Architectural Bud Vases (new series 2020)

 

Beneath the Surface Opening at Clay Work Studio

My show at Clay Work Studio with fellow artist David Velez Felix opened on July 13th and had a great response from the community. Thanks to the studio's Yiu-Keung Lee and his wonderful curation skills, to David for his enthusiasm for the show and all the Ann Arbor folks that took the time to come see us!

"Beneath The Surface" 7/1/2018 - 8/1/2018

Statement:

My new series “Beasts of Burden” came about after hearing a peculiar story regarding English pit ponies. It’s one of those tales you dismiss as ancient history, but upon further research, turns out not only to be true, but practiced through the 1990’s. These short-legged equines were lowered into coal mines to work and live out their remaining years (usually 3-4 on average). In the early 1900’s legislation was passed to let the ponies onto the surface of the mine for one day a year: Christmas. My first Beasts of Burden piece took form in black stoneware to emphasize the dark nature of the mining industry and its animal collateral damage.

Each piece in this series is created to pull the viewer in, enticing them closer through friendly animal forms. Upon closer inspection, the animals are portrayed as distraught and uncomfortable. Each animal represents a specific story of how they were used by humans to complete dangerous or difficult tasks. To heighten their tragic lives, I have painted their stories onto the sculpture for viewers to read. What first appears to be a whimsical series of cute animals turns into the harsh reality of what man can and continues to do to their fellow animals.

Pit Ponies

Space Monkey

Dancing Bear

War Pigeon

Lab Rat

Circus Elephant

Raku planters right out of the kiln!

Working on planters with more "personality"

New Planters for Fair Season!

New Spring sculptures made with brown stoneware!

                                    "Ermine with Lady"

      "General Sloth"                                                                         "Mrs. Truth"                                                                                        "Admiral Funny Fang"

     "Geisha Grrrrl"

It's that time of year to apply for shows and exhibitions. Six entries.

"Puss in Boots"                                                                                                 "Midwest Castle"                                                                                                                  "The Coronation of King Cupcake"

"Ode to the Imagists"

Planters Inspired by Architecture

"The Mark of the Tale," sculpture inspired by fairy and folk tales.

"Puss Hangs up his Hat"

Brown Stoneware and Porcelain

"The Reluctant Princess"

Brown Stoneware and Porcelain

"The Goldilocks Effect"

Brown Stoneware and Porcelain

"Three Blind Mice get on with Life"

Brown Stoneware and Porcelain

"The Golden Ball gets Dropped"

Brown Stoneware and Porcelain

"He Made a Terrible Mistake"

Brown Stoneware and Porcelain

"Fish Meets a Man without a Wish"

Brown Stoneware and Porcelain

"Mr. & Mrs. Fox"

Brown Stoneware and Porcelain

"Green Serpent Holds Back"

Brown Stoneware and Porcelain

"Nutkin Learns Nothing"

Brown Stoneware and Porcelain