August 31, 2014

Today was busy day of many simple tasks. I cut up an assortment of colored papers into squares, which I then folded in half and stapled onto a string, to make a banner. Pat wants it for a decoration for her presentation.

I made a series of roses from gold foil, and a series of bows that were glued onto a wedding cake hat.

We successfully completed the Needle in a Haystack hat, which was mostly done with my efforts. It was challenging to get the hay to stick, but I think my technique was somewhat improved on my second attempt, today. I also benefited from a new, more heavy duty bottle of Elmer's glue. It was helpful because the spout was wider and allows for more glue dispensing while still being under control. Unfortunately, I seem to have permanently affixed several strands of hay to my pants.

To top the day off, I spent the last hour or so ironing the nylon banner. It seems that Pat is well prepared for her presentation & to install her work in the gallery. Tomorrow, we will be doing the install, and she says that it shouldn't take too long, so maybe we will both have the afternoon off to enjoy Labor Day.

I will put pictures up of some of the hats soon!

August 30, 2014

Before going over to the church, I stopped by Stop n Shop to pick up small brown paper bags, as requested for Pat. She has been going through a variety of largely paper based materials for construction of her hats.

My work today was primarily folding roses out of shiny red foil, and construction of a "Needle in a Haystack" hat. I made a series of long, skinny, isosceles-triangle type pieces of paper. I fixed the narrow ends all together to form a circle, and then the sides of the triangles met up to create a curved form. I had to glue hay down to the paper, to give it the look of being a haystack. It was tricky to get the hay to stick, and I'm going to have to do more work on it tomorrow. So far, I've used three bottle of Elmer's Glue on it. I managed to glue lots of straw to myself in the process.

We also made a run to the local True Value to get spray paint. We realized that they have free popcorn there, and so we like the store a lot more now.

While we worked, Pat explained the construction of her hats, and tips such as making overlap on the primary support band, so it can be torn open and expanded if necessary, to accommodate larger heads; or to use a perpendicular band to the primary band, so that if the hat is heavy, it will not slide into the wearer's eyes. I'm interested to see how we install the hats into the gallery. I will be assisting with that on Monday.

August 28, 2014

Today I came in for the first time since the soap box derby. The space looked very different because there was a variety of new materials spread out all over. She seemed happy to see me, and asked how classes were going before she showed me what she's been doing. She has made an assortment of hats, which she is making for WSW members to wear to the Mohonk Gala, and also to be displayed in the WSW gallery. She has been fairly busy with that, trying to make 30 of them by Sunday.

I folded up paper for her to use in her hats, and then I ran some errands for her. After, I ironed part a series of nylon flags which she is planning on displaying. I also drove her to the lake so she could go swimming.

While we were working, I asked her about her typical work flow and she explained how she normally works from project to project (she likes to call them "gigs"), how she initially made money by renting out her inflatables for parties and events, but now that she's more established, people often approach her with projects. It was interesting to hear her perspective and advice.

Pat's presentation

Put together a flyer for the WSW. Pat is having a presentation and we're hoping to
get some involvement and interest from on campus. Unfortunately, it's during my
class, so I know that myself and the sculpture group mostly won't be able to go.

Kingston Artist Soap Box Derby- other entries

Kingston Artist Soap Box Derby- August 24, 2014

We arrived very early and had plenty of time
to primp our friend here: zip tie his arm to the
cart, position his donation (which is watered
down paint) properly, adjust his shoes (one of
which fell off on the hill!)

Our vehicle is licensed and registered

Close up on one of the bridesmaid's faces: they are made of foam
that has been glued, sewn, and cut, over wooden dowels that are
inserted into a PVC pipe framework; their hair is of paper that has
been curled and layered; their bodies are also foam, with some
toile to give their bosoms extra umph

The lovely ladies!

In action!

Going down the aisle!

Attempting to steer the shopping cart

August 23, 2014

Another day of hard work. I did a lot of hot glue-ing foam together. I have the burns on my fingers to show for it. It is making it difficult to type.

