Sparks commission- update - Developing a relationship with the deceased.

Here the process begins again, tapping into more than a likeness, but the life and essence of someone I have never known. As I get to know my subject, "develop a relationship with the deceased", as a friend once said. I feel very honored to be the artist chosen to capture such a great man.

The other day I met Mr. Sparks' daughter. I gravitated to her, felt bonded with her. She was real, caring, a grown women who had a part of her daddy in her. Her love of animals, her desire to help others. It is these elements that I see and feel in the living that helps me bond with the deceased.

I just finished watching the memorial video of Mr. Sparks. At first I could get no sound and i searched through the video instead looking for profiles, something that was lacking in the reference material that I was given. Screen shot after screen shot I longed to hear what was being said about the man. I'm interested in his life, his part in history.

I found a button on the computer that gave me sound and watched the entire segment the second time this time with volume. These comments of those who knew and loved the man are as important as the physical reference. They help me to tap into the essence of who he was. One video segment made me smile. I rewound the video, saying "Stop, stop, oh there you are". The twinkle in the eye, the smile. Let me capture that essence.

Now to transfer this to clay. I'm ever reminded of the little boy in the movie Hook. Who smooshes the grown Peter's face around until he says, "Oh there you are Peter Pan!" That wonder is how I begin.

The state of Oklahoma and the state of Tennessee sure were lucky to have such a man as Willard R. Sparks

New Article- A Review of New Technology for the Traditional Studio at the Siggraph Convention

New Article- A Review of New Technology for the Traditional Studio at the Siggraph Convention

Best of Artists and Artisans finally got my new article up. Check it out.

The snail mail section is so funny. This article was complete a while ago and I am thrilled to be able to share more information in the near future concerning some of my other finding on technology in the traditional studio.

Sculpture judge for Culture Shapers

Once again it was that time of the year for the Culture Shapers art contest. Here is a llink to the top 10. And a couple of photographs of my favorites. I can not tell you the order of the top 10 that is secrete and won't be revealed until the 9th annual awards ceremony on November 20th.

The entries seemed to be down this year. Probably due to hurricane Ike. After all many students were out of school for a couple of weeks. The contest was also administrated a bit differently this year in that all of the work was taken in on one day, as well as judged on one day. I am sure this was a nightmare for culture shapers but I really enjoyed seeing and meeting all of the other juges. Sometimes your life can feel very lonely when you sculpti in the studio followed by writing upstairs in the office.

Once again I must say that any art show is subjective. It really depends on the judges. This year I had two entirely different judges. They like what they do an I like what I do. I am willing to fight over the pieces that I feel need to be at the top, but then again there area some consessions taht need to be made as well. I can't believe I didn't take pictures of all of my favorites but here are a few.

Mother Nature
Kelsey Brinson
Cy-Ridge HS
Cy-Fair ISD
Teacher: Claire Vining

Adolere, Orare, Adorare
Anda Brown
Clear Creek HS
Clear Creek ISD
Teacher: Terri Foltz-Fox

This one is hard to see, but it is twined hands. I love reading what the kids say about the artwork.This actually represents what they went through when having so much destruction on their home during Ike.

New commissions-Willard R Sparks

Willard R Sparks
Born in Dibble, Oklahoma October 10, 1936
Died in Memphis, Tennessee on January 30, 2005

It feels good to have a commission that I can talk about. I have so many secret ones going on right now. It is a Christmas thing. My newest Commission is of Willard R Sparks, for the University of Memphis. Here is a link to information about Mr Sparks. Another one of those quick turn around commissions, but I look forward to getting to know the man, and I'll be blogging about the process for all of those UM alumni, students and faculty that care to watch.

A new video- Digital art in the traditional sculpting studio

This video documents the process of bringing digital art into the traditional sculpture studio. I is of 3 different sculptures and as promised it is an update on how the Jenna sculpture was taken from poser to clay.

Cool stuff in technology- and introduction to a Technology Symposium that I am putting on next year.

I have been working on a technology symposium for Houston next year. HUGE PROJECT! more about that later. I found RabbitHole printing at Siggraph this year and just loved it. I'm hoping they will be at the symposium. This stuff reminds me of looking through my view master toy in the 60's,
but it is much more intense and active. Is it a shadow box? Is it a print? Is it sculpture? To help with the load time of my blog I'll direct you to the link for this video http://vimeo.com/1767780?pg=embed&sec=1767780