Older Sculptures

This one came from a conversation I had with my friend Kenny about religion. We debated belief in religion without investigation (belief that was inherited). I referred to a belief like that as being dangerous. The comment was made by me that blind faith is dangerous and this sculpture is a result of that. 

While I was working at Nationwide I met a great Tattoo Artist who's friend died while on the Artist motorcycle. He wanted a tribute to his friend and I needed an old Tattoo covered up. I worked out this piece for him. It was a wonderful challenge to work for another artist. He pushed me to create a better piece that what I had originally imagined. 

 This one was created for a family that I had worked for in the past. A dear friend of theirs had died. He was a big part of the community, their lives and had organized an annual toy drive that is still in effect today.

This one was simply done for fun. My brother-in-law Tom liked it and purchased it. Being a bit out of my normal style makes it one of my favorites. 

What's That? Polymer Clay Skull (Commissioned)

The path to this one was a bit incredible. 2013 took be down some crazy roads. I became sick, needed surgery and was fired during my recovery.  I found myself working for Greg, a guy that had worked for me years ago. It was old hat for me and I quickly fell back into place and really enjoying it. I was back in the body shop. It's a job that I trained my butt off for 20 years ago and then walked away from it to be a bigger part of my family. God works in mysterious ways and Greg's mind is one of them. He owns a couple of my really early pieces and had in mind that he wanted another. He came to me one day and asked if I could make him a skull that no one had seen before. He mentioned several different aspects and somehow the pterodactyl idea became what we settled on. He said that he wanted it to look so real that he could tell people he found it in the woods and they would believe it. If any of you know Greg, that's right up his alley. He is way too smart but definitely a bit off his rocker. I guess that's why I have always liked him. He had a few requests. He wanted the jaw to hinge and come apart. He wanted the teeth to mesh and he wanted the side to have damage as if it was attacked and the attack caused it's death or the skull was stepped on and crushed into the soil and that was how it was preserved. This was the most challenging sculpture I have done. I purchased coyote skulls to get the teeth. I had to research how to get the teeth out and how to quiet my germ-a-phobe tendencies to handle them. Heck, little Kerrigan helped me pull the teeth out. Next I had to figure out how to make a brain cavity to work around and then a stand that would support the piece, allow me to work the jaw but would not sacrifice the look from where it was sitting. The end result appears to be a hit. Greg told me that he loves it and that he's fooled a couple people already. I have had compliments from people that I would have never expected. One guy took numerous pictures and another actually came up to me the next day and said that he thought about it all night and just could't understand how I could do something like that. This was a very proud achievement for me.

Time 4' x 8' Triple Panel (Commissioned)

This one was completed a while ago as well. It's the result of the "knock off" I completed for Cheryl. Her friend and co-worker Angie saw the knock off I completed and asked Cheryl if I worked for other people as well. She had been looking for a painting that was large enough to fill the space on a huge wall they have in their Living Room and that complimented a painting which was the first decorating purchase they made as a couple. Through Cheryl we talked about what it needed to be a few times. Not sure about the direction I asked to meet with them to see how the room was decorated and to hear what was really important. I noticed that they enjoyed and antique look. She stated that this one could not over shadow the original painting since it meant so much to her, no bright colors, not a lot of detail and it had to fill the space on the wall. At that point I committed to three aspects that I haven't tried before. I agreed to a 4' x 8' triple panel with muted colors and minimal detail. As you can see from the second picture it dwarfed my easel. I had to force myself to work fast so that I wouldn't incorporate too much detail and I had to force myself to limit the colors I used. As with everything in my life I learned so much from this. The reaction that she gave when we delivered the painting was worth more than the fee. I am forever grateful for the experience that I gained and the warmth I felt at the delivery. I also wanted to mention that several months prior to this in early 2013 her husband Tommy, having only met me once, offered to take care of my yard work when I was laid up from my surgery. The offer appeared to be no more of a burden to him than opening the door for someone. While I didn't take him up on it I am forever grateful.

Another Knock Off 48" x 48" Private Collection

As usual with me, my daily grind takes precedence over completing art. I know its the correct priority and I actually really enjoy my 9-5 which has actually become a 6-6. Given the year I had in 2013...that's OK. All of that said to explain that I actually completed this 6 months ago. My wife and I found one similar in the furniture store. It was much smaller and way over priced for the mass produced piece that it was. As usual I opened my big mouth and said I can reproduce that. A few days latter I had it done and yes, that is our dining room.