Biker Art, Biker Parties July – Ride To Work Day

This is prime riding weather here in the Northeast, which is why you don’t see much being written.  We’re busy outside! 

Among the many runs, multi-day activities, swap meets and other fun biker events during the Summer, there is one standout event that deserves becoming a long-standing tradition each year:  The 17^th Annual Ride To Work Day.  Let me tell you about it, and see if you may also want to give it a try if you haven’t already.

The Ride to Work Day is on July 16^th this year, being the third Wednesday in July annually.  The Ride to Work Day is now internationally recognized by at least a dozen countries including America, but had its origins back in the late 80’s and very early 90’s right here in the USA, inspired by an idea from Aero Design and Manufacturing Co, then later more formally proposed in Road Rider Magazine in 1992.

What’s the idea?  Ride to work and carry a passenger on the back while you’re at it, showing that riders come just as much from the average workforce as they do from anywhere else; so yes, a good percentage of riders do hold down daily jobs and have families too.  What is also demonstrated is the importance motorcycles can have in offsetting travel time, gas pricing, and even some traffic and parking space if you think about it.

www.ridetowork.org is the website of the 501 c4 nonprofit organization, organized by Andy Goldfine, Lynn Wisneski, and Christine Holt at present.

As for other countries, I’ve heard that in the UK, barbeques and charity events are being encouraged throughout an entire motorcycle-featured week, with the Ride To Work Day being the “star” event of the week. 

Consider giving it a try, and if you do, on the way home why not work up a barbecue or a meet at your favorite local spot for all the working riders you know who are joining in on it?  Could turn into a fantastic end of the day, even if it is a workday.

For Biker Art
My best to you,

HWD

Ink on Skin, Am-Jam Style

We decided to do the Am-Jam Tattoo Expo 2008 in Syracuse, New York and had an amazing time of it. At the Biker Parties booth, in the middle of the competition action, the official, new Am-Jam Tattoo Show Cam was on and streaming for all the competitions and shows throughout the weekend courtesy of Biker Parties. Hawkwing Designs was set up right there, too. I brought the hand-poured black leather scented LuminesScents candles for that one.

Okay, so here’s how it was for me. The Am-Jam Tattoo Show web Cam had a live chat going on in addition to the cam, in which people could send their well wishes and messages to entrants in the competitions as they watched, as well as talking with staff. And yes I did step in front of the cam a couple of times to say hi to some friends who were looking in from various states, but never during any of the judging, shows or other activities. It was Mardi Gras time over in New Orleans right through the weekend (in fact, until Tuesday in February), of course, so we put on some rarer old New Orleans blues tunes, including some Mardi Gras ones, to be heard by cam viewers on the web and our friends on New Orleans as well as the people waiting between competitions in the room. Those old blues came straight from my personal collection. I kept forgetting that the mic was always on, though. Damn. I’m sure there were a few conversations that people listening in from the web didn’t need to hear, but who cares about how much sleep I got the night before or what I craved for a snack at the moment anyway, eh?

Lizardman was there doing his great shows for the crowd. He brought his own trademark finesse to some fine magical traditions within some of his shows . I really liked that, being a long-time afficionado of magic, bizarre magic, and old-time magicians.

The tattoos being judged this year were truly fantastic. Symbolism, realism, subtleties of personalized meaning packed into tight boundaries, surrealism, tribal art, portraiture, botanical art, nature art, pin up art, and vintage tattoo imagery, oh it was all there. The judges have their own rigorous criteria by which they decide the winning tattoos and flash art. I was impressed with their thoughtful and thorough judgments.

Tattoo artists were plentiful at this convention, enough to fill several rooms when setting up shop. Artists and attendees came from all over the place. Tattoos were going on non-stop, I’d say.

They had live music in the bar, a hotel restaurant for meals there at the hotel, and a food booth was also set up.

It’s always interesting to see that many artists side by side at an event, and how their styles differ so wildly. When time allowed, I strolled through just taking it all in.

It was a completely fun and enjoyable weekend show.

We’ll be doing it again next January, I’m fairly sure.

