New Artist Statement

            My work pushes the boundaries of the body; through dissection I separate and combine the fragmented anatomies of human and beastly forms.  When the humanness is finally stripped away a far more feral design emerges. That moment when the hybrid form containing partly bestial and partly human shape is realized the power of the body and life is established.  This ability to shape shift or to transform from human to animal, is frequently referenced all over the world, however the most influential for me are the Indian legends from North and Central America.  By referencing these legends I tap into my ancient bloodline.  This connection is seen through the materials I use in my work.  Creating my work however, requires a potent fuel.  In order to create, I must reflect on past events, primarily negative events that have happened throughout my life.  Fortunately, when I create something out of that negativity I discover the medicine my mind and body crave.

Thanksgiving

Here are two pieces I finished before and during the Thanksgiving break.

These pieces are actually the one and the same, the only change I made to the piece was adding actual and imitation bones to the metal skeleton.  I was interested in the the notion of having real and fake bones.  I still don't know why in was of interest to me.

This piece I made over the Thanksgiving break, I really wanted to make a piece that reflected my interest in the shapeshifting or transformation that is told in some Indian tales.  I also wanted to discuss the feeling of being thrown away like trash, that hand movement where both hands flick and release, that action was very important to this piece.  I added hair, hide and deer horn into this piece.  I wanted to reflect on the fetal position of the object.  I feel that this piece is the most loaded piece, I found myself discovering more and more links this piece has with my Cherokee heritage.  I find this piece to be very emotional, when I stand in front of it, I put myself in the position as if I had thrown away this being.  I couldn't stand there for very long.

Video

 Here is a link to some videos I made during fall 2013.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL894SszdJvJhBDA3tKffXibggiP9fbMfA&feature=mh_lolz

Submission to DaveBownProjects 7th Semiannual Competition

  I sent four images to DaveBownProjects, here are the images.

          

                                

Bones.Bones..Bones...

    Finally managed to get the salted bones hanging on clear fishing line instead of the metal wire.  Could not believe how scared I was when I started cutting the wire, praying that the fishing line held.  I don't know what it is, might be the fishing line, but the ribs and pelvis move a lot more.  I was thinking about adding some branches to create the feeling of veins and to help hide the metal but I'm worried that if I add any more weight to the lines they will snap, I have ten pound line but I'm still worried.

I also started another piece, for this piece I made some bone like structures out of clay and hung them using metal wire and the same fishing line.  I mixed real bones with the ones I made from clay and did some beadwork.  Sadly my idea to have them hang horizontally isn't working for me.  My next trick will be to attach these clay bones and real ones to rebar and have another wall hanging.

Here is a close up of two clay bones and two real bones.

Digital Collages

Here are two pieces I finished for the Digital Media class, this was the first piece I made.

For this piece I was having difficultly staying away from the materials I have used in previous collages for this class.  I forced myself to forgo the dark blue background and added two textures, gravel and concrete.  I did add two abstract pastel mountains or reflections.  Even though I made the piece I have no idea what atmosphere this piece depicts.  I like the movement from the arms.  I think the gravel as the background was a great idea, it makes the background more interesting.  I'm not completely satisfied with the bone structure on the lower left but, win some lose some.

Here is my second piece, for this piece I took pictures of the rib cage currently hanging in my studio, it provided a different shape that up until now I didn't have.  I did give up and use the dark blue, but I did manage to add the gravel texture as well to force change.  I used a photo of a hornet's nest I have in my room.  It's small, (can hold in the palm of your hand) and placed it beside this strange fleshy shape.  Originally, I had the ribcage right side up but something draws me to having it upside down.  I think to allow the other pieces entrance into the 'cage' structure.

Both are 8x8 and will be matted on a 10x10 piece of board.
 

