Welcome to my 'digs', where I chill out when not making art...
After spending five years in a tiny, leaky wooden shack in North Myrtle Beach, I set two priorities for my home in Vegas...LOTS of room, and two bedrooms so I could separate my work from my relaxation. I wanted a home where I wouldn't have to dodge furniture and extention cords, and where books and videos would not hem in every square foot of my life!
Sterling Park has given me what I wanted, and then some! 900 sq. feet, a fireplace, a washer, dryer, and dishwasher, a porch so big that I can hang out, two swimming pools, a tennis court, and a full gym!
This is my home!
After passing by a sign that announces you're at the complex, and probably getting lost as each building looks the same, you finally reach Building 8, where my 'pad' can be found...
Be warned, though, I live on the third floor, and the four flights of steps you have to climb are not for the faint of heart!
The LIVING ROOM...
My living room is framed by a white brick fireplace and the patio door, and is big enough to really sprawl out in!
Beneath a framed poster of "Diamonds Are Forever" (filmed largely in Las Vegas), is my entertainment center, housing my TV, DVD player and VCR, a phonograph to play my LPs, and a selection of my albums and DVD collections. On the mantle of the fireplace, I've placed a collection of busts and collectibles, dating back to 1965. Above the fireplace is a terrific Mediterranean landscape framed print...The rocking chair in the center of the room has become 'prime' nap territory (see inserts)...
Of course, some aren't impressed by my latest mantle acquisitions...
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The living room couch is a (rather uncomfortable) queen-sized sofa bed, with coffee and end tables; behind the furniture is a relief bust from "A Midsummer Night's Dream", and 3 cabinets and two small bookcases filled with my DVDs, and topped by Dean Martin stuff (including autographed photos of Martin and Jerry Lewis), Vegas memorabilia, Classical sculptures, and various collectibles. Bordered by a collection of Dean Martin/"Rat Pack" photos on one side, and Robert Mitchum signed photos on the other, the centerpiece of the wall is a marquee-sized Italian "Ocean's 11" poster (featuring the Rat Pack, naturally!)...
The DINING ROOM...
To the right on the Living Room is the mirrored Dining Room, with a table and chairs donated by my boss, Buddy Rose. I added a 4-foot curio I found at an antique store, where I keep most of my 'toys'!
The autographed photos surrounding the curio are among the favorites of my collection; on one side are Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Claudia Christian, Eva Marie Saint, and Angelina Jolie; on the other side are "Star Trek" stars Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, and DeForrest Kelley, and a signed, framed print of the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds, presented to me for doing artwork for them!
The KITCHEN...
The Kitchen, with a framed "Viva Las Vegas" print, is a neverending 'work in progress', as I'm always collecting pots and pans, dinner, glass, and silverware...I do cook, occasionally, but still like to 'be lazy', and pop in TV dinners!
There is also a 'water fountain' for the cats on the counter, and a cooler for fresh water; as I keep the cats' food dishes on the dining room table, mealtimes are an adventure, when everybody sits down to eat!
The PATIO...
The Porch/Patio is one of my favorite places; I found a patio table and umbrella at a really seedy used furniture place, and added two chairs from Big Lots. After a year, I finally found a chaise lounge, to complete things!
I've spent many mornings and evenings here, enjoying the best times of a Vegas day with my cats...
Talk about a VIEW! Beautiful greenery, and mountains in the distance!
It's an amazing panorama, even in the winter!
Sunsets here are pretty spectacular, too...as are sunrises!
The STUDIO/STUDY...
Walking down a short hallway, lined with relief sculptures I've purchased, over the years (including the last 'intact' Bosson head of my collection), a cool framed Tiger relief (from the West Virginia State Fair), a George Reeves/Superman tribute (featuring a life mask of the actor), and my portraits of my cats, you come to the guest bedroom that serves as my 'Studio/Study'...
The 'Studio/Study' houses my drawing table, computer, music cds, books, favorite inscribed photos, assorted nick-nacks, even a few bottles of wine! I spend a lot of time in here, working on drawings, reading, websurfing, writing reviews and articles, or just daydreaming, while the cats contemplate ways to distract me...
September, 2008 saw the arrival of a new computer and printer (which Gray has declared as his own!)
The BATHROOM...
Well, a bath is a bath, so what can I say? I put my "Three Graces" relief sculpture in here (the third copy of it...they always seem to get broken!), and, after 5 years of only having a shower in North Myrtle Beach, it's been nice to finally have a TUB!!!
The BEDROOM...
I LOVE my bedroom! I have my first KING-SIZE bed, which is wonderful, some very cool framed nude art prints and a relief statue, and LOTS of room!!!
And yes, I admit it...I often share my bed with a beautiful girl, and watch TV with the kids!
I actually found a large mirror for only $49, to place over a dresser Buddy donated to me; as you can see, my stuffed animal collection has found a new home...
Ah, there's nothing like a comfy chair to play on!
The WALK-IN CLOSET/LAUNDRY ROOM...
The washer and dryer are actually in my walk-in closet (with a reproduction of the 1836 Alamo flag, above them...which, hopefully, doesn't piss-off my Mexican maidstoo much!), and I have plenty of space for clothes, linens, books, photo albums, and my many boxes of autographed photos...and lots of great places to snooze...
As you can see, I share my home with my feline family...first with Candy, a brown Tabby who came with me from South Carolina, but ran away, and was eventually 'adopted' by a secretary in the Management Office; and now with three 'kids', Gray, a big, sweet-natured Russian Blue; Pi, an affectionate, chubby Calico; and Kit, a feisty but loving Siamese/Tabby mix!
The Kids really run my place, attempting to 'rearrange' everything, and keeping me on my toes!
They've even got their own website! Visit them at The CAT Page!