I also put a beautiful coat of old paint on the wooden platform for the shopping cart. Additionally, we have attached a license plate for it. Woody added extra breaking mechanisms and I rewarded him with oatmeal cranberry chocolate chip peanut cookies. It was a good exchange.

Pat got her adult scooter in the mail yesterday, after a WSW staff member flagged down the delivery truck.

The man hunt has come to an end because we realized there is no man good enough, and so, we made our own. Undine spearheaded this project, and she did a splendid job. He is quite the man.

We had a lot of ground to cover today, but by the time I left, Pat was putting the finishing touches on everything. Hopefully everything goes according to plan tomorrow! Can't wait to see what happens.

August 22, 2014

Despite getting to bed late, I wasn't dragging as much as I expected to at work today. Or perhaps it put me in a better mental state to do simple, repetitive tasks, of which I had many. I ironed, and then spent most of my time making "bouquets" for the bridesmaids and brides.

One of the volunteers, Undine, came in. She was a huge help and made lots and lots of curled papers for hair. I am quite grateful because I am very bored of that job.

I also spent some time out back with the chickens, trying to get internet on the patio. This is because one of Pat's packages did not arrive. Consequentially, she has nothing to ride for the derby. This means that we need to buy some sort of backup scooter, and so I researched our options. It would seem that the best we can do on such short notice is a child's scooter from Target.

What kind of man doesn't want me to push him
around in this?

The man-hunt has continued in a frustrating manner. I called one of the contacts from the WSW (I texted him yesterday and he never responded). Turns out that he's busy, and told someone who wasn't myself or Pat, so we never got the word! I've asked a few of my own contacts, and Pat called someone who evidently works at a gym and is interested. She's also going to call one of Undine's friends who is interested. It's so difficult to find a good man these days!

The shopping cart is in decent shape, in the sense that we tested it in the WSW parking lot and the breaks work there. We also adjusted the wheels so it doesn't pull a lot to the side. Unfortunately, you really can't steer it. In any case, I think I should bake cookies tonight to thank Woody, who rigged up the breaks for us. He has been super helpful and deserves acknowledgement.

August 21, 2014

Today was a very full day. We have a lot to get done by this Sunday, and not a huge amount of time!
I spent the morning cutting up foam bits for a wig for my costume, and then I spent some time cutting and curling paper for the bridesmaids' hair. These tasks kept me busy well into the day. I also helped with the construction of foam arms for the bridesmaids and brides.

We also had a couple of meetings, which went well.

The hunt for a man continues. The waiter from yesterday has not responded to my text, and neither has the second contact from the WSW. We are considering omitting the male entirely, and using instead a sign that reads "LOOKING FOR A MAN," allowing an element of audience participation into the piece. I wonder if any brave souls will accept the challenge. It doesn't seem particularly inviting, between my ridiculous costume and the illegitimate nature of the shopping cart contraption.

August 20, 2014

Sneak peak for this Sunday!

My friend Ashley is visiting, so I had yesterday off, and got to come in late today. I came in around 2:40, and I got to try on my costume right away. I will apparently also be using a grey foam wig to complete the look.

We went on an errand run to Kingston, and stopped in town to look over the street that the soap box derby will be on. We ran into someone who was working on his car, and were able to get some insider's information on the race.

Once we got back, we looked in at the shopping cart. Woody, a man who works for the WSW, has been working on it. He has outfitted it with a platform that I will stand on, and functional breaks. This seems to me like a far better, safer plan than the original idea of me being on roller skates & pushing a shopping cart.

However well the shopping cart is going, we still are questing for a male to put into the shopping cart. Pat gave me contact information for a fellow named Sam, so I gave him a call, only to find out that he cannot actually make the derby. Then I had to send him an apology text. I'm waiting to hear back to confirm that he cannot participate. In the meantime, Ruth is waiting to hear back about another young lad who might be suitable.

I went to pick up Ashley from a cafe in Rosendale, because she went to explore while I was running errands with Pat, and I jokingly mentioned the search for a male to her. Consequentially, we decided that her waiter looked like a good choice, and so I ended up getting his number. Now I am waiting to see if we hear back from the other contacts, or if I should go ahead and see if Harry the waiter is serious about participating. The adventure continues!

