Is That A Zombie I See?

"Clip", as it was originally designed.

I love Indiana Limestone because it is perfect for a garden. I also love carving anything related to the human figure. I got the best of both worlds with this Indiana Limestone hand I carved for a combined poetry and art project. The idea was to create a piece of art that was related to a poem. The poet (also named Michael) and I created an anti-technology themed piece that was all about the overuse of technology as a way to communicate. Unfortunately, the pinky was broken off and had to be repaired. At that point, I decided not to sell it and place it in our garden. I love it there!!

My preferred setting

While I liked the collaboration, I like the hand living in the garden better. Others agree. I have even sold a commissioned hand as a result of a social media post. That means it is now in the perfect setting, right?

Unfortunately, my wife disagrees. She does not like the "zombie" effect that the hand has. She was not alone. "Creepy" was a familiar comment when I posted it on Facebook and Instagram. It was pretty clear that men loved it but, most women... well, not so much! I still like the garden setting and figure, it is a little heavy for my wife to move! Leave a comment about your thoughts.

New Nude in Boticcino Marble

The initial block of Boticcino Marble

roughing out the figure

I have decided what I will carve form a block of Boticcino marble form Italy the I purchased last year. It started out as a block that is 2800 pounds. I purchased this block from another artist that had already started carving on it. I didn't ask what their plans for the block were as I did not want to be influenced by that. 

I really liked the section that is sticking up on the right side and thought it looked like an arm sticking up. So, I have started in on what will be a 2/3 scale female nude. She will be reclining when completed. I have also decided to complete this piece primarily with hand tools. (At least for the roughing out. I may not be able to deal with the hand finishing!) I just finished listening to "The Agony And The Ecstasy", the story of Michelangelo's life. I was in awe over the descriptions of his marble work. I have been to Italy and seen all of his major work. I thought this would be a nice tribute piece to him. We will see how far I get before the power comes out!

A Sculptors Heaven

Some may say that the picture below is boring. Some may say, "That looks like a lot of nothing". I say, "I am in heaven!!"

Two weeks ago, I went with a friend of mine and fellow sculptor, Karen Terhune to pick out the quarry rocks for my commission "For Liberum". We drove a short way up to just outside Bedford, Indiana to the quarries of Indiana Limestone Company. We met with Brent Blackwell, the best quarry man in the business, to pick out the blocks for the commission. The pictures are of just a few of the blocks that are available.

As you look at the photos, the blocks you see are mostly 25000 to 32000 pounds. Thats a big rock!!  The one with Karen standing next to it is a small rock. It is only 10000 pounds.

I picked out three blocks. They are 28000, 29000 and 32000 pounds. The quarry is going to do a few cuts for me to simplify the carving process. I will be receiving the blocks in a few weeks. I will post as they come in.

"Birds On Canvas"

I have ventured into canvas! Well, kind of. No, I have not given up sculpture for painting. I had an opportunity to place some drawings in a show where all work had to be on canvas. I decided, rather than painting, I would laminate a giclee print of one of my pencil drawings to the canvas and then add colored pencil to it. It is rather unique. Check out my Available Drawings page to see this and other works on canvas.

New Drawings on My Website — Mike McCarthy Sculptor

"Moon View" - 8" x 5.5" white ink on black paper

"Compassion" - 8" x 5.5" stippled ink on paper.

I have posted some new drawings to my available-drawings page. (You can click the link to take you directly to the page.)

Most of the new drawings are stippled. I have been really into stippling lately. I love the texture you can get with just dots. The process is also very soothing to me. I can build up intensity a little at a time. It is very reminiscent of sculpture in that it is a slow process to get to where you are going.

Some of the drawings are on black paper. With these, I use white ink to create a very interesting effect. Like in "Moon View" above, the white ink and the leafless tree gives the feeling of a cold winters night.

I am also using a traditional black ink on some drawings. the advantage here is the the stippling can be finer. I can get finer point pens for doing this type of work. It takes more time because the dots are so fine, but I think it gives a softer feel to the drawing.

Check out the page and leave some comments about them.

"Cor Liberum" - My newest commission for Norton Hospital, Audubon Campus

In the May 12 edition of "Louisville Business First", my sculpture "Cor Liberum" was introduced! I was invited to submit a proposal for the entry sculpture as part of a new renovation at the hospital. My proposal was chosen and I was awarded the sculpture. Check out the online version of the article:

Come along on a hard hat tour of the Norton Audubon expansion (PHOTOS)

I am listening to "The Agony and the Ecstasy"

A fellow sculptor Karen Terhune and I drove up to Bedford Indiana this past weekend so that I could pick out some stone for a new commission. While we were driving, Karen told me about her favorite book (and I think movie), "The Agony and the Ecstasy". The book is by Irving Stone. It is a biographical novel of Michelangelo. I can't get enough! it is so funny how little things in the book really strike home. I have just started the book, but already, it has captured my mind. The best part so far was when one of the Medici sons asked Michelangelo to participate in a hunt. Michelangelo responded that he would rather carve. That is the story of my life. I would rather carve than just about anything!

The KYANA Outdoor Sculptors Guild Invitational opens to a great crowd inspite of the rain!

The opening reception for the first KYANA Outdoor Sculptors Guild Invitational was Friday, May 12. The reception took place at Bob Hill's Hidden Hill Nursery and Sculpture Garden in Utica, IN.

At first, it appeared that the weather was not going to cooperate. The day started off rainy and  cool. However, by around 4:00 pm the rain gave up and the weather changed. It turned out to be a beautiful evening for the reception. The crowd was great, the food and music were great, the grounds were beautiful, but most of all, the art is stunning!

Opening night saw 3 pieces find new permanent homes. Mary Dennis Kanapell's "Garden Guardian" was the inaugural sale. Don Lawler's "Ghost Dancers" limestone sculpture followed soon after. My "Dance" completed the first days sales. 

The show is open until August 11, 2017. If you were scared off by the weather on Friday, head on out between now and August 11 and enjoy some beautiful art in a beautiful setting. Consider giving one of the other 40+ works of art a permanent home.

"Garden Guardian" by Mary Dennis Kanapell

"Ghost Dancers" by Don Lawler

"Dance" by Mike McCarthy