About the Process - Transformational Art for Curious Collectors

Artwork comes into this world via a creative process that is very personal to every artist. The content below reflects my process as it applied to my sculptural work where I learned the synergy inherent in the materials and techniques used in my current work on canvas. I believe mastery is achieved only by continuing to remove – materials, forms, styles – until you arrive at the essence of your unique brand and aesthetic.

Inspire

My inspiration comes from many sources, but primarily nature; our world is full of textures, shapes, colors, patterns, silhouettes and contrasts. I take pictures, scratch out ideas on grocery bags, my hand .. if I’m lucky, my sketchbook .. some way to document what I’ve seen. I learn from my own mistakes too – one good idea in a piece that otherwise sucks is worth it. A frequent source is my unending interest in the art and lives of other artists. Ultimately, ideas form over time and then show up in my art journal (aka, The Sketchbook). I peruse, adjust, add to, reinvent and then, decide what to build.

Construct

If it hangs on a wall, I start with a flat base, an industrial foam core board. If it stands on its own, I use a steel armature inside for stability, rebar for the totems and a more elaborate shape for the HooDoos (shown in the images). Then the EPS goes on: glued or threaded or somehow attached to the armatures. Then the carving and melting begins: this is truly The Fun Part. This is also where the magic happens and what were landfill-bound blocks of white styrofoam take shape into a piece of art. Last, I add texture: cement, clay, crackle paste, lava gel, acrylic paste, sand, gravel, cardboard .. and other materials I have found useful over the years.

Armature

Carving!

Done carving

MELTING EPS

Finish

Finishing my pieces starts with the application of a copper metal coating and sometimes acrylic paint, depending on the final effect I’m looking for. After those 2 components are nuanced to my liking, I’ll apply patinas and iron particles and wrap it in plastic wrap (the colors improve with a slow dry). The next morning is like Christmas with presents from the art gods! It’s always exciting because I never really know how it’s going to turn out. This is one of the greatest things about making art… Happy Accidents.

Process Videos

The 9 videos found below offer a glimpse into not only how I make my sculptures but a bit of the creative process behind the artwork itself. The subject of the videos is a small wall piece used to illustrate the majority of the steps involved in most of my work. The one process step missing is anything to do with the metal armatures that are used in the free standing 3D Sculptures (rare on wall pieces). Maybe next time!