Some thoughts after class

During the class today I spent some time thinking about my piece and I noticed that I was trying to transform a Bison ribcage and pelvis and give them some human qualities.  This transforming or shapeshifting quality I find my work tentatively touching on might stem from my American Indian heritage.  And I disguise the differences between animal and human by zooming in on the anatomical features to investigate the thin line between animal and human.

Those were just some of the thoughts I had.

New Artist Statement

This work reflects my interest in the body, and the internal systems, which communicate, connect and contribute to the figure as a whole.  I am interrogating the form, pushing the boundaries of what is considered human until that layer of humanness falls away and allows something deeper to emerge.  The body is composed of an amalgamation of bones, tissues and organs that all strive to sustain the body much like a community.  I am fascinated by these communities within the body and often play with these forms through dissection, until a far more primal or animal reference emerges.

Epic Fail

Well, I had an idea to have a spine with fabric acting as the fascia and it fell flat. (I blame the fabric!) I really don't like it, it doesn't even look like something I would make it repels me so.  However, I did make two sets of metal horns that were originally going to act as ends of vertebrae but now I think I might keep them for something else.  Good idea, bad outcome.  Maybe I'll make the horns into claws and attach them to a piece of wood I have around my studio and make a scary paw with metal claws.  I have no idea, this didn't help me feel better about getting enough images for MFA applications.

New Artist Statement

My work explores the many varieties of anatomical structures within vertebrates and invertebrates.  I wish to address the many issues surrounding these bodies: such as mortality, function and decay.  By investigating the complex structures I allow myself freedom to play and permit changes to occur within my pieces.  The metal is most often metaphorical for armor, which protects the vulnerable insides.  I enjoy seeing how these organic structures function, and welcome the challenge of pounding, cutting and scraping a similar structure out of my materials.  I am currently experimenting with other organic materials such as stone and animal remains to broaden my understanding of anatomy.  Creating a space where two separate materials can compliment each other is an interesting puzzle to me. These structures come more easily to me in their three-dimensional forms.

New carving

This is a piece I have been working on for a while, I want to mix carving and metal to create a reference to an organic bone structure.  I took some inspiration from the bone like plates from a stegosaurus.  However, I worry that the plates reference leaves more than bone.  I am currently still in the process of finishing the piece, I will try to have a great deal of it completed for Thesis.

Here is the sketch I made after encountering a moment of inspiration.  In the beginning I had thought of the carving to reference fins, however fins slowly faded to plates.

 This is the first fin/plate I carved, I used cedar wood to create these.  Cedar is plentiful in the woodshop  and thick enough for me and my "digging" method of carving.  I am having some difficulties with this type of wood since it is a softer than ash.  I have to be more aware of my tools and where the grain is.

This is the second plate I am working on, I am going for a thinner look and I am also thinking of making the plates connect in many different degrees, not only flat against the wall.

This is the spine portion that the plates will connect to.  I enjoyed carving the piece without any sort of preconceived idea about what I wanted to carve.  ( I only hope it looks like a bone).

Proper Documentation

These are pieces completed thus far in the Thesis course, the photography and editing was done with the guidance of Professor Ron Mills.  Thank goodness because I didn't have a clue and my photos were shameful.  Anyway these photos are high quality and I would love to allow others to see.

Firefly

Finished an older project, took Professor Nil's advice and burned the wood and then used a piece of metal to attach it to the wall.  Super cool addition, the metal makes the piece move from side to side.  I love pieces that move!  This piece also gave my mother and I time to make art together, it was great spending time with her.

A Pair of Lungs.

Working on a few pieces for Thesis, first one is a carving with little to no work accomplished on it yet and the other is a pair of lungs and a slashed throat.

 The lungs and throat will hopefully be attached to each other after they get fired.  I really enjoy the slice right down the throat, originally I had the throat with four little pouch like features that reached the tubes to the lungs.  I really like how this organ shows damage and age.  I don't like the brand new, right out of the womb look. I assume that has something to do with the saying "those __  gives it character".