Kingston Artist's Soap Box Derby: Sunday, August 24, 1:0pm

"Pat Oleszko, artist in residence working on a Rail Trail project, is already going down-hell with an entry in the Kingston Artist's Soap Box Derby, Sunday, August 24 from 1:00. Ever in pursuit of Liberty, Frivolity and Notoriety, Oleszko, (pronounced O-Let's-Go) is a seasoned veteran of many such calamitous affairs with the bruised ribs to prove it. This time she is walk ‘n rolling with Brides’ Heads Revisited: Jest Merried poor-traying a phalanx of 9 fabulous females that premise the wedding party on wheels including Dee Flowered Girl, 7 Maids Not Milking, and two Gay Pride Brides. Her long-suffering assistant Rachel Nolte follows as Auntie Maim pushing Able-bodied Semen Justin Case and dragging a basinet. Come and be Pa’t of the Grande Event, throw rice and good witches."

August 18, 2014

Today, I thought I would be clever and try driving an alternative route to the church, instead of going to the WSW and then driving over from there. I figured I could avoid the construction on Binnewater. Much to my dismay, I realized the construction had moved down the road, meaning that I still had to drive through it. It wasn't anything terribly inconvenient, just annoying after making a point to avoid it. Then, when I got to the church, I realized I was supposed to be picking Pat up from the WSW. Augh.

We went over to Kingston for somewhat unsuccessful errands--P&T Surplus was closed for a surprise vacation, much to our dismay, and the Salvation Army had wedding dresses that were too expensive for Pat's use.

Would you believe that this is only
$27.99 on Ebay? New, free shipping!
We couldn't get it because it would
arrive too late, but it's really some-
thing else!

I was going to search for cheap wedding dresses online, but I realized the internet wasn't working in the church, and I forgot my laptop charger. So I went and used Pat's laptop in her room, where the internet was good, and researched wedding dresses until lunch.

After lunch, we had a meeting to plan Pat's schedule with the staff at WSW. They have undertaken the quest for a suitable male to participate in our soapbox "car." After the meeting, I showed Pat the fruits of my online labors. She was not thrilled with our choices, but we purchased one. Then, I did so more searching, and finally, we selected the second. I have had enough of wedding dresses to last me for a good while, and I feel that this is probably a good thing.

Of course, it's not a proper day of work if I have not done some ironing, so I ironed out the satin curtains in preparation for the Mother of the Bride Costume. I am taking the day off tomorrow because my friend is visiting, and I hope that by the time I return, the costume will be ready. I am excited to see how it turns out.

August 17, 2014

Soap box derby project in progress

Had a good night's sleep and got to come in a bit later today, so I felt pretty good. Did a lot of ironing. I drove Pat over to the farmer's market, which was a nice break from the monotony of ironing. Pat's plans for the Kingston Artist Soap Box Derby are still somewhat nebulous, but they are solidifying as the days go by. Today she said that she does want me to participate, and that I will be dressed in some sort of garment made from old curtains, as the "mother of the bride". We will also be having a bride, and a groom in a shopping cart, and the whole train of bridesmaids (hence why I'm ironing all the bridesmaid dresses). So we are currently searching for a male to participate--no skills necessary! Hmm....

For today, I still have to do some research into wedding dresses online, because we need 2, and preferably for cheap. I'm not sure whether it will be easier to find them online or at thrift stores. I also need to figure out how I'm going to get rollerblades/rollerskates for the derby (driving home, having them shipped, getting my mom to bring them to me--I love you, mom!)

August 16, 2014

For once, I made it over on time instead of very early. This is because I came in at 9 instead of 10. The extra hour makes a big difference in terms of being awake and fast moving. In any case, I got to work on ironing the collection of rainbow colored bridesmaid dresses (now that we have a functioning iron!) There was some difficulty in finding a good set up for ironing, because A) we don't have a real iron board, B) we thought the extension cords were not working, and C) we realized that, in fact, some of the outlets are no longer working. Once all that got settled, I started cranking on those dresses. Managed to finish all of the royal blues before lunch.

