Your best work....please post

[Giotto]

Many artists I know have a few pieces where they feel everything came together...and they consider it their best work. I would be very interested in seeing what you consider is an example of your best work. Post several pieces if you like and If possible please post several views. This is not a critique but rather a way to check in with each other and see (and admire) what we are doing.
G

[chris 71]

i would enjoy seeing some of your work Giotto i dont think i have seen any yet

[Scout]

Giotto, we don't know anything about you. Why don't you fill out your profile? What part of the country are you in? Show us your work. Scout

[Giotto]

Thank you I will consider posting, to date my work is not public so I don't have photos etc.

I live in a communal situation in a remote section of Oregon in the foothills of the Cascades. My room is 8 x 10 just large enough for my books. Fortunately there is a shed here where I can work. The computer is my window to the outside world and I would really enjoy seeing your work.

G

[Scout]

Any way... my next one is always the best one. Scout

[GlennT]

Here is a little something that my Father made...I don't know if its His best work, but I think He did a pretty good job with it.

[Scout]

Our Father! Scout

[rika]

Hi Giotto, I found your post interesting and really wanted to post a pic. I looked and looked, but couldn't find one that had all those requirements. It makes me sad. I usually like my latest work more than the others, but no best work.

[Giotto]

Glenn...I can almost see the two fingers touching
G

[Scout]

Michaelangelo would be proud.

I don't think any one piece can be just right. There are a few exquisite areas and a few dog sh-t areas on every piece. Scout

[Giotto]

Scout and Chris,

No one seems to want to go first...So I'll try. Excuse the poor photograph (a borrowed camera). This is "Victory and defeat" in clay and as yet unfinished. I don't know if it's my best but I do know it isn't my worst.
Your turn,
G

[Scout]

Wow, Wow! I can dream of being that good.

What is it like living in a commune? Do you live alone? How do you sell your work? I have a million questions. Scout

[chris 71]

yes wow very nice Giotto do you cast your finished work in bronze thanks for sharing

[GlennT]

Nice work Giotto. Full of expression, mystery, and a love of form. Nice that they trust you enough in jail to give you the tools to sculpt!
Okay, I understand, the 8 x 10 room thing is voluntary. I've done the communal spiritual community thing myself. Now I have 2,000 sq. ft. of living space and still not enough room.

So here is one that I would consider among my best works thus far, in part because of the responsibility I felt towards faithfully interpreting the inspiration and rising to the occasion of the commission. More about this can be seen at: http://www.glennterryart.com/Sculpt/MakingStPaul.htm

[Giotto]

Chris
No I haven't taken anything to bronze. I am thinking of working in resin for now...it's more cost effective, especially for a beginner.

Scout
I am alone and I am not alone. Living in a communal situation is like that.

Glenn
Amazing work. A dream commission. I see why you like it. I get the sense of Inspiration and Grace you were going for. Technically it's excellent. It must have taken some time to complete the work. I'm guessing a year from beginning to end ?

G

[Scout]

Giotto, I am teaching myself casting in resins too, with the help of several folks here. I'm still working on the first of 3 composite bronzes. I have all three molds done and have cast one that did not turn out too well. I think the second one is working better since I made most of the mistakes on the first one.

Show us what you are working on now. Did you cast the two you showed us? Who is giving you help? We'd like to see your work space.

What kind of clay did you use? Scout

[GlennT]

Giotto; I hope for the both the sake of your health and your art that you consider casting in plaster rather than resin. ( you too, Scout!) Especially given the tight environment you are in, the toxicity of resin could create a formidable challenge to your health. Plaster, tinted, painted, etc. to appear as bronze or any other way also has been a time-honored approach that maintains more surface grace, in my opinion, than the resins that still retain a plastic-like feel despite the powders and finishes employed.

As for my Saint Paul statue, from the beginning of my small study model, through the half-size clay piece ( later bronze cast, in the photo) to the finished 9 1/2 foot bronze installation in the Cathedral of Saint Paul, took a year and a half, with my working 7 days a week as long as I could each day. In that period I only took two days off for a short trip. Thanks for the kind words.

