Final Advanced Sculpture Project

Bittersweet! 

I just finished my final project for advanced sculpture. 

I am lucky enough to have a professor that is letting me skip out on the last week of class 

so I can get married. 

I'm not really skipping out, I just had to work double time to catch up. 

Luckily this project was one that worked well with others :)

This project is pretty similar concept wise to the last one. 

Here is my artist statement:

"This piece goes hand in hand with my last project referencing stability. My exploration of stability and instability has lead me to many different explorations in materials and artists. Finding inspiration from Urs Fischers untitled work from 2009 where he cast a piano and piano bench in latex really peaked my interest in latex as a material. Knowing that I can almost completely imitate an object with latex really went well with my recent interest in assumptions. Using this material to cast a common object that we easily understand but taking away the rigid structure unearthed many questions. Leaving the viewer questioning if this limp form can really pass as a chair and support their body weight. By playing with assumptions I have created 2 pieces that work together. This one begging the question because of its unstable material yet it is actually more stable than the previous work, which is questioned because of what you cannot see. "

So, here is the process. 

I started about a week and a half ago. 

I decided I wanted to use an old chair that my parents are letting Reed and I barrow for our living room furniture. I'm pretty sure its outdoor/porch furniture from the '70s. 

So I ordered casting latex and prepped the chair to be painted!

First I took the covers off the cushions and recovered them in plastic so not to ruin them. 

 I then prepped the wooden frame with a clear spray paint to protect it from the latex. 

Finally I started the first layer of latex!

The latex paints on like normal but dries rubbery. 

It is basically the same thing as a latex medical glove, just thicker!

Here is the latex, ordered from The Engineer Guy.

(They are awesome by the way!)

And the chair with about 3 or 4 layers on it. 

Finally after about 6 or 7 layers the latex was thick enough to pull off! 

Todd came in to help me since I had never worked with this before. 

Basically you just stretch it over the chair and cover it in baby powder as you go 

so it doesn't stick to its self. 

The photo on the right is what it looks like once it was pulled completely off! 

Weird right?!

Then, I hung it on another chair in the studio so I could see the form and start sewing it back together. 

(We had to cut it in a few places to get the arms off). 

The image on the left is right side out. Very lumpy and grotesque. 

The image on the right is smoother, and shows all the details from the original chair! 

I worked in the studio for an entire weekend. Literally from about 11 am to 11 pm Friday, Saturday and  half the day sunday. I was gettin real tired of latex. But luckily I had a great friend bring me breakfast and come keep me company. Who knew she was also good at carpentry! 

She helped me TONS with building the armature that would help hold the latex up to show off the chair shape! 

Finally it was finished! After many bloody fingers from sewing and a few tears. 

Critique was AAHHHMAZING :) Everyone really was so confused about how they could sit in it and if they even wanted to try it out. Luckily they did and they also gave me so many awesome suggestions on how to improve it and even how to make a new project based off of this one.

Basically, this chair is awesome! :)

I learned so much from using this material and I really hope I can work up the funds to do it again for another piece!

Here are some of the images from the Gallery. 

This will totally be shown in my senior interview, and possibly in my senior show!! 

These are some detail shots of the stitching, back, and legs. 

And finally, the original and the latex chair! 

What a cute couple :) 

Now that I am done with school I have 5 days until the wedding! Then I will be heading back to the studio as a married woman! WHAT WHAT?!

Advanced Sculpture Prj. 2

This last month has been unbelievable. I have learned so much about myself, my relationships, and myself as an artist. I am so lucky to be taking this summer class, the timing isn't what I call perfect but I wouldn't have given up this opportunity for anything. I've been blessed with a professor that I would like to think is also a friend who is continually pushing me further. 

Todd (my professor) is one of the big reasons why I chose to focus in Sculpture. 

He has such a passion that it is contagious. 

He also sees potential in a student and pushes it to the next level. 

I have learned so much from him that I don't really want to think about next fall when he 

may not be in the department anymore!
(Please Clemson offer him a job! He is an amazing teacher!!) 

Sorry had to do a little plug. 

So all that said this project was a struggle. 

I knew exactly what I wanted to do but I could not come up with a way to execute it. 

I was extremely inspired by Fred Sandback and his 3d line drawings. 

(Here are a few examples, its going to blow your mind). 

Let me explain Sandbacks process. 

Sandback uses yarn and wire to define space. 

A quote that stuck with me was this 

"by defining whats not there he defines what is".

I just think this is a beautiful way to call attention to space. 

So my version of this was to make a chair in the same form. 

