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Notes for next year:

1. notepad (cheap spiral; for workshops and Mark’s recipes)
2. tool bin (big plastic container. Walmart?)
3. fix power cord (!)
4. shaving mirror
5. get there earlier; stay over on last day.
6. Yes, the food is that good, but try gaining a little less weight.
7. Start maquette by early Spring; not night before.
8. Calling card
9. WD40 — tools get wet.
10. rain gear
11. no books/magazines
12. box wine
13. ibuprophin
14. fan!

I think it’s going to be a requirement to get a photo of Connie every year:

After a couple-day delay, we were finally treated to Mark’s famous baked french toast. I’ve not eaten this well for a very long time. Last night’s lasagna and salad were sensational. Madeline: charge more for this meal plan!

Today my aspirations of pulling out the Calcite stone I hauled up to begin a new piece quickly evaporated as I enjoyed strolling the grounds saying good-bye’s. I stopped by the Redstone gallery to pick up Muse of the Dance. A quick stop at Dos Gringo’s for coffee and I’ll be off with my 500 pound payload for a careful drive back — reflecting all the way. I’m hooked

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MARBLE/marble is an experience of a lifetime — once a year.

No, it isn’t a forest fire. It’s mid-day at MARBLE/marble!

Every morning at 10am, a bongo drum alerts the sculptors that a training session is about to begin under the tent by the tool shed. Today’s topic was the in-line chisel. Listening to and watching these on staff instructors instructors is certainly one of the highlights of the symposium. Scott, Petro and Madeline (left to right) shared many valuable tips and some priceless humor (particularly the inimitable Scott Owens).

Made a lot of progress today! I may actually finish this piece by the end of the Symposium. Spent most of the day with the newly-christened “MadKat” blade. This is a 5 inch diamond encrusted wonder. It’s new name comes from the two staff members most responsible for the high sales rate of this blade.

Tonight, after dinner, a rescheduled slide show is on the docket.

If you ever come to MARBLE/marble, sign up for the meal plan! This is my second M/m and first experience with the meal plan. I’ll never go back. First, you have some pretty excellent cooking at a bargain price. Last night we had what grew up calling “hay stacks” (well, a mean variation: Delicious ground beef and jalapenos). This morning ‘chef’ Mark is making Oatmeal. But not just any oatmeal: fresh apples and ginger mixed in. With the cooking plan, you also get much more exposure to the staff and fellow artists: a huge part of the total experience.

My stone is a beautiful translucent white specimen of Colorado Yule. It’s about 36x10x10.

Today fussed with my maquette too much. Encouraged by Kathi Caricof (one of the several outstanding staff) I finally forced myself to ‘fire’ it in the oven down at the kitchen.

This is the famous Dining Table. This is one of several photos I’ve created with Photoshop CS3′s powerful new photomerge feature. This one is created from three vertically stacked photos.

On the day of arrival, I spent some of my free time up around the Marble Quarry. This photo is taken close to the gate which keeps the public out of the quarry property. (three photos merged, uncropped).

Humble abode. No cooking mess!

I removed a lot of marble with an in-line air chisel today. Tomorrow, I’ll use a 5″ diamond blade for more removal. The in-line chisel will create “bruises” going into the marble and must be used carefully.