This is the short list of what remains to be completed on my current sculpture. Did I mention that the end of the semester is next week?
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Really?
This is the short list of what remains to be completed on my current sculpture. Did I mention that the end of the semester is next week?
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Creativity
That God is creative is a fact made indisputable by even the smallest shell in the darkest part of the deepest ocean. Never mind the mysteries of butterfly migration and quantum physics. Humanity is daily buried under a thundering avalanche of beauty, mystery and awe. There can be no argument: God is the original Creator, an artist mad with ideas and boundless energy. We, who are made in His Image, are most fully ourselves when we also create. All of us are spun from His being and glow with the spark of creativity… some of us blaze with it. In other words you don’t have to be an artist to create, just human. However some have been uniquely graced with this aspect of God’s image. Wild with delight and blazing with conviction, artists are often worshipers of the most daring kind. They are ones whose eyes are wide with wonder and the strangeness of it all. Almost painfully aware that every atom, sun-fish, and supernova practically shouts of God, they must invent new languages in a desperate attempt to describe what they see. For not an iota of this wild carnival should go unappreciated. Over familiarity is numb paralysis, and all the saints of God are called to be fiercely alive. We must daily be invigorated by the shock of awe and truth. Artists, prophets and visionaries have a knack for bringing exactly that to the world, and especially to the church. Yet these wild-eyed children of God, have long been orphaned by the family of Christ. -KC Boiler Room
Friday, October 28, 2011
News and Updates
I am currently working on my final sculpture for the semester. I have much to do, but I am moving forward. Many decisions to be made in this last big push of the current semester.
These photos show a few of the pieces that will be part of the final sculpture.
Except for This will be on display in Davenport, Iowa at The Figge Art Museum during the 2011 College Invitational. The opening reception is Saturday, November 5 from 2-4pm. The show runs from November 5, 2011 - January 8, 2012. For more info about The Figge visit www.figgeart.org
Monday, October 10, 2011
A little background
Through conversations with individuals looking at my recent work I have come to realize something that had not been on my radar. Most people, with the exception of those who have seen my work before, do not realize that almost every part of the sculptures I create are made of wood and ceramic. Re-claimed wood and ceramic for that matter. Art patrons often times overlook pieces I have created because they are common, everyday types of items and the thought is that I have gone the route of taking the real item and painting it.
This in some ways is a compliment I suppose because it means that I have made the piece convincing enough to resemble the item I drew inspiration from. On the other hand, the piece can easily be dismissed as a sculpture all together and seen as a just another assemblage of everyday items that have been painted and pieced together.
Case in point. I had a few pieces in a show last spring and one of the gallery assistants tried to push the wooden cart with wooden suitcases stacked on it. Not a good idea. Although they look functional, they are not. The end result was me having to take the rear wheel assembly apart for reconstruction.
The piece I just completed and posted photos of in the previous post on this page could easily be viewed the same way. Everything is wood and ceramic with the exception of the phone cords (purchased used) and the re-claimed light fixture. The hand cart, milk crates, phone, handsets and pulleys are all made of reclaimed wood. The pillow is made of reclaimed clay.
Although I feel this is a terrible hardship I must deal with and the ongoing psychological trauma I am sure to endure will result in many more trips to the therapist and countless hours of counseling, plus...Plus nothing. I have to admit it is really cool to see the face of someone who just made the connection or was told the piece is not really the actual item. Then to talk about its meaning or significance, well that is what its all about. Oh the hardships. How will I endure?
This in some ways is a compliment I suppose because it means that I have made the piece convincing enough to resemble the item I drew inspiration from. On the other hand, the piece can easily be dismissed as a sculpture all together and seen as a just another assemblage of everyday items that have been painted and pieced together.
Case in point. I had a few pieces in a show last spring and one of the gallery assistants tried to push the wooden cart with wooden suitcases stacked on it. Not a good idea. Although they look functional, they are not. The end result was me having to take the rear wheel assembly apart for reconstruction.
The piece I just completed and posted photos of in the previous post on this page could easily be viewed the same way. Everything is wood and ceramic with the exception of the phone cords (purchased used) and the re-claimed light fixture. The hand cart, milk crates, phone, handsets and pulleys are all made of reclaimed wood. The pillow is made of reclaimed clay.
Although I feel this is a terrible hardship I must deal with and the ongoing psychological trauma I am sure to endure will result in many more trips to the therapist and countless hours of counseling, plus...Plus nothing. I have to admit it is really cool to see the face of someone who just made the connection or was told the piece is not really the actual item. Then to talk about its meaning or significance, well that is what its all about. Oh the hardships. How will I endure?
Friday, September 30, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Still Plugging Away
This semester I am enrolled in a sculpture class at WIU. Duke Oursler is the new sculpture professor that replaced Don Crouch who retired after 40+ years of service. Duke has been very supportive of my use of reclaimed materials and has encouraged me to continue on in the direction I have been working. I have been forging ahead trying to finish up a new piece utilizing lumber and clay. It is in the final stages and will be completed by this Thursday...since it has to be ready for a critique that evening! I should have some photos up towards the end of the week. Lots of new ideas/concepts too!
Reflecting as I work.
Spent the day working in the shop on some additional elements for a piece I am working on. The big difference today was the fact that I did not use my air nailer today. Instead I used a hammer and nails. Used nails as a matter of fact. As most of you know I am really into using a material more than one time. Giving it a life outside the landfill. Anyway the nails that I have been using are typically bent and require a few gentle taps of the hammer to make the worthy of being useful again. Just to be clear this is a slow process, a painfully slow one for sure. All the while I could not help but think of life and people as I was slowly constructing these new element. As I have mentioned before art and life collide for me in the work I create. Today was no different. Working with imperfect materials and realizing my own limitations and patience, or at times a lack there of, I could not help but think of the relationships with my friends and family. How at times we are all like the bent nail. Sometimes we just need someone to slow down and take time for us. Sometimes, often times we need someone to gently encourage or support or correct us so that the bent and often times crazy path we are on can be realigned and therefor helping us find our way.
As always thanks for looking and tell a friend.
Reflecting as I work.
Spent the day working in the shop on some additional elements for a piece I am working on. The big difference today was the fact that I did not use my air nailer today. Instead I used a hammer and nails. Used nails as a matter of fact. As most of you know I am really into using a material more than one time. Giving it a life outside the landfill. Anyway the nails that I have been using are typically bent and require a few gentle taps of the hammer to make the worthy of being useful again. Just to be clear this is a slow process, a painfully slow one for sure. All the while I could not help but think of life and people as I was slowly constructing these new element. As I have mentioned before art and life collide for me in the work I create. Today was no different. Working with imperfect materials and realizing my own limitations and patience, or at times a lack there of, I could not help but think of the relationships with my friends and family. How at times we are all like the bent nail. Sometimes we just need someone to slow down and take time for us. Sometimes, often times we need someone to gently encourage or support or correct us so that the bent and often times crazy path we are on can be realigned and therefor helping us find our way.
As always thanks for looking and tell a friend.
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