Author Archive for Susan Lomuto
kimberly willcox’s transformation and a damuse giveaway
Kimberly Willcox is no stranger to transformation. An artist who creates three dimensional objects from reclaimed materials, she skillfully transforms the discarded into the collected. Several years ago, after a devastating hurricane and a drawn out professional crisis threatened to destroy her career, Willcox also reinvented herself and began making the one of a kind sculptures she is known for today.
Group of Story Poles, recycled materials
Small 32”-45” Medium 42”-52” Large 50”-60”
“I thought of the splintered cypress staves as a metaphor for the destruction and chaos caused by natural disaster. I was at once consumed with the idea of transforming the metaphor from one of sadness to one of rebirth and resurrection. The weathered pieces of wood have now grown into kinetically alive figures that tell their story of renewal.”
Heart of Gold, from the Staves series
cypress, bronze, stone, steel, brass, 28″ x 8″ x 8″
The Stave sculptures pictured here were created from 72 wooden staves that were once the barrel of a water tower on her property, destroyed by Hurricane Frances. Willcox describes them as “kinetically alive figures that tell their story of renewal”.
Hello Girl, from the Staves series
cypress, bronze, steel, 22” X 32” X 8”
Ironically, Willcox now shares a common history with her figures. Last month the artist’s studio sustained massive damage in an electrical fire. I read about the fire and through a Facebook contact I was able to get in touch with Kimberly to see if there was a way we could help. Speaking to her it became clear that she has a strong will, the spirit of a warrior and a powerful drive to make art. Please visit her website to see more of the Staves sculptures and many other portfolios.
Kimberly Willcox in her booth at Ann Arbor, Michigan, before news of the fire
When we spoke, she shared the upside of this latest challenge: her sculptures were spared because she was at a show in Ann Arbor when the fire tore through the Florida studio – she had most of her inventory with her. She also told me that no matter what happens, her creativity can never be taken from her - not by a hurricane, not by the hand of unscrupulous business people and not by a fire. Strong woman. Wonderful artist. Powerful spirit.
daMuse Giveaway
I’m giving away $150.00 worth of books to one person. Keep reading to find out how to enter this giveaway…
Insurance will only cover a fraction of the cost to replace the machines and tools Willcox and partner (in life and art) Kevin Nordhausen lost in the fire.
You can help. Make a donation (click here) to help Kimberly replace some of her machines and tools so that she can get back to work.
In July, an electrical fire destroyed Willcox’s Florida studio
After you make a donation toward Kimberly’s machines and tools (right here), come back and leave a comment on this post to let me know that you made a donation. That’s all you have to do to enter this giveaway.
You can find a list of the books in the giveaway package here.
The comments on this post will remain open until Sunday, August 22, 2010 at Midnight (EST). I will use a random number generator to pick a winner and I will announce the winner on Monday, August 23, 2010.
Give $5 if that’s all you have. Give more if you can. Every little bit helps. Spread the word. Share this post on your Facebook page, add a link to it on your blog, email the post to your friends. Together we can help get Kimberly back to work making art.
Beep, Beep, cypress, bronze, steel, 31″ X 23″ X 8”
erica stankwytch bailey: the enormous depends on the small
Listen to this podcast (complete with slideshow) as Erica Stankwytch Bailey describes her recent artist in residence experience at the Grand Canyon. The experience was profound for Stankwytch Bailey, a contemporary metalsmith who is inspired by the way the larger aspects of this life are dependent and influenced by the smaller elements.
“I inspect the world in great detail and have always collected shells, seed pods, stones and interesting organic elements. My studio often resembles a laboratory with trays of collected specimens lined in rows. Whether by fear and fascination, disgust or admiration I am constantly moved by life. From the minuscule piece of reef collected on the shore to the enormous sadness evoked by the many inequalities that exist I am constantly inspired.”
In the video below, the artist talks briefly about what it takes to make a living as an artist. While her portfolio is more diverse than the pieces I’ve chosen to feature, I find the oval and circular shapes, texture marks and subtle oxidation of the metal on these pieces quieting and soothing.
ACC Atlanta Artist Erica Stankwytch Bailey from KPKinteractive on Vimeo.
viviana santamarina: graphite and paper
Substituting pencils for crochet hooks allows Viviana Santamarina to leave traces of graphite as she crochets thin paper strips, adding one more interesting element to her collection of figurative sculptures.
One Stitch at a Time
Encircling The Void
Santamarina’s website is under construction and not fully functional but her blog has more than two dozen images of the sculptures.
Wandering
Once Upon A Time
Dress
I really appreciate the low-tech aspect of this work – we are often seduced by tools and techniques – Santamarina reminds us that humble tools and basic techniques are more than enough.
stephanie craig’s ceramic collections
In 2009 Stephanie Craig was one of sixteen emerging artists featured in Ceramics Monthly - and her art was chosen as the cover image – no small feat. The Ohio artist, who often collaborates with ceramist husband Todd Leech, has several series – including Specimen Collections, which explores “the human impulse to collect, sort and organize ideas and objects.”
Super Seeds, ceramic
Supervision, ceramic, wood, felt
Hydra Specimen, ceramic
Hydra Specimen is reminiscent of Grant Diffendaffer’s recursive beads – maybe it’s time for Grant to go big? And I would love to see Stephanie translate a few of her specimens into jewelry!
Secrets, collaboration with Todd Leech
Capsula, ceramic, from the Fossilized Memories series
Capsula, detail
dryden wells’ ceramic multiples imply movement
I continue to be drawn to sculpture, wall art, tiles and jewelry made with multiples. There is something about a repetitive form that feels familiar, soothing – almost meditative.
Movement Stack 1, earthenware, slipcast, 5″ x 7″ x 5″
Dryden Wells, who holds a BFA in ceramics and an MFA in ceramics and sculpture, uses multiples and fragments “to create objects that imply movement or the evidence of it.” Organic. Interesting. Cohesive.
Read about his time living and working in China here.
Movement Stack 3, earthenware, slipcast, 15″ x 6″ x 8
Movement Stack 8, earthenware, slipcast, 5″ x 11″ x 8″
