WONDER OBJECT

Mechanical Art & Design Museum

2012-01-11T20:09:00.000-08:00

It's coming! A musuem just for me! Located in the heart of Stratford upon Avon, just outside of London, the M.A.D. museum will opening to the public in March 2012.

I'm also excited to say that I will be participating as one of it's first exhibiting artists! Eskimo Kissers #1, 2, and 4 will be displayed and available to be interacted with. They will also be listed for sale on the museum's website, and soon also brooches, Polite Clapper and Throbbing Heart.

favorite tools

2012-01-09T20:00:00.000-08:00

Helen Carnac's AJF blog posting, Maker's Tool, got me thinking about the tools I surround myself with at my studio. They are all special to me, an extension of my body really and the time commitment alone, creates deep bonds with these utilitarian objects. However, I'll mention three.

Tool #1,2

bench pin and saw frame

This bench pin is brand new and ready to create some memories with ( I love making my own bench pins). I can't think of any tool combo I use more in the studio.

Tool #3

riveting/chasing hammer

I made this hammer last year to combine the the two features I love best about a standard chasing hammer and riveting hammer to suite my needs. It looks delicate but boy does it hammer rivets and steel tools well!

I don't think making your own tools is necessary to have a fulfilling experience with your own set of tools in the studio but it does create an extra layer of meaning. I also enjoy giving life to old tools whenever possible. Not that I have a lot of spare time these days, but there's something special about bringing life back to a tool that has years-n-years of experience worn into it's surface.

A is for apple...B is for...biker??

2012-01-04T20:35:00.000-08:00

Now this is the alphabet/number block set for Sarah and I...this latest purchase was disguised as a must have for the baby. Available from Fred & Friends and the imagery was done by illustrator Christian Northeast.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T11:14:00.001-08:00

2011 you were filled with so many great events and now we're at the beginning of another year full of equal if not greater potential.

Ready.

Set.

Go!

2011-12-09T09:11:00.001-08:00

My mind has been on zoetrope machines lately and thought of Jim Le Fevre's videos. Great imagery and sequencial movement!

ICA heavy pencil with Malcolm Goldie from jim le fevre on Vimeo.

thanks, James...

2011-11-24T10:05:00.000-08:00

A nice short write-up by writer and editor James Gaddy about my work in response to the Walley's documentary film.

Wind-Up Gadgets Give Eskimo Kisses and Golf Claps

Are Gary Schott's delicate "wonder objects" toys, products, or art? Who cares?

click HERE to read more

weekend thaumatrope workshop

2011-11-21T11:50:00.000-08:00

Had a great time teaching how to make a thaumatrope machine this past weekend (at SSA ). Good group of students. Thanks Remy, Mary, Nydia, Barbara, Peter and Vanessa. Few samples below.

I'm blushing, Brent Lambert...

2011-11-18T19:41:00.000-08:00

This is definitely the most unique and complimenting posting in response to the documentary by Mark and Angela Walley about my studio work.

"I was so enchanted by this pocket documentary of artisan Gary Schott that I’ve decided to classify him as one of my future husbands, along with Ryan Gosling, Jason Silva, and Tom Ford..."

To check out the entire posting, click here

Thanks, Brent.

La Noche Del Brooche

2011-11-13T20:21:00.000-08:00

Laura Wood, Jill Palone, and I came together to curate La Noche Del Brooche, an exhibition celebrating brooches by jewelers and metalsmiths from all around the U.S. Draftsman of the original idea and hosting gallery is Alejandro Sifuentes's gallery Equinox, located in downtown San Antonio.

The opening reception is going to be December 2 ... bring a friend!

Here are the participating artists...it's going to be great!

Abigail Heuss

Alejandro Sifuentes

Amy Tavern

Andrew Kuebeck

Angela Bubash

Anne Fiala

Annie Pennington

Arthur Hash

Ashley Buchanan

Atsuko Taniguchi

Autumn Brown

Beverly Penn

Billie J Theide

Bob Ebendorf

Caroline Gore

Claudia Rush

Corey Ackelmire

Courtney Starrett

Cydney Romano

Linda Kay Darty

Dejan Jovanovic

Elizabeth Crandall

Emily Marquis

Galatea Kontos

Gary Schott

George Schroeder

Hannah Stein

Jacob Martin

James Thurman

Jason Stein

Jason Polasek

Jenn Wells

Jillian Palone

Justin Klocke

Kat Cole

Kate Codsen

Kathleen Janvier

Kelly Robinson

Ken Bova

Krista Coleman-Silvers

Laritza Garcia

Laura Wood

Leia Zumbro

Lin Stanionis

Lindsay Hendricks

Lisa Johnson

Lisette Fee

Liz Steiner

Lorena Angulo

Louise Oppenheiner

Lydia Tjioe

Lynette Andreasen

Margot Wolf

Margit Morawietz

Marissa Saneholtz

Marjorie Schick

Marlene True

Mary Hallam Pearse

Masako Onodera

Melanie Smith

Melissa Walter

Mi-Sook Hur

Michael Dale Bernard

Michael Gayk

Micheal Parrett

Nathan Dube

Nicole DesChamps-Benke

Pat Gavin

Paulette Myers

Rachel Shimpock

Renee Settle-Sterling

Robert Diaz de Leon

Robert G Jackson

Robert Longyear

Sandra Zilker

Sara Brown

Sarah Holden

Sarah Roberts

Sarah West

Shalena White

Stephanie Voegele

Sun Kim

Sung Yeoul Lee

Tara Locklear

Tim Lazure

Tina Lazzarine

Tova Lund

Wonder Object featured on blogs

2011-11-05T11:25:00.000-07:00

There's been quite a bit of sharing going on since Mark and Angela Walley released Wonder Object. Here's an incomplete list of blogs that have shared (not including FB pages):

i like it. what is it?

