Sculpture and Dance

I love that in both these photos, two people are standing on only one foot!

We're off to Breitenbush Hot Springs  facilitate a five day workshop called the WOW of Contact.

Carolyn Stuart and I have danced contact improvisation together for over twenty years.
While not as spry as we were in these photos, we've a lot of knowledge to share.

To study and develop different qualities of physical awareness, we'll use intention, research and relationship to refine ease and accuracy in dancing.

Relationship supports expression. The unfolding of expression is infinite. Starting from where we are, becoming happens. Resting in the ride of mutual well-being is the ahhh of C.I. Wow!

Sculpture and Office Work

Everyone wants a fresh start for a new year.
What do you actually do to start anew?

I'm giving up multi-tasking in 2013.

In fact, I want to give up tasking altogether and focus on doing one thing at a time.

When making art, I recognize that panic at the beginning. I think "hurry and make things happen." The truth is, nothing good happens until all thoughts of speed or accomplishment die away into whatever rhythm the work demands.

"When you start working
everybody is in your studio - the past, your friends, enemies,
the art world, and above all, your own ideas - all are there.
But as you continue painting, they start leaving,
one by one,
and you are left completely alone.
Then, if you are lucky, even you leave."
        John Cage

Read a good article on the perils of busy, The Busy Trap by Tim Kreider

Sculpture and Ritual

For the second time in 32 years, the fire department crashed the New Year's sculpture burn.
It's hard to hide a 10 foot fire ball when the Missionary Baptists are having a midnight celebration, right across the street.

  Susan Gallacher Turner writes about the burn HERE.

Photographs by Michael Turner.

We worked and laughed all day, busy building the ridiculous nest. It kept getting larger and larger.
The egg is a Japanese paper shade, lovely and white.

There is a large fountain firework inside the lantern. I had one chance to light it.  As soon as it began, the entire structure would ignite quickly. Exactly as intended. Big spectacle, short duration.

 The egg has officially hatched. Welcome 2013.

The whole thing didn't last ten minutes, and had burned down to an almost respectable "back yard campfire" as the fire marshal called it. She told me what was legal and gave us a pass. Thank god...

Anything you MUST do in 2013? Begin it! 

Remember it's always better to beg forgiveness than ask permission.

Sculpture and Architecture

What if an entire space was conceived as sculpture?

Graham Hill, founder of TreeHugger shows the many possibilities of living in his 400 square foot apartment in New York. After purchasing it in 2010, it was completely rethought before being remodeled into a brilliant example of smart living.

"I believe that a simpler life makes you happier."

Sculpture and Ritual

I'm busy building another bonfire sculpture for tonight. Too soon to show photos.
Enjoy turning the corner to become part of 2013!

Sculpture and Ornaments

Sometimes (especially during the holidays!) done is better than perfect.

This metal golden Japanese fragment had been in a drawer far too long. 

So has this blue glass orb. Inspiration for a sculpture mash-up.

Lovely cap + beautiful blue sphere + large screw eye + Bondo = unique Christmas ornament.
Both objects now are happy together and will live with the Christmas things. 

The top was epoxied onto the glass, then Bondo filled the space, anchoring the large screw eye bolt.
Such satisfaction in restoring a semblance of order to the world.....and having fewer projects.

Sculpture and Ritual

What is Art? Is it the object? Or is that an artifact?
Is Art really seeing and seeking relationships, and making them visible and meaningful to others?
Does Art = Connection?

"Shane at Sauvie's Island" by Patrick Gracewood ©2012

I feel like I've been operating in Shaman mode for the last couple of weeks since my friend's son's death. A painting seemed necessary for his memorial.

I'm not a painter, and a portrait needs to be right on. No time for excuses, just begin!
Luckily there was a 34" x 48" wooden frame and extra canvas in the studio.

Working from a blurry photo on the large portrait felt like a conjuring act, a dialog with the dead.
I'd known him from his early twenties. "Why, why, why this?" Alcohol drinks a man.

Early laying out of the painting.

Unlike clay, the paint moves over and past my drawing. Painting isn't about exactitude, it's about layering. Time was limited, so was my palette. Titanium white, paynes grey, umber, ocher, pthalo green, and sienna.

His mother came into the studio many times while I was painting. Sometimes it was too painful for her to stay, other times we'd just sit with tears and talk. One day I asked her to leave so I could concentrate.

Another day she gave valuable criticism, "His ears are too big! The hairline isn't right."
It's amazing that a blurry photo still has exactly the right information of just this person.
That was painful in a funny way as I tried to get my ego OUT of the picture and really see him.

Oh, and pay attention to brush strokes, how is the paint applied?
Painting is not easy. It just has to look that way.

The last brush strokes went on hours before people arrived. No time to get flowers, so I staged   studio plants, green and alive, around the easel, and hung clip lights from the rafters.

Next to a life time of photos, the painting gave focus to the room and the evening. The family gathered around the painting to remember and be photographed with their son, father, brother.....

Don't be afraid to offer your work in service to others. Art really is about making connections.