My best to you,

HWD

Biker Parties with Holiday Heart

It’s an early Winter here in the Northeastern U.S., and the bikes are safely stored away. Ice on the driveways, snow about to happen again, we’re calling it the end of riding season at our house. But that doesn’t mean the fun and parties end, not a chance.

If you take a look at a calendar like the Biker Parties Calendar, you’ll see that in various parts of America, the parties and runs continue into Winter, and the nice thing about them is that aside from the usual club Holiday parties, many are charitable runs and events, well worth the donated amount to join in on the fun.

Let it be stated for the record right now that American bikers aren’t as recognized as they deserve for their kind and generous hearts! How many times have I seen a benefit organized for a real worthy cause, done for no other reason than to help a specialized hospital research or some children very down on their luck and health? All throughout the year.

No time hits harder for those having physical, mental or spiritual misfortune than the Winter Holidays. It’s a welcome sight to see those charitable runs and parties, all of them.

So, enjoy all the beautiful festivities, make a party of Winter itself, and I know you’ll be setting a little time and energy aside like we all do for just that little bit of grassroots good you can bring on.

And thank you, every one of you, who participates on any level in the kind of charity events that don’t always receive the gratitude and attention that other, more traditional and corporate benefit functions may get. The people who matter most do appreciate you.

That’s all I have to say about this Holiday Season, other than:
Let it snow!

My best to you,

HWD
Hawkwing Designs

Gifts That Work

The riding season is about done, we’re due to get our first frost here in the Northeastern US, and I’m already hunting around for those “just right” Holiday gifts for those dearest to me. It’s never an easy find.

It’s always good in my opinion to find a great fit of a gift for each person, one that works at a personal level. I’m also fond of giving gifts of jewelry, nothing too outrageously expensive, but one of a kind items that will actually be worn. Last year, I found a hummingbird necklace, star fused glass earrings and a semiprecious stone bracelet for my sisters, a pendant for my Mom, another semi-precious stone bracelet, and a giant chunk of silver as pendant in a fantasy theme for another gift. Those are in addition to whatever else I come up with at the Holidays for all the other relatives and friends, and of course my original artwork on a limited edition signed card as the finishing touch.

I’ve certainly received some beautiful gifts of jewelry, too, and tend to wear only what is given as a gift to me as far as jewelry goes. I go real light on the jewelry wearing when out on a ride. Some of my faves are garnets, emeralds, platinum (okay, nobody’s given me platinum yet, but I do like it), silver, 14k gold, leather, diamonds, amethyst, and fused glass in a realism style (because I think creating something recognizable in fused glass, while retaining detail and beauty, is just tougher and more appealing than abstract work).

One thing I’ve noticed is that some of my friends have an odd sensitivity to certain pieces of jewelry with rashes, irritations and such. I don’t have that problem, but then I also don’t wear much jewelry really. But they suffer. And complain.

This year, I also found a different kind of possible gift to include with any jewelry I give them, a small bottled solution of herbal and simple antibacterial and coating ingredients that get rid of any rash happening from jewelry. JewelRX at www.jewelrx.com is the company and product name. According to one friend of mine, it works great, so for those friends who I know have trouble with jewelry irritations, I’m just going to wrap it pretty and send it along with my other gifts to them, then wait for the feedback. I think they’ll like it a lot.

So, on to more shopping for me. This year, I want to find some really amazing gifts. It’s never easy, but since I’m a hardcore shopper, it’s fun for me.

My best to you,

HWD

Born2Ride Motorcycle Show at the Auto Museum

The Saratoga Automobile Museum in Saratoga Springs is currently presenting an exhibit called Born 2 Ride, America on Two Wheels, at 110 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, New York, through July 22, 2007.

We went to this one since we happened to be in the Saratoga Springs area, and enjoyed seeing the collection of historical motorcycles and the story behind each. This does cost money to attend, but bring your camera and take a few photos. I wish I’d brought my own camera, but all I had was a cell phone cam, so my photos here are all phone cam ones, this time around.

