new piece
A whole lotta shak'n goin' on
30" X 22"
honorable mention
Great news from Charlotte North Carolina this morning. "Craneology - dance until sunrise" was given an honorable mention in the show BUILD.
check out the show at the link below.
shake shake shake III post #2
Starting back legs
Either the body is too long or too short.
Still working.
Problems.
So much to fix.
I was wanting her to be stretching both forward and backward - but it just looks like the body is too long.
Front angle
Placed with I and II
Still working
I love the tail.
Stagnated- I am dreading shortening long the body.
Monday the 26th
It turns out I have the length of his body right, and the leg length is right. The thickness of his abdomen is wrong.
I have cut the wire in the middle of his back off and will add height in his hips and shoulder blades.
I have already worked on the shoulders.
Coming a long. I used his tail to. Yield up the hips.
Now under the neck looks weird.
Stopping for the day. I am dipping some pieces at TxRx
"Shake shake shake III", "that stick is not gonna throw itself", and "sit"
Tuesday the 27th
View from the back through the piece to the front.
Left backside through to the front.
Left side
Front / leftside
This view needs some work.
Front right
Right side
Looking through his abdomen towards his face.
shake shake shake III - done (I think)
Interesting angle
detail of active tail wag
Looking through from the back.
ears and tails on the move
Accepted
I just saw in my email the Houston Metal Arts Guild newsletter. The heading announced that the juror for their show "spirit and Matter" has made his selections. I was disappointed since I have not received an "accepted" email. I submitted a small bronze and gold leaf piece "lifting spirit"
My submission
I scanned the announcement to see what kind of work was accepted.......... and surprise I am on the list of artist accepted. Wahoo! I am not sure why I have not received an email I am just thrilled to be on the list.
Screen shot of newsletter
below is a description of the show and jurors letter.
Spirit and Matter 2016 will be a spectacular exhibit of 59 pieces by 33 Texas metal artists selected from a pool of 99 entries by 48 artists from across the state. As this event was open to metal artists of traditional and representational subject matter, the entries represented an extremely wide range of artistic style and ability. The juror, Andy Cooperman, had his work cut out for him and had this to say:
“What makes a great piece of Art or Craft? Wish I knew for sure. I can only say what rings my bells, what resonates with me. But the responsibility of jurying an exhibition requires more than a gut reaction or simple preference. In the case of Spirit and Matter, it meant considering each submission through the lens of these criteria:
- Is the work in some way compelling?
- Is there depth in form or idea?
- Is it well made–is the maker committed to the object?
- Is it original?
- Does it hold up to multiple viewings; does it stick in my mind?
- And finally, how does the work balance with the artist’s statement?
All of these qualities must be successfully manifested in a relatively small number of pixels in an image floating on the screen of an iMac. Tall order to be sure!
There was a wide range of work submitted. As a maker I understand and acknowledge the dedication involved in making something and then taking the risk of having it judged, so I looked carefully at every entry, several times. The work that I ultimately selected survived multiple rounds and I believe best illustrates the powerful partnership between spirit and matter.”
– Andy Cooperman, Seattle –
Congratulations to our invited artists!
Deirdre Barrett – Houston, TX
Jane Bocchini – Houston, TX
Anke Bohmer – Spring, TX
Mary Davenport – Houston, TX
Diana Diebold – Houston, TX
Martha Ferguson – Houston, TX
Terry Fromm – Houston, TX
Marsha Greene – Houston, TX
Jan Harrell – Houston, TX
Al Heilman – Willis, TX
Cynthia Hendrickson – Kingwood, TX
Rene Henry – Houston, TX
Jessica Jacobi – Deer Park, TX
Kathleen Janvier – Irving, TX
Younha Jung – Houston, TX
Cindee Klement – Houston, TX
Dave Koenig – Houston, TX
Debbie Leh-Pargac – Houston, TX
Beatrice Mladenka-Fowler – Houston, TX
Tamar Navama – Dallas, TX
Jillian Palone – San Antonio, TX
Jo Preston – Houston, TX
Angela Roberts – North Richland Hills, TX
Sarah Roberts – Converse, TX
Nancy Slagle – Lubbock, TX
Laura Sprague – Houston, TX
Olga Starostina – Houston, TX
Robert Straight – Bellaire, TX
Sarma Taylor – Houston, TX
Amber Tiemann – League City, TX
Jess Tolbert – Austin, TX
Joyce Welch – Deer Park, TX
Adriane Wiltse – Houston, TX
"Gust" -7, 8, and 9
9/2/2016
Starting to sprue up another hat in my "gust" series.
