Where has the summer gone?

If any of you are in the area on August 7,8 and 9 please stop by and say hi to my wife and I....
The info. on the show is at [link]

It's a fun show to see if you like seeing a LOT of sculpture.

Okay, gotta catch up on all the things I've had to neglect for a few months...Like my weed harvest, lawn grass harvest, honey-do's etc....

Thanks one and all for your support!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand I done did it!!! http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/26028228/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/26028228/ Sat, 18 Jul 2009 15:00:48 PDT About an hour ago I put the last of the plaster on the big tree...

WWWWWWWWooooooooHhhOOOoooooooo!

Days without incident: 1 (today)

No blood...ha ha ha

I decided to take the mold pieces apart tomorrow and let the last of the plaster cure a bit more.

I take it to my wax pourer, then it goes to the foundry, then it goes to my good buddy Dave

for welding and chasing....

After Dave works his magic, I color it and then it's off the Kauai...

Thanks again all of you for your support through this process.
Now it's time to go to Margaritaville!
Have a great weekend one and all...
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand One more day!.... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/26013264/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/26013264/ Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:22:00 PDT That was the universe telling me to just finish those 3 branches tomorrow morning and kick my feet up and relax.
So the bleeding thing is kind of funny...I'm prepping the tree for plastering by slicing off excess rubber with a utility knife.
Lo and behold I overshot and sliced in to my left index finger...
LOTS of blood...everywhere.
Then a few hours later I'm smoothing plaster over one of the areas where there is a sharp aluminum shim and I slice a small chunk off my left middle finger tip...LOTS of blood everywhere.

I couldn't stop plastering cuz you only have one shot at each section so I had really pretty red streaks running through my plaster...
Makes you want to do a big mold huh?

I've been sealing the cuts with super glue so I can keep cranking on this thing.

Not much left though...
My studio is one big plaster covered mess though, that's for sure...
Once you see the process shots you'll understand what I've been going through...
Home stretch, Home stretch, Home stretch....That's my mantra....
Thanks again to all of you for supporting me through this project with your encouragement and kind words...
It really has helped push me through this thing...
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand I be covered in plaster http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/25972390/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/25972390/ Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:19:56 PDT I started throwing plaster on the tree today and that's the final step before bringing it all to my wax pourer...

I really am looking forward to posting shots of the whole process of the tree from start to finish...

I truly am glad that I started working out pretty much every day since this last January...especially when it comes to the plaster stage.

It's helped to keep my head on straight.

I really am ready to get my studio back though...new projects, etc.

My bench piece will be ready for me to color by next week...my good buddy Dave is kicking butt getting it done for me for the sculpture show in August...
This particular one will be installed at the Boys and Girls Club in Loveland, CO.

Okay, my old bones need some rest...
Thanks to all of you who have supported me with your words of encouragement and support and faves and watches...
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand That lovely wife 'o' mine... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/25716581/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/25716581/ Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:28:59 PDT Tonight at 8pm mountain standard time (approx. 5 1/2 hours from this posting) my wife will be on the radio and streaming live on your computers...
The site is [link] to listen to it live,
and the number at the station is 970-221-5065.

She will be on for two hours if you want to hear her lovely voice...

I'm between coats of rubber on the tree and can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

My good buddy dave aka

has volunteered to come by when it's time to throw plaster for the mother mold...

Should be fun when filled with the proper amounts of beer....Us, not the plaster.

Hope all of you who are celebrating the 4th of July make it a fun and safe one...

People around the neighborhoods have started lighting little fireworks, but the big show at the park not too far from here will surely freak our little pug out....

We put her in the back room with a fan and tv on and usually all is fine....The illusion of nothing happening outside...
Hope you are all great!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Help for Special Needs Kids? http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/25656419/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/25656419/ Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:54:51 PDT

and it reads like this...
Please message her if you are interested and you can help her....

I have got an idea. We could of make exhibition in gallery at Sarajevo which will be at humanitarian cause to help children with special needs. First of all, I need to tell you that it does not matters from which side of the world you are because I need your prints, and yours is just to send files without watermarks to anna_dominic_88@hotmail.com. So, the question is how do I want to help those kids?

I made project at November on which I will have concert and exhibition of their works and works of my few friends which will be sold and tickets for concerts will also be a way to make money to help the kids. Essential problem of those guys is that they live few 1000 km from their school and because their parents can't afford the money to drive them back home they are left to live for whole school period at the school's apartments which are not adequate for this children because they are in special mental state and they need their parents. If we try to discount this problem, then we have a problem with their families which are poor people who don't have work, and my country does not do anything about their rights. So, the idea with prints is to make someone in my country hear for this project at November, and I can make it if I find much of works from different counties. To make this project I need about 1050 Â to help this school to buy them material to make out the works which they could sell on exhibition at November.

From you, I need from you just to send me your artworks which I could sell and show at the exhibition at the end of July. You might get some of promotion in Sarajevo, because we will print your short biographies for people to read about you along with your web address or e-mail.