OEN

Thanks for sharing everyone!

Check it out!

2011-10-28T15:56:00.000-07:00

This is the latest short documentary by Mark and Angela Walley...about me!

Wonder Object from Mark & Angela Walley on Vimeo.

new equipment...

2011-10-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

It's always a big decision whether or not to get your own specific piece of equipment for your studio, instead of borrowing and sharing. Well, recently, I decided there are two things that are annoying enough to have to go to school to use, when it would be much more convenient to use at my studio. As I mentioned the other day, I bought Jack's old vigor rectifier from the "tool sale" section of his website and today I made the payment for a pexto blowhorn stake #925, in really nice condition, from Marty's Classic Machinery. Great website for used equipment.

quote of the day...

2011-10-16T07:30:00.001-07:00

Sarah reminded me today of a quote by Tom Friedman I used to cite in lectures about my work. I'm not sure why I haven't used it lately, but here it is:

"I think there's this misconception that playful thinking is not serious and it's not important."

tools, tools, tools...

2011-10-15T08:41:00.000-07:00

My students at SSA call me the secret shopper of the metals dept. I'm always searching craigslist, ebay, and any other source I may come across for used but in excellent condition equipment and tools not only for the SSA metals program but also for my studio and students setting up their own work spaces. Here's one source that I'd like to share today:

Jon Michael Route is quite well known for his masterful craftsmanship working with copper, brass, aluminum, patinas, and rich surface embellishment techniques. Well, recently, I was checking out his website and I noticed that he had added a category "tool sale." It seems that Jack has decided to sell off a portion of his jewelry-making equipment including: kilns, a beautiful watchmaker/jewelers bench, acetylene and oxygen tanks, and a large casting arm (I purchased the vigor rectifier this morning), etc. These are the moments I (and I'm sure others) wait for. So, don't wait too long and take advantage of this opportunity to purchase some wonderful tools from a charming metalsmith.

busy weekend last week...

2011-10-14T14:07:00.000-07:00

So, between being lazy and not being able to locate the usb thingy to download images from our point n shoot, I've "grabbed" a few images from Arthur and Jill to illustrate what a great weekend is was last week.

Well, it kicked off with Mix // Match at Alejandro Sifuente's gallery, Equinox, located in downtown San Antonio. A big "Gracias!" to all that came to the opening. Jill Palone and Laura Wood were the other two artists/jewelers that I showed with.

And then, just as the opening reception came to a close, friend and colleague, Arthur Hash arrived in San Antonio. Saturday kicked off his two, one-day workshops: Salt Water Electro Etching and Working with Adobe Illustrator to use with laser cutting/etching services. Both were a blast and I guess I became so engrossed with each that I forgot to whip out the camera and take some photos...so, I borrowed a couple that Arthur took. Anyway, together we gave a new life to an a twenty gallon tank that originally had been used for anodizing and electroforming back in the day. If I find the download usb thingy, I'll post some images of patterns/images etched. The last image, one of Arthur's 3D printed bracelets was his congratulations gift to Sarah and I for the bambino. Thanks Arthur!

working on some new neck pieces

2011-10-06T06:51:00.001-07:00

some finished works

2011-10-03T06:49:00.001-07:00

more in-progress shots

2011-10-03T06:42:00.000-07:00

aluminum construction with primer awaiting a color decision

the latest embossing die taken from a vintage button

this will be my first neckpiece in a long time...it's actually further along than this shot shows...it's primed and ready for color today!

paprika red! this will go into the top of an aluminum ring design in a trap setting

cadillac of the studio...

2011-09-27T17:14:00.001-07:00

I spent a bit of yesterday and today constructing the newest edition of studio furniture to the metals dept... an instructor demo bench...re-used solid maple top, too. This is the 4th homemade bench design I've done over the years and I have to say I'm really enjoying the open-ness (I'm sure that's not a real word). It's the cadillac of the studio! I'll finish with sanding, staining and urethane this weekend but done just in time for this week's classes.

new dies for new works

2011-09-25T20:42:00.000-07:00

just around the corner

2011-09-18T09:52:00.000-07:00

Kevin Potter

2011-09-14T18:38:00.000-07:00

Great video via Arthur via Frankie...thanks for sharing guys!

Great little video of Kevin Potter, the maker of the hydraulic press unit I use (image below).

new brooches

2011-09-12T09:41:00.000-07:00

new works almost done

2011-09-09T17:01:00.001-07:00

a rosette design is turned by hand on my benchtop wood lathe

One of my embossing dies made from taking a mold of my rosette shape and casting a Smooth-On product that can withstand embossing pressures (it's adhered to a .5 inch thick acrylic sheet).

Over the past four months I've been practicing soldering aluminum sheet to create hollow constructions.

After fabrication and clean-up I tape-off the sides/back to begin priming and painting the front surfaces.

Yum! Tomorrow the clear coat should be set-up completely to take off the tape and clean-up the edges. The middle brooch will be another "plumb-bob" brooch.

