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I made this out of steel wire and epoxy resin and was not pleased w the result–too much, too intense. I knew more work had to be done when my daughter said that if I painted it yellow it would be a nice rendition of Sponge Bob. And maybe I should add a couple of tiny arms too–real funny.
So I set about chopping it up, reconfiguring smaller sections into individual works and although I am not near finished, I’m on a much better path. I will post again when they are finished and painted. (See below)
I’m about halfway done. Trying to vary overall size and density of wire pieces. This is tedious work, but I am enjoying watching it come together.
As I work I am trying to remain open to different compositions
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Want to create a curtain of these…
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These are two pieces of the same polycarbonate weave. The application of the paint gives them a very different look. Trying to think about what to do next with these.
These are two elements of a new wire piece I am working on. They will be linked with several others to create a curtain.
I have decided to narrow the scope of my work for the near future to four basic materials.
polycarbonate, rubber, wire and paper. Here is a photo of a piece done in each. These are starting points.
This is a larger piece of the polycarbonate weave. Staples are visible in columns. I will paint just a little so that form is more defined. I am happy with the use of materials. Polycarbonate is a strong, light material used in all sorts of products from your eyeglasses to bulletproof “glass.” I will let this sit, then paint, maybe a light gradation from color to clear.
This is 15 mil polycarbonate sheet stapled with a spritz of spray paint. Without the paint the polycarbonate is completely clear and hard to see. With just a little paint you are able to see what’s going on in there. This will be the basis for some larger pieces.
I have been experimenting a lot w new materials lately and have a nice pile of failed pieces to show for it. This morning I was trying to make some abstract cut outs in sheet rubber. When I tacked up the work to take a look, I recognized my frustration staring back at me.
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This piece is made of those pink rings found in home canning jars. They are woven together w steel wire and push- pinned to the wall. The piece vibrates when plucked, like a guitar string.
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This piece is two toned. One side is black and the other side is white w black overspray
This one is sprayed gold
I added modeling paste to this one for thickness and density. To give more variation in line.
Orange on one side red on the other
Yellow. A little hard to see detail against a white backdrop
Most of these (except the blue one) are just primed and not yet painted. I’ve shown a front and side shot of each one. There are five all together. Had a great time making these. They all originated from a central spine of wire and are about 12-14″ in height.
ONE, front
ONE, side
TWO, front
TWO, side
THREE, front
THREE, side
FOUR, front
FOUR, side
FIVE, front
FIVE, side
I made these spires out of polycarbonate and staples and started putting them into groups (photo 1). The pieces look best when they are overlapping and close together, showing the small natural differences in their form. The problem is that they are a little lightweight. If a strong breeze blows through the room, you are going to have some bowling pin action going on. To solve the problem, instead of using a base, I started experimenting with an interior weights. The weight provides a strong and low center of gravity and also, because it is hung with fishing line, will sway and maintain balance if the piece is hit from the side (photos 2-4).
With weights: a fishing weight on the left and a chandelier crystal on the right.
Close up of the lead fishing weight–functional.
Close up of the chandelier crystal–fancy.
You can hardly see it, mostly reflection. Something interesting about a large presence going unnoticed.
I started in on a looser version of my last piece and quickly lost control, a mess. Decided to change gears and work more methodically and keep it simple. Came up with these spires. They are 24″-36″ tall. I like the way they reach, their transparency and the way they reflect light. I will work on how to combine these and how to vary the shapes and compositions.
I am still working on this, but took a break to snap some photos. Needs work on the lower left side, but overall I am happy. It has more 3D presence than the last one I did. Reminds me of armadillo tails or sensory organs on bugs.
After a two month break, I am back at work. So far I have used just polycarbonate sheet, staples and spray paint. It is amazing the amount of control you can have with some well placed staples. This is the final rough form. It has a nice bounce to it. Next I will pour polyurethane then perhaps se paint. I’ll decide as I go.
Polycarbonate Tower (detail)
Polycarbonate Tower
Untitled Construction: Eva Hesse (detail)
Untitled Construction (Eva Hesse)
Untitled Construction: Weed
Untitled Construction: Emerging
Metropolis
Filled Voids
Untitled Construction: Green
Steel Belted Vine (detail)
Steel Belted Vine
Steel Belted Springtime
Home Permanent Wave: Pink
Home Permanent Wave: Pink (detail)
Replicant
This is a layout for my next project. I plan to create a soft sculpture by sewing these flexible rubbery cast silicone pieces to this canvas. I will make it into a large bean bag so you can interact with it and explore the spaces and intricate patterns that are not visible when the piece is flat and immobile. I hope it works. It’s raining today and I have my embroidery thread and jumbo needle ready to go. Perhaps a nice fire for ambiance, then some binge stitching.
Here are some details and a couple shots of the whole piece. It is about 4 and1/2 feet tall right now and growing. I am posting this in progress and I am not sure how I will finish it yet. For now I will keep stapling…
This is a bunch of fragments from other projects stapled together into a kind of aggressive chunk of plant from outer space. Time to go outside for some fresh air.
I like the idea of creating “light” forms using more workhorse materials. This scrap is stapled polycarbonate, polyurethane coated with house paint. Thinking about doing more w this.
These photos are of thin Mylar sheet w a bit of spray paint. Followed by more photos w polyurethane layered on top. I am trying to make something that is sturdy but light. We’ll see…
These are sketches for some new works with a thinner mylar sheet. It is more flexible than what I have been using but is strong, no tearing. I have already started on the 3D versions and will post those tomorrow, I hope. These are not great drawings, but show what I am heading toward in my next series of studies.
Also, to all those who visited, “liked,” followed and commented on my blog when it was on Freshly Pressed, it was a huge boost to hear from so many people. Thank you, I appreciate every single one of you.
It looks a lot more polished and presentable indoors, maybe we all do.
…but didn’t want to hurt any fish. So, I just let it sit, and when I came back, I kind of liked it. “It” is the latest in a series of abstract works based on organic form. Here are some photos. 
It was hanging in the lobby of the LA County Museum of Art. I did not write down the artist’s name. I just think the transparency is wonderful. You almost do not notice it even though it is very large and looms overhead when you walk in. As you look more closely, you see beautiful composition of hardware, weights and wires that make a delicate floating three-dimensional web.
A little closer
Looking up through it from below.
I made this piece out of black sheet rubber a long time ago. It became known around the house as the Tim Burton Wedding Bouquet. It is very detailed but contained, allowing an exploration of energy and chaos within a set form.
This is an ottoman made out of recycled flip-flops. I did not make this, but have forgotten where I bought it. It has the same kind of form and energy.
This a stapled mylar piece. Because it is clear, it seems to be more of a distortion field than an object itself, although it shares the same basic form and energy of the examples above. I am still working on this, but liked that it is a bundle of energy you could easily walk right by without noticing. Depending on the light and the surroundings, different aspects of the piece are dominant; the staples or the linear edge of the mylar or the light bouncing around on the curves.
On a ping pong table
In our entry way
On a black chair
Detail on black and white