So if you could do anything to help her out, send her a message and that would be....VERY COOL!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand I'm covered in rubber and plaster... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/25588156/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/25588156/ Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:51:27 PDT I'm moulding the big tree right now and it is quite the work out.
I started working out every day since January in anticipation of working on this thing and I'm really glad I did...
Especially now that I'm at this stage of the game.
The last time I moulded something this big was when I did the giant George the tortoise.
I swore I'd never mold something big again, but here I am...not learning my lesson.
Actually, I knew I couldn't get it out of my studio doors when I started it so my only option was to have my mold maker buddy come over and do it, or save $7,000 or so and do it myself...
I chose the latter.
So far I've put rubber on 6 panels and have quite a few to go.
This is a new rubber for me so there was a bit of a learning curve at first.
It's a 2 part Polytek product called 74-45 RTV Liquid Rubber.
The first two coats go on super thin and the nice thing about it is you don't have to blow out the air bubbles. For the 3rd coat, instead of adding a liquid thickener, I'm using a product called Micro-Fibers...
It's a cottony kind of powdery material that you add by the handful till you get a peanut butter consistency.
Luckily this is only going to be a one time pour, so the rubber doesn't have to hold up to more than a few pulls.
Okay, enough of that boring crap...
Back to the grind...
I'm taking process shots of the whole thing so hopefully that will be more interesting than this journal...ha ha...
Thanks again to all who have added me to their watch and friends lists and for all the faves and words of support.
Hope you are all enjoying your summer so far!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Whoooooeeeeee..... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/25360687/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/25360687/ Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:06:13 PDT So I'm pretty much done with the sculpt and MAN, am I ever relieved....
I ended up putting a lot more time on it than I expected, but I feel like it was necessary.

If anyone doesn't know, it is a one of a kind piece that will be cast in bronze and is being shipped upon completion to [link]

We are super excited to have our flight booked to Kauai...We'll be there from 9/8-9/24.

I'm hoping the tree can arrive while we are there so we can see her open up the crate....(fingers crossed)

If it gets there before we arrive, that's fine too.

Thanks to all of you who have supported me with your words of support and encouragement and for the great friendships.
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand radio....woaooh...radio http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24879700/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24879700/ Thu, 21 May 2009 18:59:25 PDT 24 hours from this posting my lovely wife will be on the air again.
[link]
is where you need to go to listen to her live tomorrow night...
if you want to call and request a song,or just say hi, her number at the station is 970 221 5065...

still picking away at the final details of the big tree....ugh!

I'm really ready to move on to new stuff.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Fillipitus Buelipithy http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24665955/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24665955/ Sat, 09 May 2009 09:24:22 PDT
TNT is playing Aeon Flux so I have some good background while I type this journal....

I have some tiny touch ups on the Big Tree and that portion will be done in the next hour or so.
The only thing left is to finish up the leaf clumps and on to the molding process.
This piece took a little longer than I expected, but I decided a while back that since this is going to be a one of a kind piece, I'm going to make sure everything is just right.

I'm hoping to post finish shots verrrrrry soon.

We booked our flight for Kauai in September so we are super excited for the trip...
We're going to be staying for 2 weeks....woohooo!
I'm going to Fed-Ex our snorkel gear over before we leave...gotta love swimming with the fishies...

I got scuba certified in Cozumel years back and don't know if I'll be doing any dives, but we'll definitely be snorkeling as much as possible.

Allright, I gotta finish up on the tree...
Thanks again to all of you for your inspiration,support and friendship since I've been here on DA.
It's been such an integral part of my learning process as an artist.
Have a great weekend!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand radio radio radio show http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24656354/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24656354/ Fri, 08 May 2009 18:03:51 PDT You can listen on your computer at [link]
The number there is 970 221 5065 if you want to call and request a song...
I'll be posting another journal tomorrow or after with some tidbits and whatnots...
Have an awesome weekend everyone!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Amazing and fun.... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24517384/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24517384/ Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:34:02 PDT Michael McKean, Harry Shearer,and Christopher Guest are so talented and hilarious.
If you haven't heard of it or gone to it, you've gotta check it out.

Their site is [link] ...Check it out if you are able to catch a show date in your area.
They sang some songs from
Spinal Tap and A Mighty Wind.
They were simply amazing and talented. Annette O Toole(Michael McKean's wife) came out and sang two songs with them and she was amazing as well.

Also, I just got an email telling me that Need A Lift got installed.
If you check out [link] you can see that and all the other art they've collected.

I finally caught up with all my messages, replies and faves...
Thanks so much for your support and friendship since I've joined DA!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Back home.... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24483143/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24483143/ Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:51:17 PDT Good to be back with the pets which is always the hardest thing to leave for us.
Fountain Hills, AZ is a beautiful area, and probably one of the cleanest towns we've ever seen.

We took some shots of a few pieces they've already purchased from us in addition to a few sites etc...
if you click on this thumbnail you can see them......

Came back to a bunch of messages so I'll try to attack those as soon as the dust settles.

Thanks in advance for all your messages, replies, and faves.

Gotta run to Home Depot (my favorite toy store) and get some gardening stuff and other goodies to spring-if-fy the place...
It was nice to take a little break from the Big Tree and am now ready to hit the home stretch with that...
Thanks again for all your support!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Pro-kras-tee Nay-shun http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24342173/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24342173/ Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:57:38 PDT
Anyways, my good buddy

aka Wade Furlong turned me on to this new deviant you should all check out...

His DA name is Blairsculpture...

Very talented indeed....

Also, if you've never seen

please check her gallery out. Her work is incredible.

So, we are preparing to take off EARLY Thursday morning for Fountain Hills, AZ to drop off the "Need A Lift" bench.[link]

Not sure when it will be installed but I thought it would be cool to "hand" deliver the piece in person.(bad pun intended)

My buddy dave

welded and chased these guys for me and made the frame the wood sits on.

If any of you decide to have work cast in bronze, it's worth sending it to him to work on...(he kind of smells though) hee hee

Allright, I'd better get my honey-doos done...
All play and no work makes Randy a big jerk.

The week in Arizona, away from working on the big tree will be nice. I'll be able to come back with a fresh perspective on it and finish up the last details before molding it.
I'll be posting finished clay shots of it as well along with the photoshopped leaves, and maybe my ugly mug as well.