I wanted to take the basic ladder back kitchen chair and "draw" it in space with yarn. 

By doing this my plan was to call attention to the assumptions we make about mundane objects while also activating a seemly "unused" space. 

Well this didn't really work out. So then I was thinking of other materials that could be manipulated to draw or form a chair with out functioning like one. 

I started to really investigate hotglue. 

I thought forsure that this would work. Just make molds out of PVC pipe and other materials, pour hot glue in them and then glue all of the pieces together to form a chair! This would then be a "see through" chair that would then challenge our vision, mind, and assumptions of what a chair is. 

Sadly this did not work out. I ended up melting a lot of hotglue in a pot and attempting to pour it in to the PVC pipe. Well I dripped some on my hand before I got to that point and burned myself pretty bad. 

So a friend poured it in to the PVC while I tended to my wound. 

But sadly, the glue was sooo molten hot that it actually melted the PVC pipe. 

After that fiasco I decided I needed another material. 

This is when Todd came to my rescue. 

He pointed out that by doing these things (using hot glue, wire or yarn)  I was dong more of a material study than focusing on the chair and our assumptions with this. 

Thanks to that I got back on track and decided to stick with my original plan. 

Us a chair to call attention to itself and the assumptions and perceptions that go along with it! 

So simple!!

Finally I convinced Reed to let me use one of our kitchen table chairs that we needed to refinish. 

I then proceeded to completely take it apart. 

(Sorry I forgot a before picture, but this is the first process picture!!) 

So I took the chair apart. 

Cut each and every one of the pieces in half (hot dog style). 

And prepared to take the guts out!

I wanted to hollow out the chair so that nothing was left but the shell. 

I was covered in saw dust for about 3 days straight and

 I stayed in the studio for about 10 hours 2 days in a row. 

I used a small router to just slowly take out the middle/guts of each piece

while still leaving the parts to fit the chair back together. 

After 2 long days I finally finished with the router and then had to glue all of the pieces back together. 

I used lots of wood glue and zip ties and let them sit over night!

Then I slowly began to piece the chair back together. 

I used a wooden mallet to just knock the pieces back together  and then added a twine seat for the finished project! 

On critique day I really got to sit back and think about what I had done. 

Why was this considered art?!

I realized that my idea was a lot more conceptual than physical. 

I really could have had the same idea and done nothing to the chair and gotten the same point across.

This hollow chair sat in the gallery with a label that read,

"Just a chair, with no insides." 

Getting the cold read from my peers I was happy to see that many of them questioned whether or not this chair was stable. Only 1 person asked if they could sit, and they asked before doing so that shows a hesitancy that isn't usually there with normal chairs! 

I was very happy with how this piece made the viewer more aware of the assumptions and perceptions of the mundane objects that encompass us daily. 

This chair made the viewer/participant stop and think in a situation that wouldn't usually require it. 

Questioning what the purpose of an unstable chair is and calling to mind why we are so trusting in stability with out really looking any further than the surface. 

PS> sorry that was long but I am just really happy with how this piece turned out and the positive critique I received on monday! This is something that I am really hoping to pursue in the future, so look out I am going to be having a lot more "chair" sculptures!! 

PSS> Only about 9 days until the biggest day of my life! I am so thankful that God has given me a creative passion and a passion to become Reeds life long helper. I can't wait to combine these two for the glory of the Lord!! 

Also, I'm working on posts for the week while I am on the honeymoon. I have one scheduled for the 6th of August so be sure to check back because I wont be posting any updates after August 3rd!! 

House Project #4

So the house projects got put on hold once I started my summer class. 

I still have about a thousand things we are trying to do to the house but they are just going to have to wait until after the wedding. I'm working slowly on a few smaller projects in my down time, but with only about 1 week before I go home for the wedding I doubt they will be shared until later :) 

So here is one of the small projects that should have taken a few hours but lasted about a week! 

Our quirky little house is precious but kinda tucked back behind big trees and looks almost identical to the rest of the street. Reed is the one who suggested making a sign or something to put out by the mailbox that would make our house stand out a little more. 

Of course I wasn't going to just order a garden flag, not when I could use things that I have around the apartment and make a one of a kind sign! 

This was how our sign started. 

Just a rough piece of wood that I had to yank lots of nails out of and it probably shouldn't have required so much work but thats ok. 

I then just used some out door paint that I got super cheap from Lowes. (I pretty much visit the paint section and just stock up on all the mis-tints, it is an awesome way to get great colors!)

It was really weird knowing that this is about to be MY last name! 