Cup and 3 1" sprues attached. These will create the cavities the bronze flows through to get into the sculpture.
1/2" feeder sprues and primary vents added.
Another view.
9/20/2016
Started another piece of my "gust" series.
#8
9-26-2016
The blind vents are added
The blind vents will allow the gasses to escape when the bronze is poured into the shell.
The first dip (slurry only) -All three together "gust" 7, 8 and 9
The slurry machine
The fine silicone powder.
Medium silicone powder.
2nd dip - slurry and fine silica
The last dip- slurry only. #10
This marks the completion of the 3rd step in the process of making a sculpture and casting it in bronze.
Tres Perros - wire
I am almost finished with #III. Here is a video of me seeing how she fits in with the first 2.
peace pigeons.
Sunday a memory from 2 years ago came up on my Facebook feed. I reposted it. (See below)
German beak creasted trumpeter- pigeon.
Below is a screen shot of a comment I received on the post. It is from a fellow sculptor Richard Solar. Richard's work always has strong historical references. His undergraduate thesis was on Picasso (Fakes, forgeries and reproductions). I would provide a link to his website but it is temporarily under construction.
Of course I love Richards post however I did not recall Picasso drawing or painting pigeons. Everyone knows His famous "peace doves". I googled Picasso pigeons and - he did draw pigeons but he called them doves. This particular pigeon was given to him by Henri Matisse. It is described as a Milanese pigeon. It was maybe from Milan but you can tell by the fancy feathers on his feet that is a German beak -created trumpeter. The same pigeon as in my drawing.
I wonder if he knew the difference between a dove and a pigeon. The below link is a great article about Picasso' peace dove (or should I say peace pigeon).
http://www.arttimesjournal.com/art/reviews/May_June_10_Ina_Cole/Pablo_Picasso_Ina_Cole.html
Contemporary craft museum
I assist in two bronze casting demonstrations Saturday evening at the Contemporary Craft Museum. I took three pieces from my "gust" series each an example of a different step of the process. It was so much fun to spend the evening explaining how bronze sculptures are cast and about my series.
Sprued and ready to begin the dipping process.
The sprued have been removed, the surface repaired and it is ready for the patina to be applied.
The first piece in the series complete with patina.
The mini foundry set up.
David Medina built a small portable furnace for the demonstration.
He was assisted by sculptors Carlos Garcia and will Isbell. Carolyn Johnson who sculpts and paints manned the tables with me explain what David, Carlos and Will were doing.
It was great fun.
Will picking out tiny pieces of scrap bronze to put in the furnace.
David checking no on of the furnaces.
Will playing with fire. :)
The bronze ready to heat.
Pouring the bronze in a small shell.
I should have gotten more pictures.
I will be assisting in a pouring demo.
New pedestal
This piece needed it's own custom made pedestal. It is shaped like an L on it's back. I am pleased with the results.
"that stick is not gonna to throw itself"
wire
46" X 44" X 24"
Side view
("sit") is in the background.
shake shake shake- wire III (day 1-2)
Day 1-
The goal is to have 5 wire shaking pieces that make 1 massive sculpture.
Screen shot photo for inspiration and the first two pieces.
Tools and materials ready- nose and 1 ear.
The head.
Day 2-
Still working on the head.
Left front paw- a little pigeon toed.
Left and right paws and legs.
Body parts - the front legs on the right. The head on the left.
It looks like a mix between a bat and 1/2 a dog.
Mage is all ears and front legs.
Coming along but very strange looking.
Stepping back for a moment
That is an ear in motion.
The lower ear.
Uh oh-
awkward
My pliers rack.
It looks better in person. the back half will have to wait until tomorrow.
Seeing how her front half works with the other two pieces.
Just playing around with placement
2 and 1/2 pieces.
Work in progress.
finding my artistic voice
I am taking an advanced art history class. A week ago we read about Black Mountain and Joseph Albers. We then wrote a response paper. This paper gives a good description of a big step in my artistic journey, finding my artistic voice and one of my favorite pieces "heritage".
Detail of "heritage"
bronze
MY BLACK MOUNTAIN
Joseph Albers wanted his students to find their own voice. In order for the students to define their own thoughts he taught them how to be conscious of what they saw. He wanted them to be aware of what influenced their interpretations of what they saw, and experienced and what influenced how they expressed their art.