Penis cake pan

2011-09-04T05:38:00.000-07:00

Found this on ebay this morning while I was searching metal molds...who says metalworking can't be humorous?!

my biggest collaborative project ever...

2011-08-23T04:43:00.000-07:00

all moved in...

2011-08-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

Just a few quick photos of my new studio space before and after the move.

SSA's newest artist-in-residence

2011-08-14T17:35:00.000-07:00

Laura Wood is all moved into her new work are and will be the Artist-In-Residence for the Metals and Papermaking areas at the Southwest School of Art for the year. More of her work can be found at her website by clicking here.

Laura Wood received her BFA in jewelry and metalsmithing in 2007 at the University of Georgia and her MFA in metal design from East Carolina University in 2011. Papermaking has been a strong influence in the direction of her work and she has studied techniques in textiles and fiber to support interests in alternative media in metal design. She has exhibited work both nationally and internationally and has most recently coordinated and curated the international exhibition Pulp Culture in 2010. Laura, along with fellow graduate students founded the Annual Symposium Material Topics hosted by the metals program at East Carolina University in 2010.

informal images of new works

2011-08-12T16:01:00.000-07:00

I've been working on learning to solder aluminum sheet together to create hollow constructions. These two brooches are my first finished examples of implementing that technique.

I'm pretty excited to offer both or similar designs as multiples with additional color options. Fun, playful, and very wearable.

starting young

2011-07-25T08:56:00.000-07:00

One of the ways in which we - artists, designers, and craftspersons - can help to ensure the longevity of that which we believe in and practice is educating our youth. Will each of them go on to pursue a career in a creative field? I hope so. At the very least, though, I hope that they begin to question quality in their everyday interactions, and notice potential moments for personal expression, along with seeking out the means to do so. Perhaps that is a bit to get from a three-hour workshop...but it can't hurt to try.

sinking

2011-07-07T14:45:00.000-07:00

This morning, kicked off the beginning of another summertime class I'm teaching (Small Bowls with Decorative Rims). It really reminded me how and why I initially became obsessed with metals as a college junior - the fun and challenge of working with and moving metal. There are endless possibilities for designs!

Sinking is such a fun and relatively immediately gratifying process and the combination with piercing allows for some really great designs. Of course, I love cold-connections and having the students just do a version of a "tab-setting" works great for beginner students. And watching the expression on student's faces when they have spent only half an hour working and now have the beginnings of a small bowl, can be priceless...especially an individual that has never worked with a lot with tools until this point.

The image above is an example of a student's finished piece when I tried this project a few semesters ago.

Olars

2011-06-10T16:46:00.000-07:00

Olars (by Lars Marcus Vedeler) is an electronic interactive toy inspired by Karl Sims' evolved virtual creatures. Having thousands of varieties in movement and behaviour by attaching different geometrical limbs, modifying the angle of these, twisting the body itself, and by adjusting the deflection of the motorised joints, results in both familiar and strange motion patterns.

Exhibition in Motion at the Bellevue Arts Museum

2011-06-06T05:17:00.000-07:00

I had two pieces participate: eskimo kisser #2, and kiss mediator

Exhibition in Motion, SNAG 2011 from rachel timmins on Vimeo.

honeymoon in the U.K.

2011-05-30T16:34:00.000-07:00

Sarah and I are back from our two week honeymoon in the U.K. and below are a bunch of photos. It was fantastic to to escape somewhere much cooler than San Antonio.

London | jet-lagged

London | nineteenth century women's operating theatre forgotten about and rediscovered in a church attic

London

London | still a bit jet-lagged but better after a night of sleep...I nearly collapsed at the Tate the day before after having been awake for thirty hours straight.

London | after a stroll the gardens, a stroll past Buckingham Palace

London | Westminster Abbey

London

London | after visiting Westminster Abbey we strolled past Big Ben on our way to the train station

Bath

Bath | After meeting up with our host/Sarah's friend we strolled around the main section of Bath...this man was not only playing the fiddle but his feet were controlling this handmade mechanical contraption that made different pitched"plunking" sounds...fantastic!

Bath | the gardens were so beautiful in Bath...we laid down and fell asleep for about an hour

Bath | the view just before I closed my eyes

Bath |

Bath | after we rested up a bit in the garden, we joined our host, John Troyer (who happens to be the Deputy Director at the Centre for Death and Society - University of Bath) for a pie and pint at The Raven...mmmm

Bath |

Bath | our host John Troyer and Sarah

Bath | the canals and house boats are beautiful

Bath |

Bath | funny story...the above graveyard and this little chapel is a public space that individuals can rent from the city for events. We stumbled upon a group of artists inside that were doing a week long collaborative art project. I think Sarah has her eyes on this space, now ;)

Bath | John's reading list

Bath

Bath | the continued use of lock canals allows the house boats to travel through different water levels

Bath

Penryn (just outside of Falmouth) | our host for two nights was automata-maker Keith Newstead and his partner Concha. I can't begin to describe how fantastic it was to spend time in person with Keith (you were great, too, Concha). The candle holders in the background were made by Keith from a variety of materials that have washed up on the shores.

Penryn | For those of you who have watched Keith Newstead's video about making automata, this is the one that was featured in the video.

Penryn | There was automata everywhere...I couldn't help myself from playing with them all.

Falmouth | Keith and Concha droves us to Falmouth...on the way to finding a parking space, Keith double-checked to make sure the repairs to his sailboat were holding...it's hard to see in this image, but it's the one in the distance with yellow across it's belly.

