Taking it back

Taking it Back. A painting I did on Pine. Its acrylic and charcoal sealed with polyurethane. It symbolizes my scattered thought process when creating art.

some new triggers

I will NEVER make things for a CRAFT fair.

I found myself lost for a moment in my art last week. I wanted to make something for Evansville. Something that reflected my home in a positive light. I fell short and I could not break out of my box. I failed and found myself at my bench looking at something horrific.
The font is nice and so is the color, but not my style and lacks creativity. I am going to give it to my mom for a late May Day gift.

The Rich Bureaucrat that Stole Josh Filers Cardboard Mustache

I finished it TODAY! This cast iron head has been haunting me for 2 years, at least. The motivation to finish it came after an email I received from my elementary school art teacher informing me that her position was being terminated. One year before retirement.

I thought that this was fitting for the show that is being planned back home in the Evansville Public Library. Hopefully they will hang it. I will admit that it is not my best work but the idea behind it is more important.

PS. I still have a lot of passion for Evansville and the school district. I give them a lot of credit for my ability to be a free thinker and constantly push for success. My only problem is the new administration that is currently in place and the lack of integrity. Evansville is a 4-5+ generation community. It prides its self on family farm operations, artist community and progressive environmental projects. We thrive because of our small town values and belief in the greater good.
I would hate to see that change because of a new school philosophy.

NEON

Reference pics.
I have been collecting them for a few years now.
I have had a fascination with vintage neon my entire life and it has been a major inspiration for my art.

Metal Casting

* The little man is called "Patty Pat Caught in the Act." it is made from aluminum. Wax, Ceramic Shell. (2006)

* Mask "Tribute to a Burning Bush." Iron, Wax, Ceramic Shell

Shadow Boxes

Once I discovered mixed media art I started creating these shadow box's. They represent past memories. (2005-2006)

Top with Green is called "Thank you to the doc at dean"
Middle Bus "Happy Golden Rule Days"
Bottom "A Theatrical Production for a Psychopath."

Hotel is open

Its been almost one year since the construction of the hotel began and it is officially open. October 10Th will be the grand opening.
I have encountered many local artist that took part in the design and artistic elements of the hotel. The Iron Horse Hotel is truly a forever standing example of Milwaukee's rich history and respect for art, preservation and industrial metal working.

Furnace Photos

The fondry set up

A lot of people have been asking me about the set up that I am using to produce the aluminum pieces for the hotel. So, to end all questions this is what I have been using.

It’s a pretty simple set up. I am using the typical “back yard” hobbyist furnace. I have two furnaces running each hold a steel crucible (pot) that hold around 30 lbs. of molten aluminum.

For the burners I am using a hand made Ron Reil propane burner. I have found these to be the simplest to fabricate on your own. Not to mention you can put one together for under $40.00.
As for my propane tanks I rent 2 100lbs. Propane tanks from Bentley Welding Supplies. The have been great to work with. They deliver and at a moments notice and keep a competitive rate.

River Art Project

Besides obsessing over ways to melt aluminum fast. I had a brief side project that I thought I would share with all of you.
For 10 months I worked in the Milwaukee Environmental office. Its a collective space that is filled with non-profits in Milwaukee that are dedicated to environmental issues and keeping Milwaukee safe and clean.
Any way I was approached by the Friends of Milwaukee's Rivers and was asked if I would come up with so me kind or recycled art project, possibly share it with a school and possibly make art from recycled trash.
With the help from a co-worker. We developed the River art Project. We were fortunate to find two schools that backed the idea. Hayes Bilingual and Fratney.
I spent several days with the students. We talked about Wisconsin folk art, drew photos and then I took the kids to the Milwaukee River Clean up in the April. We were able to salvage a crazy amount of trash from the river but unfortunately I didn't feel like it was safe for them to re-use and handle. So we altered our plan and the kids brought in recycled materials from home.
I spent 3 studio days with the students, the end product was pretty nifty. The kids discovered the art of improvisation through this project, they also got to show their piece at the FMR thank you event.
I decided that I need to finish my education degree. This project came at t very stressful time and each day I walked into Hayes Elementary and was greeted by my artist in trainging crew my focus and perspective shifted to something new and positive.

Hotel Progress 20 down 110 to go

After 8 months of stress, sleepless nights, stress and stress progress has been made. I have been able to make over 20 pieces in the month of July.

Side Note:
All of the pieces that I have poured have been a minimum of 5 feet long 16 inches wide and 4 inches thick. No cracks, no fishers. Plenty sturdy for the wall mounting system.
I couldn't have done any of this with out the help and advice from my Dad, Uncle Dan and Kim.

Hotel First Stage

This is an image from the very first pour November 1, 2007. It took place at the UW-Whitewater Sculpture studio with the guidance from my former professor Dan the Man and my friend and fellow metal junkie Christopher Gerber.

Hotel Model room