A new materials investigation
The box of twisties
Step 1 breakdown the twisties
Sculpting the first leg muff
shake shake shake - wire IV
Can't wait to get professional pictures of this guy.
peace pigeon project #4 - screen
I found an old scrap of screen used for windows.
The piece is sewn together with wire thread.
Material detail
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.
Art opening
Comb here I
moments that matter - opening
comb here
30" X 22"
charcoal and ink
Peace Pigeon project #3 - feathery finery - start to finish
Finished piece
I welded together a small steel armature using pencil size steel.
When I add the tail it will stand up better.
View from the other side.
Wow! I love just the lath.
Lath cut for body of pigeon.
I used a tennis ball to form the chest.
Dried up old garland from last fall.
Detail
Messy business
Propping up the tail while it cures.
Detail of leg muff and tail
From behind and under
Celebration and remembrance exhibit - "forgotten soul - s.erickson" - bronze
Opening
Inspiration for future work
October 11,2016
I am always finding things on my morning walks that I have to pick up. This little leaf was today's treasure. It will be the inspiration for a future piece. I carefully carried it to my studio and took these pictures with my cell phone.
My studio- my definition and use.
I was asked to define my art studio and how I use it.
This is what I came up with-
-my studio-
Is stuck in traffic as my mind wanders.
Sits at a stoplight where I observe a homeless man and his possessions.
Is a construction site as I memorize the body language of the workers.
Is the park where play inspires a body of work.
Is above the skyscrapers where construction cranes bathe in sunlight.
My studio-
Is a memory I can’t let go.
Is an object in which I see the life of a grandfather.
Is a stick I have to pick up.
Is a sleepless night where my thoughts resolve.
My studio-
Is the Internet where articles are read.
Is the photo application where work is documented.
Is Squarespace where a website and blog are my gallery.
Is Facebook and Instagram where posts count the likes.
My studio-
Is a corner in the garage where thoughts become works on paper, and observations transform into abstract wire sculptures.
Is the kitchen counter where small sculptures are prepared to be cast in bronze.
Is a hacker space where furnaces heat bronze and sculptures are immortalized.
Is studio 234 in the old Nabisco factory where BLOCK XVI fellows strive.
My studio-
Is where soap bubbles, wax and wire, charcoal and clay, paper and ink are well stocked.
Is where safety goggles and ear protectors, respirators and gloves are within reach.
Is where angle grinders, chop saws, and pneumatic needle hammers are well oiled.
My studio –
Is simple, clean, well lit and dead white.
My studio –
Is where I tell my stories and invite others to listen
Accepted -
A few weeks ago I noticed that Artspace a non profit gallery in Roundrock, Texas was having a call for art. The curatorial theme - "celebration and Rememberence" a sort of day of the dead celebration. I immediately thought about a bust I sulpted in 2014 and how nice it would be for the inspiration of my sculpture (Mr. S.Erickson) if the piece was selected. "Celebration and Remembered" is not a juried Show and I had decided to only apply for selective juried shows. It would be a away of paying tribute to a man who was forgotten in his time and it was a local opportunity to submit a sculpture. So I submitted the piece. I am happy happy to report that "forgotten soul- S.Erickson" will be remembered and celebrated at Artspace in Roundtop Texas during the month of December. Below is the artist statement I submitted.
forgotten soul – S. Erickson
Was one of the thousands who died at the Oregon state mental hospital whose ashes were abandoned inside 3500 copper urns. I saw his picture in the newspaper and could not forget him. "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" was filmed at Oregon state mental hospital.His file stated he was a laborer and suffered from senility, he came to New York in 1883 from Norway. Mr. Erickson was one of the forgotten souls but I could not forget him.
Dr. Juliet Farmer's Boutique Eyecare - made a donation to my art project. - it must have been fate
She put two of these sweet chairs by her garbage Monday. Tuesday am she saw my request for a small chair to use in a sculpture. When she got to her office the garbage pick up only took one chair. She sent me a Facebook message and I ran right over.
Gracias dr. Farmer.
shake shake shake IV started
10/5/1016
10/11
End of day 10/11
I want this one to have it's front right paw off the ground. In order to achieve this the paw will be lightly defined to keep it physically light and the left side will have to be very sturdy- tricky
End of day 10/12
Right paw lifted.
Awkward view.
Working on the backside.
From the back
10/24
Left side
Moments That Matter
I just received an email that "comb here" a drawing of my father trying to comb my son's hair before an Easter picture was selected for the "Moments that matter" exhibition in the Impasto art gallery in Longmont Colorado.
"Comb here" 30" X 22"
charcoal, ink and pastel on paper.
Moments that Matter exhibition.
peace pigeon project #2 heyday part 2
On 10/24 I mixed up some plaster and added a little hay.
10/25 the plaster is cured. I think on my next piece I will leave more mesh showing.
Saw an empty pedestal in the block and just could not resist perching him there for a few.
I love the exposed armature
The silo's windows- were screening at me.
I volunteered to work at the sculpture month Houston opening last night. The exhibition was great, however I couldn't quit taking pictures of the old wired over windows. Those lines- I love them.
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.
Tail detail
Foot detail
Material - metal lath, gloves and cutters.
Armature -One leg muff pigeon leg
Armature- Two feet and the start of the chest
Had to do a little smashing of the mesh.
A layer of plaster and hay is added
My charcoal drawing of pigeon.
Tail feather support
Peace Pigeon project #1
My goal is to experiment with new materials however I am starting with one I am very familiar with - bailing wire. My subject the German beak - trumpeter pigeon. He is graceful, interesting and conducive to expressing energy. Picasso called him a the peace dove.
German beak - trumpeter pigeon
wire
14" X 8" X 12"
The finished product- he is strutting. When the jerk their heads way back then stick it way out when then they walk.
Sara wing-German beak trumpeter pigeon.
Below are photos of how the piece progressed
10/5/2016
10/6/2016
Coming along
Oops
10/10/1016
Looking proud
I will look at him in a week and see if I think I am done. What do you think?
Random day in studio
I have decided to post once a month a video of my studio. Here is the first. It was taken early September.
"gust" - porcelain
"Gust" - porcelain
Gust is a series in a greater body of work. The first component was "heritage" which is now in the city of Houston's art collection. "heritage" is an example of an object that through use has retained energy from those who have used and handled it. The second piece is "heritage II" which is reserved for my private collection. Then I started "gust" a bronze series of hats caught in a gust of wind. The wind tosses, turns and tumbles the hat. To be exhibited with "gust" I am making 16 porcelean reliefs of hats. These hats will also expresss a physical energy. See below some pictures of them.
"Gust" - porcelain detail
"Gust" - porcelain detail
Two pieces on table.
"Gust" - porcelain detail
My plan is to hang 16 pieces 4 X 4 or maybe 25 - 5X 5.
"gust" 7,8 and 9
10/6/2016
Prepared the shells for burnout
Here I am wearing ear and eye protection, a respirator and using my angle grinder with a diamond blade to cut off the top of the cup and blind vents.
Shells ready for the first burnout.