Thanks again to all of you for your words of support and encouragement...
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping d.. http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24163299/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24163299/ Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:58:29 PDT It's that time again,
my lovely wife will be streaming live on her radio show tonight...
Approximately 8 hours from this posting she will be on the air...
Tonight she has some roller derby girls on, in addition to playing some fun music so if you are near your computer and want to listen to her, she always appreciates all her listeners.
The site is [link] and all you have to do is click on
"listen)))"

The number at the studio is 970 221 5065 if you want to call and wish her well....
or tell her how tolerant she must be, since she is married to me....hee hee....heeeee

Anybody doing anything fun for easter?
My wife and I have a tradition of coloring eggs and then I take a dremel to them coming up with all sorts of fun designs.

I know this sounds gross, but I'm hooked on pickled hard boiled eggs and that's what the majority of them will be used for.
Does that make me a freak?

Hope you all have a great weekend!
Take care,
Randy

Ps. Hey, if you get a chance check out NDKARTWORK'S site....
I have a feeling he's going to get real popular, real quick.

Here's a thumbnail of one of his pieces...

This guy has some serious skills....

]]> *handyrand My picks.... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24112186/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24112186/ Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:21:51 PDT

posted his 3 favorite submissions from my gallery along with 9 other DA members.
The first 10 people to respond to his posting were listed on his journal along with 3 of his favorite things of theirs.
I then in turn had to do the same.
The only difference with me is that I pushed it to 15.
I thought it would be easier than getting tagged, but I was wrong.
It's cool though, cuz it really forces you to slow down and go through each artists gallery.
It gives you a whole new appreciation for people you've put on your friends list or vice versa or both.
So without further adooooo....here goes my list in the order they came in along with my 3 favorite submits of each.

*handyrand Easier than getting tagged.... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24101326/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24101326/ Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:49:36 PDT

here on DA was part of a cool little journal post/taggy type of thing...
So here's the rules...
The first 15 people to give me the go-ahead in this journal post by saying "aye aye" or "Yes Sir" or "just do it you idiot" or something to that effect...
I will then post their icon with 3 of my favorite things in their gallery.
But in order for me to feature them, they must do the same as me in their own journal(you only have to do 10 though)....
Does that make sense?
Please check out his home page/journal to see what it looks like...
So, like I says, the FIRST 15 PEOPLE! ready....set....RESPOND...

It's just a fun way to really force you to go through a person's gallery...
Kinda

Ps. The crotchety old demons will be shipped in the next few days to the contest winners...

Hope you are all doing great!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand And the winners are....(drum roll please) http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24000296/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/24000296/ Wed, 01 Apr 2009 07:48:53 PDT
The winners of the "Enter My Contest Or Die" contest are as follows...

For best caption the winner is:

[link]

For best photo manip the winner is:

[link]

I wanted to add that while I loved the entry by

I felt biased to pick his because he and his wife are good friends of ours outside the DA community and we trade for each others work already.

Also, my good friend Chuck aka

is not letting me officially put him in the running. I loved his submissions, but understand his intentions. I will however, with his permission, use one of his entries for a t-shirt design in addition to one for a future avatar...
Thanks again Chuck!

Thanks to everyone that entered. This was such a blast...I'm going to start figuring out another contest sometime in the future so keep your eyes and ears open....

Happy April Fools Day everyone!...
What? no crazy Mudkips prank?
That did freak me out last year...very clever.

I should be posting pix of the finished clay of the big tree soon so I'm excited to see what kind of feedback it gets.

Speaking of that...I gotta get back to work...
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand last day of contest!!!!! http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/23982241/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/23982241/ Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:51:53 PDT Today is the last day of the "Enter My Contest Or Die Contest!"
You have till midnight tonight to enter...(roughly 14 hours and 10 minutes from this posting...)
One last view of the rules and all the entries:
details are as follows:

Take the image of me [link] and play with it and follow the rules.

I submitted a picture of myself from 1st grade. I photoshopped in a "thought balloon" above my head.
I want ya'll to mess with it in your own ways.
There will be two categories for winners...

1. Best Caption (put in the thought balloon)
2. Best Photo Manipulation

You can combine both caption and photo manip. or just one of each or whatever you want to do...

Enter as many different submissions as you want...

Go to this link for the pic and more details: [link]
as you can see, I still needed to grow in to my offensively large head.

Winners will get my Crotch...er I mean...

Winners will receive a free Crotchety Old Demon [link]
I will ship it anywhere in the world...

(I know it's tiny, but HEY, it's free!)
(not my crotch...)(well..actually, I guess it is)

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU DON'T DELETE YOUR SUBMISSIONS FROM YOUR SITE UNTIL THIS CONTEST IS OVER....

CHECK OUT WHAT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED SO FAR:
(CAUTION: Highly Entertaining!)

submitted
[link]

submitted these two
[link]
[link]

submitted this but he is ineligible to enter the contest because he is related to someone on the contest staff and this is just a sample of what you could do with it:
[link]

submitted this: [link] [link] [link]

submitted: [link]

submitted this disturbing little diddy:
[link]

submitted: [link]

submitted:[link]

http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/23920430/ Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:42:22 PDT

and

for getting in to the upcoming Spectrum 16. WOOOHOOOO!
Both are extremely talented artists who's work deserves to be in that amazing book.

I was a little bummed not to see my name along with some other fellow DA members but I figure, Hey, there's always next year!...

If anyone else got in, please let me know and I'll post it here as well...

Also, on another really cool note,
my good friend Lauren aka

just got engaged!
A huge gigantic congrats goes out to her!

And once again, my beautiful wife will be on the air tonight...(approx. 2.75 hours from this posting) 8 pm - 10pm mountain time.
You can tune in at [link] and stream online.

The "Enter My Contest Or DIE!" contest is in it's final days.
You can still squeek in if you get a notion to compete.

