Monday, November 7, 2011

Sculpture class project

This fall I've been taking a Friday Night Sculpture class. Usually I take life or portrait drawing but that was not offered this year, so I chose Sculpture. My goal in this sculpture class was to have fun and to learn to use all the power equipment and other materials. I like the class, like the teacher and of course, always love learning new things.

Supplies came with the class, and I pounced on a piece of rock on the first night, started making something small and have ended up with a tall 6 foot high piece that is still a work in progress.

I can't take a picture of the whole thing - it's too tall. This project started out as a person on a rock which I then placed on a piece of wood with trees in the back. I added the trees basically cause I wanted to learn how to use the drill press - which was great fun.



Of course, the tree limbs didn't stay in place very well, so I added shims and liked the way they bristled out of the base of the limbs.


The free standing little ladder took me ages to make, all fussy little pieces of wood, and glue and tiny nails.

Then I added the long legs, to make the overall piece like a table. In this I learned how to use a table saw, a drill and a drill that screws in nails. And I also learned to use a bandsaw - and am completely proud of myself for learning to use these tool.


The little "em like" person is air hardening clay, very leathery and hard, but fun to work with.


Another ladder at the base, just added it on Saturday night and still have some touch ups to do with paint.


And yet another ladder in the front, much easier to make this one for some reason. Practice?

I'll get a better picture when I take it into class next week. The instructor is reading all kinds of things into the ladders and the reaching for the sky and whatever. I just look at it and think "power tools" and am totally satisfied.

12 comments:

Call Me Cate said...

"The instructor is reading all kinds of things into the ladders and the reaching for the sky and whatever. I just look at it and think "power tools" and am totally satisfied."

And THAT is what I love about art. Great work - it's fun to see you tackle different types of art!

sukipoet said...

Mim this is unbelievably fabulous. you are incredible. so contemporary. just love the figure, the branches, the ladders and the entire piece. wowsie.

Barbara/myth maker said...

Wow, Mim, you've done a bunch of wonderful things here. How cool to learn all those tools you worked with, too. Kudos to you. I love the whole sculpture.

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

I too love that the instructor is reading things into this fun learning piece here. I remember selling a painting for a nice price years ago and when the Gal came to have her photo taken with me she said I know what this painting means, and went on to explain all sorts of mystical things into it she saw .. and all it was of were pink spoonbills and white egrets taking off from a field and flying from a photo that I loved. So I guess you can read what ever you want into Art. And I told her so.. hey I had her check in hand...:))

Lori ann said...

incredible mim, just amazing art. and impressive use of those tools.

Lori ann said...

incredible mim, just amazing art. and impressive use of those tools.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

You always find the best classes to take. This is a fun sculpture. Congrats on the tool domination.

Lynn Cohen said...

Amazing Mim!!! YOU...and the art too of course, but you are mind blowingly amazing! A clay class I thought okay a kiln, a wheel, but this is a woodshop class too. Wow.
What a trip! You are learning so many things and the class has just begun? And you have created a wonderful interesting piece of art that leaves us all wondering and thinking! I can't imagine what your final end of the semester piece will look like. I see a whole show of huge display art pieces that tell exciting stories.

ElizT said...

I always wanted to learn the use of an angle grinder...

Katiejane said...

This is so nice, Mim! It looks like something I would see in an art magazine. I love the idea of all the ladders. Wonder where that came from?
Aren't power tools great? As long as I can lift them I can use them.

Caroline said...

Mim, how creative you are!! I love this! Sculpture is something I've always wanted to have a go at - just not enough hours in the day! Hope you'll have more pieces to show us.

xxx said...

I like it :)