THE 1952 SILVER CHIEF IS FINISHED (almost) I have yet to engrave it's name tag.

Here's a new piece from my tinker's bench.  Made from an old tin toy '66 or so Jeep, 2 tobacco tins, and some misc.
THE OLD SHEEP CAMP WITH STUDEBAKER HUBCAPS - US$195.00

The other day, I happened upon an old piece of driftwood out by the greenhouse.  I had just discovered a part of an art piece that I had dragged home long ago and forgotten.  This 4 1/2 foot Raven's eye is from a vintage trailer light and the eyepiece off an old microscope.  The lower half of her jaw is a slice from an old wood water ski.  It is hinged and when  you pull it, it snaps shut saying GAK GAK GAK just like a raven.  $750.00

MY MASTERPIECE

MY MASTERPIECE

 

It's slim and trim and bound in blue;

It's leaves are crisp and edged in gold;

It's words are simple, stalwart too;

It's thoughts are tender, wise and bold.

It's pages scintillate with wit;

It's pathos clutches at my throat;

Oh how I love each line of it!

That Little Book I Never Wrote.

 

In dreams I see it praised and prized

By all from plowman to peer; 

It's pencil marked and memorized,

It's loaned (and not returned, I fear);

It's worn and torn and travel-tossed,

And even dusky natives quote

That classic that the world has lost,

The Little Book I Never Wrote.

 

Poor ghost! For homes you failed to cheer,

For grieving hearts uncomforted,

Don't haunt me now....Alas! I fear

The fire of inspiration's dead.

A humdrum way I go to-night,

From all I hoped and dreamed remote;

Too late....a better man must write

That Little Book I Never Wrote.

ROBERT SERVICE

1948 SCIMITAR TEARDROP CAMP TRAILER
Fashioned from American automobile license plates.  Washington, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma are represented on the INSIDE. Measures 6 1/2 inches wide, by about 14 inches long by about 6 1/2 inches tall.
DIRECT FROM THE ARTIST - ME
US$1200.   Shipping extra at the going rate worldwide.
Will post more pictures soon! 

How Coyote Brought Rain To The Inland NorthWest

The time has come to share a vision that came to me 29 June 1988 while Southbound across the Chukchi Sea in a New-ish Crowley pusher tug. We were taking the two boats back to Seattle from West Dock at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. A substantial voyage.  We saw aurora borealis every night, including while coming in to Elliot Bay, Seattle.  There is much to relate about how this story came to be written by my hand, on a tugboat in a big swell in Arctic waters. That can wait.

This is copied from the original.
=======================================================

HOW COYOTE BROUGHT RAIN TO THE INLAND NORTHWEST.

By Joe Chasse`

The First Nation people of Okanagen and Colville groups needed rain desperately. The people were grumbling and fighting amongst themselves because the gardens were drying up and game was moving farther and further away.

Sitting on his rock, Coyote heard them and saw their unhappiness. He howled and howled. “YI! YI! HOW HOW HOW CAN I HELP MY PEOPLE?” His cousin Wolf , over the hills in Loup Loup, heard him and called back. “OUR LUMMI COUSIN BY THE BAY (Lahq'Temish or People of The Sea) HEARS US AND INVITES US TO COME OVER TO HIS HOME.” He has an idea he thinks may help.

And so they went. It was a long trip, but Coyote and Wolf had much to discuss, and there was plenty to eat in the High Mountains and their Western slopes. Coyote was thrilled by the yummy creatures to eat and places he could hide his scat for jokes.

He thought “Surely my cousin by the Bay is rich!”

When, at last, the pair got to the Bay near the homes of the Lummi people, another cousin trotted out of the mossy, muddy forest to greet them: “Klahoya cousins!” he barked! "I will show you the wonders of my home”. The cousin insisted on showing them the oyster beds - clam beds - the fish drying racks -  first. Never had they seen so much yummy stuff in one place! Oh they filled their bellies all right!

Wolfe explained that they were seeking advice and help. Soon enough their cousin by the Bay (Bellingham Bay) said “It is time to visit my friend, the leader of this band of Lummis”. So the four (snoopy Raven was with them  as always) went to his fine big cedar home.

Coyote had brought gifts.  The Lummi leader said “I will only accept your gifts if you let me show you how to bring the rain from the sky across the big mountains.” Of course Coyote agreed.

The four went out to the leader's fine cedar shop building. He had an old fifties Dodge Power Wagon truck and a welder there. He commenced to showing them how to design and build a special hitch for this truck. With this particular truck and the special hitch, Raven and the leader explained how they could tow a few of their many rain clouds over the high mountains to the East. They had to get to work right away as it was early Summer. They knew the snows could come early to the high mountains.

That is part of the story of how coyote brought rain to the Collville and Okanagen people, and why so many of the people drive 4 wheel drive pickups.

And here the story ends.

COYOTE & KOKOPELLI'S RAT ROD ROAD TRIP

This will be my "salesman's sample".  It's not for sale :-)

 

COYOTE AND KOKOPELLI'S RAT ROD MOTOR HOME ROAD TRIP

is finally finished.  US$1900 +shipping

3 projects to finish before last week of August to put in Bay Avenue Gallery;

The 4th of July parade, here in our little burg was big fun.  40 of us Democrats turned out.  Some more organizable than others.  I did well for an old fellow.  My rig here with it's powow drum and spinning RESIST sign was constantly on the edge of disaster, but I managed to complete the 11 or so blocks without crashing.
Peaceout.
Joe

So there I was, this 2nd day of July in the pagan year of 2017, minding my own business.  I was enjoying to fiddle with restoring/fixing up/fiddling with my old 1969 Alaskan camper.  Whilst sitting in a folding chair on the sidewalk, eating lunch, I spied 2 "clumping" black bamboo escapees!  Well, to ME, bad back or not, one has to deal with this when spotted as procrastination surely makes it worse!
fiddling with the camper

dealing with bamboo runners after cutting the escapees out

THIS is what happens to "clumping" black bamboo that misbehaves!

and here the story ends.

Time for an update on the rat rod old school motor home.  This is what was called in the old days a "cab and chassis motor home". Not sure of the title yet, but thinking something like Coyote And Kokopelli Snowbirds.  I hope to finish this piece soon...

April 2017.
"Paul Tuter's '39 GMC Rat Rod Toy Truck"

This rusty old  "ride-on" toy is a barn find from the Bend, Oregon area. 

SOLD

click pictures to biggify

It's been a good while since posting so here is a stack of new works:

THE QUEEN OF THE RODEO AND THE RAT ROD

 CAPABLE WOMAN AND HER MACHINE 'BAD THE BONE'

EXCUSE ME I JUST CAME IN FOR A SANDWICH

Marchant adding machine

I love when people give me old machinery or whatnot for my art.  If it gets used in the art or not is another thing, as there are piles of "groovy things" yet unused...AP gave me this rusty, crusty, dirty, busted old adding machine today.  I love it!  THANKS AP!

Scuse me I just came in for a sandwich

AVAILABLE NOW AT NIVA GREEN 
IN LONG BEACH WASHINGTON!

just another flying saucer in the front yard SAME-O SAME-O

 The PLYMOUTH is finished!

Not only is the new canned ham finished and on the shelf at Bay Avenue Gallery, but it also has a name.  Henceforth it is the PLYMOUTH.  This is a special Christmas 2015 Holiday edition, and I am danged proud of it!  If you get the chance, by all means stop into the gallery to see HOW proud of it I am.