The rules along with other
entries are in this journal entry...[link]

Okay, gotta go smear clay on a giant tree...
Thanks again to all of you for your friendship, support, and kind words since I've joined DA.
Congrats again Wade and Rachel and Lauren!
Take care,

Randy

]]> *handyrand Owww....okay...I give, I give... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/23714924/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/23714924/ Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:38:54 PDT I was bound and determined to answer every message but I just don't think I can find the time this go around....
That Daily Deviation on Veggie Tales From Hell brought in more messages than I could imagine.
For anyone that has faved that and other pieces, please accept this as my big old THANK YOU to you all.
I'll try to at least answer the comments, but the faves will just have to go under the previous "thank you" category.

The big tree sculpture has to be the priority right now as well. Besides, the clay that I get on the laptop is kind of unsightly and it clogs the keyboard...

Once again I have to let you know that a buddy of mine is on here now and you should check his site out.
It's

He's starting to build a great gallery.
He does bronze welding and metal chasing for people around the U.S.
I guess I'm a little partial cuz he does all of my bronze work.
Please give him a visit...

Ps.
the "Enter My Contest...or DIE!" contest is still going...
You have till the end of March...

details are as follows:

Take the image of me [link] and play with it and follow the rules.

I submitted a picture of myself from 1st grade. I photoshopped in a "thought balloon" above my head.
I want ya'll to mess with it in your own ways.
There will be two categories for winners...

1. Best Caption (put in the thought balloon)
2. Best Photo Manipulation

You can combine both caption and photo manip. or just one of each or whatever you want to do...

Enter as many different submissions as you want...

Go to this link for the pic and more details: [link]
as you can see, I still needed to grow in to my offensively large head.

Winners will get my Crotch...er I mean...

Winners will receive a free Crotchety Old Demon [link]
I will ship it anywhere in the world...

(I know it's tiny, but HEY, it's free!)
(not my crotch...)(well..actually, I guess it is)

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU DON'T DELETE YOUR SUBMISSIONS FROM YOUR SITE UNTIL THIS CONTEST IS OVER....

CHECK OUT WHAT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED SO FAR:
(CAUTION: Highly Entertaining!)

submitted
[link]

submitted these two
[link]
[link]

submitted this but he is ineligible to enter the contest because he is related to someone on the contest staff and this is just a sample of what you could do with it:
[link]

submitted this: [link] [link] [link]

submitted: [link]

submitted: http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/23678447/ Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:02:19 PDT wife 'o' mine will be on the air tonight with her "Mary Madness" radio show...
The link is [link] and you can stream live on your computers.
It will start at the top of the hour...4 hours from this posting.

If you want to call in she'd love to hear from you...the studio number is 970 221 5605.
You won't be on the air, but she can do a shout out for you...

Ps.
the "Enter My Contest...or DIE!" contest is still going...
You have till the end of March...

details are as follows:

Take the image of me [link] and play with it and follow the rules.

I submitted a picture of myself from 1st grade. I photoshopped in a "thought balloon" above my head.
I want ya'll to mess with it in your own ways.
There will be two categories for winners...

1. Best Caption (put in the thought balloon)
2. Best Photo Manipulation

You can combine both caption and photo manip. or just one of each or whatever you want to do...

Enter as many different submissions as you want...

Go to this link for the pic and more details: [link]
as you can see, I still needed to grow in to my offensively large head.

Winners will get my Crotch...er I mean...

Winners will receive a free Crotchety Old Demon [link]
I will ship it anywhere in the world...

(I know it's tiny, but HEY, it's free!)
(not my crotch...)(well..actually, I guess it is)

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU DON'T DELETE YOUR SUBMISSIONS FROM YOUR SITE UNTIL THIS CONTEST IS OVER....

CHECK OUT WHAT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED SO FAR:
(CAUTION: Highly Entertaining!)

submitted
[link]

submitted these two
[link]
[link]

submitted this but he is ineligible to enter the contest because he is related to someone on the contest staff and this is just a sample of what you could do with it:
[link]

submitted this: [link] [link] [link]

submitted: [link]

submitted this disturbing little diddy:
[link]

submitted: [link]

http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/23652306/ Wed, 11 Mar 2009 22:22:42 PDT
I've been working on the big tree so that's kept me from replying to all my messages for a bit.
I needed to get some more done on it so that I could send a picture of it in clay to my client in Hawaii so it's been some pretty intense days and nights lately.
This will be the first time that she will see the big version(she saw the small one [link]) and I asked that we could be on the phone when she opens up the image online.
After she sees it on Friday, I'm going to post the pic on my Deviant site so I'm excited to see what everyone thinks.
I told her she's the first one that will have seen it other than my wife so that should be exciting...

Okay, I'm going to get to sleep now...This old man is in need of rest....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Ps.
the "Enter My Contest...or DIE!" contest is still going...
You have till the end of March...

details are as follows:

Take the image of me [link] and play with it and follow the rules.

I submitted a picture of myself from 1st grade. I photoshopped in a "thought balloon" above my head.
I want ya'll to mess with it in your own ways.
There will be two categories for winners...

1. Best Caption (put in the thought balloon)
2. Best Photo Manipulation

You can combine both caption and photo manip. or just one of each or whatever you want to do...

Enter as many different submissions as you want...

Go to this link for the pic and more details: [link]
as you can see, I still needed to grow in to my offensively large head.

Winners will get my Crotch...er I mean...

Winners will receive a free Crotchety Old Demon [link]
I will ship it anywhere in the world...

(I know it's tiny, but HEY, it's free!)
(not my crotch...)(well..actually, I guess it is)

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU DON'T DELETE YOUR SUBMISSIONS FROM YOUR SITE UNTIL THIS CONTEST IS OVER....

