2016 works

I was trying to design/create a work that captured a time period in my life where I had very little money, but it never entered my thoughts as I was incredibly happy. 

I called this period "LIFE ON HOLD", simply living in the moment.

The fun of the creation process is not knowing what will evolve whether it could be abstract or known.

I was at the bar having some very discounted drinks on a Monday night with a lifelong friend who was bartending.

I was down to my very last dollar. Looked down at it when the concept was staring back at me. 

I really loved carving this work over a three-month period. Especially trying to get the lettering as accurate as possible.

It encompassed all I loved about art from being Pop to traditional with even some scrolls!!

I followed up LIFE ON HOLD WITH :

TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME

I think the message in this one is pretty clear but it was important to me to use the older version of the $100 bill.

I loved the ornate quality of it and was excited to bring the scroll work to a larger than life 3d work. 

A special thanks to my dad who went to many banks trying to hunt down this version of the bill for me to scale off.

ANASTRATA MIRRORS

I began the Anastrata series as my first venture into making a stylized commercial series of mirrors.

I developed the series to be viewed in two halves. One side being the mirror and the other complimenting whether it be a beautiful natural piece of wood or whatever else I may design. 

I also like every mirror I typically make like to design it so it can be hung and look beautiful in any direction.

There are many versions from abstract hand applied ink versions resembling Nebulas , fashion patterns to objects encased in glass. 

I really love creating these works and just have endless ideas for where I can take this series.  

Zycie Mirror (life mirror)

Sadly in June I received a call that my dear friend Mark had unexpectedly passed away. He was truly a brother. We hung out a lot especially playing disc golf where I felt like I was 14 again with no cares in the world.

I carved this work in his memory. A beautiful thriving Poppy  as the flower is symbolic of peace and mourning.

The final work of 2016 was 

AMERICA (you broke my heart)

This work was created in the summer of 2016 featuring one of my signature works in the form of runny fried eggs. I first turn the yolk section on the lather before band sawing the outside shape before hand carving the fried egg.

At the time I was carving a piece and listening to a lot of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On album (possibly the best album ever recorded?) and thinking have we evolved. 

This piece is 8' x 4' with alternating panels of rustic boards and cleaner maple. The background is denim.

I really love this work and happy I made it. It took a lot of work to hand shape all of them and seemed like a never ending task.