Falmouth

Falmouth | moments later, a bit a shrubbery went missing.... ;)

Falmouth | lunch with Keith and Concha

Falmouth

Falmouth | the water was sooooo clear...and cold

Falmouth

Penryn | the last night of our stay, Keith and Concha hosted a little dinner party. The woman in this photo is Jill, the daughter of Sue Jackson, founder of Cabaret Mechanical Theatre.

Penryn | I had the pleasure to enjoy conversation and Scottish whisky with automata-maker Paul Spooner...don't mind the silly face I'm making.

Penryn | artist Rob Higgs, his wife and young boy also joined us for dinner. Check out some videos about Rob here

Stithians | on the morning of our departure, Keith was kind to drive us to visit the Spooner residence. Supposedly it's so hard to find; collectors have been known to just give up trying to find him.

Stithians | Geeking out in Paul's studio. Sue (Paul's wife and standing next to me) also has her own studio and is a fiber/textile artist.

Huddersfield (near Leeds ) | after leaving southern England we took a train to Leeds where we met up with artist Martin Smith, co-founder of Laikingland ...the above image is the prototype for the party popper machine

Huddersfield | Martin reloading after a misfire

Huddersfield | Oh! The anticipation!

Glasgow | our first place to visit when we arrived in Glasgow was the University of Glasgow Museum of Anatomy... I think Sarah had a permanent grin all morning.

Glasgow

Glasgow | We also visited the Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis. It was magnificent how the necropolis basically looked out over the entire city.

Glasgow

Glasgow | fortunately, we were allowed to take photographs inside the cathedral

Glasgow

Glasgow | this is a shot of the rooms below ground level

Glasgow

Glasgow | a view of the Necropolis from the cathedral

Glasgow

Isle of Skye | This was one of the views as we drove further into the Trotternish Peninsula of the Isle of Skye... breath-taking!

Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye | When we arrived to our B&B, the Vatersay House (just south of Uig) this was the view from the window of our bedroom. I would recommend this B&B to anyone. They only let out the one room and the attention to detail and cooking was phenomenal.

Isle of Skye | Driving along on our way to Uig

Isle of Skye | the small town in the distance (Uig) was the nearest town to the B&B ... heaven.

Isle of Skye | stretching and getting pumped up for our first big hike in Scotland.

Isle of Skye | We started with the Rubha Hunish trail at the northern tip of the Trotternish peninsula. At first it didn't look like much...

Isle of Skye | clear skies yet, but a wee bit windy

Isle of Skye | a small castle in the distance from where we were hiking

Isle of Skye | And then we got to the cliffs/coast...

Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye | believe it or not, this boulder marks the beginning of the downward decent to the shore and small peninsula...

Isle of Skye | I believe Sarah's exact words, when she initially saw the "path" were, " You have got to be sh***ing me!"

Isle of Skye | It looked worse than it really was

Isle of Skye | That little "V" in the profile of the rock in the upper left ... that's where we came from. When looking back up all I could think about was that we eventually needed to go all the way back up it.

Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye | the Rubha Hunish hike was great. I would recommend to anyone. Just be careful if it is or has recently rained ... the steep decent can be dangerous ... do as were told ... slide on your bum!

Isle of Skye | Ah! The Quiraing hike! For this you need to be in good condition and not too squeamish about walking along narrow paths/ledges while 30-40 mph winds are blowing on you ... plus there was the rain and hail.

Isle of Skye | I love how the two hikers in this photo really help give a sense of scale while hiking along the Quiraing.

Isle of Skye | we look happy here ... the hail had not hit us yet ;)

Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye | we hiked around both sides of the Prison and past the needle. The only reason we didn't do the entire loop is that we would not have made it back until very late.

Isle of Skye | A view of the coast line while hiking up to the Old Man of Storr.

Isle of Skye | it's hard to see the Old Man of Storr from this vantage point and it's also deceiving ...

Isle of Skye | the pinnacle referred to as the Old Man of Storr.

Isle Skye

Isle of Skye | by this point, I think we had been hailed on about seven times ... thank goodness the weather moves fast

Isle of Skye | To give you a sense of scale, if you look closely, you can see me scrambling along the base of the Old Man of Storr ... which was not so easy ... I would guess the winds were blowing about 50 mph and rock was rather slippery from all the hail.

Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye | another view of the Old Man of Storr

Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye | This was taken in between sessions of hail

Isle of Skye | The Coral Beaches along the Loch Dunvegan. When the skies are clear, and the water is not as turbulent, the coral along the coast but just under the water gives a turquoise hue. Of course we didn't get to see that as it was raining on and off.

Edinburgh | The castle. It was our first visit the morning after we arrived to Edinburgh.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh | the Scott Monument. There are spiral staircases in all four arches that come together in the middle to allow access to the top. We didn't take the tour but I can only imagine the view.

Edinburgh

David Bowen

2011-04-21T20:06:00.000-07:00

I kind of see this piece as a contemporary version of Jean Tinguely's meta-matic series. More of David Bowen's work can be seen at his website.

infrared drawing device from david bowen on Vimeo.

