Share Your Creative Works Here

[engelbach]

Originally Posted by Jay Norem

That's my damn problem. I adore de Kooning.

I was paging through one of my art books the other night, and I came across a photo of de Kooning and his wife standing in front of one of his Woman paintings. It was magnificent, of course. The caption said that the picture was taken in 1953. That's the fucking year I was born. I'm painting in a style that was in vogue back when I was born. Damn!

Your style, in this painting anyway, seems to be a mixture of French and German expressionism. Sort of a combination of Matisse and Kirchner, if you get my drift. Excellent composition and interesting palette. Damn good piece of work here.

My favorite painter. He and Elaine contributed to my theatre in New York. I got to meet him once, but he was already senile.

[1/2 Baked, Not Fried]

Originally Posted by Jeff Smith

That one is very cool.

Originally Posted by Pope Pertwee IX

.5 Baked, I like the idea. I’d be thinking on a variation of the theme? Something like a rusty weather worn freestanding pipe and tap (faucet, I think as they say in the US.).
With the facsimile water pouring out. Well done.

Thanks, guys - 'appreciate your feedback.

Originally Posted by Kevin Murray

1/2 Baked - WOW. This one is great. What is your general approach to this "genre" of art? Just glue it all on until it sticks and looks somewhat cool? I'd love to know, as it certainly produces amazing results.

Thanks, Kevin. I'm not really sure how to answer your question, but I'll give it a shot: I guess it depends on what I’m doing-- how complex it is, whether I need any materials to pull it off, etc. Sometimes, I’ll fool around with materials already on hand—sort of like you describe—by trial and error – moving, arranging, experimenting with different things. Doing this, every now and then an idea will come together fairly quickly. Other times, I have more of a specific idea in mind, as in a project. If this is the case, or if it’s more complex, it can take a lot longer to think through and plan—sometimes weeks or months (or even longer).

In either event, there is a bit more prep work and planning that usually goes into it. Like most things, 90% is probably prep – cleaning, sanding, fastening, sealing things up properly (before pouring any resin), thinking through the logistics (like whether any objects will float or move or produce air bubbles, etc.; making sure the working surface is level, the room’s the right temperature, etc.); making choices about colors, tints, cure times, etc. None of this is rocket science, but there are definitely a few things to think about and prepare before diving in. This is especially true on larger projects. If I'm going to spend a lot of time on something, and burn through a lot of materials, then I want to try to get it right if I can.

I do try to avoid gluing things whenever possible. Working with junk, I think when you slap it all together with glue, you end up with something pretty . . . junky. For a lot of these things, I use a plastic resin to sort of "cement" everything in place. If I have to attach objects together otherwise, I'll try to use some alternative means if I can.

I'm still pretty much a novice at this stuff, so I hope this doesn't come across sounding pompous or anything. I'm pretty much learning on the fly, but having a fun time doing it. I do appreciate the compliment, though. It's nice to hear when something you make resonates with someone else.

[Kevin Murray]

Originally Posted by 1/2 Baked, Not Fried

Thanks, Kevin. I'm not really sure how to answer your question, but I'll give it a shot: I guess it depends on what I’m doing-- how complex it is, whether I need any materials to pull it off, etc. Sometimes, I’ll fool around with materials already on hand—sort of like you describe—by trial and error – moving, arranging, experimenting with different things. Doing this, every now and then an idea will come together fairly quickly. Other times, I have more of a specific idea in mind, as in a project. If this is the case, or if it’s more complex, it can take a lot longer to think through and plan—sometimes weeks or months (or even longer).

In either event, there is a bit more prep work and planning that usually goes into it. Like most things, 90% is probably prep – cleaning, sanding, fastening, sealing things up properly (before pouring any resin), thinking through the logistics (like whether any objects will float or move or produce air bubbles, etc.; making sure the working surface is level, the room’s the right temperature, etc.); making choices about colors, tints, cure times, etc. None of this is rocket science, but there are definitely a few things to think about and prepare before diving in. This is especially true on larger projects. If I'm going to spend a lot of time on something, and burn through a lot of materials, then I want to try to get it right if I can.

