Great Basin National Park table models

As part of my 2011 Artist-In-Residency at the Great Basin National Park, I agreed to produce and donate a piece of work that was inspired by my time there.  I've been making some small-scale models of a larger sculptural table (that I'll bring out in a month or so) to explore different ideas before committing to the full-scale work.

I'm playing around with the geometries I experienced in the Great Basin:  the curves and swoops of the Bristlecone pine trees high on the exposed ridges, and the orthogonal lines and grids (farmland and road, for example) that were apparent from the air and on maps.

Bike Collective sign progress

Welding's all done on the SLC Bike Collective's new marquee, now we just need a powdercoating and some lighting . . . .

Art for ARC

On March 30th Larimer County's ARC will be having their Art for Arc event, and the Candle Log will be on the auction block.  If you're in the Ft. Collins, CO area swing by and check it out!

About Arc:

As a local chapter of The Arc, we are a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for people with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) so that they can lead full and satisfying lives in their communities. The Arc is there to provide direct advocacy, resources, education and community that empower people to achieve their dreams.

And Art for Arc:

Architectural Details: Windows & lights . . .

Just finished a few projects that have more of an architectural flavor to them.

A couple of window coverings, influenced by the Kanagawa Wave, surfing, and the sweet skiing out here in the Wasatch:

And a light using steel remnant cuttings from a crampon manufacturer.  After working with New Balance's fabric cuttings, I have been exploring some ideas using manufacturing remnants and was excited to try these out.  See if you can figure out what part of the crampon they're from . . .

The remnants before I started on them . . .

Gear Oval

Recent work using reclaimed bicycle gears and chain:

Gear Oval, 36" x 36" x 14"

Gear Oval detail

Pebble I

I recently completed the next work in a series using reclaimed bicycle chain:

Pebble I, 12" x 12" x 7"

Pebble I detail

Art Film

Usually when I hear someone say "Oh, you should see this, its an ART FILM" I turn and run in the other direction -- I only have so many heartbeats in this life and I really don't like spending any of them confused or frightened, which usually happens to me at things like Sundance showings.

The following are films ABOUT art that I've found really inspiring in the last year or so, and thought you might too.


Herb & Dorothy

This is a documentary about this couple who collects art in New York, and not just any art.  They've found incredibly influential artists like Sol LeWitt, Chuck Close, and Roy Lichtenstein before they were 'discovered' by the mainstream.  Since then they've donated 2,500 of their collected works to museums in all 50 states.  Oh, and they collected all of this work on a postman and librarian's salary.


Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Tonybee Tiles

This is another documentary about these guys who find mysterious tile-like graffiti around their city and decide to investigate its message and author, Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine style.  It's a fun look into how folks can be joyous and rewarded in the midst of their freakish obsessions.


It Might Get Loud

Ok, so this film is also a documentary, and its not exactly about visual art but music (if that concerns you, having navigated here to hear about purely visual art, then go finish re-organizing your dictionary collection and leave the rest of us be).  Jack White, Jimmy Page, and the Edge are all featured and examined in light of their different approaches to the same instrument: the guitar.  The part that sold me was the opening scene where Jack White (rapscallion that he is) makes one out of a coke bottle and nails and stuff.  Upcycling/found art at its best:

(also check out the great film on A Tribe Called Quest if you like this kind of thing)