Most of the pictures came out blurry, otherwise
I'd have posted more. Poor lighting in the mine!

After lunch, I ironed more. Then, around 2:30, we left for a performance being held in the Widow Jane Mine. We had some trouble finding it, and drove back and forth, finally having to stop and ask for directions. Fortunately, the performance did not begin until we were setting up our chairs, so we were not too late. Unfortunately, the performance was one that was very slow paced and of a particular style that neither Pat nor I especially cared for. However, it was a good opportunity to view the space and to learn how sound interacts with it. While Pat had early today told me that she has abandoned the mine concept, after seeing it again, she is reconsidering.

When we went to go back to the church studio, we realized that it was literally down the street from the mine. I had mistakenly taken us in a very roundabout route. Oops.

Went for a swim to refresh our creativity, as Pat felt that the performance had stifled hers.

August 15, 2014

This morning was spent searching for useful things (wood, buckets, tools for mixing cement). We searched both barns, and also looked at the "Art Farm," which proved to be an enclosed garden. Once we completed our search, we brought the materials over to the church. Then we ran some errands, and checked out the New Paltz Recycling Center for supplies.

After lunch, we went to P&T Surplus to get bins to use for setting cement bases for sculptures. The original bins that Pat had in mind seemed too big upon second viewing, and so we opted for a few smaller buckets.

Once we returned to the church studio, we went ahead and used the 50lb bag of cement for some experiments. We filled one of the bins part of the way, and planted a long piece of wood brought from the barn earlier. We also filled a pair of cloth shoes and set posts in those as well. We created a very thin slurry of concrete as an experiment to see if it would cling to cloth. It appeared to stick very well to the foam, but less so to the smooth material of the large bow.

Once these experiments were complete, we started planning for the next day and the upcoming week. We agreed that I should start ironing the collection of colorful bridesmaids' dresses, so that they can be used for the soap box derby. When we went to test out the iron, we realized it was broken.

Consequentially, we embarked on a journey to Kingston, where we bought a different type of cement (something designed for masonry veneer), 2 more 50lb bags of concrete, and a collection of PVC piping from Lowe's, and an iron from Target. It was a very long day, and I am excited because tomorrow we are going to a performance at the Widow Jane Mine, but tonight I just want to sleep!

August 14, 2014

Today I came in at 9:30 so I could meet with Ruth, who is coordinating between Pat and myself. I asked her about whether the WSW has any connections with the Snyder Estate and the Widow Jane Mine, and if it is possible for me to get compensation for gas.

As I headed over to meet Pat at the church, I got a call from Linda the librarian. She told me not to come over until 11:30, because it was story-time at the library and I wouldn't have an available table.

Pat informed me that we are going to participate in the Kingston Artist Soap Box Derby, and that I should research it. She also mentioned a Gala at the Mohonk House, for which she intends to make hats. I am quite excited about both of these events. We discussed and planned for a bit; I reviewed all of my correspondences with potential volunteers, and notified her of the meetings I've set up.

I left a bit early for the library, so that I could return the bike gear she had purchased. Unfortunately, the bike store does not give back cash refunds; just store credit. I refrained, not sure whether Pat would prefer to keep her purchases or to have store credit.

At the library, Linda talked to me for about 45 minutes, eagerly pointing out various articles, maps, receipts, and other fascinating relics from the days of Rosendale's thriving cement economy. She was full of interesting information, and I suspect that she is as good of a resource, if not better, than many of the binders she showed me. She told me about how they drained the local canal, once it was out of use, because people were afraid of malaria, and because people could easily drown, especially in one spot known as "Dead Man's Curve." It is apparently by the trestle bridge, and is a tight curve that people often did not see at night, so they would walk into it. Once you fall in, it is hard to get out, because the walls are straight and the water was about 6 feet deep--just enough to make it rather tricky!

