Reno or Bust ...the journey home

[rod]

I just fought my way over the Sierras by Donner Pass yesterday to get back home to Mendocino on the California Coast. My plan was to attend the Monday seminars but the weather was rough and my $26 motel had no power, plus I got a bad winter cold bug so figured I would be better staying away from others and making a bid to face the weather a day earlier than planned. I could not see my hand in front of me at 7000 feet with blizzards, and 18 wheeler trucks on every side crawling along. Bad situation to loose a chain, which I did, but came through all right and by the time I reached Nevada City (which is in California) the going got much easier. Across the Central Valley, flat lands and rice fields were bursting with an excess of water from the huge storms of recent days, but acre upon acre of grassy fields had turned white with tens of thousands of wild fowl honking away shoulder to shoulder in the neighborhood of Yuba City.

I was sucking cough drops as I drove. I knew on Sunday night that something was amiss with my throat, but could not resist the opportunity to do some pickin' and strummin' in the evening with Ron Smith, Abigail, Sam, Fred, Stan, and others. Word seemed to have gotten around that some of us would be sharing a song in the quiet area just outside of the FEGA exhibition room. A quiet place to fore-gather is a rarity in a lively Casino Hotel, but we found that this lounge area was deserted and open 24/7, so I hauled in a couple of guitars, mandolin, and fiddle that I threw into the back of my mini van in hopes that those players who flew to Reno would bring their thumb picks. Abigail brought her baritone uke, and Ron Smith brought his home-made thumb with imbedded flat pick. Some kind fellow gave Sam a banjo for free! Sunday we drew a crowd, and there were some nice voices coming through loud and clear when a chorus came up. But what a fine way to celebrate Abigail's birthday ( I hear tell she has now moved into her thirties?) and with Ron Smith, Lee, and others lifting some well deserved prizes, it was time for a bit of a fireside style party! I get chills hearing Abigail sing her songs, and it can't get better when she, Ron, and others harmonize with me on Tennessee Waltz, etc.

I will make this brief, as there is plenty of things to write about, but I hear you, Christian, what about those darn pictures ???? I took about two hundred close ups with my 12 meg, so if some one will tell me where and how to post them on some web slide show, I will do that and let you browse?

Here is a very small taste.... as for Diana and her dog, settle down guys, remember this is art! The bulino plate was in Simone's pocket. Simone, age 35, came in from Florence, Italy, and said he was in overwhelm with the FEGA show!

More to come if you tell me where to web post them

pic 1 is Jerry's

pic 2, 3 and 4 is Ron Smith's prize winner

pic 4 is Simone's Diana

best wishes!

Rod Cameron

 

[Dave London]

Thanks Rod
Sorry that you got the bug, hope you are feeling better . A little single malt might help Great photos cant wait for more. Nasty place that Donner Pass. Take care Dave

 

[rod]

You read my mind, Dave!

Just pouring a Glenlivet, with a little hot water and honey!

 

[Christiaan]

, but I hear you, Christian, what about those darn pictures ???? I took about two hundred close ups with my 12 meg, so if some one will tell me where and how to post them on some web slide show, I will do that and let you browse?
Rod Cameron

OH This is so super!!!

One good Samaritan arrived home. I'm so glad you got over Donner Pass. (Mind you, "Donner" is pretty bad a cursing word in my home language, Afrikaans, which means to hit the ....... out of someone. So to me it is quite funny) Or else I would still be chewing my nails in front of the PC.

Rod, I must confess I went to the pics before I even read your posting. Was so excited. WOW!!!!!!!

Now I can see why you were all so excited about the show. Goodness me, you are not tired because of traveling or jet lag. Its is engraving-perfection-overload!!!!

OH MY, I wish I had a CD of the pics you took. Thanks you so much for the pics.
Christiaan

 

[Martin Strolz]

Simone Dainelli

Simone Dainelli was my host student here in Austria for one year. That´s really good luck for a teacher and it is a truly rewarding pleasure for me to see his latest engraving work. Here is a better shot of his Diana. The engraved gold plate (diam. 1 1/2 inch) he did for for a wrist watch of the famous Florence manufacturer Buccellati.

