Matt's Stuff

Shown @ Daylesford Abbey

2011-04-10T09:24:00.000-07:00

This past February I was invited to show 4 pieces of my sculpture at Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, Pa.

The show is a well regarded, juried show, and has been an annual event for about 40 years.

untitled also

2010-08-16T03:09:00.000-07:00

Carved from MDF and coated with several metallic materials. An experiment with shape

Untitled -- as usual

2010-08-15T06:24:00.000-07:00

Did this in a hi-density urethane -- 18psf density, painted it with acrylic gouache. It measures 10"x7"x 3/4" (excluding mount).

Untitled

2010-08-15T06:18:00.000-07:00

I carved this from MDF (medium density fiberboard) and coated it with the bronze/acrylic matrix. It's 13"x3'x3/4".

My usual difficulty with titling a piece. Any suggestions?

2010-08-15T06:04:00.000-07:00

I did this piece in 40psf Hi-density urethane foam and coated it with a solution (commercially available) of bronze powder in an acrylic matrix. I then treat the piece with solutions to create a patina and then wax it with metallic waxes. I call it a PITA process -- but I like the result.
It is 9"x9"x3" -- excluding the base.

2010-07-29T05:43:00.000-07:00

Inspired by SW Indian art I did this in wood and mounted it above my mailbox -- sort of an Avatar to make it easier than a number to identify the house (I think).

2010-06-02T09:31:00.000-07:00

I've not been doing much carving for many months -- that nemesis, Arthur Itis been keeping me idle. I did just get started a few weeks ago and this is my first piece in a looooong while.

The Rescue Duck brings Jack Daniels ... the Elixer of Life

2009-09-10T19:27:00.000-07:00

Old Number 7 Rescue Duck
As most everyone knows, the St. Bernard Dog is a very large breed of dog, a working dog from the Swiss Alps, originally bred for rescue. The breed has become famous through tales of alpine rescues, as well as for its enormous size. The dog carries a small barrel filled with brandy which is used to quickly warm up those lost or injured in the Alps.
However, not many of you have ever heard of the Jack Daniels rescue Duck whose daring rescues have taken him to all corners of the earth in order to save those who have run out of Old Number Seven and are not in close proximity to a store in which they can refill their supply. The amazing duck is able to quickly find and fulfill the needs of those poor deprived individuals.
Text and concept by Al B. (the guy with the oversize ice cream cone).

Egyptian Swimmer Spoon

2009-06-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

An Egyptian Swimmer Spoon -- used to hold cosmetic powders and such. I carved this one at the request of a neighbor/friend . The original is in the Louvre, this one I carved in black walnut using a picture in a magazine as my guide or model.

Egyptian Spoon Swimmer (or Swimmer Spoon)

2009-06-29T12:47:00.000-07:00

The picture I worked from to make the carving

Common Loon carved in basswood

2009-06-08T00:05:00.000-07:00

Ever See A Happier Guy?

2009-02-11T13:42:00.000-08:00

Al was pretty happy --- until he tried to lick the cone! It's cement !

The Ice Cream Cone On Steroids

2009-02-11T13:23:00.000-08:00

My friend Al and I recently engaged in a 2-man competition. Al dubbed it the "2 F B W L Competition. That stood for "2 Fat Boys Weight Loss Competition" but since we are both somewhat past the "Boys" stage, you may use your imagination to replace Boys with "B--t---s" ( you fill in the missing letters).
Al won the competition with a 12% weight reduction to my 11%. It then became my responsibility to create and award a suitable trophy.
Since Al is an ice cream fanatic it was easy to design that trophy.

2009-01-04T06:03:00.001-08:00

I made this one blue mostly because I have some really nice blue paint ...but it isn't really a Bluebird ... but it is, obviously, a blue bird. Confusing?

2008-11-22T10:29:00.000-08:00

Exsultate -- Jubilate

2008-07-19T13:03:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite couples: Exsultate and Jubilate. They just (7/19/08) left the place of their birth in Landenberg to take up residence in No. Wilmington, DE in the Garden of Becky and Gordon Stewart.

2008-07-07T14:13:00.000-07:00

2008-07-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

These are maquttes of sculptures I am currently making. They are "flats" or cut outs. Both terms apply. The sculptures will be cut from either plywood or mdf. Sizes will vary with the piece and most likely be 2 to 4 ft high (tall?)

Evidence of artistic recognition?

2008-05-21T07:11:00.000-07:00

The 3 pieces located at the Center for Creative Arts in Yorklyn, De. were stolen some time on the night of Sat. May 10, 2008.