CHECK OUT WHAT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED SO FAR:
(CAUTION: Highly Entertaining!)

submitted
[link]

submitted these two
[link]
[link]

submitted this but he is ineligible to enter the contest because he is related to someone on the contest staff and this is just a sample of what you could do with it:
[link]

submitted this: [link] [link] [link]

submitted: [link]

submitted: [link]

http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/23502434/ Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:23:30 PST I normally don't tell anyone about the day of my birth, but I figured why not?
I'll be spending it smearing clay and wondering how I made it this far.
My wife and I will be going out for Sushi tonight to our favorite restaurant.
I'm registered at Barnes and Noble, 7-11, and Toy's R Us.
The spending limit is $250 so don't get too nutty.

If you want to say Happy Birthday to me, that may ease the pain of my age....

Gotta go get my prune juice, walker, and polident...and join AARP

I still haven't begun to answer all my messages from my Daily Deviation on Mar. 1st....I got to wait till I have a little more time to sit and tap so please bear with me...

Thanks again to all of you for the support!

Ps.
the "Enter My Contest...or DIE!" contest is still going...
You have till the end of March...

details are as follows:

Take the image of me [link] and play with it and follow the rules.

I submitted a picture of myself from 1st grade. I photoshopped in a "thought balloon" above my head.
I want ya'll to mess with it in your own ways.
There will be two categories for winners...

1. Best Caption (put in the thought balloon)
2. Best Photo Manipulation

You can combine both caption and photo manip. or just one of each or whatever you want to do...

Enter as many different submissions as you want...

Go to this link for the pic and more details: [link]
as you can see, I still needed to grow in to my offensively large head.

Winners will get my Crotch...er I mean...

Winners will receive a free Crotchety Old Demon [link]
I will ship it anywhere in the world...

(I know it's tiny, but HEY, it's free!)
(not my crotch...)(well..actually, I guess it is)

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU DON'T DELETE YOUR SUBMISSIONS FROM YOUR SITE UNTIL THIS CONTEST IS OVER....

CHECK OUT WHAT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED SO FAR:
(CAUTION: Highly Entertaining!)

submitted
[link]

submitted these two
[link]
[link]

submitted this but he is ineligible to enter the contest because he is related to someone on the contest staff and this is just a sample of what you could do with it:
[link]

submitted this: [link] [link] [link]

submitted: [link]

submitted this disturbing little diddy:
[link]

http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/23464140/ Sun, 01 Mar 2009 06:27:45 PST Upon further inspection I realized that Veggie Tales From Hell [link] got a Daily Deviation!!!
Man, this is such an honor and I appreciate it so very much...
It's such a thrill to see all the comments and faves...

Much thanks goes to

for the feature and kind words!

Okay, gotta limber up the digits and start whittling away at all the responses...

Oh yeah, the "Enter My Contest...or DIE!" contest is still going...
You have till the end of March...

details are as follows:

Take the image of me [link] and play with it and follow the rules.

I submitted a picture of myself from 1st grade. I photoshopped in a "thought balloon" above my head.
I want ya'll to mess with it in your own ways.
There will be two categories for winners...

1. Best Caption (put in the thought balloon)
2. Best Photo Manipulation

You can combine both caption and photo manip. or just one of each or whatever you want to do...

Enter as many different submissions as you want...

Go to this link for the pic and more details: [link]
as you can see, I still needed to grow in to my offensively large head.

Winners will get my Crotch...er I mean...

Winners will receive a free Crotchety Old Demon [link]
I will ship it anywhere in the world...

(I know it's tiny, but HEY, it's free!)
(not my crotch...)(well..actually, I guess it is)

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU DON'T DELETE YOUR SUBMISSIONS FROM YOUR SITE UNTIL THIS CONTEST IS OVER....

CHECK OUT WHAT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED SO FAR:
(CAUTION: Highly Entertaining!)

submitted
[link]

submitted these two
[link]
[link]

submitted this but he is ineligible to enter the contest because he is related to someone on the contest staff and this is just a sample of what you could do with it:
[link]

submitted this: [link] [link] [link]

submitted: [link]

submitted this disturbing little diddy:
*handyrand My wife's radio show!.... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/23436227/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/23436227/ Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:03:48 PST My wife will be on
the radio in approx. 3 hours from the time of this posting...8pm mountain standard time
to listen on line, go to
[link]
to call in requests (she loves to hear from people) the studio number is 970 221 5065

You'd love her show...

This just in from the department of redundancy department: Don't forget to enter my "Enter My Contest Or Die" contest...[link]

You have till the end of March!

Have a great weekend everyone!
Thanks for all your support and well wishes...

Also, check out my good friend dave's site.

He just joined so please show him some love...

He does some great sculpture, plus he does bronze welding and metal chasing incredibly well....
(he does all my bronze)

]]> *handyrand Enter my contest!....or die http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/23138237/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/23138237/ Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:38:46 PST I came up with a little contest and hope you'll participate...
It'll be fun I think...

Take the image of me [link] and play with it and follow the rules.

I submitted a picture of myself from 1st grade. I photoshopped in a "thought balloon" above my head.
I want ya'll to mess with it in your own ways.
There will be two categories for winners...

1. Best Caption (put in the thought balloon)
2. Best Photo Manipulation

You can combine both caption and photo manip. or just one of each or whatever you want to do...

Enter as many different submissions as you want...

Go to this link for the pic and more details: [link]
as you can see, I still needed to grow in to my offensively large head.

Winners will get my Crotch...er I mean...

Winners will receive a free Crotchety Old Demon [link]
I will ship it anywhere in the world...

(I know it's tiny, but HEY, it's free!)
(not my crotch...)(well..actually, I guess it is)

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU DON'T DELETE YOUR SUBMISSIONS FROM YOUR SITE UNTIL THIS CONTEST IS OVER....(IF YOU POSTED THEM ON YOUR OWN SITES IN ADDITION TO SENDING THEM TO ME...)