SSA Fiesta Arts Fair 2011 demonstrations

2011-04-13T21:50:00.000-07:00

Just a few pics that Jill's husband, Noah, took while Jill and I were performing demonstrations during SSA's 2011 Fiesta Arts Fair. Jill worked at a jeweler's bench, sawing and soldering and I did sinking and raising.

thaumatrope machine project

2011-04-11T17:55:00.000-07:00

This is the thaumatrope machine project that I had a group of high school art students make as a kinetic sculpture project. While the design of the machine was all the same for each student, each student was able to experiment and illustrated their own imagery for the actual thaumatrope (the disc on top).

The thaumatrope emphasizes and utilizes the natural phenomenon of the persistence of an image (with the human eye), so that two images presented very quickly blur to become one.

POWDER COATING!

2011-04-03T15:02:00.000-07:00

great video by fellow metalsmith/jeweler about powder coating

new rings

2011-03-29T22:00:00.000-07:00

two rings I just finished using some of the porcelain samples I created in Jennifer Datchuk and I's collaborative class (Porcelain Jewelry) last term.

new piece..."strong espresso"

2011-03-26T13:30:00.000-07:00

This is some quick documentation of a new piece I finished today

strong espresso from Gary Schott on Vimeo.

sweeeeeeeeet

2011-03-25T17:33:00.001-07:00

The Cyclotrope from tim Wheatley on Vimeo.

2011-03-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

Les Souliers from Arno Fabre on Vimeo.

miniature marble runs

2011-03-23T08:29:00.000-07:00

I especially love the ones that have interchangeable assemblages.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Gabriel Craig - Metalsmith, Writer, Craft Activist

2011-03-04T07:54:00.001-08:00

Gabriel Craig will be visiting San Antonio this coming week. He will be participating in Luminaria, performing his Pro Bono Jeweler project.

In addition, he will be presenting a lecture Friday, March 11th at 2:00 pm in Ellison Lecture Hall, at the Navarro Campus of the Southwest School of Art. This event is free and open to the public. Bring a friend!

Matthias Pliessnig's work

2011-02-28T21:36:00.000-08:00

I came to Matthias Pliessnig's website because he was a 2010 grant recipient from the United States Artist Foundation. And wow! The work is outstanding. I have to say that my favorite bit of exploration through his site was the "adlib" section of his portfolio. For me this was the cherry on top. I enjoyed seeing that while his construction, and sensitivity to form is sound on a large scale, that aesthetic and sensitivity is not lost within his "adlib" series. I haven't had time to ask him more about this (and I will) but I imagine that these small, found-object-ish constructions are perhaps a way to work quickly...almost like little exercises while working through his longer, and larger projects.

Great Nik Ramage piece

2011-02-25T18:33:00.000-08:00

more of Nik Ramage's work can be seen here

Miel Paredes's Visit...

2011-02-21T20:19:00.001-08:00

It was a real pleasure to have hosted a two-day workshop lead by metalsmith, artist and now stop-motion movie armature-maker, Miel Paredes. The workshop kicked off with students learning how to make their own tools (forging, finishing and tempering) and then using them the next day after she demonstrated the traditional technique of chasing & repousse.

GVSU sample

2011-02-21T20:14:00.000-08:00

Cold-connection and mechanical motion/mechanism sample from my one-day workshop at GVSU. It was great getting to spend time with Renee Zettle-Sterling and Beverly Seley.

GVSU bound

2011-02-08T16:12:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow morning, very bright and early, I'm flying to Michigan where I'll be giving a lecture about my work and leading a one-day workshop with the metals students at Grand Valley State University. We're going to be making a mechanical motion mechanism study in which everything is assembled completely by cold-connections - balled-wire rivets, tube-rivets, tabs, and a few other tricks I've got up my sleeve.

I'll post photos upon my return Friday.

David Clarke

2011-02-04T06:58:00.000-08:00

While checking out postings on facebook this morning, I came across my friend Arthur Hash's posting about David Clarke's anticipated lecture at his school (SUNY New Paltz). I have to admit I did not recognize the name but when I saw some of the work, it rang a bell.

What great work! This probably points to my own bias but I love how the traditional forms - spoons, teapots - become something new, sculptural, less utilitarian, but still reference their original shape and function. Also, I enjoy the seemingly playful and experimental attitude that resonates from the work.

You can check out more on his site: click here

Click on links under the heading "categories" to see images of works

cam study for class

2011-01-31T21:15:00.000-08:00

This is my cam and follower study / teaching sample for my Making a Mechanical Toy class. Their eventual assignment (beyond them having to do an initial study like mine) is to decide on a word that they feel represents themselves. It can be light-hearted or critical - their choice.

The goal is then to design something similar to what you see above, animating and illustrating their word. It's my version of assigning a "self-portrait" exercise.

Yes, the letters of my model are LOL - laugh out loud

raised garden beds

2011-01-30T16:39:00.000-08:00

it feels good to grab a few hours from our hectic lives to make something non-art/craft related...I think I may add another just for herbs...bring on the vegetable gardening!

latest eskimo kisser mechanism study

2011-01-21T17:07:00.000-08:00

I actually finished putting this together about a week ago but I was having trouble uploading the video at that time.

Sharon Massey

2011-01-12T08:24:00.000-08:00

great video of metalsmith/jeweler Sharon Massey

new mechanical motion study...

2011-01-02T14:40:00.001-08:00

Just recently I began thinking about designing more eskimo kissers. So, while thinking about that I decided to get the 'ol noodle working by building some new mechanisms that I've never experimented with and just have fun observing the potential for intimate interactions.

