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.  

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.  

Bronze pour 11/10

Weighing the bronze  

Building up the heat.  

Warming the bronze before adding it to the crucible.  

Putting on my protective gear- leather chaps, leather shirt, insulated gloves with welding gloves over and wire mesh face hard and helmet. 

The actual pour- David Medina in the dead man position with Carlos Garcia pouring the bronze. My job is covering the pieces with tiles to keep the sand out of the shells and having them uncovered as each piece is poured and then recovered (and to make sure I am out of David and Carlos' way). kris poured sand around the pieces to keep them warm and stabilized. John was also on hand to add spar set should we have any leaks. 

Excess bronze poured into inget molds.  

The new set up at TXRX took to long to heat the bronze and I need 75+lbs. to pour mine so we just poured a few small pieces. We will pour my pieces next Thursday. 😊  

peace pigeon project #6 - grounded

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.  

Rear view  

Drawing that inspired the series.  

German beak trumpeter pigeon with leg muffs

peace pigeon project #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.  

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

peace pigeon project #8 laundry twisties

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

Opening Friday night  

https://squareup.com/store/ImpastoArtGallery

comb here  

30" X 22" 

charcoal and ink

Peace Pigeon project #3 - feathery finery - start to finish

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