Clifton American Folk Art

Summer is coming to a close, and I just got back from my last summer music festival. You can read about it here.

Midland Folk Music Festival Mackie and Joe Clifton navigate through retirement

A couple of photos for today. More to come and another blog post tomorrow...

Resting to play tonight. I need more coffee.

On the road to Camp Washington Carver

It's been a long time since I've been on stage. Tonight I'm performing with the 48 member Michigan Mountain Dulcimer Band at the Evart FunFest.

We performed Southwind, Rosin the Bow, Wildwood Flower, Soldier's Joy, and Black Mountain Rag.

Mackie and I have spent a few days with our newest granddaughter Dorothy, and how to keep a seven month old entertained.

Welcome to Grandparenting 101: Meet Dot, Our Little Dynamo Mackie and Joe Clifton navigate through retirement

The other morning I looked in the mirror and realized I was officially a senior. As I stared at the new wrinkles and silver hair, it hit me—I qualify for senior discounts! So, I marched right into my McDonalds and proudly asked, "Do you offer a senior discount?" The counter staff smiled and said, "Sure do! Just show me your ID." I grinned and replied, "Oh, no need. Just look at me—I brought my own proof!"

Take every discount you can find. You have earned it!

Senior Discounts: The Secret Perk of Aging Mackie and Joe Clifton navigate through retirement

If you are a little board with nothing to do this weekend, I've started writing a retirement blog. I know what you're thinking...in these days of TickTalker, "X" formally known Twitter, and SnapperChat...why in the world write a blog.

Truth be told I was a little board too. Not really. It's something that I wanted to do for awhile now.

Mackie and Joe's Retirement Mackie and Joe Clifton navigate through retirement

It's OUT!

Joey Brown #226 will be riding cross country from June 22, 2025 through June 29, 2025 on the 2025 Scooter Cannonball. This is not the actual route but the starting and ending location are correct.

We'll be leaving Seaside, Oregon the morning of the 22nd, and ending up on South Padre Island in Texas on the Gulf of Mexico. It's gonna be epic once again!.

I'll most likely be riding my 2018 Honda PCX 150 that served me so well on the 2023 Scooter Cannonball. Who's gonna join me :)

Time to get some painting completed.

A couple of carrots were walling down the street when they came upon a screaming potato.

These are carved from basswood approximately 4 1/2" tall, painted in acrylic wash, and then buffed out with orange oil and beeswax.

The practice continues...

Practice, practice, practice. But are my chores getting done...

Here's my finished tree; it's around 8 inches tall. On to the next carving.

It's coffee and carving time. I love working the first thing in the morning by the river with a hot cup of coffee.

I'm working on a tree from an old branch from my brother's place. We went through a few weeks back and cut some standing dead trees that I'll leave natural and add some wax to finish it.

It's a busy painting morning. However, the two trees and pumpkins in the middle I carved from dead branches. I've pulled those, and then I'll bug them with beeswax.

Work in progress.

I start with a block of basswood to carve this Santa Claus on. I burn all the deep carvings to add shadows. Next, I paint multiple layers. And finally, I but it all out with beeswax.

In a few weeks I'll post a number of items for sale here and on Etsy.

Someone just debt me a friend request with my name and photos on my page from yesterday.

I've changed the photos to the one you see below. There will be no second friend request coming from me.

Joe

Starting back in the shop. It's been awhile, but now that I'm embracing retirement, I'll be spending more time experimenting.

More to come sooner than later :)

Yep. Time to change the name.

I'd like to think that I'm in the Artist Protection Program...but it's a reflection of changing times. The theme remains the same, and our creativity is expanding.

We'll start adding new pictures of available work in the coming weeks. Shows are still a ways off - I'm thinking 2022 right now, and I'll keep everyone informed where and when as they begin to materialize. However, future items will be available when posted.

See you soon!

Joe and Mackie