I spent the majority of the day doing research. I found some interesting photos, and I kicked myself for forgetting to bring in my camera. I am trying to keep my information organized, but it is difficult because I don't know what I'm going to find. Highlights of today's research include Iron Mountain Incorporated, which apparently uses the abandoned mines to store companies' records, and High Bridge, which was part of a costly and inadequate aqueduct project designed to ship water to NYC.

After I finished at the library, Pat and I went to a property on a lake owned by Anne, the executive director & co-founder of the WSW. We swam across the lake so that Pat could look for a path. While we swam back, I told her about my findings from that day's research.

August 13, 2014

Today I did not have to come in until 11. I again showed up early. Each time I drive to Rosendale, it seems to take a little less time, so even though I am giving myself less time to drive over, it doesn't seem to matter...

I got out my computer and started out by emailing people about volunteering for Pat's project. Then, I discussed my findings from last night. Pat greatly appreciated the names of some of the people involved in the history of natural cement production, such as Canvass White or John Littlejohn. Then, I did research on spray-on cement, because Pat wishes to make scarecrow type figures for the sculpture installation part of her project, and she wants them to appear to be made out of cement or concrete. So she needs something that will stick to fabric, have the appearance of concrete/cement, and be water/weatherproof. I could not find anything that is available at the average hardware store that would be ideal. The closest I could find is some sort of a concrete resurfacer, or to simply water down concrete and spread it over the fabric.

After lunch, we drove over to TrueValue to look at their cement. Then we went to a bike shop, so that Pat could equip her bike with a rack, allowing her greater mobility (she does not have a car). Next, we went to the Salvation Army store in New Paltz, because I knew they have a half-off sale on Wednesdays. After, we went to Lowe's, where Pat asked the employees about concrete, and acquired the phone number for a concrete manufacturer. Finally, we went to the Rosendale Library to see if they had any good resources for cement research. The librarian there, Linda, was tremendously helpful. She pulled out a big stack of binders with newspaper articles, pictures, stories, etc, about the history of Rosendale and cement. We agreed that I should come back there to continue the research the next day, and that I should get a library card in New Paltz, because that would also allow me to check books out from the Rosendale Library.

Once I got home, I successfully got a library card, and then I did more research about Rosendale, cement, and the Widow Jane Mine. Apparently there is a whiskey made using water from the Widow Jane Mine. This website had more information about the actual Widow Jane than I could find anywhere else. I'm not sure that it's very reliable information, but I suppose it counts as some sort of folklore, at least.

August 12, 2014

Today I began my internship with Pat Oleszko. I am to complete 150 hours assisting her with her work while in residency at the Women's Studio Workshop in Rosendale.

I arrived at the WSW fairly early because I was not certain how long it would take to drive over. I waited in the office, until one of the staff members (also named Rachel) told me that Pat was probably over at this church space. She printed out directions for me, and so I drove over. Or I tried to. I ended up driving past the church, so I had to turn around and try again. Finally, I pulled into the church driveway, just to realize that Rachel had called to say that Pat was at the office, and to come back. So, I drove back to the office, but by then Pat had left for the barn. Rachel then had to walk me over to the barn, where I, at last, encountered Pat.

She had just arrived the previous day, so she did not yet have a very clear sense of direction for the project. We moved some things into the church so she could begin to set up her studio in there. Then we met Elizabeth, who is living next door to the church and kindly volunteered her time to show us around the area. She took us on a driving tour of Rosendale, Stoneridge, and Kingston, pointing out many interesting local sites, most of which I was unfamiliar with. I took careful notes for reference. However, I was pleased to contribute one place that Elizabeth was not familiar with--P&T Surplus. Both her and Pat very much liked it, and Pat was able to get some cardboard boxes. We stopped in a few other places, including a grocery store (Adam's), a couple of fabric stores, and a thrift shop. Pat purchased food for herself, clothing, and a few other random items.

Eventually, Elizabeth said her goodbyes, and then I ran a few more errands with Pat. Then she dismissed me for the day, but gave me some things to research, namely the history of the cement industry in Rosendale. This I did once I got home. The topic is proving to be fairly interesting. I had no idea that cement production was such an important thing, and that it was so critical to the area.