THIS JUST IN! so here's what we have so far:

submitted
[link]

submitted these two
[link]
[link]

submitted this but he is ineligible to enter the contest because he is related to someone on the contest staff and this is just a sample of what you could do with it:
[link]

submitted this: [link] [link] [link]

submitted: [link]

submitted this disturbing little diddy:
[link]

submitted: [link]

submitted:[link]

http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/23011500/ Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:16:53 PST
Speaking of my cousin's, here's a youtube video

[link]

Please check it out
It's of one of my cousins boys named Jake...

I can't believe how good he is for how young he is....

Hey, also I was thinking the other day that if anyone is interested in the little sculpture named Sid [link]
I have a buttload of them in storage and I
am trying to sell them all off.
He normally sells at the shows for $85 but I'm selling them like they are in the picture for $40 plus whatever shipping is.
They are a marble cast resin so they weigh about 4 pounds.
If you are interested, just note me...
Not a problem if you don't like him...

The big version of the Tree Sculpture is coming along really well and I'm excited to post shots of it soon.

My collector in Hawaii will be the first to see it and then I'll post it here.

My wife and I are planning on coordinating a visit there [link] at the same time it arrives or when it's installed so that should be exciting...

Okay, these old bones need some rest...
Thanks again to all of you for all your messages and words of support!

Take care,

Randy

]]> *handyrand My wife's radio show!.... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22909577/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22909577/ Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:48:49 PST Tonight at 8 pm Mountain Standard time my wife is on her bi-weekly radio show....(a little over an hour from this posting...)
It's only a 2 hour show she does but it's on a local station that streams world wide.
She's always preceded by a cute little lady with a Mexican theme called Friday night Pachanga...
The site is [link]
I think you just click on "listen now" or something like that.
If you are near your computer you can stream it if you are interested.

I listen to her faithfully cuz she's the love o my life, but she is really fun to listen to.

I feel she is an artist in her own way with how she can throw her shows together with fun themes etc...

This is a public radio station so there are no rules to what people can play, other than not being able to air expletives like you can on XM or Sirius.

She's on every other Friday night when we are in town.

Let me know if you are able to listen to her.

We used to own about 6,000 cd's at one point but now with the ability to burn music it's kind of out of control...
Her music library runs all over the place so her shows are always really diverse.
At one point she used to be music director at one of the top stations in Denver and was a very popular DJ for a while until Clear Channel came in and bought all the big stations.
The big wigs came in and told them what their playlist would be and they could not sway from that...
That explains why so many stations play the same songs over and over and over and over...
Needless to say she told them to shove the play list up their shnozzberries and hasn't looked back since....
Now she does it strictly for fun...

There is a huge variety of dj's and programs on this station so it's really refreshing...
It's a public station that is funded by donations and other funds...
Hope you all have a great weekend!
Thanks again for all the fun messages, friendship and support!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Spectrum 16 Entry and stuff http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22810633/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22810633/ Sun, 25 Jan 2009 18:53:52 PST
I ended up sending two entries this year for Spectrum 16.
They'll announce the people who made it in, about April or so.
(anyone that hasn't heard of the Spectrum series can check it out at [link]
Barnes and Noble among others sell it)

I entered Fish Rider [link]

and Mantis and Friends [link] (I titled it Grub Hunter...sorry, I know that sounds cruel...hee hee)

I would really appreciate any and all positive vibes towards the possibility of one or both getting chosen...

It was such an honor to get Metamorph-fish in to Spectrum 12(pictured left), or go to
[link] and then Nosferatu Jr.[link] made it in to Spectrum 15 last year....

Also, my good friend

will be submitting Black Rabbit [link]

Please send gobs and gobs of positive vibes her way as well!

Okay, I gotta get back to smearing clay...

You are all awesome...
Thanks for all your support and kind words...
Take care,
Randy

ps. Did anyone else out there send in an entry in to Spectrum 16?

If so, could I post your icon/avatar and your submission in this journal?
I think we all need the most positive vibes we can get!

Just lemmeeeknow...

So here is the start of the list of friends who are going to enter a piece in to Spectrum 16 along with their respective entry(or not)...

Positive vibes, positive vibes, positive vibes...howmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[link]

[link] and [link]

(secret submission...)

[link]

[link]

]]> *handyrand Does this smell spoiled? http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22711764/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22711764/ Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:27:46 PST Do you really think I want to smell it if it has the remote possibility of being spoiled?...

Sorry, random idiot thoughts.

So I'm doing the final once over for the kitty that took me way too long to finish.

I've also been working on the big version of the tree and will post pix soon.

You should check out this guys stuff....

...yet another one of the many talented artists here on Deviant Art.

I was thinking the other day how fun it would be if I won the lottery and I could throw a big party and fly my new found DA friends out here.

Okay, I gotta get back to work...

Best to you all!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand The Eyes Have It! http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22595839/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22595839/ Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:03:41 PST After much deliberation and vote counting, I decided to keep the eye on the kitty sculpture closed.

Thank you all so much for your input on that piece.

It also took another turn yesterday...I changed something on it and it really took it in a little different direction. (a really good direction)

Because of this, I'll post my next shot of Shredded Tweet when it is completed...hopefully by next week.

That's the joy of sculpting...if you're not happy with something, scrape off some clay, and slap some new stuff on, etc. etc. etc.

Glad I don't carve in stone...heh heh...

Two artists that I think deserve a TON more page views are:

and

Extremely talented and inspirational artists!

Again, thanks to all of you who have supported and inspired me since I've joined Deviant Art!

Back to smearing clay,
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand quick poll on shredded tweet! http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22542242/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22542242/ Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:07:48 PST I'm going back and forth on my shredded tweet on just one little detail before I do my final tweeks and once over....
So here's the polll,
If you could look at the picture,
Shredded Tweet Almost Complete,

and the most recent submission,

Shredded Tweet more shots.....