Is this evidence of artistic recognition -- perhaps a sign that the work is admired and desired strongly enough to be stolen?

Some artists whose work has been stolen are guys like Picasso, Gauguin, Munch, Da Vinci, VanGogh, and more. Does this theft put me in their class?

Yeah, sure!

Phreddie Phish ?

2008-05-14T13:23:00.000-07:00

My neighbor, Bob, is an avid fisherman and he's purported to be quite expert wielding rod and reel. His skill does move beyond the mundane, to wit here on his lawn is a recent trophy -- species is yet to be determined or named. Maybe Sara (aka "Mrs. Bob") will take the reins (mixed metaphor -- fish have no reins -- and this one seems to also be lacking gills!) and supply a proper and suitable name .

At the Center for Creative Arts

2008-04-26T15:32:00.000-07:00

Some day perhaps we can have a sculpture garden in the large ares between the sign and the line of trees at the CCA building. Some day...

2008-04-26T15:29:00.000-07:00

I've contributed these to the Center for the Creative Arts (CCA). They've been placed at the junction of Rte 82 and Yorklyn Rd. in Yorklyn, De.

2008-04-16T06:16:00.000-07:00

Here's another "mailbox bird". This one was modeled after the carving I got a blue ribbon for in Sept. You can see it in an earlier posting on this blog.
The original one is wood -- this one is thinset mortar on a styrofoam armature.

This was a "swap"-- I made the bird and the mailbox owner, who is a painter, did a portrait of my 2 grandchildren.

2007-11-15T11:29:00.000-08:00

This one is headed for a neighbor's deck. Hasn't a name yet -- I'll leave that for the new foster parent.
The picture was taken while it was just about completed. Afinal coat of clear urethane was the final coat.
The medium was one of my combinations (mixed media?) of thinset mortar plus paper pulp applied to a styrofoam armature

2007-11-09T09:39:00.000-08:00

I did this resting (or nesting, perhaps) bird in Italian alabaster about a year ago. Before it was completed a friend rather effusively admired it -- it now resides (nests?) in that party's home -- comfortably and suitably appreciated.

2007-10-19T12:51:00.000-07:00

I did this guy in wood and painted it with acrylics. That was sometime late in 2004 (I think). Named "Bruce" it lives indoors in a home in Somerset Lake. He is about 2' tall and I'm thinking of doing a "Bruce-on-Steroids".

2007-10-11T12:47:00.000-07:00

This may be a distant and somewhat more respectful relative of the mail box blue bird. Looks a bit like the other one -- but not too much, although they do have similar DNA.

2007-10-11T12:43:00.000-07:00

There's a blue bird (not a Bluebird) on my mailbox post. This a bird of indeterminate species which happens to be blue -- that's why it is NOT a Bluebird.
I think the pose is this creature's way of thumbing it's nose at the world -- but it aint got no thumb so it uses this posture!

2007-10-08T14:07:00.000-07:00

Each September the mushroom growers in this area (there are alot of them!) hold a Mushroom Festival in Kennett Square . The Festival includes an art show. Here is my entry of four pieces
This piece won the Blue Ribbon. It is carved from basswood and a bronze coating (bronze powder suspended in liquid acrylic.

this abstract piece (Anxiety Taking Flite) was carved from pine and the metallic/acrylic treatment was patinated.
The abstract piece (Single Form) at the left was carved from a piece of 2 x 4 stud and given the "metallizing " treatment.
The stylized bird (Swooping) is alabaster -- a piece of stone so beautiful it overcomes and outshines the carved form.

2007-10-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

The happy trio -- before the short creature of indeterminate species left to take up residence across the street.

Meet Blythe Spirit

2007-10-08T13:38:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce you to Blythe Spirit -- a real "fun" gal!
On the outside she is as hard as cement but inside she's soft as foam.

I guess there's nothing unusual about that since she is fashioned from thinset mortar applied to a styrofoam core (armature).

You may note the rope tied around her waist -- I don't want her off seeking fun in other climes!

It ain't a duck

2007-10-08T13:31:00.000-07:00

This (guy? gal? -- choose one) was hatched a few months ago and was comfortably roosting in my yard for several weeks. Then "it" somehow migrated across the road (now why does a chicken -- if that's what it is -- cross the road?). I think it was Lured away.

A sculpture evolved

2007-10-08T13:12:00.000-07:00

I carved this "Phantasy Bird" about 10 years or so ago and it was sold but the image stayed with me and I had to do it again but this time I pictured it as having been on steriods ---

And this is what I found the steroids had done!

Also, the little one was carved from basswood but the latest one was fashioned from thinset mortar applied to a carved styrofoam armature.