And its weird driving up and seeing the sign on the mailbox, Reed hung it while I was at school so when I pulled up after class to meet Reed for dinner it really hit me that in less than 2 weeks I will be driving home to this sign EVERY DAY! 

Well, that is all.

I know that is a baby post but I have my second crit. tomorrow so after that and doing some final documentation of that project I will start the post for the 2nd sculpture project of the summer! 

I've also just started packing. 

I have officially emptied out my art cabinet in to boxes. 

This was taken with my phone so its pretty bad quality. Sorry. 

I've also cleaned out my desk and the storage from under my bed. 

I decided just moving my craft/art supplies and projects was a good way to start. I just had no idea how much I had!! Hopefully Reed is ready to give up his hunting room and willing to make it a studio! 

Saying Thanks

This post probably wont have many photos. I wanted to warn you because I try very hard to always have at least 1 image up but I'm just not sure how this one will play out. 

So, a while back I wrote a post about all of the generosity that is being shown towards my family/Reed and I. It is literally mind blowing. 

With the count down dwindling I wanted to put another thanks out. I hope that I have the chance to thank these beautiful people in person but who knows when that will happen so I hope this will suffice for a while. 

Firstly, I would like to thank our Lord and Savior for everything. 

If it weren't for His great love and mercy Reed and I would not be where we are today. 

He has shown us that this is exactly His plan for us by providing for it in every way. 

I know I sound stressed, worried, and overwhelmed at times but that is because I am human and I forget that the Lord has everything under control! Thankfully He is forgiving and continues to bless Reed and I even when we aren't looking to Him first. 

Secondly, I would like to thank our church family. 

Having a short engagement is hard.

 Then add on a tight budget, being a full time student, and living 2 1/2 hours away from home. 

But because of their generosity with time, talents, finances, and property we are having our dream wedding! I can not think of a single thing that I would do differently if I had all the money in the world. 

So thank you all for stepping up and helping my family in a way that you will never know how much it means. 

Thirdly, I want to thank all of my girls. 

So many of you have put up with tears and blabbering at odd hours of the day. Thank you for listening and being their to pull me back in. Also, thanks for being fun and making me be excited when I am being too serious! I wish that I would have been able to make more time for all of you. This entire process has made me miss my girl time so so much. I want to share every minute of this experience with you all! Thank you to those who put together showers and parties. They have all been unbelievably perfect. Thank you for considering my time and feelings with everything. 

Please know that if I could have had all of you standing by my side on August 4th that I would have!! 

Lastly, I would like to thank my mom and dad.
Again, I will admit that planning a wedding while being a full time student wasn't my brightest idea. But you have no idea how much it means to me that you have supported Reed and I in every decision we have made. I want you to know that your work is not going unnoticed. I know that you both are putting in so much more time and effort than I am able too. It tears me up inside to know that I can't help more. When I ask questions I promise that it isn't me not trusting you but rather me attempting to help. I love you both so much and I hope this day can be something our family enjoys and cherishes for a long long time.

Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!
I can not say it enough. I wish that I could sit and talk with each and every one of you to explain how much you have impacted my life. I love you all so much and can not wait to have all of you celebrating with us on August 4th!!

Why I may be missing for a while. And a GIVEAWAY

Hey ladies!

Ok, I've been extremely busy lately and my mind has been all over the place. 

I want to post but hours just keep slipping past me which is making my days FLY by. 

As most of you know I am getting married August 4th. 

I am extremely excited and busy all at the same time. Which in-turn is making me very very anxious. 

So, I wish I could update on my latest projects and some of the other fun things going on but I just can't find the time or creativity to spare at the moment. I'm going to attempt to write a few posts and schedule them to post over the next 3 weeks but who knows if I will actually get around to it. So keep visiting the blog as they might not get posted to Facebook right away! 

Now all that to say!

 I am featured as a givaway on the awesome Young and Crafy blog!! 

Please go check it out it opens Monday July 16th at 6 am and closes Thursday July 19th! 

Here is a sneak peak of the piece that is being given away! 

Andddd 2 detail shots. 

Alright so here is the scoop. I found young and crafty a while back and finally got the guts up to ask her to feature my project. I told her to go look through my blog and see what she thought would fit best and what her readers would be interested in. 

She pointed out a few different projects but said she really enjoyed the desert flower canvas I did for a friend a while back. (Check out the link for that past project). That canvas was too large to do for a giveaway so she asked for something simililar yet scaled down. 

So when I sat down to finally start this painting I thought about just kinda recreating that piece but then realized that I wanted to do something new and to just really paint from my heart. Because it is a giveaway I didn't technically have a commission for it so I could literally do whatever I wanted. And that is what came out! 