Which ones are a must see? A few examples:

-You might enjoy the Vincent

-The 500cc Harley Davidson factory speedway motorcycle of Joe Petrali

-Model 741 Indian WWII U.S. military model is another eye catcher, once owned by Steve McQueen

 

 

 

 

 

-Most would smile when seeing the exact replicas of the Captain America bike and Billy Bike

-Love custom? Check out Von Dutch’s 1958 Triumph Thunderbird

-One of Dot Robinson’s infamously pink Harley Davidson motorcycles, and the one in this exhibit was her last one. Dot Robinson, for those who don’t already know, co-founded the Motor Maids in 1941. And if you don’t know who the Motor Maids are, well, you might want to learn more about them.

-The wheelie Honda of Doug Domokos is displayed in, of course, a motionless wheelie position

-A Harley Davidson-powered streamliner on display in which Cal Rayborn set a 265 mph land-speed record at the Bonneville salt flats

-The little tale of Effie Hotchkiss is a romantic and humorous one, accompanied by a 1918 Harley Davidson with sidecar to illustrate, though hers would have been a 1915 gray one with wider sidecar to accommodate luggage and her mother, who she brought with her on the first cross country ride made by a woman. Love that story, and even the way the story ends with her on her bike in San Francisco literally running into the man who would later propose to and marry her. What a sweet ending! I can only imagine how grueling but adventurous that cross country ride in the very early 1900’s was for Effie and her mom.

There were more on display, each equally interesting, but why not just choose a nice day, hop on the bike, and go see for yourself. Don’t forget to take a quick glance around the cars on exhibit too. I personally loved the 1931 Pierce-Arrow Dual Cowl Phaeton.

It’s my opinion that when more people support these kinds of motorcycle-related exhibits and events, the events will just get better and be available more often.

Just to note, I bought a small gift there in the museum shop before we left — a little wind-up toy motorcycle as part of a birthday gift. I don’t know anyone who’s too old for a toy like that.

My best to you,

HWD
of Hawkwing Designs

Black Leather Scented Candles

Even though I now have about a half dozen art projects lined up, with one on the backburner for later this summer, I’ve recently partnered up with a candlemaker friend and now offer some hand-poured black leather scented candles of hers that I’ve personally loved and used for several years now.  So sensual and dark.  We’ve decided to offer them in black or brown in varieties of pillars, votives and specials.

These have already proven to be a repeated delight to the motorcycling crowds where we can sometimes be found, as well as the goth/alternative people who’ve found the site.  Whoever you may be or whatever you may enjoy, I’m actually proud of taking on this product, one of only a small handful that I’d ever consider spending my time and efforts on.

 Enjoy!

LuminesScents Candles

  

Riding Season!

My best to you at the start of this riding season here in the Northeast,

HWD

Bikers and Tulips

You’d be surprised how many motorcyclists go to the Tulip Festival in Albany. Wouldn’t think it, would you? Bikers and tulips.

But consider:

1. You can relax in a centralized park, with a lush, colorful array of traditional Albany spring flowers.

2. There’s always a great selection of food vendors, including our favorite, the Greek food spots.

3. Live bands, various styles. Old time rock n roll from Joan Jett this year, too, a name I haven’t seen in a while. And sometimes, rock n roll is just right on a sunny afternoon.

4. Vendors of handcrafted items, and vendors of fine art We found a Mother’s Day gift there, very cool. We even found Mother’s Day cards. I’m all for local artists and crafters showcasing their works as often as possible.

The downside to it:

Parking, even for bikes, was a nightmare of blocked off areas. Those responsible for organizing the parking completely inconvenienced drivers and bikers who don’t live in the immediate park area. So like the rest, we wasted high-priced gas for about an hour before squeezing into an iffy parking spot. We can only hope they’ll have a little more heart for the many who come in from outside of their immediate area next year.

So there you have my view of an unlikely biker-friendly event, the Albany Tulip Festival.

Next up will be the one and only Am-Jam for 2007, Memorial Day weekend. I’ll be writing more about that later.

My best to you,

HWD

Biker Parties – April 2007

April is a month of warmer weather, the fresh Spring season, and maybe the first rides of the new year. Yes, some like to ride through Winter, even here in the Northeast, but for a lot of us, it’s April that begins the riding season.