One has the eye completely shut, while another has it's eye partially open but almost squeezed shut...

The poll is...

Shut

Open

Whadya think?

Thanks for any and all input!
Thanks as well for your support and encouragement!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Whew! http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22490285/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22490285/ Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:39:05 PST Ended up he didn't have a stroke, but had a subdural hematoma...(spelling?)
anyways, he had blood removed from under his skull and now is fine and improving...
Whew!
Normally I try not to write about non-art related things, but when it comes to the people that brought me in to the world, I gotta put it out there. My folks are near and dear to me....

Things like this really make you appreciate those that are close to you...

Thanks to all of you who sent well wishes and positive vibes and prayers etc.

Now I need to go drink a beer or two or three or four to celebrate my Dad's recovery...

Thanks again for all of your kind words and support!

Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Ubiquitous philanthropy http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22477629/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22477629/ Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:52:37 PST
Crazy week this week. I was forced back in to full time sculpting but that's a good problem to have.

My Dad had a minor stroke and will have a little bit of brain surgery tomorrow so I'm out of it for the time being...
All healing energy and positive, loving vibes towards Colorado will be so much appreciated.

Hope the New Year has been treating you all the way that it should....

Please check out

gallery.
Another natural talent here at Deviant Art.

Best to all of you here on DA in the coming year!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand Old Hang Sign http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22300099/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22300099/ Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:23:22 PST It was kind of a strange year in ways, but overall a great year.
Don't make resolutions, just try to keep pushing my skills and living up to my potential as a person.
I worked for a little over 6 months at a place that employs people with developmental disabilities. My wife has worked there for 10 years so I already knew many of the clients and staff and that made it easy to do.
I asked her to find me the least political job there, and for something that would be physical and whip me back in to shape. I worked in the shipping and receiving area but did building maintenance, grounds maintenance, delivery, transportation (picking up the clients and bringing them to work)...
It was a blast, especially getting to know the clients...many stories to tell from that...

One little story was from one of my favorites there, George. I picked him up one day and he proceeded to tell me about a time when someone he knew was picking on a dog by throwing stones at it.
He said that it made him so angry and really "got his Irish up" as he put it.
He then said, "By God, it made me so angry, that I wanted to kick the guy in the nuts!"
I had to do all I could, to keep from driving off the road cuz I was laughing so hard.
So many things happened in the short time I was there that really helped me in so many ways....

Working there was never about the money, but more about how it was something to balance out not traveling to art shows for a bit.

It got me out of the house for a while and gave me an appreciation for what I have.

Sadly I have to quit because I can't afford to work there any more.

I have to commit my full time to my commission work so it's not a bad thing.

I am going to volunteer there so I don't lose contact with my friends.

Here's to all of you who have been so kind to me since I've joined Deviant Art...

Cheers! (glasses raised) Ting!...

Thanks for all of your support and friendships!

I've got this strange gut feeling that 2009 is going to be a great year for many of us...

Take care and Happy New Year!
Randy

]]> *handyrand Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22150226/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22150226/ Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:01:27 PST Just a quick message to all my friends here at Deviant Art...
Hope your holidays are great and the upcoming
New Year brings you everything you want and need...
Thanks again to all of you for your support and friendship since I've joined DA!
Best to you all!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand It's beginning to look a lot like Chr... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22097666/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/22097666/ Sun, 21 Dec 2008 07:09:15 PST Hope you are ready for the holidays coming up.
Can't believe it's almost 2009...

Just checked out the gallery of

Please browse his gallery..it's amazing!
I see a lot of page views in his future...

I'm going to be coming up with a mass email Christmas card when I have time.

I try to come up with something new every year but this year has been more busy than usual.

I should have Nosferatu Jr. molded by tonight and this is the first time I've taken pictures of that whole process.

My buddy Jerome Ranft out at Pixar showed me a really cool way to mold smaller pieces and I wanted to share it with anyone here that was interested. Hope to post it in the next few days.

Thanks for all your kind words and support!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand So I says ta dis dame I says.... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/21887419/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/21887419/ Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:21:57 PST Once the last ones are cast, I will be breaking the mold...
Kinda sad, but it's kind of a nice feeling knowing the edition is selling out.

I posted pix of the coloring process that I did just this last weekend, and finished up today.

This particular one is going to one of our collectors in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
They already have the giant version of the tortoise and the hare, and the giant Escargot as well.

Their place is pretty unbelievable...The fact that they only live there 6 months out of the year just blows my mind.

I'm trying to rack my tiny brain as to where all the other giant Bob's have gone so I'm going to attempt to list them...

1. Palm Beach Gardens, FL
2. Aspen, CO (Barbi Benton...anyone remember her?)
3. Frisco, CO
4. Lake Jackson, TX
5. Fountain Hills, AZ
6. Cherry Hills, CO
7. Napa Valley, CA
8. Sausalito, CA
9. Denver, CO
10.Kauai, Hawaii

.....ummmm..er...I um....

I'm going to have to look up the others cuz it's been since 2001 that Bob's been in bronze.

Only one of them is a public installation while all the others are privately owned.

Bob was the first really big piece that I sculpted and it's always been fun to watch people's reactions to him.

Bob got his name years back, when I was donating a paper weight size version of him to a silent auction.
A woman who was working at the auction and filling out the paper work asked me all these questions, and when she got to the "title" part and asked me the name, I just said, "uhh I dunno, The Frog?"
Mind you, this was the first fine art show I had ever done and hadn't even figured out names for any of my pieces.

She said, "No no no, that won't do. We'll come back to the title after we get all your other information..."

By the time we got back to the "title" part, I was feeling all nervous and pressured and just blurted out "Bob"?!?

She said, "perfect"
and that's what stuck...