I like it so much I just hope other people do too!! 

Would yall rather me do these types of giveaways instead of the signs? Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think my next personal giveaway should be!

PS. don't hold it against me if I don't post back for a while. I honestly am not sure when I will have time to write again! 

So much to do so little time!

Sorry for the delay in postings. I have lots of excuses but I don't really wanna talk about them :) 

Basically, I'm exhausted. Who would have thought that taking an advanced class over the summer, while working wouldn't mesh well with planning a wedding....

Oh well. Atleast I love it all! 

Alright quick run through of the class/studio space. 

I have taken 2 levels of sculpture and have chosen it as my focus during school. I have done a lot of metal work and have learned how to use a cutting torch, welder and almost everything in the metal shop. I REALLY enjoy that part and am looking forward to pushing that further. 

But I have decided I need to learn how to work in a wood shop as well. 

Luckily at school we are blessed with both shops stocked with some of the best tools ever. 

(Reed is totally jealous). 

This however is not as impressive to everyone. This is my studio for the summer. 

IT. IS. HUGE. 

I am sharing it with 3 people but this picture only shows about half of the space that is available, and it cuts off all of the awesome storage on the back wall. 

Basically this would be a dream studio if I was blessed to have it for longer than a month!! 

Now on to the project. 

This project was titled Relational Prosthetics.

Meaning that we needed to create something that would affect a relationship between two things. 

I decided to focus on relationships between people. I was originally thinking about posture and how we  interact with one another in the space around us. 

I tend to lean towards furniture with all of my projects because of the demand it creates to interact with the piece itself. I really want my viewers to be participants. 

I looked in to some really awesome artists that have taken this same/similar idea and used a park bench as a way to recreate that relationship with the stranger. Brian Rush is an awesome artist who forced people to create a relationship through his sliding bench seat. And Jeppe Hein created a space that caused the participants to rethink their own position and how it affected the space as a whole. 

So taking those two as huge inspiration I decided to make a "bench" of my own. 

I wanted to comment on the balance between relationships. Whether it was between strangers or friends their is a certain way we work together in space all the time and this piece just magnifies it! 

So for starters I bought some pretty thick plywood from Lowes to create the base and the seat. I had to learn how to use a jigsaw and learned that precision is everything when it comes to wood working!! 

In the picture on the left that is a huge compass that my teacher made and its awesome! That is a perfect 48inch circle!! And the image on the right is of two half circles that I puzzle pieced together. Wood working is so much tougher than I thought! 

I then struggled with how I would make this piece sculptural rather than just a piece of furniture. I needed something other than lots of geometric shapes and a cushion. 

I wanted to draw in multiple people and with the one large circle it seemed more fitting for one person. To fix that problem I decided to go with this more organic form that created different seating options. Obviously there are four "seats" but you can also choose different ways of sitting on it, I'll show that later when it is complete. 

 The next thing to do was to finish it and add all of the details that would make this art. 

I have been doing a lot with woodgrain lately and using blue because of its resemblance to water. 

I figured this was a good solution because it commented on the fluidity and balance that was needed for this particular bench to function correctly. 

I then started to add the cushion. At this point I was tired and had been working on this project for 8 days straight. It was due the next day at 1 and I was ready to get it done. 

I didn't wanna try and tackle sewing at 9pm the night before it was due after being in the studio since 10 that morning so I opted for staples. 

But I should have known that would just create more work for me. I ran out of fabric and the bottom was not up to par. I was not about to turn in a sculpture that I had spent countless hours on looking careless on the bottom. I went home at midnight and brainstormed some solutions. 

I really wanted to use rubber but once I checked my bank account I opted for my old bed sheets :) 

Again, I found a way around sewing but this time I used a hot glue gun which made a much cleaner seam. I then used my pillow cases to bring attention to the 4 seats and added the ties to the edge of each  seat to magnify the movement created by the people interacting with the piece itself. 

TA DA! IT IS FINISHED!(For now)

 So it's kinda a trippy looking piece but I think its fun and it forced the viewers to become participants and to form relationships with each other even if there wasn't one there before! 

These are just some goofy pictures from critique yesterday. 

 

So as you can tell they had a good time figuring out all of the different ways they could interact with the piece. Now I just have to figure out where I am putting it! 

PS> Only 23 more days for the wedding and they are all packed full! I've already started on my 2nd project and will start my 3rd before the second crit. I'm also working on our new kitchen table. But that is gonna have to go on the back burner until I finish up with school!