Rumblings - diversifying and implementing systems thinking.

All living and nonliving matter are connected in form or system. Through my work on “Symbiosis,”  I have witnessed the power of holistic management, also called systems thinking. I can see that Changing our decision making process to consider whole systems and connectedness is the solution to our environmental and social issues. Changing how society thinks is the driving force in my art.

With this new awareness I am inspired to consistently reflect it in my work. I have decided to rethink  “Rumblings,” which began as a collection of monotypes of 50 of the 10,000 bee species. It wasa mono crop of bees. However, you can’t separate the interconnection between bees, humans, or other living organisms and the earth's natural systems. We are all part of the living planet Earth. I will start applying systems thinking to all my installations. “Rumblings ” will celebrate the relationships among a diversity of species up and down the food chain.  I will weave into these pieces the relationships that whisper of Earths biological processes and Physical  and chemical Elements. The connections can be obvious or  subtle, they can be  unmeasurable or invisible. This will be fun.

Endangered Knowledge: The Soul of Humus #15

Another day of building the bone structure of the face. The armature is more detailed than the sculpture will be. As I work I remind myself that the armature just needs to support the masses of dried mud and dried grass. It will not be visible under the herbaceous skin. I can’t seem to stop myself. I think it make me feel closer, more connect to the bison.

It also keeps me away from the news- COVID 19.

Today I worked on the lower part of it's cheekbones and then I added a rear jawbone.

Today I worked on the lower part of it's cheekbones and then I added a rear jawbone.

Looking up the mouth and nose of head minus the lower jaw.

Looking up the mouth and nose of head minus the lower jaw.

The old guys face left side

The old guys face left side

Looking through the skull

Looking through the skull

The right profile.

The right profile.

Endangered Knowledge: The Soul of Humus #14

I am getting close to finishing the head and upper jaw. The next step will be to create the lower jaw, then I will put the head aside and start building up the piece from the hooves.

More work on the cheekbones and connecting the horns to the eyes.

More work on the cheekbones and connecting the horns to the eyes.

Side view of armature

Side view of armature

Bottom side view

Bottom side view

Bison's left side view

Bison's left side view

Back of head looking down

Back of head looking down

Vote

SUFFRAGE - March 3, 1913 

Riding aside historically represents oppression of women's rights. Suffragette Inez Milholland rode astride in the 1913 ride/march on Washington. Inez was not only protesting for the right to vote, own property, to sue, but to also to ride astride. 

This is my first piece of work that addresses the women’s movement. It first resonated with me purely from an aesthetic point of view, as I knew the aged leather would reproduce beautifully in bronze. What I did not realize, however, was that this sculpture would represent more than a stereotypical Texas western symbol. In my women’s movement body of art it represents the strength of Victorian women and the beginning of the women’s movement

MARCH 3, 1913 - Woman Suffrage Procession -Inez Milholland10" X 20" X 30" bronze and distressed gold leaf 2014photo by Will Michels

MARCH 3, 1913 - Woman Suffrage Procession -Inez Milholland

10" X 20" X 30" bronze and distressed gold leaf 2014

photo by Will Michels