So, I've always wanted to try my hand at a mechanism that artist and toy-maker, Peter Markey, has used a lot in the past in his work. The above video is my first successful attempt at replicating that. While my example doesn't fully show the potential, it would allow 2+ parallel shafts to be activated simultaneously by only one crank handle...and without the use of gears! What I discovered was that you can't just have the linkage bar applied to "one end" of the shafts but also at the other end. In addition, the crank at the opposite end of the shaft needs to be at an adjacent angle to the cranks at the end with the handle. This allows both linkage bars to work together.

This mechanism and potential motion will definitely be in the next eskimo kisser.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

2010-12-24T12:18:00.000-08:00

Well, there may be no snow here in Texas and it may be hard for my mind to comprehend that it's Christmas eve...but after a couple of good sessions of spending time with my lathe, metalworking tools, paint and the Merry Christmas Charlie Brown album making tree ornaments and the star, it's starting to feel a bit more like Christmas...of course, the sweet potato pie dish that Sarah is about to start making right now will help, too!

the coolest friends...

2010-12-21T09:06:00.001-08:00

a fantastic brooch by Jillian Palone (from Jillian)...she's my artist-in-residence for the metals dept. right now.

Christian Cutler sent me this 1933 book that was reprinted to be distributed in conjunction with the exhibition, Mechanical Wonderland, which was a collection of over two hundred moving models showing all the movements used in the art and science of mechanics. Today, those of us who are mechanical motion enthusiasts, know the latest reprinted version of this book as 507 Mechanical Movements by Henry T. Brown, with an original copyright of 1868.

Last but not least, this is a little gift to myself by myself...this is a mechanical toy by Tucher & Walther and comes from a limited edition of 1,000, complete with documentation. All the toys are made in much the same way as traditional tin toys - handmade with the help of limited machinery. The painted surfaces are even done by hand. What a great little piece. I picked this one because the first mechanical object I ever made was a lumberjack chopping wood, for my 3D Design course in undergrad.

birthday gifts!

2010-12-12T07:55:00.000-08:00

Sarah let me open my birthday gifts early. Sweet! I really love Arthur and Renee's work. Both of their books can be purchased off of Blurb's website.

outfitting the studio

2010-12-03T18:56:00.000-08:00

I haven't been able to carve out a lot of time for my own studio lately, but last weekend, while organizing a bit, I decided to knock off some items on the studio set-up to-do-list :

I had a bunch of scrap sheets of wood laying around so, instead of buying an expensive caddy for my tanks, I decided to just make something. I will add handles on the ends eventually, too.

Often times while I'm in the middle of a project(s), the top of my jeweler's bench can get a bit cluttered. Also, if I'm positioning at a level for piercing (which I normally am), it's nice to have a lower surface to measure, mark, etc. So, I finally made a surface that inserts into the right hand side on the main drawer to my bench. It only takes up about one-third of the depth, so it can be slid backwards to reveal where I will now store all of my flex-shaft burs/tools.

And finally! The bench pin that normally comes with the clamp-on bench pin/anvil set is just way too narrow for me. If I'm piercing from a larger sheet, I want surface area for my hands and the sheet to rest upon. So, I made this prototype that fits perfectly. Also, with the slanted right hand end, I don't have to flip the bench pin for filing/sanding, unless for larger items.

David Huang's visit...

2010-11-22T19:16:00.000-08:00

It was quite an honor to spend three days hosting David Huang, watching him teach and work. I admit it's been years since I've last raised a vessel and I definitely appreciate David's approach (and review for me). The real treat was watching how forcefully and yet ultra-precise David's hands and chasing hammer guide his tools while beginning to chase a design into the surface of a vessel filled with wax. And of course we talked shop about patinas as well.

Steel Wire Jewelry book...

2010-11-13T16:07:00.000-08:00

I received a letter from Lark Books today notifying me that I will have Caress featured in their new book, Steel Wire Jewelry. Hooray! It comes out in the spring of 2011.

new toy for the studio

2010-11-10T18:30:00.000-08:00

It arrived! My new benchtop horizontal bandsaw. I purchased this saw from Lathe Master to give myself a break when cutting the square steel rod components for my eskimo kissers...already tried it out...cuts the cold-rolled steel like butter. It has a variable speed control on the handle to accommodate cutting a variety of materials.

our wedding rings

2010-11-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

Sarah's is 14K yellow gold with a ruby and mine is aluminum and red brass

here we go...

2010-10-30T05:07:00.000-07:00

getting married today!

btw...

2010-10-25T15:10:00.001-07:00

by the way...I'm getting married this week!

At the Hour of Our Death

2010-10-19T13:52:00.000-07:00

my better half, Sarah Sudhoff, is the latest artist to be added to the collection of Angel and Mark Walley's series of documentary style films of artists and their creative process.

At the Hour of Our Death from Mark & Angela Walley on Vimeo.

Valentin Yotkov

2010-10-14T12:24:00.000-07:00

Rock Your Renaissance from Art of Craftsmanship on Vimeo.

Crafting an MBA...

2010-10-13T18:37:00.000-07:00

It could be that today we (the curriculum committee for adding the BFA degree to our school - the Southwest School of Art) met and talked about an element of hybridization between traditional and new media but the following blog, via my friend Arthur Hash on Facebook, struck a tone with me about wanting to address the current and ongoing changes in the professional craft community.

It's call " crafting an MBA : business thinking for designers and makers" The blog is run by Megan Auman. The latest posting was:

One Craft: an open letter to the American Craft Council

check it out

Award of Merit...

