This weekend, my good friend Anthony Armstrong (finally) poured his compelling concrete sculpture, “My Family”, to be shown at Art Harvest, “Four Friends Share Their Art,” at Gardenworks (518 854 3250) in Salem, N.Y. this weekend. The piece, which features a series of connected concrete stones and blocks, inlaid with symbols chosen by Anthony, represents family, and is one of a number of pieces Anthony and his company Armstrong Stone will be showing at Art Harvest this weekend. Anthony is also giving away some concrete coasters and selling and showing decorate concrete art pieces that can be used as centerpieces, hangings, even trivets.
  Anthony and I  have been buds for some years now, since I moved to the farm. “The Dogs of Bedlam Farm” was dedicated to him, and he helped me survive the first years on the farm, and showed me how to shoot a rifle, drive a tractor and four-wheeler and survive winter. We fought on the first day we met about how to get a ride-a-long dog, and we have been fighting ever since. He has shared every day of my life her on the farm, and I love him much. He is no longer a handyman, but the big honcho of Armstrong Stone, which designs and makes concrete surfaces and art pieces for the home, and which he runs with Cail Johnstone, Marketing and Design Director.
  Anthony has evolved in many ways, personally and artistically, and overcome a lot. I am quite proud of him and excited by his work, which is striking, original and heavy. They will both be at Art Harvest, along with Maria Heinrich, showing her fiber art, Mary Kellogg, reading from and selling some of her beautiful poetry, and me, showing and selling photos for the first time.
  All four of us met through the farm, are close friends, and we have been supporting one another in our work, and in showing our work. It’s been a quite moving and beautiful experience for me. We are all making some amazing stuff. (see below for Maria’s works) All proceeds go to benefit Friends of Hospice. Gardenworks will also be offering music, chowder, cheese produce, their famous pies and cider donuts and crafts. Lenore the puppy and Izzy will join me. Talks at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the show is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Come if you can.