My commission for the Audubon Campus of Norton Hospital really got off to a running (or should I say Lifting) start this past week. I received a 24000 pound stone that will be transformed into the birds for the sculpture experience. After a few delays, I am very excited to be under way. Now, the "heavy lifting" of carving begins. This video is a little sped up so you can actually see progress!
"If The Spirit Is Willing" is featured in the magazine "Southern Indiana Living" /
Its one thing to have your work make it into a magazine...quite another to have a full page photo of your work at the start of an article about the sculpture show it is part of!
I was thrilled to receive a call from a friend telling me that she had picked up a bunch of "Southern Indiana Living" magazine and was bringing them to me because it had an article about the show I had help to organize. When she told me that it had a full spread featuring my sculpture "If The Spirit Is Willing", I was over the moon. It is always an honor when you are recognized for the hard work it takes to produce your art. To have it featured so prominently is amazing!
"Peace Lilly" is nearly complete! /
Well, I have made it! the worst part of a sculpture is done. I really don't like doing the sanding on a sculpture. Maybe when I am famous I will hire an apprentice to do this hated task...lol! Seriously, I don't like to sand. But, the results are what they are. If you don't spend time sanding, you don't get the perfection a piece deserves. It is not fun, but it is necessary!
I will finish this piece tomorrow. I filed and sanded all of the bruises and scratches out today. It is sanded to 40 grit. That may not seem like much, given that I have to go to 400 grit paper, but the worst is over. Most of the work is done with the files and the lower grit papers. I will go to 60, 100, 220 and end with 400 grit paper. I think I will leave this one unwaxed. I like the dull finish. That has yet to be determined, but I am leaning that way. Stay tuned and I will post the final piece tomorrow!
"Vortex" is going through a name change to "Peace Lilly" /
As I move towards completion on this sculpture from Indiana Limestone, I realize that "Vortex" is not the name for this one. I have settled on "Peace Lilly" The shape is so much more peaceful and serene than "Vortex" indicates. It has too gracefully of curves and lines to name it "Vortex". As I complete the piece, we will see if it sticks, but for now, "Peace Lilly" it is.
As for progress on this piece, it is entering its final stages. I am in the sanding process. This is the only part of sculpting stone that I don't enjoy. It is a necessary evil to end up with a really cool piece. I think I have one or two more days and then it will be complete and ready to move to a garden near you!
"Cattails" has Found a New Home /
"Cattails", a sculpture I carved from Indiana Limestone has found a new home. This sculpture is part of the First Annual KYANA Outdoor Sculptors Guild show at Hidden Hill Nursery and Sculpture Garden in Utica, IN. I have three pieces entered in the show and now two have sold. With another month left in the show, I will eep my fingers crossed that I will go three for three in this show!
New Chisels from Trow and Holden /
In todays news...I received 2 new stone carving chisels in the mail today! I know many would ask whats the big deal, but for me, I am in heaven when I get new tools. I decided to get some larger tools to work on "Cir Liberum". I hope these tools will help me fly through the stone!! The toothed chisel is 2.5" wide. the Flat is 1.25" wide. I will let you all know how well they carve in a bit. (I know you can't wait for the update!!)
Three New Drawings Added /
"Horse Collage" Hand Colored Giclee Mounted on Canvas
"Lion Head" Hand Colored Giclee mounted in Black Matt
"Figure Study" Hand Colored Giclee Mounted on Canvas
I added three new drawings to my web site today. All three are giclee prints of black and white original drawings. "Horse Collage" and "Figure Study" wereoriginal black and white pencil drawings. "Lion Head" was an original black and white pen and ink drawing. However, once the print is made, I use colored pencil to apply color to them. By doing this, I make a one of a kind print. Since I am color blind, I am never sure what they look like to someone with normal color vision. I think some of them, especially "Horse Collage" look like old black and white photographs or films that have color added to them. It is kind of a cool effect. The other cool thing is that since I am color blind, I can never repeat the same colors on any print. This ensures that no two prints are ever the same.
The other unique thing about two of the prints is that I cropped the giclee to fit on a 12" x 12" canvas. I then mounted the prints on the canvas. The "Figure Study" and the "Horse Collage" are the two that are mounted to the canvas. (I have also done this with one of the "Bird Collage" as well.) I am not a painter at all. I had to paint in school, but I am pretty sure that is the last time I painted. I joke that I have now begun my career as an artist working on canvas. I did have to paint the canvas black after all!
Click here Available Drawings to see these and other drawings on my web page.
Progress Being Made /
The latest progress shot of "Vortex"
On my "in-progress-work" page, I have posted an update on "Vortex" as well as a new untitled (for now) alabaster piece.
"Vortex" is starting to take shape. This is a larger gallery scale work I am carving. It started as a 250 pound block of Indiana Limestone. It has lost a lot of weight and is now down to where I can at least lift it to the carving table without a crane. I am working on thinning out the entire piece as well as refining the shape. I think the progress is good. I have not decided if I will penetrate the sides of the piece yet, but right now, I am leaning towards it. We will have to see what happens as I move towards completion. I plan to show this piece in the show at "KORE Gallery" in October.
Untitled new work in Turtle Shell Alabaster
The second piece is a new alabaster work. This is the first time I have worked with a stone called Turtle Shell Alabaster. The stone is really unique. However, it is very difficult to carve. the alabaster falls apart very easily. Yet, it is also a very hard stone. It is hard to describe, but I can assure you, it will be worth the effort.