SANDBAR, depicting a river sandbar, is composed of stained glass and paper clay fired together to over 2000 degrees Fahrenheit in order to get a depth of color not possible with regular glazes. 5 ½” x 10 ½” x 1 ½”. SANDBAR, along with ERUPTION and LAGOON is currently on display at the Arts Benicia Show “Cutting Edge: Nontraditional Glass” in Benicia, California.
I am finding that the more I become involved in creating art, the more I use found, salvaged, and recycled objects and materials as part of it, whether it be ceramics, paper making, print making, collage, or in this case, welding. All of the welding I did at Snow Farm involved sorting through a large pile of scrap steel of various sizes, shapes and weights to find the makings of a sculpture. The HALLOWEEN BUNNY series started with a pair of hand shears which reminded me of a rabbit’s ears and face and were lying next to some small garden tools which reminded me of paws (well actually claws). This creative scavenging is something that I find very enjoyable and am hoping to continue. It’s not really practical for me to set up a home welding studio/shop so I’m currently looking for a local place to work (as Snow Farm is a 5 ½ hour drive away).
I recently completed a 5 day “Introduction to MIG Welding” Workshop with Bill Rhodes at the Snow Farm Crafts School in Williamsburg, MA. My first project, using scrap steel, was a piece entitled THE HALLOWEEN BUNNY (look for the new posting on Friday!). Of course, being me, I then explored the form by making two more similar ones before Bill politely, but firmly, suggested I try doing something else. However, I was very pleased, and somewhat surprised when I was asked to put one of “Bunnies” into the School’s auction of teacher’s and selected student work to raise funds for their youth programs. And I was even more pleased when it sold for $75.00, and now resides in a private collection in Somerville, MA.
An Ekphrastic Show is one that combines visual and verbal works of art: for example, a painting and a poem inspired by it, or a sculpture inspired by a poem and the poem. So, I am delighted to announce that my “Whimsical One-Liner” ink drawing HALF ASS DRAWING has inspired poet Mike Cohen to create a poem entitled “DONE-KEY.” Both the poem and the drawing can be viewed at the Manayunk-Roxborough Art Center, 419 Green Lane, Manayunk, PA from December 2, 2018 through December 9, 2018. There will be an opening reception from 12:00 until 3:00pm on Sunday, December 2nd.
I am very pleased that juror, Steve Martin (no, not that one), has selected two of my hand built, raku fired sculptural pieces, AN OLD MAN’S PRAYER, and HOLDING ONTO HOPE, for inclusion in the River Oaks Art Center’s 3rd Annual 5x5x5 Show. The Show opens with a reception from 5 to 7 pm on Friday, November 16, 2018 and will run until February 9, 2019. The River Oaks Art Center is located at 1330 Second St. Alexandria, LA 71301.
John Fansmith 