Revised Artist Statement 4/29/14

            My work uses plaster molds in order to create impressions of the original natural shapes of forms.  The process of creating a plaster mold for an object begins with wrapping the object in a protective layer of plastic wrap then building up clay around the form to create a wall, which, the wet plaster can settle on.  After the plaster dries the object is removed from the mold, the new mold can be used to create the silhouette of the model.  The mold allows me to keep the silhouette while also being able to add some miner details such as texture or connecting them together.  Some pieces I make with the molds are pieces of larger works or are used as canvases for me to apply other objects to.  This process provides me with the opportunity to replicate the organic forms presented to me with a fairly high degree of accuracy.   However, complete accuracy is not what I value in my work.  I seek to use the forms to bring attention to structure of the figure, to show the bones within the bones. 

Grass sculpture "Progress"

Here are two images of the progress I have had with turning grass into a sculpture medium, I think I might of had a better chance if the grass I had picked didn't dry out.  I picked the grass around two weeks ago and just now decided to work on it.  I think that didn't help my situation.

I tried doing a mixture of weaving and sewing with the grass strands through the chicken wire and it was working but I must have put in at least three hours and this is all I have to show.  (Not happy!)

Ideas for the Senior Thesis show and piece placement

Okay, I think I have managed to come up with a working plan for my work in the Turnt Senior Thesis show.  Here is the layout.

First, my branches piece and newest carving will be on the walls aside the closet door and the emergency fire alarm.  Next I will have a large piece basically cutting the gallery floor in half.  That piece will be composed of dirt and the vertebrae molds I have been working on this semester.  I have the real whale bone, and two full molds complete all they need to do is dry and be glazed.  I will make two halves later this week and hopefully pull them Monday (4/28/14).  In front of the window will be two bust pieces.  I have talked to Totem and reserved a large tree stump to serve as pedestals.  Today (4/22/14) I have made a front and back bust.  I will put them out either Thursday or Friday of this week.  Next week I will work on the final bust pieces.  So I think that will work, I feel pretty good about it.  We will wait and see.

Also, I have been working with the idea of using grass as a sculpture medium.  Since the grass in the field is so plentiful I might as well try it.  I started out weaving it and I could not believe how time consuming it is.  If I want to continue using grass as a medium I think I will use is in the not so conventional way.  I will upload some photos after this post of my "progress" with the grass.

Work on the molds

Here are some more photos of the continued work being done on the vertebrae piece.

We finally managed to open the mold by forcing compressed air into the cracks.

Here we see the mold without the bone inside, inspection from the professionals.

 The plastic wrap I surrounded the bone with left some interesting textures inside the mold which, ended up being a happy accident.

Here are two photos of my newest molds.  

As you can see these are of my body, here I am laying on a table while plaster is being placed on my back.  I decided shoulder to bellybutton is a decent range.  I wanted to have enough space to work with while not encasing my entire body with plaster.  Removal of the plaster was a little painful, my upper half was red (like a sunburn) for a few hours but nothing serious.

Here is my front and back, out in the sun so they can dry.  There was a moment where one of my shoulders decided it didn't want to be cast so the plaster fell off right before it was time to remove.  Overall, I am very excited about the pieces.  I plan on connecting them back together and having them presented on a pedestal.  

Spring Break drawings

Here are some drawings I did over Spring Break, finally photographed and edited.

Revised Artist Statement

            My work examines the form, reaching into the cavity constructed of soft flesh and bone to extract and reawaken my creativity.  I appreciate the form and all it has to offer, with as much respect as I can, I seek to express what remains within the form in a new way.  I am grateful to the form, because I understand that death had to occur in order for me to create my work.  This appreciation is amplified when I am given the opportunity to examine a body in its entirety, undisturbed and complete.  Recently I had such an opportunity, however it required me to dig up the remains of a whitetail fawn.  During the retrieval, I felt as if I was robbing the fawn of something.  It was at this time that I fully realized the amount of respect I had for this little fawn.  I believe with all my heart, that this animal gave its life and body so I could to reconnect with my art and muse.  Know I feel that I have a better understanding of the importance of life and what it means to give it so another may benefit.