2010-10-06T15:44:00.001-07:00

I'm happy and honored to announce that I am one of three individuals to have received an Award of Merit for my work (eskimo kisser #3) in CraftTexas 2010, hosted by the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

porcelain jewelry class

2010-09-24T13:51:00.000-07:00

Last night kicked off the first session of Porcelain Jewelry, a colloborative class between ceramist Jennifer Datchuk and myself. The images above are my first set of samples. She'll be spending the next five weeks continuing to teach basic working strategies for small scale porcelain objects and then I'll spend six weeks teaching those same students how to fabricate metal settings to create porcelain objects of adornment.

CraftTexas 2010

2010-09-15T09:17:00.001-07:00

opening reception September 24
5:30 - 8:00P

I have two pieces from my eskimo kisser series (#1, #3) in this exhibition...unfortunately, we decided that people won't be able to interact with the works directly, but I am trying to compile some video of the works being interacted with to be viewed on a screen at the exhibition.

Tim Fort

2010-09-02T11:39:00.000-07:00

This is just good clean fun! Artist, Tim Fort's video presents a piece he worked on during the winter of '09/'10.

More of his work can be viewed at his website: click here

FREE BOOKLET!

2010-09-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

click here to download a free copy Paul Spooner's Mechanism Booklet (available via Cabaret Mechanical Theatre). It's free until September 30, 2010.

"An eighteen page booklet by Paul Spooner.
Paul describes and illustrates the basic mechanisms he uses in his machines, Cranks, Cams, Levers, Ratchets and Gears. There is an exploded view of one of Paul’s machines, ‘Bad News’ and then a complete project to make yourself out of card, called the Bad Babysitter.
Originally produced to accompany a short TV documentary on Paul Spooner (Machinations) in 1995."

Sarah's retro cameras

2010-08-31T11:34:00.000-07:00

Sarah has been adding to her collection of retro cameras to double as decorations at our wedding in October. They have fantastic shape, form, and color.

new works from Goldesberry Gallery exhibition

2010-08-21T16:57:00.000-07:00

SOLD!...

2010-08-13T11:50:00.000-07:00

Just found out eskimo kisser #5 sold from my exhibition at Goldesberry Gallery in Houston. Thank goodness I'll be taking better quality intallation shots before de-installing tomorrow.

new books

2010-08-08T21:14:00.001-07:00

one of three studio buddies...

2010-08-01T13:22:00.001-07:00

drawing machine

2010-07-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

I was reviewing and adding names of artists to my resources section of my mechanical motion workshop handouts when I came across this artist...

I believe the name is Alfred Hoehn (there is not an English version of the site)
drawing machine maios 5

the works immediately reminded me of Jean Tinguely's meta-matic works...but a cleaner version.

video from my opening

2010-07-21T20:47:00.000-07:00

Robert Boyd, who writes the blog, The Great God Pan is Dead, took some video of me during my opening at Goldesberry Gallery

mechanical motion samples...

2010-07-18T18:12:00.001-07:00

I hope to get a compiled video uploaded soon of some student samples from the two-day mechanical motion workshop this weekend...but in the mean time, here are my samples. We focused mostly on levers, cranks, linkages, and cams.

mechanical motion workshop

2010-07-16T13:26:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow morning the mechanical motion workshop at SSAC kicks off. Students will be making kinetic samples that demonstrate cranks, levers, cams, followers, linkages and simple pin wheel gears...maybe a ratchet, too.

from the opening at Goldesberry Gallery

2010-07-12T19:04:00.000-07:00

Some video and images of my work/opening at Goldesberry Gallery this past weekend.

This woman is not only the proud owner of my neckpiece, Caress, but she showed up to the opening wearing it! Had to take a photo.

Goldesberry Gallery

2010-07-05T22:40:00.000-07:00

Opening reception for an exhibition at Goldesberry Gallery between artist Kevin Titzer and myself is July 10, 6-8PM...I will be present for the opening...come by and play with some new eskimo kissers! A set of wearable eskimo kissers (brooches) will be on display as well.

Jan Harrell's workshop...

2010-06-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

Just a few pics from Jan Harrell's enameling workshop that took place this past weekend. Jan is a fun instructor and such a great enamelist. The students walked away with plenty of great samples of all the techniques she taught.

two visitors this week...

2010-06-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

Jan Harrell, Entropy House

Jillian Palone, ring

Two fantastic people are visiting this week, enameling artist and teacher, Jan Harrell, and the first Artist-in-Residence for the Metals program.

Jan will be leading a 3-day workshop pertaining to enameling and imagery techniques. Her public lecture will be this Friday, June 25, at 6PM in the Ellison Lecture Hall (Navarro Campus) of the Southwest School of Art & Craft.

The second visitor this week is Jillian Palone - resin and metal artist. Recent graduate from Paulette Myer's MFA program at Southern Illinois Unversity Edwardsville, she will be the artist-in-residence for the Metal program both for the Fall and Spring term.

new hydraulic press!

2010-06-16T20:31:00.000-07:00

This is my new hydraulic press from potterusa.com. Right now it has a 12 ton bottle jack but the press is made to handle a 20 ton jack. I'm going to test out the 12 ton but thinking it might not have enough power for the embossing I do (the raised borders outlining the openings on my mechanical brooches are made using a hydraulic press and a die). Also, Kevin Potter is sending me a larger upper platen...I like that I can switch it out whenever I like.

eskimo kisser model

2010-06-12T17:00:00.000-07:00

stick it...