 

[Ron Smith]

Hi Rod, I was a little worried about you getting home okay. Someone told me you weren't feeling good. It was a great time at the show was it not? It is always such a pleasure to pick with you and the guys and galls. looking forward to the next one............Ron S

 

[sam]

The FEGA show in Reno was absolute fun. Abigail and I really enjoyed ourselves, and it was great seeing old friends, Cafe friends we'd never met in person, and making new friends. We were delightfully suprised at the number of Cafe members there, and a couple of people told us that they felt the new faces and attendance increase might be attributed in part to the Cafe chatter before the show. Way to go!

I apologize for not getting around like I would have liked to, but I stayed pretty busy at the GRS table engraving a stainless steel bracelet for a demonstration. I did get to see some excellent engraving by Ron Smith, Lee Griffiths, Sam Welch, Brian Hochstrat, and others. Ron Smith's 73 Winchester is among the finest examples of engraving you'll ever see. For as long as I've known Ron I've said he's one of the best designers in the business, and this gun is a masterpiece of design. I love to say "I told ya so". What he's done is simply out of this freakin' world!

Lee Griffiths keeps getting better and better. His scene work and sculpted design make a big statement in the engraving world. Lee's doing his part to raise the bar, and you really should see these guns in-hand to appreciate them. It's obvious this guy loves what he does, and he's really good at it.

Most of us met Simone (pronounced si-MO-ney) from Italy. He had contacted me before the show and I'd seen photos of his work beforehand. He's a very talented fellow and fantastic engraver. His bulino engraving of Diana is among the best examples of line engraving I've ever seen. He has mastered light and shadow without using dots, and the result is a strong image that's brilliantly executed. My prediction is that Simone will become a household name in the field of hand engraving.

The fellowship was great at FEGA. We enjoyed great suppers and great laughs with our friends John B & TJ and Andrew & Mary Biggs, Sandy, and others. Great music with Rod, Fred, Ron, and others. It's rare that I didn't have a camera, but I had to hand-carry a rather large framed photo with me on the plane and couldn't manage that and other stuff, too. I knew others would get plenty of photos, though.

I wish I could mention everyone's name that we met and had such good times with. You know who you are, and we want you to know how much we are truly grateful to have you as friends.

Cheers / Sam & Abigail

 

[rod]

Always a treat to be around you and Abigail, Sam!

I took off on Monday and missed the seminars as I had a cold coming on plus my $26 Motel lost power and hence heat.

I will stay in touch, and had a great time with so many good hearted people.

best

Rod

 

[rod]

Martin,

I am going to make sure Simone gets to see your posting, and thank you for writing! I am sure he will be delighted that his work turned heads at the show. He just wrote me from San Francisco, somewhat sad as his expected invitation to stay with a friend there has mis-fired, and he is looking for an alternative inexpensive accommodation there.

best wishes!

Rod

 

[Christiaan]

SAM wrote

It's rare that I didn't have a camera

You are forgiven, but all the others that are withholding pics though they had their cameras ..... now that is another issue.

It is still great to read about the creative optimism that the show had on everyone.

I seems I might just be able to attend a show one day. My wife is a pharmasist and just got an invite to go and work as a pharmasist in USA. Then I could throw my weight into a ministry or building muzzleloaders or leathercraft and/or engraving. Or all of them. We'll have to see.

 

[michaelp]

Rod I just want to thank you for carting the truck load of instruments over with you so we all could have a great time

 

[John B.]

Ditto, what Mike Puleo said.
It provided a fantastic highlight to an already wonderful gathering.
Get over your cold soon, Rod.
I think most of us got one too.
Best, John B.

 

[rod]

I am over my cold, thanks!

The waves are higher than I have seen here in 23 years, maybe thirty feet, slamming into the cliffs and I can watch them from the window here in Mendocino. Must be a distant storm, as the day is calm.

Any wandering engravers and pickers/strummers passing through Mendocino are always welcome to pull up a stool by my lathe and chit chat as the wheels of flute industry are turning.

best

Rod