Back to work

Ok, finally started sculpting again. This year was the first year of a huge garden that won't stop producing, among other farm projects - funny what we chose to put to the front of the priority list. Anyway, glad to be bathed in sparks.
I'm very happy with the progress. I tacked the appendages just so I could stand back and "squint". I wish I had the studio space where I could stare for some time without any conflict background. But as you could see, it looks as if a bomb went off. For some reason I really enjoy the conflict of the tight spaces the appendages create between themselves. I start wondering why but stop myself. At this point I'm just doing what feels right.

Sketches

Haven't been able to work on the sculpture, but just a few ideas for for future creations.

Re-work...

Ok, it was easy enough to start again. Since I 'm building this sculpture in 3 pieces, I basically just remove what I've done and start again. I can actually go back to that scheme if I chose or build another sculpture out of it altogether. There's something more fluid about this direction. I've been playing with the idea of somehow making the steel look like it was sketched instead of clean welds at the seams...maybe I'll do a sketch to explain.

Alternatives

Quick sketch studies done to change my mind. I liked the direction the new sketches were taking better. After some thinking, I jumped. Looking back, I still like something about the tapered "tentacles"

Wireframe

Here is the first wireframe attempt. It's built in 3 pieces. Unfortunately I can't assemble it and view it composed in the space I'm welding. It's the under-section of a 150 year old bank barn. It was a trophy room in it's past life. After polo matches they would assemble here and have a drink & socialize. It could have been a speak-easy. It had a bar and all. Now it's crumbling while I weld, the peanut shell insulation falling on my head occasionally. The ceiling is only 6'3" and the sculpture when compete is about 8'-9'. I'll have to do the finishing outdoors.
Creating the wireframe, I wasn't comfortable with the shape it was taking but I continued anyway. I don't hate it in this photo, but as I walk around it there are angles I definitely don't like. It actually has a completely different feeling than the sketch. Maybe that's what's wrong with it.

The beginning

This is where it started. A quick idea put on paper and stashed away. I don't know why I decided on this sketch. But here it is.

Jumping right in...

This is the first public exposure to any of my art. It has been a continuous struggle for me to accept the fact that I haven't done my art because I fear the criticism. Well, here goes nothing...