When we were smaller.

Studios officially opened at 9am today.

After last weeks brief critique of this piece...

... I approached the installation once again with some inspiration to allow it to grow onto the next wall, and also pushed some pieces I had previously created to also become installations. 

Several suggestions became part of my process... To move onto the floor, to go across the corner, to add another older piece to the work, and to take a more creative approach with my artist statement. 

Here are some images of the installations: 

They were taller when we were smaller

Mixed media, Installation 

Three doors and one Path, I keep looking Past 

Mixed Media, Installation 

We come from the same waters as our Mothers 

Mixed media, Installation 

While I was adding printed titles from a computer next to my pieces, I suddenly was overwhelmed with how much they clashed with the work, and decided instead to create small carved copper titles. I darkened them with intaglio ink, as an ode to my love of printmaking, so they could be more legible. 

I realized that I now needed to also carve my artist statement into copper as well. I decided to take the most important phrases fromy previous statement and collage those words into a poem. 

Here is a photo of it... 

It has been very enjoyable to visit everyone's studios already! Looking forward to reviews and critiques wenesday. 

 

Reflection from Critique.

After critiquing my last finished piece, I am coming away from critique realizing that I can push sculpture even further in my work. 

It was noted that I could use the negative space between wooden pieces more effectively. I could make even larger pieces, I could allow the wire to go sprawling up the wall... 

Essentially push my imagination to dream even further. Maybe develop less attachment to structure. I have been primarily a 2D artist for so long I thought this last piece I made was a HUGE step. And I guess it was. 

I have started to find and develop language in my pieces that I am able to bring  to other ones. A huge point of growth was when so decided to cut up he piece of wood I was working on and allow it to have shape that moves beyond the rectangle. 

One other recommendation to the piece I finished was to turn it about 15 degrees. I will also play with that. 

Now, I can see myself learning to develop an even more elegant approach. Or wackier, wilder, more intense.

I had a vision for the next piece last night.  

One that hangs overhead, across my studio ceiling. Probably a smaller version of a bigger one I will eventually create. We'll see what happens. 

I am envisioning wooden pieces held together by wire, connected at the center. With a piece of glass only joined by hooks or copper rings. Something of that nature. 

I am just coming out of critique wanting to push myself even further and excited for next week and all the studio time this weekend . 

We come from the same bodies, the same waters, the same bodies of water as our mothers

Piece finished for now tonight. It has developed immensely from last week until now. 

I have chopped, shaped, and carved, sanded, stained, painted, wrapped, nailed, and adhered glass, copper, and wood. 

I feel like the pieces are making themselves. 

Here are some updated photos of the work.