I do try to avoid gluing things whenever possible. Working with junk, I think when you slap it all together with glue, you end up with something pretty . . . junky. For a lot of these things, I use a plastic resin to sort of "cement" everything in place. If I have to attach objects together otherwise, I'll try to use some alternative means if I can.

I'm still pretty much a novice at this stuff, so I hope this doesn't come across sounding pompous or anything. I'm pretty much learning on the fly, but having a fun time doing it. I do appreciate the compliment, though. It's nice to hear when something you make resonates with someone else.

Thanks for the long reply. I really appreciate it. I think your point about not using glue may be the most important, at least from what I can guess. I wouldn't want a big ball of Elmer's peeking out from behind my beautiful creation. I'll look into getting some junk, but currently I don't have much straight-up crap lying around... We'll see.

I will also keep in mind your other notes. I can see the prep being very important, and getting the "little things" right would certainly be something I'd strive for.

Thanks again for all the help... Maybe something will come soon?? We'll see.

[1/2 Baked, Not Fried]

Originally Posted by Kevin Murray

Thanks for the long reply. I really appreciate it. I think your point about not using glue may be the most important, at least from what I can guess. I wouldn't want a big ball of Elmer's peeking out from behind my beautiful creation. I'll look into getting some junk, but currently I don't have much straight-up crap lying around... We'll see.

I will also keep in mind your other notes. I can see the prep being very important, and getting the "little things" right would certainly be something I'd strive for.

Thanks again for all the help... Maybe something will come soon?? We'll see.

Cool . . .you know, since I started doing stuff with junk and hardware, I've become a bit of a junk yard dog. I frequently go to a local 2nd-hand materials shop, where I can get a lot of stuff pretty cheap. I grab things like knobs, faucets, drawer pulls, door rosettes, pretty much whatever looks cool and strikes me as something I might possibly use someday. The older and rustier, the better. I also get some cool ideas just looking around places like that, seeing things I maybe never thought of using before. I also drop into thrift shops now again for the same reason, and occasionally see stuff at a yard sale or sitting out by someone's curb or whatever. Another thing I've started scooping up are cool old frames. I can make frames, but it's sort of tedious work, so I try to find some interesting ones now and again just to have lying around. You can sometimes find stuff like glass that way, too, although I get most of my glass at a place that sells it for mosaics and stained glass projects. If you're interested in getting into resin, I order my stuff from a company called Far West Materials in Walla Walla, WA. It's a bit pricey, but generally goes a long way. Good customer service, too, and fast delivery. Anyway, a few thoughts for what they're worth. 'Hope to see one of yours sometime!

[Pope Pertwee IX]

This I did ages ago, way back in 1967 or 1968 when I was 15 or 16, one or the other.
The piece is of cast aluminium. Yes I was still at school!
The metalwork teacher had hit on the idea of sculpting a piece of polystyrene, and use it as a die.

The molten aluminium vaporises the polystyrene die, and voilà! You have your piece.
In this instance there was not enough aluminium in the crucible to make the cast complete, but that was my one and only attempt. This was more of a passing fad at school, but interesting none the less.







[IMG]http://farm9.staticflickr.com
/8541/8692705397_11c997b996_o.jpg[/IMG]

[Jay Norem]

"Once the War Had Ended My Neighborhood Was Really Cool." Acrylic, crayon, pastel, charcoal on masonite 24 x 24"



Sorry I can't make it smaller.

[engelbach]

Originally Posted by Jay Norem

"Once the War Had Ended My Neighborhood Was Really Cool." Acrylic, crayon, pastel, charcoal on masonite 24 x 24"

Yes!

Really nice work, Jay!

[Jeff Smith]

It's working for me, Jay.

[Jay Norem]

Thank you very much, gentlemen.