These are the lungs, secret balloons really help keep the structure.  These lungs will have some holes as well.  Along with the pair of clay lungs I also will have a smaller metal piece pounded into submission to resemble a bottom half to one of the lungs.  I also plan (when the welding shop opens) to make a bone cage for them.

Ideas after critique 9/18/13

Okay, so one thing Cathrine said really echoed in my mind.  WINGS!!  I like it, I'm not sure which direction I'm going but I will get back to everyone on that.  Afterwords, I took some pictures a leaf.  I really like the curve it has and I like the veins.  I am thinking more about deconstruction, or just getting back to the 'bones' of an object.  AMBIGUITY that is the word of the semester.  (I am a little disappointed in myself for taking a step or two back in progress.  I was at bones why did I suddenly change?)  Anyway, did a little quick sketches while finishing critique as well and I liked what I saw.  Wings, bones and ambiguity.  

 Here I tried to simplify the bug body more, having the hard exoskeleton and possibly some connecting vertebrae down the middle.  I was thinking about carving. (But I might keep this for a welding idea because the metal might make it really cool. Memo to self, NOT the bulky metal try the thinner stuff so I can pound it easier.)





This was another sketch I did while at critique, it reminded me of a leaf as well as having it curve.  While I was sketching I began to separate the curve and make it into smaller areas that curved.  (I think this one would be a great carving!)

Finally, I found this picture in a National Geographic magazine.  I believe the small article was about shark skin, anyway I LOVE IT! I really enjoy the visuals from this.  I reminds me of chain mail.  I find the movement really interesting as well.

This is a carving I am currently working on, playing around with organic circles and possible tentacles. Also I am trying to work in some Turkey feathers.  Here is a 'in-progress' picture of the carving so far.

My current artist statement

My work explores the many varieties of anatomical structures within vertebrates and invertebrates.  By investigating the complex structures I allow myself freedom to play with it and change it to my specifications.  The metal is metaphorical for armor, which protects the more vulnerable insides.  I enjoy seeing how these organic structures function, and welcome the challenge of pounding, cutting and scraping a similar structure out of metal and wood.  These structures come more easily to me in their three-dimensional forms.  Furthermore, I also believe it is more entertaining for the viewer to be able to see and touch something.  I am enthralled with the sense of touch and I believe that the media I chose reflects that curiosity, for both metal and wood can have an array of different textures.  I also wish to address the many issues surrounding these natural structures, such as mortality, function and decay.

Finished a small side welding project, I've had on my mind since this summer.  I found a palm sized handsome rock that I have been meaning to integrate with a metal piece.  Finding inspiration from insects, specifically the woodlouse. I managed to create two forms, a large husky "shovel bug" and a smaller replica.  I feel that the larger form is much more successful than the mini replica.  I do plan to go forward with the vertebrae plan I just wanted to get a chance to play before I had to really concentrate and pay attention.

Here is a shot of the feet, I really like the movement they bring to the piece.  Gives the appearance of it actually crawling along the table.

This is a photo of the head, this was how I came up with the name of "Shovel Head".

This is a photo of the underbelly, I didn't notice until after I had welded the feet that this creature looked a lot like the woodlouse.  This angle I think gives the viewer a good idea of how complex this creature really is.  During this phase in it's creation I had to not only weld the plates together but I had to reinforce the connection by welding two thin slabs to the underside of the plates and then adding to more pieces of metal to again reinforce and act as a place to connect the feet.

I have an idea for a new sculpture, I want to make two vertebrae. The smaller vertebrae will be made out of wood and larger will be out of metal and I want to make clay blood vessels running through the two so they are connected.  A week or so ago I did a favor for a friend and as payment she allowed me to walk around her property and collect some bones.  I found what I think are two vertebrae  I love the smooth slope of the bones so I can't help but want to try to replicate them!!  I know I said the word "replicate" but I know in my mind that my form replication means I get to add some things to them as well.  I really am liking the idea of adding texture to the metal.