peace pigeon #20

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.  

German beak trumpeter found object 6" X 6" X 7"  View from front  

German beak trumpeter

found object

6" X 6" X 7"  

View from front  

Below are two of my drawings that inspired the project.  

German beak trumpeter pigeonwith leg muffs.  charcoal  24" X 19"  

German beak trumpeter pigeonwith leg muffs.  

charcoal  

24" X 19"  

German beak trumpeter pigeonwith leg muffs II charcoal  24" X 19"  

German beak trumpeter pigeonwith leg muffs II 

charcoal  

24" X 19"  

"drifting"

drifting" 36" X 45" X 55"  found object wire cloth

drifting"

36" X 45" X 55"  

found object wire cloth

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.  

 

peace pigeon project # 15

Peace pigeon project - Friend

Peace pigeon project - Friend

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.  

Peace pigeon project- Migration #13

 From a sombrero- 

The step by step is below. 

Migration  - found object (sombrero) 

Migration  - found object (sombrero) 

Sombreros  

Sombreros  

Covering the sombrero in wax to give it body.  

IMG_0867.JPG

Heating the wax until it completely soaks into the straw.  

The heat gun gets so hot the piece is smoking.  

The heat gun gets so hot the piece is smoking.  

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. 

 

peace pigeon project - powder room sink

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

The handle is the tail.  

The handle is the tail.  

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.  

peace pigeon project #5 - - found object

Peace pigeon # 5 - found object

Peace pigeon # 5 - found object

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. 

It even has the leg muff that the German beak trumpeter pigeon has.  

It even has the leg muff that the German beak trumpeter pigeon has.  

This guy is resting not in motion as are the other pieces in the series.  

peace pigeon project #2

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. 

The armature ready for plaster or concrete.  

The armature ready for plaster or concrete.  

Tail detail  

Tail detail  

Foot detail

Foot detail

Material - metal lath, gloves and cutters. 

Material - metal lath, gloves and cutters. 

Armature -One leg muff pigeon  leg  

Armature -One leg muff pigeon  leg  

Armature-  Two feet and the start of the chest 

Armature-  Two feet and the start of the chest 

Had to do a little smashing of the mesh.  

Had to do a little smashing of the mesh.  

A layer of plaster and hay is added  

A layer of plaster and hay is added  

My charcoal drawing of pigeon.  

My charcoal drawing of pigeon.  

Tail feather support  

Tail feather support