Artist and Author
We don’t know when they are coming.
We don’t know if they are already here.
We don’t know where they will come from.
We don’t know if they come to conquer or save.
When they get here we will know.
(Cut-paper and markers-Reversed)
I imagine elephants are practicing more stealth these days, even though it’s hard for an elephant to hide. The next time you are in the jungle, and there are wild elephants around, look deep into the bushes. That is where they like to hide…. and when you shoot them…. use a camera.
(Cut Paper, Ink and Markers)
It was a simple concept. A 4 inch block of wood with a large bole drilled in the bottom for an LED circuit board and four 1/4 inch holes drilled through the top. Acrylic rods dispersed the lite.
The 2 inch circuit board included 4 high output LEDs, a fuse, and a cord that plugged into a 120v outlet. The current draw is so low there is no heat generated, allowing the night-lite to remain plugged in at all times. (No batteries to change, and lasts for years.)
In the beginning we used acrylic rods to ‘Light things up.’
From there it evolved into many variations. Here are some of the ones I’m most proud of.
Would you like to see more of the Lite-It-Up Project? As part of our marketing efforts, I took a lot of photos. I don’t mind sharing.
This was one of the first cut-paper pieces I created. The idea was to keep it simple – with meaning.
You have to look down to see them. (The bicycles are really small.)
(Cut-Paper & Markers)
I thought something to invoke a smile would be appropriate for a Monday.
Not that I mind Mondays – I’m retired, so they’re all the same to me. It’s the ones trying to work their way through another start to the week I’m thinking of.
Not all invasions go as planned. Time for plan B.
I was blessed/cursed with a knack for repairing mechanical things.
My first car was a well used black and white 1957 Chevy. It had a six cylinder engine and a column shift. I didn’t have it long before it was replaced with something I thought was better. All these years later — I wish I’d spent more time with that car. It was, after all, my first.
I’ve had a lot of vehicles since then. Most of them well used. Although many only required a good cleaning and a little care, others were meant to be driven into the ground.
Even though the vehicle I have included in this post is before my time, I am still fascinated by what makes it work. Believe it or not, this was created on an old program called Visio.
My brother and I were amateur inventors for a while. This is one variation of an LED, plug-in night light we designed. Originally designated as a ‘Light-It-Up’, the fixture includes a circuit board with a fuse and four bright LEDs. The base is a hollowed out cherry wood block with four holes drilled on top. Acrylic rods distribute the light, and can take on many shapes and sizes.
Our concept was a low wattage, low heat, plug-in night light that could be left on. Plug it in and forget it. They last for years while consuming negligible power.
We sold some, but it did not take off like we hoped. It appeared that most people didn’t understand the benefit of having an always-on night lite for navigating dark spaces.
We created a number of versions, this is one of many.
It is traditional in America to dye hard-boiled eggs and hide them in the yard for the kids to find. I don’t believe the kids care why we do this. Their true mission is searching for the eggs with candy or money inside.
(Cut Paper, Ink, and Markers) by Jonathan G. Meyer
I must admit I was inspired be Madagascar (The Movie)
Imagine shipping yourself to Africa.
Happy Sunday!
Trees are budding, flowers are blooming, and Spring has sprung. Two days ago it was seventy degrees in St. Louis. Today we are expecting snow. This painting reminds us of what we are leaving behind, and that summer is coming.
(Oil on Canvas)
Jonathan G. Meyer 