Studio Practice, Conceptual Framework Ven Diagram

Some testing to see if my wire idea works

So far this fastening option has not been successful. I am trying some various types/gauges of wire to see how will be the best solution to assembling the tiles the way I envisioned this project. Braided wire is not working but solid core 12 & 14 gauge has worked out well. It's fairly stiff and tends to hold its shape well, but when I lift these, and hang them on the wall they are very floppy still. Not the best solution yet.

wall hanging.

Hanging on the wall finally

2nd Round of Ceramics - this time with a "Sanctification" maquette

Sanctification Sculpture

I decided to build a small maquette of my “sanctificaton” idea. This is a 3d version of the drawing I envisioned. It reminded me of a time when I was working in clay doing special effects on a TV project that never got picked up. I spent a lot of time sculpting and doing mold making. Also, with a few simple drawings under my belt — it was a nice opportunity to envision and realize what a dimensional version might do to my thinking of this concept. Maybe this will be a bridge, or maybe a cul-de-sac. It's too soon to tell, but I am thinking of how I will build my next maquette!

2nd round of tiles.
These are thinner too.

Also, another round of rhombus shaped tiles with bas relief carving and drawing. These have a “next generation” feel to them. I little more confident, and possibly a bit more elegant. This time around I will be more familiar with the glazing choices and application too.

These are in the leather hard to bone dry phase of drying. Soon we can candle them, soak them up to full temp for bisque firing.

Ceramic Rhombus Tiles Fresh Out of the Kiln

Fresh out of the kiln.
I will need to spend some time with these

Here's the whole group - 12 tiles total.

I have been experimenting a bit with some drawing on clay - then glazing/firing them to see what effects may be found. I hope to do another set soon. I will be continuing with this group for a while longer. This will compliment the “auto-mono-prints” that I started last week.

These are approx. 1/2" thick, and I will be doing some that are a bit thinner. I like the heft of them, but we will see what happens with my engineering on the hanging mechanism for the back.

There will need to be some experimenting as to the best way to connect these on the back and see what a good way to hang these (or if they will hang at all!) They may end up as coasters or ash trays or something inglorious.

"Auto Mono" Print Tests

My "Auto Mono" prints:

This has been something that has made me curious for a while. So, after making a group of linoleum cuts with some rhombus shaped concepts, this seemed like a good time to try and make a way to print at home without a press.

After a bunch of conceptual drawings of how this could work, and then some searches through my garage for scraps of wood that could be utilized, I made a small "print-set-up" template. The important aspects of this design are the sizes of the wooden base, the cross pieces and their placement to allow a type of "ramp" up to height. Then the top board, which registers with the outer cross boards so it won't shift. By not shifting it allows the direct downward-printing action. I did not expect to have a ton of success with the foam that I found, but the cushioning seemed to be enough to really help the transition of the tire across the printed surface.

This is built to work with an 11x17 dry sheet of paper using an inked linoleum cut. I tried soaking some of the paper, but it seemed to be to fragile, since I wasn't using my best printing paper for these initial tests. The setup worked in one pass, but I also experimented with two passes (by slowly driving the front of the car over forward and backward) without noticing a big difference in the print quality.

1x12 plank, 2x2 redwood scrap, 1x2 fir scrap.
A layer of mat board with acetate for registration.
place linocut and paper, then put another layer of
mat board, then the foam, then the top 1x12
 to fit it all together.

The bottom board allows the tire to be completely
on the top, and then each cross bar allows a 1/2" step up
to the next level. Once the tire is over the highest
part, the weight drops down to print the image.

This printed piece will work in an 11x14" frame.

Contrasting grid and growth rings concept

Graphic dot pattern with organic concept

Graphic dots and growth rings contrast.

Sanctification idea.

Some discussions about the “environmental” overtones with the trees and cut trees that I was working on sparked some conversations about sanctification. In regards to the trees that had been culled and the intended purpose for the tree once it was selected. God selects us to be more than we would be on our own. The tree died to become something more. To serve a higher purpose. I like the idea that man is here to cultivate the earth. To take what has been given to us and manage it, steward it well.

I am for conservation and preservation of our world's natural resources. So much more important to me is about the act of not wasting resources that we already have. More importantly to use our resources in an efficient and thorough way by farming, planting and maximizing the natural resources in a healthy way. I believe this is important for the continuation of what God had in store before the fall. Now as restored beings we have the ability to get back “closer” to God's plan for us.

These drawings are touching on something that I feel is worth exploring by focusing on how a resource is better used by creating an order to manage and maximize the potential. These sketches are somewhat humorous or light-hearted, but possibly the intent is clearer to a viewer. Clearer in that they don't allude to conservation but address the idea of “one thing being turned into another thing” or, sanctification. A concept strengthened by connecting the tree and the intended purpose of the tree and showing the tree's future. Not just a cut off tree with no future and apparently a wasted “life” but a timeline of the life of a tree.

This also will be addressed in my experiments with tree growth rings (more to come in that direction).

Linoleum cut project

My linocut setup at my desk.

This process of a linoleum cut project is in the works too. I will have approximately 9 linocuts to experiment with some color and layering of textures. I am setting up a fun little project of printing these by driving over a rigged up “press” for under the tires of my car.

I have some patterns that are solely based on primary patterns used in my design work, set against a very hand-made aesthetic

making a dot pattern similar to those used in offset printing 

A grouping in no particular order

detail of a few of the patterns. displaying primary patterns
and one that is a bit more organic in nature.

I will do some different combinations of
primary patterns vs. organic patterns