Rocky Jr.

"Rocky, Jr."●
I have a fascination with chickens. When I was a kid, we raised chickens, and one of my daily chores was to go into the chicken coop and collect the eggs. I would go into the coop, always fearful of the rooster.
I remember, we had many 'hens' but only one rooster . . . The roosters were bigger than the hens, more aggressive and often more beautiful.

A few years ago, I embellished a rooster with bling and even gave him a pair of shoes. His name was "Rocky" as well, but because he was much larger, so I have to assume he was "Jr's" dad . . . Anyway, "Rocky" was spectacular. You can read about him and see pictures of him here.

'Rocky, Jr' is a solid wood rooster form, hand carved and painted in bright rooster colors, found at the flea market. 
He stands approximately 12" tall. His wing feathers are 'spinner' lures, and he is embellished with many other bits and bling. Note the small Christ on the cross (minus the cross), the vintage gym locker #33, and the Wells Fargo 'agents' badge . . . .

have a great weekend all!

"Saints and Sinners"

"Saints and Sinners"●

This is the second of four (maybe 5) pieces that I am presenting for Day of The Dead.  This piece is covered in bright orange artist's tissues and an image of Frieda Kahlo on the back.  A metal lizard on the front, and brass bell on the side.  The curtains on the doors are part of a vintage beaded lamp shade.  Inside are found objects reminding us of day of the dead items: on the top shelf is a bowel of fruit, a rooster, a bottle of tequila and flowers.  On the bottom shelf are the dearly departed, and an armadillo with a bobbing head.  (click on any image to enlarge)  IN PRIVATE COLLECTION 

"Rocky"

"Rocky" ●
In following my love of 'over-embellished' things this wooden rooster came into my studio about 6 months ago. When he arrived, he had very long legs and he was painted dark green. I began by cutting about 4" from his long legs, then I covered him in bits and baubles, political buttons, bottle caps and bells. Silvery buttons on the tail make sure he is struttin' his stuff. His green shoes and measuring tape socks complete the outfit. The wooden base is covered in copper sheeting left over from a garden project, and a silvery curtain rod finial on top give him 'presence' and provide an easy way to transport. I named him Rocky because he really 'rocks'. (click on any image for a closer look)

Dilemmas of Life

"Dilemmas of Life"
Constructed in a vintage calibrated weight tray, and framed under glass, this assemblage mirrors the dichotomies of life. Bits and pieces of the good, the wondrous and the illusive. Includes things like marbles, buttons, mahjong tile, coins, a cross, a hand in a shell casing the head of a wooden rooster, and yes, teeth. Some of the pieces move within the space that contains them, making he box somewhat interactive. The piece can be laid flat on a table or hung on a wall.4"x13"x1½ "  (click on image to enlarge)

The Things They Carried . . .

"The Things They Carried"
 I love collecting old interesting wood pieces. Carved chair parts, vintage frames, drift wood, wood hangers, yard sticks, boxes, . . .The older the better.  It does not matter if the wood is painted or unpainted, carved or plain, I find wood to be delicate and exquisite and strong and worldly, with many stories to tell.  The older the piece of wood, the better the stories.

I just can's say no to a beautiful piece of wood.

I have had this idea that I wanted to construct an art piece using multiple and various pieces of wood from different origins, of all ages and with varied textures and patinas. I wanted to cut the pieces of wood and fit them together, like a puzzle and let their texture and their beauty speak for themselves.

This piece is my first attempt.

Some time ago while perusing blogs, I came across the quote "A lot like yesterday, a lot like never". The words resonated with me and I thought that at some point I might use it in one of my Scrabble pieces. After adding the quote to my 'list' of quotes, I printed out a copy and hung it on the inspiration board in my studio . . . so I could see it everyday.

In researching the quote, I discovered it is from a book titled "The Things They Carried" written by a Tim O'Brien, the book contains a number of short stories about a platoon of American soldiers in the Vietnam War.

Using a piece of pine as substrate, cut pieces of redwood, fence board, clothes hangers and various other wood types are pieced together to form a whole. Embellishments include found metal pieces and bits of bling along with a small convex mirror and the head of a colorful rooster, formally a napkin ring holder.
The piece is finished in a frame made from a vintage yard stick with with bright blue lettering.

"Mirror Me"

"Mirror Me" ●
     A couple of weeks ago, after a few friends and I finished working on a mosaic project, I invited them all over to my studio, because they were all curious to see my 'workplace'.
     At the time, I was working on a several pieces, but "Burbank - The Hollywood Horse" was front and center on my work table. Also on the work table was "Rocky", the Rooster, you might remember both of these from earlier posts. I think everyone was amazed at "how much stuff" is needed to carry out the work of an assemblage artist. (truth be told, I am often over-whelmed myself).
     Both "Rocky" and "Burbank" are made in the style of the 'memory jars' popular in the 1800's.  Memory jars were made by covering the vessel in mortar and attaching small objects such as keys, shells, coins and personal mementos belonging to someone who had passed away.
     I call my interpretation of this art form: Memory Art.
     This piece titled "Mirror Me" was commissioned by a dear friend, and former co-worker, after her visit to my studio. The only criteria she gave me was: "I really want you to make me a mirror like this. . . and i would really love it if you could use all 'silvery things'.

The wood frame of a vintage mid-century mirror is the foundation for this piece. (similar to the fame pictured here)

First, I collaged the frame in layers of green and blue tissue papers. Then, I embellished the front and sides with vintage silvery keepsakes, including clock parts, jewelry, buttons, coins, bottle caps, beads and other found objects.
 

So here it is.  I hope she loves it . . .cause I really do.
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