Over at Biker Parties, the calendar is filled this month. And I’m guessing it’s not even half of what’s happening around the USA for bikers. Want to take a look? Here’s where:

Biker Parties Calendar

A couple of events that catch my eye are:

The Seventh Annual Emerald Coast Bikefest
April 27 – 29, 2007
Holt, FL

A 3-day rally, plenty to do, looks like great fun! Just take note it is now a ‘no colors’ event.
This rally has lots of races, a variety of games, vendors, live bands, swap meet, a good choice of activities for a weekend, enjoy!

Roamers April Fun Run
April 29, 2007
Starting at Spitzies
Albany, NY

The April Fun Run will be filled with great food, fun and games, to benefit 6-year old Benjamin Stowell, and is brought to you by one of the oldest AMA chartered clubs in the Northeast, now celebrating their 61st anniversary as a club.

Don’t miss this one if you’re in the Northeast.

If you’re looking for more fun things to do this month, go check out Biker Parties:

BikerParties.com

For April, I leave you with the following quote: “When a band came down the street on a clear sunny day in spring, my mind was filled with festivity, spring light; music became quivering joy, music painted the colors.“

To me this is funny coming from Edvard Munch, the artist best known for ‘The Scream’ painting he created, unless maybe we’re all misinterpreting, and it’s secretly a scream of overwhelming joy?

Still, I can’t wait for the live bands, the long days, the warmer fun, outdoor sketching, and the riding this Season brings.

My best to you,

HWD

Artist’s Inspiration – Bringing It Back!

What brings inspiration back when it’s missing?

Artists ask this of each other every so often when work slams to a halt. So if you don’t mind, let me talk about it a little from my own perspective.

The source of inspiration is different for everyone. But to me it’s more a matter of enthusiasm rather than inspiration when work slows to a standstill. Enthusiasm is what brings the drive to understand enough of the elements to create the whole work and add a magic bit of life in your own style to the finished work with the talent only you own. You do know that you own your talent, right? Thing is, you’ll never in a lifetime’s worth of work know the farthest limits of it. So maybe it’s enthusiasm rather than inspiration that’s missing for you.

So you’re experiencing an uninspired, self-inflicted tsunami of over-analysis big enough to drown your enthusiasm and now you’re tempted to turn your unique talent into a mystery specimen to be dissected? Why not drag that specimen right back off the table, stop being so scalpel-happy, and instead set your mind on the hunt for an art project very dear to you. Choose a subject, a scenario, a happening you’ve always wanted to capture visually but doubted you had it in you to accomplish. At this point you have nothing to lose by diving in and exploring all the things that mean something important to you.

Where would the inspiration come from, then? Well, it’d have to be something that personally hits you with a powerful emotion or reaction. Think of all the sweetest or most bizarre things in life that you and only you have experienced. Did it make you almost pee your pants laughing? Did it make you freeze in wonder at the sadness of it? Did it constrict the breath from your lungs in excitement? Start there. Plan it out, figure out just what you want to say in each part of the work, research the mundane details, sketch the prelim images, paint it out, sculpt it out, in the way you know best. Make it your finest, most important work of the moment. Take your time, work on less important art in between. Make it a signature moment only you can bring back to life in your own style to the amazement of anyone viewing.

That’s just my thought on enthusiasm vs. inspiration, when you feel it all lag like that, particularly after you’ve picked your talent apart trying to gain insight on something that doesn’t always need a scalpel approach to understand.

And that barrier you might fear? The one that you think keeps you from going further in your talent?

No, it’s not a barrier. I know the thing you mean. It’s a plateau, and artists are not the only ones in a creative field who reach a certain plateau and get stumped for a little while about it. All it means is that you have to pay your dues a little more, put in a bigger effort, and bust your butt to climb up past it to the next level. A plateau doesn’t warrant any pouts, gloom and doom, tears, or self-destructive acts to move to the next creative level on your part.

Just to mention, when you’ve done that particular work of art, the important one, please, I’d love to see it! I know it’ll kick some serious butt. And after that success, nothing will stop you from finding another equally incredible moment to capture as your own. There are so many of those moments in life and in imagination, you’ll have a tough time running out of inspiration, or should I say enthusiasm, ever again.

My best to you,

HWD