Experiments and Inspiration

I think it always valuable to take time to visit museums and galleries. There is always something to learn or something that might spark an idea for my next creation. That's why when I visited my family in LA I made it a point to see the Getty Villa and also hit up the Huntington Library. I love those intimate little museums of private collections put in an idealistic setting! And yes, I did get inspired for some good ideas I'll put toward a show I have in mind.

When I got back I immediately got to work on a different project: art for a garden to display at this year's Flower and Garden show. What you see here are experiments for cattails and roses.

Thinker at the Beach

The funny thing about the whole process of this artwork is that it was intended to reflect how Nature will always have her final say, and yet she hardly ever did. Each piece that I replicated throughout history was put on the tideline to be disolved slowly, and yet almost every time I retuned to photograph it's progress I came upon a trampled and destroyed mess. I think this outcome is more faithful to the true reason of the impermenance of things: our own destructiveness.
Here's the video I made of the final piece in the series, with an appropriate ending.

Well, there he is. The last temporary sculpture at the beach this summer. I got to say it's been a lot of fun and thank you all who made it out on such a fine day to participate.

I chose to sculpt Rodin's Thinker to represent the 20th century in my parade of art history. I also thought it a fitting subject to honor the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

I have lots of pictures of the creation and destruction of this piece which I will sew together into a time lapse video file and post soon so stay tuned!

Three Hours Until High Tide

Hi Everybody! This is Greg with some last minute updates. Eden's beachfront project is from 3pm to 6pm this afternoon at Shilshole Beach. Here's the map.

I think it's legal to park in the Shilshole Beach Club Parking Lot. Then you head towards the beach by passing the Beach Club building on the left side (as you face it). Look for the sandy end of the parking lot. It is a private beach, so no alcohol and no pets.

Eden will have plenty of clay for you to play with. Bring a lunch. We will have some snacks available.

I'll be leaving in about 30 minutes, if anyone in the area wants to be picked up on the way.

See you there!

greg

Save the Date! Sun. Sept. 11th 2011

As the end of this project draws to a close I plan to have a picnic at the beach to celebrate! Everyone is welcome! Bring a picnic for you and your friends or snacks to share. Bring beach blankets and toys, cameras, or whatever you like to take to the beach (sunscreen and clothes that can get dirty are a good idea.)

I will be sculpting my last piece at Shilshole Bay Beach, Sunday, September 11, between 3 and 6 pm and photographing it as the tide comes in (high tide will be at 5:30.) I'll also provide lots of extra clay for anyone who wants to make their own sculptures.

This will be so much fun! so I hope to meet you there.

WARNING: this is a private beach with public access so please mind their rules which are: no dogs, no alcohol, and no fires. You can park in the Shilshole Bay Beach Club parking lot, there is a beach access trail to the left of that building.

If you have any questions just ask in the 'comments' section. I check it regularly and now you don't have to sign up for anything to do it! Yay!

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M's David.

Possibly the single best piece of artwork in the world, maybe ever created. I felt humbled trying to copy him. I don't think I need to explain what sculpture I'm imitating here since it's image has been reproduced endlessly in our culture. But I will say that unlike some other famous artworks that have been copied over and over (for instance, Mona Lisa) David is still impressive when you see him in person. If there is nothing else you do in life, go to Florence and see him.

2nd Intermission

Well, there has not been activity at the beach recently because I've been busy creating art! And also participating in the EDGE program for professional artists put on by Artist' Trust. I spent a week in Port Townsend in the old army barraks of Fort Warden with 14 other artists and completed almost 60hrs of professional training. What an experience!

And when i came home some new works were waiting for me that had just come out of the kiln.

Life is good.

The Sacred and Profane, but mostly Profane

At the turn of the 13th Century, most of Europe's artisans was focused on building and decorating Cathedrals, so that is where I draw my next sculptural reference: from the grostesques of Notre Dame de Paris. Le Stryge is the name of this most recognizable of grotesques- I never knew some of them had names, and I also never knew the difference between a grotesque and a gargoyle (gargoyles serve the function of a drainage spout, a grotesque is simply ornament.) I got a lot of good comments at the beach while building it today- I don't know why but these ugly creatures that were meant to ward off evil spirits have an incredible allure about them.

and here is what happened to my last sculpture. It seems someone wanted the pieces to remain together, and somehow thought it necessary that Buddah have a hat out of a piece of broken pot. Strange what people do.