“You know where you are? You’re in the jungle, baby! You’re gonna die…” -W. Axl Rose I’ll admit, based on the online community’s chatter on Brazilian travel, I had reservations about going there. Reading about the high crime rate, particularly in Rio de Janeiro, along with statements like “always keep a few reais in your pocket for…
In route to the Marmomacc stone fair, we once again planned a few “extra” adventures before conducting our business in northern Italy. Starting in Bari, we made our way off the beaten path to the ancient city of Matera, one of the longest continually inhabited cities on the planet. The oldest parts of this Basilicata…
I had the pleasure of recently collaborating with an old childhood acquaintance and artist extraordinaire Vincent DeFelice. Vince is well known for his magnificent bronze work throughout the city, and in collections throughout the country. One of his works is displayed in none other than the Papal apartment in the Vatican. Aside from the Pope…
You don’t need to see his identification. These aren’t the sheep you’re looking for. Move along, move along… Ireland doesn’t reveal it’s stone history easily. It takes some effort and a little luck to experience the fantastic beauty of this island’s geologic treasures. Our travels began in Dublin to a rocky start (no pun intended)…
Recently, I have been preoccupied with the design of my new major sculpture, one that I figure will take about a year to complete. In doing so, I passed on submitting a piece to the last Northwest Museum of Art and Culture event, and was planning on bowing out of the Spokane Valley Art Council’s annual fundraiser this May…
One of consumers main concerns regarding granite countertops is that they must be sealed. Competing solid surface products enjoy pointing this fact out, to instill fear into the prospective customer. Score one for the competitors because, yes, granite should be sealed. But to discredit it out of fear? I think they are insulting the intelligence…
Stupas, monks and dogs… The first thing you notice when visiting Myanmar, besides hearing the delightful “Mingalaba” out of everyones mouth, is the unbelievable amount of golden stupas and pagodas dotting the countryside. Thousands of them. I’ve never seen so much gold since Mike Myers starred in Goldmember. “I love gooold…” Running a close second for…
Our introduction to Cambodia is by way of a tuk tuk, the regions preferred method of transport. The heat is almost unbearable, even though this is the cool season in Southeast Asia. I can’t begin to imagine what the hot season is like. The poverty of the country reveals itself immediately as we drive through the dusty…
“Our first stop is in Bogotá…” Actually, our first stop isn’t Bogotá at all, and we won’t be “checking” any Colombian fields either (as suggested by Neil Peart’s drug fueled lyrics from the classic Rush song that I blatantly stole for this blogs title). We are not exactly “drug free” however, as our bodies are…
Just in time for the holidays, the stone I purchased in Italy this September is beginning to trickle in. Our staff waits in curious anticipation, as the first bundles of slabs emerge from the shipping container. Most of the time we play it safe, importing only proven, marketable colors. This container however, is what I…