***Note - This piece has since sold.***
Another artist and I exchanged quotations. My piece was based on the quote for Kahlil Gibran "When I wrote on my door: 'Leave your traditions outside, Before you come in,' Not a soul dared to visit me or open my door."
At first I wanted to do something other than the obvious - but after weeks of thinking about it, I thought it wouldn't make sense not to do a man that opens his door.
All the pieces in the show had to be less than 12" x12", so I started building the door and the window to fit into that space. I brushed the wood for the door with a wire brush to bring out the texture of the wood. I also designed everything to be a little wacky - slightly skewed, out of plumb. Only the top part of the door opens - I wanted to hide the mechanisms behind the bottom part.
The head, sculpted from polymer clay. I did look at a couple of pictures of Mr. Gibran, but I was not going for an exact likeness.
The wall and the window. I created a stucco texture using drywall mud mixed with paint. I love this look, I might have to do it again.
My paint finish - I love how this came out.
The finished piece - 12" x 12" x 4 1/2"
Detail of the door.
As the door opens, he leans over to check outside.
A closer shot.
The movie...
Behind the scenes......
This piece is a real step forward in my progression as an artist, and may be a sign of things to come......
Thanks for looking!
Another artist and I exchanged quotations. My piece was based on the quote for Kahlil Gibran "When I wrote on my door: 'Leave your traditions outside, Before you come in,' Not a soul dared to visit me or open my door."
At first I wanted to do something other than the obvious - but after weeks of thinking about it, I thought it wouldn't make sense not to do a man that opens his door.
All the pieces in the show had to be less than 12" x12", so I started building the door and the window to fit into that space. I brushed the wood for the door with a wire brush to bring out the texture of the wood. I also designed everything to be a little wacky - slightly skewed, out of plumb. Only the top part of the door opens - I wanted to hide the mechanisms behind the bottom part.
The head, sculpted from polymer clay. I did look at a couple of pictures of Mr. Gibran, but I was not going for an exact likeness.
The wall and the window. I created a stucco texture using drywall mud mixed with paint. I love this look, I might have to do it again.
My paint finish - I love how this came out.
The finished piece - 12" x 12" x 4 1/2"
Detail of the door.
As the door opens, he leans over to check outside.
A closer shot.
The movie...
Behind the scenes......
This piece is a real step forward in my progression as an artist, and may be a sign of things to come......
Thanks for looking!
tom
Love everything that you do! And what a great assignment. Mary Lou Zeek gallery is top shelf in my book. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteWow!! really awesome automata thanks for share!
ReplyDeleteI love that you show the backs of your pieces, the inner workings - gears, cams, motors - and the progression from idea to completed work. It's inspirational. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis wonderful! I'm glad to have this introduction to your work.
ReplyDeleteI love the pace and mood of this piece. Also, the Dutch door is an excellent solution to this particular design problem for a variety of reasons: it keeps the figure isolated even as he opens the door as well as simplifies the action. Congratulations on another great piece!
ReplyDeleteThanks all!
ReplyDelete@J.E. You're absolutely right, the bottom part of the door hides a lot.
tom