|
A beloved caretaker of kitties was retiring from a veterinary clinic after more than two decades of working there. I was always confident that, when under Caryn's watch, my own Miss Kitty would be comfortable and well attended to during boarding. I wanted to provide Caryn with a gift upon retirement that acknowledged her care taking role. In that spirit, I designed an abstract sculpture to evoke the feeling of a protector or guardian. (Any resemblance to cat tail language is purely coincidental, although it’s conceivable that my subconscious played a role in it.) The two sculptural elements can be arranged in an artful way, and they are sized for placement on a coffee table or where a small focal point would be appreciated. The elements were designed to also serve as bookends. When (or if!) it is desired in retirement to move from contemplation to reading, the sculpture can be rearranged to serve just such a purpose. And isn’t it fitting that they provide support, just as Caryn did for all those years?… A total of 18" of 1” x 3/8” steel strap was forged to shape, then sealed with a clear lacquer to preserve the raw steel. The two pieces measure 8” and 7” tall respectively x 3” wide x 1.5” deep. Caryn, thank you for your loving kindness to Miss Kitty! I wish you the best in this new chapter of your life. — Laura Sometimes I make small favors. Valentine’s Day featured candy hearts. Guests at my parties have found themselves asked to pick out an ice cream cone or a grasshopper from a tray…
The story behind this commission is heart-warming...
A devoted husband wanted to surprise his wife with a custom-made gift for their 6th wedding anniversary. The year # 6 traditional wedding gift is IRON, so he set out looking for a gift in that medium...  This slender sculpture emulates sea grasses undulating in the ocean’s current.
‘Underwater Wisps’ features textured tapers, a bulbous pod, and a hint of an anemone emerging from the base. The compact size of this piece makes it a suitable accent for a bookshelf, fireplace mantel, or desk credenza. Or as a gift to your favorite marine biologist!... ‘Underwater Wisps’ measures 15” tall x 7” wide x 3” deep. This commissioned paper towel holder is nature’s form turned into whimsical function at its finest. An anemone holds the paper towel roll in place. A strategically positioned coral arm serves as de facto ‘backstop’ for tearing off a paper towel.
I was asked to make this common kitchen fixture as part of a client's home renovation. I thoroughly enjoyed turning a common kitchen fixture into a featured item. (I also created a suite of bath fixtures for this client which you can read about HERE). I forged steel bar and pipe using my 25-lb. Little Giant power hammer and two different sets of dies (drawing dies and art dies). The base is torch-cut 1/2" steel plate. I used my usual method of sealing with a clear lacquer after cleaning the metal with a wire wheel. Jenny wanted a mail holder, not unlike my ‘armadillo mail holder’. Except she didn’t want an armadillo.
So I pulled an exoskeleton from my scrap pile of previously-started-then-aborted projects -- in this case, an attempt at a pea pod using my tack-and-bend technique. Each year I make donations of sculpture to non-profits. Balcones Forge and Child Advocates were the two most recent recipients of a pair of my elephant ear bookends to include in silent auctions at their annual fundraisers. Funds raised from my donated sculpture will go towards the mission of each of these non-profits. I wish them the best in their endeavors!
On Saturday evening, October 5, Third Coast Gallery in Galveston, TX, displayed a collection of my welded steel sculpture and hammered sheet vessels. Friends and family joined me for my gallery debut and celebrated this milestone with me. I'm so grateful for their support and for making the effort to attend ArtWalk, a coordinated opening of evening receptions and art-related events at galleries and art spaces held in the heart of historic downtown Galveston. The weather was lovely, and ArtWalk had a great turnout. Third Coast Gallery had good foot traffic practically the whole time, and I sold several pieces that evening. My pieces will be on display through November 27. If you stop by, please tell Jack and Charlie hello!  |
|
LAURAARMSTRONG.STUDIO
|
Copyright 2023 Laura Armstrong. All rights reserved.
|