Saturday, August 25, 2012

Sculptor gathering in New Hampshire


Last Sunday sculptors, other artists, and art enthusiasts gathered at the
Millbrook Gallery in Concord, NH.  Donna Dodson  Andy Moerlein,
and Pam Tarbell  invited us to  gather, network and enjoy Pam's
beautiful gallery and sculpture garden. I hadn't expected prehistoric
creature decoys to await us including the Entelodont  by Bob
Shannahan pictured above.

Perhaps I shouldn't have been surprised.  After all, as I pulled
into the drive, I passed by this sculpture by Andy Moerlein
made of steel conduit, saplings and hand made stones. Andy
calls it"Suspense".  To me, it looks like a nest about to hatch
some fantastic creatures.

This wooly mammoth "decoy" by Bob stands at the entrance to the
gallery enticing any prehistoric creatures still lukring around to come
on by



Around back, Bob's giant ancient camel prances near the
Entelodont.
I enjoyed talking with Bob and hearing  how he constructs these
marvelous creatures. 
Bob explained that it takes about a year for each, figuring out scale,
making mock ups,creating the wire armature, collecting fresh birch
sapling branches and other natural materials and finally finishing
construction. Stones make the awesome jagged teeth and claws.  He
points out that the  toes of the mammoth are made from boulders
created when mammoths were wandering the nearby forest.  (Yes
 there is evidence they were around even in New England. )

The Entelodont  tries to be fearsome, but I'm not fooled.  I think he is
actually pretty friendly.

It was a beautiful afternoon in a gorgeous setting filled with good
conversation.The grounds are an ideal setting for outdoor sculpture.

Lin Lisberger's "Tall" is appropriately situated by the stream that
runs through.
 and Liz Fletcher's "Prayer of Rana" adds a meditative touch:


Anyone  going near Concord this summer, fall or anytime
of year, I highly recommend stopping by Millbrook Gallery and
sculpture garden. You won't be disappointed.

Thanks Donna, Andy, and Pam for organizing the gathering.
I returned with inspiration swirling. 


Adventure on! Wendy







Saturday, August 11, 2012

Star Wanderer posters


In my last post, I wrote about my current exhibit
" What's in a Story?"at the Haley House Bakery Cafe
 www.haleyhouse.org  and promised to show some of
the posters I used in locations where I couldn't  install
sculptures. Here they are. The one above was created
specifically for the exhibit.  Nunoona and Furb, the Star
Wandering companions in the poster are still looking for
their permanent home. Story objects hang from the
embellished saddle blanket and fill the leather trunk.
The duo measures 24" x 24" x 18".
 
The creatures in the posters below have all found new
homes, where I trust they are stirring up stories.
Hopefully their images can inspire even more.  In the
exhibit, I placed some favorite quotes about stories
underneath the posters.  

 

That's "Faydor, the story hatcher" above holding a
story egg, with story emerging.   At the exhibit
it was posted with the quote: "Inside every seed
there is a story, Inside every story a seed of truth."
(my phrase - or at least I don't think I saw it
and copied it.) Every story trunk that accompanies
one of my storytellers contains a water hyacinth seed
chosen for  sculptural beauty and for my phrase.
I realize water hyacinths are an invasive species
but honor nature's intriguing sculpture. Of course
inside every egg, there is definitely a story.
 Under Beadle, the Curious, I posted:
“Facts bring us to knowledge, but stories lead to wisdom”
                                                     Rachel Naomi Remen


And under the poster of Tadaah!, I put:
"Stories are the Language of Community" - Dean Ornish

I have some extra copies of the posters available...including
a few additional designs.

Now on to trying to do some more serious editing of
"Sophia's Quest" and continuing to contemplate what is
or can be, in a story.

Adventure on!    Wendy