Three years ago I enrolled in the foundry class at Glassell. The foundry department is very much a community. The same people take the class year after year in order to have access to the foundry facilities. My goal was to learn to cast small pieces in bronze to add to the concrete faux bois furniture I was crafting. In addition to achieving this goal I began my journey to find and define my voice as an artist. This happened in much the same way Black Mountain students learned from Albers. I found my voice by sharing with my classmates from all corners of the world and backgrounds and my instructor my ideas for projects. It was during these discussions that I first recognized how my unique visions were shaped by my life experiences: spending my early years on an isolated cotton farm in windy west Texas, living in a poor Hispanic border town, working in my family’s business as a teenager (I shaped hats), my love for animals especially dogs, my experience raising smart kids, my career in a male dominated field as a commercial real estate broker, my interest in construction remodeling homes and antiques, my work ethic, and my sense of humor. For example one of my first pieces was a burnout of an object. To my eye this was not an object this was an impression of a human spirit. With this object I tell the story of the pain and challenges the harsh west Texas weathers imprints on a soul through tears, rips and holes in a satin lining. I see evidence of daily habits necessary to survive alcoholism, and diabetes through the creases still living in the felt. I see a love between two people committed for life in the tattered remnants of a gross grain ribbon. I see financial hardship that shapes character in the frayed and moth eaten edges of the brim. Many of my classmates saw - a cowboy hat. Through my sculpture “heritage” I see, as Albers wanted his students to see how my unique journey in life could be told through my artistic expression.
The diverse community in my Glassell classes, in the BLOCK XVI group, and the diverse mentorship provided in the BLOCK program, along with the amazing facilities available I believe will help me further define what is unique about my background, how I see the world and how I want to express my thoughts and experiences through art. Seeing how others see and do is why I am in the BLOCK and at Glassell. I think Albers would approve.
Heritage
This the piece I was working on when I decided to start "gust" a series.
finding my artistic voice.
I am taking an advanced art history class. A week ago we read about Black Mountain and Joseph Albers. We then wrote a response paper. This paper gives a good description of a big step in my artistic journey, finding my artistic voice and one of my favorite pieces "heritage".
Detail of "heritage"
bronze
MY BLACK MOUNTAIN
Joseph Albers wanted his students to find their own voice. In order for the students to define their own thoughts he taught them how to be conscious of what they saw. He wanted them to be aware of what influenced their interpretations of what they saw, and experienced and what influenced how they expressed their art.
Three years ago I enrolled in the foundry class at Glassell. The foundry department is very much a community. The same people take the class year after year in order to have access to the foundry facilities. My goal was to learn to cast small pieces in bronze to add to the concrete faux bois furniture I was crafting. In addition to achieving this goal I began my journey to find and define my voice as an artist. This happened in much the same way Black Mountain students learned from Albers. I found my voice by sharing with my classmates from all corners of the world and backgrounds and my instructor my ideas for projects. It was during these discussions that I first recognized how my unique visions were shaped by my life experiences: spending my early years on an isolated cotton farm in windy west Texas, living in a poor Hispanic border town, working in my family’s business as a teenager (I shaped hats), my love for animals especially dogs, my experience raising smart kids with learning differences, my career in a male dominated field as a commercial real estate broker, my interest in construction remodeling homes and antiques, my work ethic, and my sense of humor. For example one of my first pieces was a burnout of an object. To my eye this was not an object this was an impression of a human spirit. With this object I tell the story of the pain and challenges the harsh west Texas weathers imprints on a soul through tears, rips and holes in a satin lining. I see evidence of daily habits necessary to survive alcoholism, and diabetes through the creases still living in the felt. I see a love between two people committed for life in the tattered remnants of a gross grain ribbon. I see financial hardship that shapes character in the frayed and moth eaten edges of the brim. Many of my classmates saw - a cowboy hat. Through my sculpture “heritage” I see, as Albers wanted his students to see how my unique journey in life could be told through my artistic expression.
The diverse community in my Glassell classes, in the BLOCK XVI group, and the diverse mentorship provided in the BLOCK program, along with the amazing facilities available I believe will help me further define what is unique about my background, how I see the world and how I want to express my thoughts and experiences through art. Seeing how others see and do is why I am in the BLOCK and at Glassell. I think Albers would approve.
