Each sculpture in my Power Stick series is intended to harness positive energy and combat negativity. The first one was created spontaneously in a moment of personal darkness. My exploration of Useless Tools is intended to ask the viewer about the purpose we all have in life — is every action we take motivated by a desire to improve the world around us or to simply get ahead in life. My newest work in this continuing series is also inspired by the botanical photographs from the turn of the 20th century photographer, Karl Blossfeldt from his book, “Urformen der Kunst”. Each of these botanical based works contain a certain “power” within them.
"Earth's Revolution", 2021, 118 pieces of wood, acrylic paint, oil pastels, linseed oil, wire and silver leaf, 47" x 14" x 7". Private collection.
"Earth's Revolution" (top detail), 2021, 118 pieces of wood, acrylic paint, oil pastels, linseed oil, wire and silver leaf, 47" x 14" x 7". Private collection.
"Earth's Revolution" (center detail), 2021, 118 pieces of wood, acrylic paint, oil paint, linseed oil, wire and silver leaf, 47" x 14" x 7". Private collection.
"Earth's Revolution" (bottom detail), 2021, 118 pieces of wood, acrylic paint, oil pastels, linseed oil, wire and silver leaf, 47" x 14" x 7". Private collection.
"Lunaria", 2024, 78 pieces of wood, pantyhose, paper, tin foil, sawdust with wood glue, ashes, matte medium and acrylic paint, 50" x 15" x 7".
"Lunaria", (close up), 2024, 78 pieces of wood, pantyhose, paper, tin foil, sawdust, wood glue, ashes, matte medium and acrylic paint, 50" x 15" x 7".
"Albutilon", 2023, 118 pieces of wood, pastel, linseed oil, silver metal coating, 33" x 32" x 7".
Albutilon", 2023, 118 pieces of wood, pastel, linseed oil, silver metal coating, 33" x 32" x 7".
Albutilon", 2023, 118 pieces of wood, pastel, linseed oil, silver metal coating, 33" x 32" x 7".
"Spiraling Borage", 2023, 106 pieces of wood, paper clay, bronze metal coating with green patina, linseed oil, 32" x 28" x 4".
"Spiraling Borage", 2023, 106 pieces of wood, paper clay, bronze metal coating with green patina, linseed oil, 32" x 28" x 4".
"Spiraling Borage", 2023, 106 pieces of wood, paper clay, bronze metal coating with green patina, linseed oil, 32" x 28" x 4".
"Self Heal/Prunella Gradiflora", 2022, 150 pieces of wood, pastel, linseed oil, 62" x 31" x 5".
"Self Heal/Prunella Gradiflora", 2022, 150 pieces of wood, pastel, linseed oil, 62" x 31" x 5".
"Self Heal/Prunella Gradiflora", 2022, 150 pieces of wood, pastel, linseed oil, 62" x 31" x 5".
"Salvia", 2022, 105 pieces of wood, paper pulp, silver metal coating with pastel, 69" x 22" x 4".
"Salvia (top detail)", 2022, 105 pieces of wood, paper pulp, silver metal coating with pastel, 69" x 22" x 4".
"Salvia (middle detail)", 2022, 105 pieces of wood, paper pulp, silver metal coating with pastel, 69" x 22" x 4".
"Four Winds", 2018, wood, gold and silver leaf, iron and bronze metal coating with patinas, earth, ash, moss, charcoal, matte medium and wax, 43" x 30" x 5".
"Four Winds" (top detail), 2018, wood, gold and silver leaf, iron and bronze metal coating with patinas, earth, ash, moss, charcoal, matte medium and wax, 43" x 30" x 5".
"Four Winds" (top detail), 2018, wood, gold and silver leaf, iron and bronze metal coating with patinas, earth, ash, moss, charcoal, matte medium and wax, 43" x 30" x 5".
"Useless Tools #2", 2020, wood, wire, powdered graphite and oil paint, 36" x 30" x 3". Private collection.
"Useless Tools #2" wood, wire, powdered graphite and oil paint, 36" x 30" x 3". Private collection.
"Useless Tools #1", 2018, wood, gold leaf, pastel, wire, moss, matte medium and acrylic paint, 38" x 28" x 3". Private collection.
"Useless Tools #1" (top detail), 2018, wood, gold leaf, pastel, wire, moss, matte medium and acrylic paint, 38" x 28" x 3". Private collection.
"Useless Tools #1" (side view), 2018, wood, gold leaf, pastel, wire, moss, matte medium and acrylic paint, 38" x 28" x 3". Private collection.
"Useless Tools #1" (detail), 2018, wood, gold leaf, pastel, wire, moss, matte medium and acrylic paint, 38" x 28" x 3"..
"Useless Tool/Stirring the Pot", 2020, charred wood and yellow pastel with linseed oil, 46" x 4" x 6".
Useless Tool/Stirring the Pot" (bottom detail), 2020, charred wood, pastel with linseed oil, 46" x 4" x 6".
Useless Tool/Stirring the Pot" (bottom detail), 2020, charred wood, pastel with linseed oil, 46" x 4" x 6".
"White Magic/Black Magic", 116 pieces of wood, earth, powdered graphite, oil paint, pastel, matte medium and acrylic paint 69" x 12" x 10".
"White Magic/Black Magic" (top detail), 116 pieces of wood, earth, powdered graphite, oil paint, pastel, matte medium and acrylic paint 69" x 12" x 10".
"White Magic/Black Magic" (top detail), 116 pieces of wood, earth, powdered graphite, oil paint, pastel, matte medium and acrylic paint 69" x 12" x 10".
"White Magic/Black Magic" (detail), 116 pieces of wood, earth, powdered graphite, oil paint, pastel, matte medium and acrylic paint 69" x 12" x 10".
"White Magic/Black Magic" (detail view), 116 pieces of wood, earth, powdered graphite, oil paint, pastel, matte medium and acrylic paint 69" x 12" x 10".