SCULPTURE: paper

Okay, i am finally getting around to re-building my art website. Sigh, as noted in a recent post at LifeArtWater i let my original domain expire this past year for various reasons; most of which had to do with the economy and usability of my old site. So i am starting with paper sculpture; i spent most of 2011 through 2014 exploring the limits and possibilities of papier mache as a medium for large scale, figurative abstract sculpture.

Welcare

   

I thought this was a good place to start as the techniques i developed during this period heavily influence the work i am currently doing with my hand made books.

Wealcare 32

interior view, Wealcare #2

I started working with pieces that were 'on the floor', mostly in the 3-5 foot range. I have always been most comfortable working with the idea of the human or near human sized form. It has been a struggle for me to work smaller. Over the years i have repeatedly down-sized my studio size; now my studio fits in the stern of our houseboat, 'The Floating Empire'. This is why i am now making books inside of large scale sculpture!

Archealogia !#1,

I also experimented with 'on the wall', looking for ways to make my work more accessible to patrons, also for the most part, trying to reduce the scale of my work. Not always easy.

detail, Archealogia #1

My sculptural work since the late 90's has been firmly based in observation of the natural world. Spending time in the garden, at the lake, hiking through beautiful forests was not only beneficial in a spiritual sense but a great source of inspiration.

Archealogia #2

detail, Archealogia 32

The influence of the natural world did not end with inspiration and observation. The armatures for my work were garnered from my garden. Sunflower stalks, coneflower stems, broom, mint, and many other plants were harvested, dried, tied, taped and arranged into forms that spoke to me.

Geomancy #1

detail, Geomancy #1

After forming the armature came the time consuming process of applying the papier mache; layer after layer, building a form strong enough to stand on its own, possessing a life and natural beauty that evoked some element of the observed world.

Archealogia #3

The last layer of papier mache was about pattern. Lines of shapes following the form in ways that spoke to me. Lastly i applied a patina; acrylic paint, medium and water. I brush on the paint, rub it off, and apply more. Most of the pieces have a minimum of three layers of paint, some more. Even though the layers may be distinctly different colors they were always blended with some of the initial pigment, lending an important continuity.

Little Dancer, front view

Little Dancer back view

Little Dancer detail

Enjoy the work, i enjoyed making it. Please check out LifeArtWater, and the companion blog, The Floating Empire, the story of the making of our wonderful tiny houseboat.

Little Sisters

   

Helix #1

detail, Helix #1

More later,
gail