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my first look-
I have been worried that a new lenticular from my "the road" series would not work out. This is my first proof. I have put five drawings together to create the lenticular of a cyclist pedaling. Each drawing is of a different position of the cyclist's feet, legs and shoulders. This is the first of three, each made from five drawings.
Still in the box- my very first look.
I am almost ready for this fall's "known and underknown" exhibition at art Brookfield.
In downtown Houston, we have several buildings owned by Brookfield Asset Management. They are unique in that the lobbies of their properties are used to bring art to downtown Houston.
The curator, Sally Reynolds, visited my studio this past spring and selected a lenticular and a wire sculpture for a fall show in the lobby of Heritage Plaza, "known and underknown." I was particularly excited to have her visit my studio and doubly excited that she selected two pieces. I have wanted to try out a new pedestal idea, but simply have not had the room in my studio. I wanted to try putting the wire piece on a much larger pedestal, a pedestal that almost functions as part of the sculpture. Sally agreed to see what I would come up with for a new pedestal.
I started to scope out the junk/antique stores in Montrose. I wanted a club chair, with clean simple lines. Basically, a pedestal that looks like a chair. It had to be the right height, with a simple texture, and needed to be wide enough that a dog would need to pull up on it to see over and around, looking for his ball. This is what I found.
Trying it out for size in my garage studio.
First, I took a very strong needle and sewed down the back cushion, as if the dog's weight was holding it down, right where his paws would rest. The next step was creating the finish. It took over a gallon of paint to make it look like a pedestal/sculpture. Sally was concerned that people might try to sit on it. As a result, I attached the dog's wire ball to the seat and I also added a pillow in the corner.
Below is the original wooden pedestal. I still like the original pedestal for its simplicity, and hope to have the opportunity to exhibit the piece on it in the future, if I am lucky.
I recently sent Sally a photo of the piece. She seemed pleased, and promised to find a place for my sculpture on this larger chair/pedestal in the show. I am very grateful that she gave me the opportunity to give this idea a shot. She really did not have to. Thank you, Sally.
"the road" - new title of work.
When we celebrated Father's Day, and my kids asked me what I had been working on, I replied, "My cyclist series." We discussed the series and potential names for the series at other family gatherings. That started a new flow of names: bikers, bikes, friends, asphalt, or ass-fault (a little offensive)... then Curtis said, "Why don't you call them 'the road'?"
N i c e, "the road!"
I like "the road" as a name more than cyclist, cyclist is too obvious. "The road" is poetic. Thank you Curtis😍 You are the best husband 😀 and father. Any thoughts?
So, from here on out, I will call them "the road."
I am slowly having all of my work professionally photographed. Here are the images that Will Michels took of "lifting spirits". He did a beautiful job.
LIFTING SPIRITS
11 3/4" X 5 3/4" X 7" bronze 2016
I have always been curious about unicorn lore, their beauty, and symbolism. However, I have hesitated to use unicorns in my work due to their close association to drawings by little girls, and the images on their fashionable pink or purple t-shirts. After reading the article below, I may reconsider using unicorns in my work.
Certainly, we could use some unicorns in today's culture.
https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-mystery-mets-unicorn-tapestries-remains-unsolved
This summer killing time on a lazy day I was sketching with coffee and made these images.
The head of the unicorn is camolflouged in the very middle of the page.
SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE I
30" X 22" charcoal, ink and bubbles 2015
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” series.
11"X 15"
mono-print detail
11" X 15"
mono-print
In the spring I was approached to have a solo show at Nos Caves Vin. The space is curated by Elise Miller. I have a set out a large selection of my drawings out for Elise to select from.
I can't wait to see what she picks.
I recently received a link to download the photos taken of my recent wire cloth sculpture titled, "January 21, 2017." It is exciting to see professional photos of my finished work, but most importantly it is necessary to have professional photos for publications, websites, marketing, submitting to exhibitions and for documentation. I feel that when art historians of the future look at the work of artists living and working in this day and age, their ability to understand the processes, materials, concepts and inspirations will be as important as the actual work. The documentation of these items will greatly add to the artistic, social and monetary value of art. It is just a hunch I have from my years of experience in the business world. I hope I am right and that it does add to the value because it takes a lot of time, not to mention money, to have it done professionally.
I love this shot taken by Will Michels: http://madebywill.com/
Will is a very talented photographer. Check out his work on his website.
Www.madebywill.com
I am still experimenting with the runner image movement and monoprints. I drew this on a piece of plexiglas used for my lenticulars 40LPI.
Detail
" the turn IV"
30" x 20"
water color, ink, and pastel
monoprint
"that ball is not going to throw itself"
1 gallon of paint and counting
"the turn III"
30" x 22"
monoprint - water color ink
30" x 22"
monoprint - water color
the turn 30" x 22"
water color monoprint
This is a drawing from a photo taken of my father in approximately 1944 while running track for the El Paso High School Fighting Tigers. In 2007 I used this photo for the graphics on an invitation for my Dad's 80th birthday party. This year he will make the turn for his 90th.
This photo also gave me the idea to make my photo finish sculpture. In this photo he is obviously not at the finish of a race. I have played with 3 different versions and techniques to get the right effect.
It took three days, but I have completed 15 (5 for each of three cyclist) mono-prints. Now, the last ones (the middle cyclist) need to dry. Then, for a week, I will press all 15 between two heavy objects to make them flat.