[Scout]

Glenn, do you think smooth on 326 is terribly toxic? How about fiberglass? I am working in a well ventilated garage but without a mask. Am I in danger???

The problem with plaster is it has to be inside. Can't be in the weather. Big sculptures would be difficult to keep inside. How about cement? Scout

[Giotto]

Originally Posted by Scout

Show us what you are working on now. Did you cast the two you showed us? Who is giving you help? We'd like to see your work space.

What kind of clay did you use? Scout

I am working on a series of 8 pieces on "consciousness" Here is the 7th piece in progress. It's just blocked out so I know there is much work to be done. The theme of the piece is "The quantum paradox" I am not sure about the title maybe "The Quantum Dance" The dialogue should go something like this. "In quantum physics it's the observer that creates reality, (free will?) the paradox then is who is creating who's reality...if through observation they create each others reality how then did reality began ?.......This board is the first place I have ever showed my work.

I use Roma #2 oil based...I just got used to it so it's what I use.

Glenn: yes a year and a half. What a beautiful way to spend that time

Now it's your turn to show us what your working on....you too Glenn and Chris.

[GlennT]

Scout, in Chris71's recent thread, " Results from Plaster shell mold help", he describes headaches and nausea after working with resin in an open air garage. I recommended he use a 3M organic vapor respirator in addition to the open door and creating air flow, MINIMUM. Fiberglass fumes are as bad or worse...nearly killed me. So...is a resin cast worth my health? Not when there are alternatives, which may include concrete.

Do a search under casting concrete for advice on how to do this.

Giotto: Can you explain what is going on with the headdress' and drapery in your current work?

[cheesepaws]

Originally Posted by Scout

Glenn, do you think smooth on 326 is terribly toxic? How about fiberglass? I am working in a well ventilated garage but without a mask. Am I in danger???

The problem with plaster is it has to be inside. Can't be in the weather. Big sculptures would be difficult to keep inside. How about cement? Scout

Glenn is right about taking any precautions you can when working with resins. That said, I have been using one of Polytek's EasyFlo (a polyester resin) products with mixed results. The MSDS indicates that the resin is relatively safe with proper ventilation. Expensive stuff but might be worth messing around with.

[Scout]

Giotto, I am so impressed with your work. A lot of life there!

Since you use oil clay, you must cast them. Do you do it? With what? How do you sell your things? Do you have to share with the others in the commune? Your circumstances don't sound like the traditional communes from the 60's. I'm a 60's child but never lived in one. We live way out in the country and are working toward self sufficiency for our old age.

69 I was 17. First date in a 55 Chevy... took more oil than gas. Gas cost 18 cents. Very different times!!! What got you where you are? Scout

[Giotto]

Glenn: The drape is to tone down the sexuality of the piece and to help tie in movement. the hair looks more like gumphy's top notch...more work to do hence the value of a critique (the fact you asked the question)

Scout: Thank you for your interest in what I am doing. I have made molds but lately I have been into just sculpting...so I am surrounded with piles of clay...which I am going to have to do something with. I am thinking that maybe next year I will pick a few pieces and see if there is a market. I am rather pessimistic about that.

G

PS Cheesepaws what are you working on ?

[grommet]

Originally Posted by Giotto

... The theme of the piece is "The quantum paradox" I am not sure about the title maybe "The Quantum Dance" The dialogue should go something like this. "In quantum physics it's the observer that creates reality, (free will?) the paradox then is who is creating whose reality...if through observation they create each other's reality, how then did reality begin ?.......

It's a very dynamic piece with a lot of tension. I would be hesitant to refine the raw quality of the hair too much. You'll reason it into submission, thereby killing the energy.
I'm curious though, how you feel this fulfills the theme above?

[Scout]

Giotto, I am assuming that your pieces are life size. What size are they? Scout