Website redone....

If you haven't checked out my site lately you should take a spin. i am in the process of reinventing myself as it has come to my attention that some may not be fans of DZ Artworks. Dann is helping me with a possible name change and logo alterations....til then the dzartworks site will be a little better at navigating. i have also tried to import some flash slide show stuff using an event i covered in November, The Over the Top Comp at the Delaware Rock Gym. i appreciate all criticism so please if you catch something or have a suggestion feel free to send it to me. i am hoping my second time around i will have this part of the business down.

An order from Mock Rocks Climbing Holds!

I have been shaping climbing holds for a company in the UK called Mock Rocks. The main guy, Ben, ran across my website one day searching for a good quality foam to make prototype holds. He contacted me and asked if i would design climbing holds for his company. I used to shape holds out of floral foam...a good start but the texture is not ideal when cast in polyurethane as Ben found out with my first batch. I was directed toward a business that sells foam for use in the taxidermy business and found the results much better. I finished with the latest set of 30 holds right over New Years since I had some spare time in between demolition of the basement.

Here are some samples of the work...don't recommend trying this at home unless you have good eye and lung protection...

I have also implemented a cool way to show the scale of the holds...overlay a ghost of my hand...won't take credit...saw it on another rock climbing holds site...sorry to that site as i would give credit but i forgot which one it was.

set of 10 out of 30...very detail oriented

here are the rest...too big to take one photo...hence the patchwork

Most all of them have a jug hold slot...just hidden a little but they also have a pinchy or slopey side if flipped over, making them all very versatile holds.

So the full process is:

1. Carving a prototype...my job for now

2. Making a mold (box up holds and pouring a mold material (silicone) over to create a negative)...hopefully will get to do soon on my own

3. Casting into resin form (dig out that foam...clean mold and pour!)...want to complete this process on my own to start making holds for The Delaware Rock Gym where i then get to set a route or problem using my holds......thus getting to be the ultimate rock climbing artist (of course i didn't get to build the walls....hmmmm.....)

More of the Finer stuff...

Christmas came quickly this year for everyone. I always have high aspirations for all the cool drawings or paintings i am going to make for everyone. This year i again fell short of my goals but had a huge excuse.....Dann and i bought a house. As result of this monumental time in our lives Dann has started a blog spot to document the joys of being a first time home owner(can you sense the tongue and cheek-well i know all the hard work will be worth it in the end but its just being so far from the end that is hard). If you haven't checked out his blog then you should now because you don't want to get behind on his posts. go to www.162laurelbridgeroad.blogspot.com

As for the Christmas gifts...only got two finished...

USS Mariano G. Vallejo
soft pastels on pastel paper
9"X12"
Based on a print Dad V. kept of the sub he was stationed on while in the Navy

Aimee loving "Sister Put Your Shoes On" in the Gunks
climbing chalk and black spray paint on canvas
18"X24"
Based on a photograph I took while having a glorious day in the woods at Peter's Kill in NY.

I am still working on a few more...very late Christmas for some...so sorry....

Trip to the Lone Star State December 12-18th

Dustin and Noah

Dann and I planned a trip that was way too short to visit family during the holidays this year. My Mom who is now living and working around the city of Austin, Texas and my brother, Dustin and his family who came from Guam, gathered at the Kettler house to celebrate Christmas. We had some fun playing music on Uncle Greg's equipment (Noah likes the drums best) and also rocking out on Guitar Hero for the X-Box.

My favorite pic!

Noah was unaware of Uncle Dann clownin' around

look at the concentration...after long he was giving me pointers on how to hit the notes!

Sunday afternoon we all headed down to Lago Vista right off Lake Travis to check out our Mom's new work space at Brizo's Bar & Grill located on The Island on Lake Travis. We had some downtime waiting to get the key to the restaurant so Noah and I goofed around...well he goofed around and I took photos.

i detect a little bit of Sam Horvath in this one?

After lunch we finally got to go into the restaurant and Mom, Dann and I did a photo shoot to get some promo pics for Brizo's.

This is an abstract view of the dining area of Brizo's through a glass window with a plant texture embedded inside.

An arrangement of fine wines offered at Brizo's
Silver Oak Cellars

View of Lake Travis from the Brizo's Bar area and enjoy with a generous glass of Silver Oak

Mom playing the bar tender

relax on the balcony overlooking Lake Travis with a pint of Boddington's Pub Ale

Monday during the day Dann, Dustin, Billy and Noah headed over to the Austin Rock Gym, North to get some exercise. Noah was awesome on top rope and was able to complete all 5 rope stations without hesitation. He is going to be a rock climbing pro someday. Billy did a nice job photographing in such a poorly lit gym. Thanks Billy for the capturing the memories!!

the infamous skeleton head that took some abuse from Noah

We headed out Monday night for awesome sushi. I was full pretty quickly so Noah and I had some fun with the camera and a half glass of beer/water...


We then headed to Cork & Co., a wine bar in downtown Austin, where my Uncle Greg (Rockin G Productions) was playing a gig. Noah, just 6 years old, sang along to some of the classic music of the '60s,'70s, and '80s.

Also snapped some promo shots for Cork&Co.

While on our visit my Mom was able to buy a new house. We went for a tour and it seemed to be just perfect for her. She now lives in Lago Vista...just minutes away from Brizo's where she is the General Manager.

In front of the entrance to her new house

Noah playin' around the Cedar trees

waiting for lunch...

It was a really quick trip but we hope in 2009 we will be able to come down and visit more often.
Maybe this will be our year to visit Guam!!