Artists Greg Lago Appears in My Dream

 

Greg Lago on the phone at Winged Bull Studio, Clayton, NY in 2007

My good friend Greg Lago appeared in one of my dreams a few nights ago. Greg was a multi-talented artist who owned and operated Winged Bull Studio in Clayton, NY. He died unexpectedly a year ago on his 74th birthday. I have missed him a great deal. Every day since then I have thought of him. 

In the dream Greg and I are going to visit  our mutual friend the artist Will Salisbury. Will had a home, workshop and studio in Omar, NY.  In the dream neither Greg nor I had heard from Will in awhile. He doesn't answer his phone. We are sure he is home. When we get there Will is nowhere to be found. It seems strange, a bit eerie. Somehow it dawns upon us that Will had passed away some ten months earlier and is no longer with us. Then, as dreams go, the scene changes and we are walking near a large body of water. In the distance there is a huge rusty hulled ship sitting upright, beached on the shore. There are many people milling around the vessel. As Greg and I talk and try to make sense of the news about Will Greg's voice becomes less distinct. He is moving towards the people and the ship on the shore. We look at each other as he recedes into the distance as if walking backwards. I am becoming confused. As Greg and this scene blurs and fades I gradually waken and realize I am dreaming. It is sad. I loved both of those guys. 

Will Salisbury, the Man of Steel From Omar Passes Away at Age 72

The late Will Salisbury with his dog at his home in Omar, NY. I snapped this photo in January 2022

"Will, my friend, my inspiration, my heart is simply breaking. You were one of a kind. My life was enhanced after meeting you, and I can’t say that about very many people. With all the love my heart can pour I wish you an eternity of creativity and peace."

Those were the words that came to me upon hearing the news of North Country legend Will Salisbury, artist,  passing away at his home on Grindstone Island in the St. Lawrence River, Jefferson County, NY. He was 72.  He died on Wednesday, August 10, 2022. 

I wrote that to him on his Facebook page Thursday the 11th.  Since then my post seems to have disappeared. 

There is a short list of people whom I have met in life that have had a big impact upon me. Most of them don't know it because I have never told them. Will was one of them.

The initials of  the others are: BG, MH, BM, RS, GL, CD. I need to let these people know how my life was changed for the better because of them. 

March 29, 2022. Burning Scrap Wood, Internet quit working

 

Burning scrap wood in a fire cauldron created by artist Will Salisbury, Omar NY.  photo copyright Gary Walts 2022

It was sunny and cold in Chaumont, NY. I haven't cleaned out the garage in forever. Among the clutter is an accumulation of scrap wood from many different projects. Scrap wood is wonderful to have on hand, never, it can get out of hand. Every few years I get rid of most of it. So today I set about burning it in a fire cauldron. It is an outdoor fire pit, not like one normally finds. This one was made by Will Salisbury of Omar, NY. Will is an artists and is most noted for working with steel. 

Also today a technician from our internet provider, Spectrum, spent a couple hours here troubleshooting our internet system. We lost service around 12:30. Among other things he changed a filter on the pole where the line comes in from the street. He also replaced our router and we were back in business about 5:30-6:00

I believe this was the 33rd day of the Ukraine-Russia War.

Gary Walts Photos: Visit to artist / sculptor Will Salisbury, Omar, NY

  

Here are some photos I snapped during a visit to artist Will Salisbury's home and shop in Omar, NY. I spent about 3 hours with him this past Friday, January 7, 2022. He has several projects going on and has a couple of people working for him. Will has some ongoing health issues that have been a challenge. Instead of slowing or stopping him he manages to soldier on and get things done. 

Work in progress. A bear made of steel by Will Salisbury, Omar, NY.      photo by Gary Walts

Work in progress. A Sturgeon  made of steel by Will Salisbury, Omar, NY.      photo by Gary Walts

Work going on at Will Salisbury's shop, Omar, NY.      photo by Gary Walts

Artists Will Salisbury in his shop, Omar, NY.   Will is at home working with various media but his metal working is such that I have dubbed him Omar's Man of Steel
   photo by Gary Walts

Michel Rainville, left, and Will Salisbury at Salisbury's shop in Omar, NY.  photo by Gary Walts

Work in progress. A fireplace insert by Will Salisbury, Omar, NY.      photo by Gary Walts

Drawing of fireplace inserting built for a customer by Will Salisbury, Omar, NY.      photo by Gary Walts

Work in progress. A bear made of steel by Will Salisbury, Omar, NY.      photo by Gary Walts

Work in progress. A bear made of steel by Will Salisbury, Omar, NY.      photo by Gary Walts

Work in progress. A Sturgeon  made of steel by Will Salisbury, Omar, NY.      photo by Gary Walts