2010-06-08T21:27:00.000-07:00

a ring and bracelet sample from the one day needle-felting workshop I taught this past weekend.

sneak peak...

2010-06-07T22:01:00.000-07:00

just posting a quick sneak peak of some models of new eskimo kissers I'm working on finishing for a show at Goldesberry Gallery in July.

workin' the wood lathe

2010-05-28T20:54:00.000-07:00

To start off the Memorial Day weekend, I spent the evening using my mini wood lathe to make a handle for a new eskimo kisser design.

Dukno Yoon

2010-04-29T09:12:00.000-07:00

Just added Dukno Yoon to my list below of Makers 'n Stuff. I first came across his work through my friend Sungyeoul Lee while at graduate school together. Both of them have crazy metalsmithing skills!

2010-04-28T12:11:00.000-07:00

How does one decide where to keep your books? As an educator, I'm often reminded of someone's work and it's nice to be able to pop into my office to grab a book to show a student. However, now that Sarah and I have a little "sitting/reading" area in our house, it would be nice to have the books at home...not to mention I work at home more, now. Hmmmm.....

Bob Ebendorf's visit

2010-04-12T09:47:00.000-07:00

I can't emphasize enough what an honor it was to spend the last four days in the company of Bob Ebendorf. For those of you who missed other postings/announcements, Bob taught a three-day workshop pertaining to creative connections with metal and untraditional materials - we worked a lot with all manner tabs and thinking about not only how can the metal be cut and formed to trap materials but how design can blend the transition between the multiple materials.

Bob has been that individual in the metalsmithing/jewelry field who has been so influencial in observing and responding to materials for use as adornment, indiscriminant of it's social position of precious/non-precious.

I think I can speak for all those involved with the workshop, when I say, "Thank you, Bob. You are truly inspiring."

Below are a number of photos from his stay with us at the Southwest School of Art & Craft, including the little project I had students collaborate on - as a parting gift for Bob, I made a simple chain from iron wire and asked all students donate one sample to be added to the neckpiece.

Bob talking about samples from workshop

Bob's gift from the workshop participants

Beverly Penn and Nicole DesChamps-Benke stopped by for the artist talk - this is Beverly surprising Bob in the studio

Bob and I.

detail of neckpiece for Bob

the first technique that Bob lead the workshop with

my donation to Bob's neckpiece - we didn't want him to forget where it's from!

he's here!...

2010-04-08T20:40:00.000-07:00

Pick up Bob Ebendorf from airport. Check.

Feed Bob fish tacos and a margarita. Check.

Go to bed. Check.

you will be missed my friend...

2010-04-04T13:06:00.000-07:00

Typically, I try to use my blog to post about professional events only...but today was too traumatic and if writing this helps ever so slightly then that's what I'll do.

This afternoon, Sarah and I lost a dear friend...our first cat together, Fahrenheit. I won't/can't get into the traumatic details, but after sitting in the lobby of the Pet/Animal Emergency Care for hours, Fahrenheit stopped breathing. Perhaps even more terrifying than this morning's events was that Sarah was literally just a few feet from the same possible fate.

I've grown up with animals all my life and am a strong believer in the power of companionship that pets offer their owners. So, I guess it is no surprise that today it feels like a family member has been taken from me.

You will be missed my friend, studio-buddy, and nap-partner.

Fahrenheit - the first night home with us.

back at the bench...

2010-03-28T19:15:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend! I got to flex my metalsmithing skills! Phil Reede (model maker for James Avery) gave a two-day workshop titled Mechanisms 2...part two of a series of workshops emphasizing a combination of fundamental metalsmithing/fabrication skills with mechanisms for jewelry application. Below are images of the bracelet project the students worked on this weekend.

I haven't done making my own screw since undergrad so it was great to knock this project out again. I think the students where pushed hard but for most the hard work paid off...after this technique project, fabrication moments in their ongoing projects should seem easy...just the one half of the screw (with the threading exposed) in the images below has 9 major solder seams within one square inch.

Thanks again, Phil.

Phil Reede demonstrating

bracelet technique project

At the Hour of Our Death

2010-03-04T12:32:00.000-08:00

The Rap Sheet

a posting about Sarah's newest series of works "At the Hour of Our Death"

about time...

2010-02-28T17:39:00.000-08:00

Finally had a few spare minutes to post the new mechanical works I had done for my solo show, Mechanical playthings, at Design Works in Galveston, TX. All visitors to the space were allowed to fully interact with all the works.

They are eskimo kissing devices...and one kiss mediator

eskimo kisser #1

eskimo kisser #2

eskimo kisser #3

kiss mediator

PLAY TIME!

2010-02-15T09:53:00.001-08:00

Well, if last week wasn't busy enough, the morning that Bruce Metcalf left San Antonio, I also began teaching a two-day workshop about simple mechanical motion. The students worked on constructing a simple gear box in which/on which we added other mechanims - shafts, bearings, cranks, levers, cams, followers. I think they all got a basic understanding of how these mechanisms work and everyone had fun.

If you're interested in taking a similar class, I will be offering another this summer...it will be a two-day workshop again. And this coming fall, I intend to offer my first term-long course about making simple mechanical objects.

Thanks again, Maggie, Irene, Louis, Claudia, Steven, Miki, Betsy, and Mary Lee - you were all great students.