I know, I know, you're probably telling yourself, he must be some kind of deep thinker...

Seriously though, sometimes coming up with the right name for a piece is one of the hardest things for me to do....I try to make it add to the story of the piece whenever possible...

okay, I gotta get back to work.
New postings to follow soon.
Thanks again for all of your support!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand my fingers hurt.... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/21675167/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/21675167/ Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:22:47 PST I tried it when Fish Rider got a DD but gave up cuz it was too overwhelming.
I was too new when Go Fish got a DD so I didn't even realize I should reply to everyone.

I tried to check out every one's gallery that faved or commented so that was quite a chore as well...
Please check out

He's got some really fun work but not a lot of views and comments.

Also please check out

His latest submission is a contest for his upcoming wedding...
You can vote for them and help their cause.
Andreas is a great guy and his future wife has to be a great person as well....
Show dem yer love!

Thanks again to all of you who have added me to your faves, friends, watch etc...
Your support has been so much appreciated!
It really has helped me to push myself to be better and better....
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand A DAILY DEVIATION!!!???? http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/21609869/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/21609869/ Sat, 22 Nov 2008 07:48:12 PST Message count high....
message count REALLY high..."uh ohhhh"
Mantis and Friends got a DD!!!

Thanks goes to

for the suggestion and to

for the feature.
The message that went with the suggestion was very flattering and so much appreciated.

Now I gotta finish my coffee, limber up my digits and try to answer all those messages, and faves etc.

I didn't need to do that yard work any way. This is much better...hee hee hee

Again, thanks to all of you who have been so supportive of my work since I've joined DA.
I've made some great friends and learned so much from the wonderful talents here.

Have an awesome weekend!
Take care,
Randy

]]> *handyrand I've fallen and I can't ge... http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/21561264/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/21561264/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:56:26 PST
Have any of you had any strange experiences with other Deviant Art members since you've joined?

They can be funny, creepy, annoying, whatever you want...

The names can be changed to protect the innocent.
Or kept, to incriminate the guilty...heh heh heh...

A while back, my good friend

and I were sharing experiences and I thought I'd see if any of you had something similar or more interesting.

Again, thanks to everyone for all your kindness and support since I've joined DA!

Take care,
Randy

Ps. I meant to say that the stories you share can be cool and good experiences as well.

Pss. Watched WALL-E last night and will probably watch it again and again and again and again....

]]> *handyrand Art stuff and what nots http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/21497463/ http://handyrand.deviantart.com/journal/21497463/ Sat, 15 Nov 2008 08:24:47 PST
A few years back I submitted an entry to the Loveland Sculpture Show's Sculpture for public placement program.

Every year, if the budget allows, they try to purchase a sculpture to be placed in the City of Loveland, CO.

This particular year I found out that the giant version of Escargot I submitted, while extremely popular with the committee members, was priced too high for the budget.
You only have a one time chance to submit, no matter what, so if it's out of the budget range, there's no adjusting the price to make it work...

The head of the committee suggested that I submit it next year at my lowest possible price that I could afford, and it would probably stand a very good chance of being chosen.

So the following year, I submitted the same piece but something had changed. I was chosen to be on the committee that chose the sculptures for placement.

I immediately called the head of the committee and voiced my concern over how it would look if my piece was up for placement and I was on the committee. I told her I didn't feel right and asked if I should withdraw my submission for that year.

She assured me that there are committee members who have gotten their pieces chosen in the past. If during the voting process the count is too close, and my vote would be a conflict of interest, THEN I would be asked to step down from the committee.

I figured if the president can vote for himself, so could I..okay, not the same thing...
Anyways, during the election process, my snail kept getting a unanimous vote.

Sure enough it got selected and I was overjoyed.
The profit was so minimal I was barely able to cover expenses, but I was happy to have a publicly placed work.

The very next day I was giving a friend a tour through Art Castings of Colorado, and one of the workers there (who was there when I started and still there a few years after I quit)...he started yelling about how unethical it was to be on the committee and have a piece chosen at the same time...He said maybe he should join the committee so that HE could get a piece chosen...

I told him that I know how it looks, and I would feel the same way.

It really threw me off and I wasn't prepared for that...I tried to explain how it all went down, but realized he was just jealous and there was no talking to him.

I thought to myself (pissed and bewildered) that it was normal since this guy always seemed to be jealous of anyone else's success.

Then, I find out that a (so called) close friend was talking about me behind my back as well.
Then another and another and another...

I was so hurt and angry, but tried to explain to everyone how the whole process went down...

The first person, who I had shared a studio with at one time, and who I thought was a close friend,was my first "target"

I told them how shitty it was to talk to other people about me, rather than talk to me about it first. He apologized up and down, and tried to back paddle, but the damage had been done.

I attempted to patch things up with several people, but realized that people who only wanted to "assume" the worst in me, were going to do just that.

It was actually a blessing in disguise, because it really weeded out the people that did or didn't matter in my life.

So many people don't realize that it's not a "competition" if you are creating something you really love and is truly unique. It should never be viewed as a competition.

There is a piece of pie for everyone and if you treat the art world like that, it makes it so much more fun to create.

Those with jealousy and negative energy, don't seem to make it too far, but the people who are happy for others success and are willing to share thoughts and ideas with others are taken care of in a positive way.

Sorry for the rant, but I was just reflecting on the journey I've been on so far and am looking forward to the journey ahead.

Thanks again to all of you who have supported me with your comments of support and enthusiasm towards my work.
I have tried to return the favor as much as I can humanly do.
It has been such a wonderful experience to be part of the Deviant Art community.
It has helped me to really push my skills as an artist and I've made some great friends along the way....
Take care,
Randy

Ps. I just hit 20,000 pageviews! Wooohooooo!
thanks for that as well!

]]> *handyrand