Sunday, June 8, 2014

Summer Happenings/ MFA Thesis crisis

Here are a few new sculptures that I have finished this spring. Each of them are currently in exhibitions. Unnerving Anticipation is at the Meadville Coulcil on the Arts, Breathing Exercise is at Youngstown University in Ohio, and Dirty Martini is at "Critics Choice" invitational at the Harlow Gallery in Hallowell, Maine. I'm excited to have already had my work in eight separate exhibitions this year, and in six different states, but I have some haunting questions.

 Each of these pieces are quite different stylistically, formally, in scale and in finish. They're all made by me though. As an artist, Is sticking to a style necessary? Is it appropriate for artists to experiment with different modes of expression? If an artist isn't recognizable, will they be successful?

I am a student at the moment, and for that reason I suppose that I am given more flexibility to experiment. I am not always compelled to make the same type of work, but I do always work with a concern for the environment as a main source of inspiration. Is this enough? can/should each idea be executed with the same style, or does each scenario deserve a unique approach?

I will be mulling on these questions during this summer, and hopefully find some confidence to stick to one answer or another, before I start in on my thesis work.
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Unnerving Anticipation
Unnerving Anticipation


Breathing Exercise

Dirty Martini

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Recent "Form"al Sketches wood-fired tests














Shot by Aaron Pickens

Shot by Aaron Pickens












Sculptures from Candidacy Show "4 Sight"

 This work was made during the fall semester of 2013, the end of which marked the half-way point of my graduate school experience. Three other compatriots, Aaron Pickens, Austin Wieland, and Nash Quinn were approaching the same gate, and we decided combine powers and curate a show that would qualify our work as candidates for "Candidacy".

The work I made for this show continued a conversation that I have been developing with my work. Mythology, humor, heritage and cultural reference all play a part in how I investigate the relationship between humans and the natural world.
I express loss, irony, beauty and the uncanny as a way of reflecting my experience as a participant of the human/nature relationship.
"This Hossenfeffor's Raw"  Wood-fired Porcelain.  Image taken by Aaron Pickens   2013

"Keep Your Nose Down" Wood-fired Porcelain, found wood  and metal   3013



"Keep Your Nose Down"    2013

"Mother Goose" Earthenware, Glaze, Slips   2013

"My Little Pack Mule" Earthenware, Glaze, Slips  2013

"Tripped" Earthenware, Glaze, Slips. 2013.

"Tripped" Earthenware, Glaze, Slips. 2013.
"Tripped" Earthenware, Glaze, Slips. 2013.

"Tripped" Earthenware, Glaze, Slips. 2013.

View from "Mother Goose" Image taken by Aaron Pickens  2013

Image of "4 Sight" A show by Aaron Pickens, Austin Wieland, Benjamin Lambert and Nash Quinn. 2013. Image by Aaron Pickens

Image of "4 Sight" A show by Aaron Pickens, Austin Wieland, Benjamin Lambert and Nash Quinn. 2013. Image by Aaron Pickens