Three of his and a few of mine.
Dove/pigeon - bronze
Doves/pigeon and a fish
Dove/pigeon
Two of my Herman Beak trumpeter pigeons with leg muffs in charcoal
Two frill back pigeon is one in Talc powder and one in charcoal.
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Three of his and a few of mine.
Dove/pigeon - bronze
Doves/pigeon and a fish
Dove/pigeon
Two of my Herman Beak trumpeter pigeons with leg muffs in charcoal
Two frill back pigeon is one in Talc powder and one in charcoal.
peace pigeon - pareidolia
found object - stone
10” X 6” X4”
Pareidolia- a psychological phenomenon when the mind perceives a familiar pattern where non exist.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareidolia
http://glasstire.com/2018/02/26/first-sculpture-handaxe-to-figure-stone-at-the-nasher/
GERMAN BEAK - CRESTED TRUMPETER - detail
14" X 12" X 12" bronze
Last fall I started a project - an experiment with new materials. My subject the German beak - trumpeter pigeon. He is graceful, interesting and conducive to expressing energy. Picasso drew this same pigeon and called him a the peace dove.
http://www.arttimesjournal.com/art/reviews/May_June_10_Ina_Cole/Pablo_Picasso_Ina_Cole.html
I can't seem to stop the project. Here is another pigeon.
Below are two of my drawings that inspired the project.
This piece is made from upcycled wire cloth I found at Txrx labs. They pour aluminum and use these wire strips to reinforce their molds. They break out the castings and leave the wire mesh in the yard. I always pick it up when we pour bronze because it is sharp. I started playing with it while we waited for the bronze to heat. I fell in love with it's malability, rusted patina and chunks of plaster embedded between the wires.
I sculpted this when I was thinking about urban ecology and how successful birds and especially pigeons have evolved in urban environments. In contrast many of the people we see in these environments with pigeons appear to be struggling to stay present.
This figure leans in on his left side where he is clearly involved in the environment around him. His right side is patently struggling to stay present and his head/brain and right side upper body are not visible to the viewer. Evidence of their absence is depicted through the torn collar and shredded back right of shirt.
I can't to come up with the perfect base for him. Right now he is temporarily sitting in a box wrapped in paper.
One thing I like about art is the people. The Houston art community is very supportive. We all help each other and cheer each other on. A few weeks ago leaving TXRX I saw a big wooden wire spool by the road. I thought it might be a great pedestal for one of Barbara's found object pieces. I saved it for her. She ended up cutting up the spool for another piece. Peace pigeon #15 is a scrap from that spool. Barbara saved it for me. It is a beauty just like Barbara. I was very touched that she would go to the trouble to capture this pigeon for me.
Thank you Barbara.
From a sombrero-
The step by step is below.
Covering the sombrero in wax to give it body.
Heating the wax until it completely soaks into the straw.
Lastly I shape it into a pigeon while it is hot.
I am creating a sculpture a week of a German beak trumpeter pigeon with leg muffs. Each week I use a different material. This pigeon was Picasso' peace dove.
I just realized that I made my first pigeon in 2004 when remodeling a home built in 1938. The only downstairs space for a powder room was under the stairwell. The space measured 46" X 33" (that is not a typo - inches). I bought a small toilet but could not find a sink small enough. My solution was copper bucket. I mount it on 3 claw and ball feet and placed it on top of a tiny marble shelf. The faucet is the head. = peace pigeon
It does not have the energy I like to have in all my pieces however ............ it was 2004.
The nose in the far right is Grito my son Griffin's dog. Grito is a rescue from the desert outside of San Miguel Allende. Yes he is in the US legally. Grito has his own visa.
Roots
These roots have been taking up space in my work area for at least three years. It feels so good to finally use them.
Drawing that inspired the series.
I think they make a great pigeon. I will not weld these two pieces together because part of the beauty is the balance of the body on the legs and the light that breaks through between the two objects. Welding would ruin that.
This guy is resting not in motion as are the other pieces in the series.
I found an old scrap of screen used for windows.
The project is to experiment with a new material every week. I am keeping the subject simple to focus on the material.
When lit properly he looks like he is made of smoke.
I welded together a small steel armature using pencil size steel.
Wow! I love just the lath.
10/13
I started building the armature for another pigeon. I am using airplane safety wire pliers to attach metal lath into the shape of a German beak trumpeter pigeon.