HERITAGE
4" X 13.5" X 12" bronze 2013
Heritage – ( Robert Fleming Travis)
artist statement
One of my favorite treasures is the Stetson Open Road hat I inherited from my grandfather Bob-pa, Robert Fleming Travis. This well-worn hat quietly mirrors my grandfather’s life and character. Shaped by growing up in the Depression, he knew hard times as he later farmed cotton and raised cattle in the harsh West Texas desert near El Paso.
Bob-pa married Imogene Young while they were still in high school. Two years later during their senior year my father was born. Family lore has it that they never spent a night apart during their 70-year marriage.
As a teen I shaped hats in my father's western wear store, and I began to understand that old hats are reflections of their owners, that they keep a bit of the spirit of the person who wore them. Bob-pa's hat still resonates with his determination, his strong work ethic, and his fidelity. These are the very treasures that I work hard to ensure that my own children will inherit.
Pictures of procrastination- Starting is so intimidating- shake shake shake - wire III
I arrive at my studio at 10:00 and now it is 2:00.
I have procrastinated all morning. I need to start the 3rd component to this piece.
I built the pedestal
I moved jump. While moving him he chilled on the ladder.
I really need to have them climbing on everything.
Jump's new location. Sadly the ceilings are not beautiful. - something to dream of.
Romeo and Sarah came for lunch. Still procrastinating I invited myself to join them.
Romeo is an awesome portrait artist. See him and n Instagram @rip123rose.
And on Facebook see
Romeo clay Robinson
Still procrastinating- Then we looked at Sarah's work.
Sarah showing Romeo her work
Like a blank canvas
Finally - tools out. 3:00
Tools- I usually start sitting on the floor.
I will use this screen shot of kitty for inspiration.
The start
I am not sure why starting is hard. I am glad this is behind me. 5:30
2016 Bank of the Arts National Juried Exhibition - accepted
Accepted- I love that word. Friday I received an email that my piece "shake shake shake I and II- lenticular" was selected. The juror of this show is Dr. Larry Wheeler Director of the NC Museum of Art. This piece was also in the Ft. Worth Regional show @arstpace111 juried by Eric Lee Director of the kimball museum. This time the call for entry was national. It will be on exhibit in the historic city of New Bern, the first colonial capital of North Carolina and a tourist destination. The show will be used as visual imagery for dialogue between literary and visual arts. It is a collaboration with PulitzerNC: The power of words.
I would love for someone to write a poem about my piece.
The exhibit will be at Bank of the Arts
october 14- November 26th
317 middle street
New Bern, NC 28563
my artist statement for the body of work that shake shake shake I and II lenticular is a part of;
Easter of 2015 - grateful to have both kids in town we decided to go to the Buffalo Bayou Dog Park - all of us. My son Griffin took a slow mo video of our elderly Labrador Kitty. Kitty loved the dog park and would retrieve tennis balls from the pond like she was a two-year-old pup. She would consistently drop the ball at your feet and as you would bend over to pick it up shake all the water off her coat right on to all those standing near by. My son’s video inspired my “shake shake shake” body of work.
This body of work expresses energy, movement, and Contagious joy. It includes several drawings, life size wire sculptures and lenticular prints.
"that stick is not gonna throw itself"
I put this picture on Facebook and Instagram requesting title of work suggestions. Kay Powell Curtis' aunt face booked me "that stick is not gonna throw itself." Curtis and I both burst out laughing. She took the words right out of his mouth.
It is a keeper. Now I just have to finish it.
Thank you Kay- 😘 thanks so much for taking the time to look at my post and for sharing your very special quirky Kay verbiage. You made my day.
"That stick is not gonna throw itself"
45" X 36" X 24" wire (detail)
"that stick is not gonna throw itself"
I put this picture on Facebook and Instagram requesting title of work suggestions. Kay Powell Curtis' aunt face booked me "that stick is not gonna throw itself." Curtis and I both burst out laughing. She took the words right out of his mouth.
It is a keeper. Now I just have to finish it.
Thank you Kay- 😘 thanks so much for taking the time to look at my post and for sharing your very special quirky Kay verbiage. You made my day.
"that stick is not gonna throw itself. "
My fortune cookie
This is one fortune I will save
forEVER
forEVER
:)
Accepted-National Juried exhibit - BUILD - juried by Murray Whisnant FAIA @ ciel gallery.
I just received an email with exciting news. My "Craneology- dance until the sunrises" was accepted in BUILD.
This will be my first piece excepted in a national juried show.
"Craneology- dance until the sunrises".
Description of the curatorial theme of the exhibit.