Strike up The Band

When I left CA (circa 1998) circumstances dictated that I had to leave a large bronze in the backyard of my friend Craig French, a Los Angeles sculptor. 25 years later, Strike & I have reunited in NYC.

Re-Introducing: Strike, bronze, #1/3 (1996/2023)!

Introducing GRIFFON

Two years in the making, my 7’h chimera is complete. (Aqua-Resin®/foam/steel, 84h x 65w x 22in). The pattern and puzzle of Griffon’s folded wings introduced a new level of complexity to my portfolio. Imposing asymmetry onto a symmetrical body is a challenge I’ve tackled before (e.g., Crush, Raptor, Balloon). This time I explored it within the constraints of an historic, iconic creature. I am eager to realize it in bronze—its edges honed sharp—finished with a radiant, translucent patina. This work was such a fun challenge, I’m now pondering a mischievous companion piece!

Griffon in the studio’s backyard. While setting up my tripod for this shot, a bald eagle swooped down and hovered above before disappearing to grab lunch at the neighbors farm. I was flattered it recognized its half of the chimera…

Griffon Portrait, behind StudioDave

Griffon profile, behind StudioDave in the Catskills (84h x 65w x 22in)

jigGRIFFONsaw

I scanned my 45”h steel & resin Griffon (shown here painted gold), then created an 84”h CNC milled foam enlargement of it @ Digital Atelier (NJ). Each color of the digital file (see detail image) represents a separate section of foam—like a 70-piece puzzle—that I have begun to glue together and assemble using steel rods for reinforcement. The completed work will be sealed with resin, then top coated with paint before molding and casting it in bronze.

Acrobat @ FMC Tower/Cira Centre South in Philadelphia

Last spring, my 9’ h bronze Acrobat was purchased by a developer before I could share it here in New York City through NYC Parks’/Art in the Parks program. While I am delighted that it found a permanent home in Philadelphia, I am now confronted with the prickly decision of either creating another Acrobat (#2/3) for the exhibition or enlarging a completely different sculpture instead. 

Acrobat_9252 (1 of 1).jpg

Repeating the same work would be easier and certainly less expensive; however provided it is financially feasable, creating a new monumental sculpture would be more professionally fullfilling. I intend to reach a final decision shortly. Meanwhile, here are a couple images of the completed Acrobat as installed in front of the FMC Tower at Cira Centre South. It’s on public display so you can visit it the next time you’re in Philly!

Acrobat_9330 (1 of 1).jpg

Almost Done...Final Step? Build The Base!!

Here's a detail shot of the gorgeous patina we just completed at Polich-Tallix Foundry with patina artist Rosemary Rednour. We started out with my classic Fireball Patina but ended up with what I'm calling Rattlesnake because the final mix reminds me of the timber rattlers and copperheads we encounter when climbing at the Gunks. 

What's the final step? Build the base & schedule installation! I'm leaning towards a steel, trapezoidal design that will raise Acrobat about 21"-26" above ground level...

DS_Patina-26.jpg

If you would like to contribute to The Acrobat Project, peruse the Sculpturezoo Art Gallery to purchase my original art & jewelry, or click on the RED donate button on the Sculpturezoo homepage. Thank you for visiting. Enjoy the Zoo!

SHARK!

I’ve always wanted to abstract a sleek and fearsome shark, so this is my first stab at the stunning Caribbean Reef Shark, created during the wintry mix of sleet n snow that pounded the City today. The next step is to enlarge this 12” wire drawing to my normal “working scale” of about 2.5-3 feet, then add mass to the wireframe with foam and resin. If I manage to capture the formidable power, speed & beauty of this graceful predator, I’ll mold it & cast it in stainless steel! 

So this is the part where I'm supposed to just add my second photo, the side B if you will, of the same sculpture depicted below. But somehow in the midst of photo-editing I was overcome by an inane will to compose a childish rhyme to go along with …

So this is the part where I'm supposed to just add my second photo, the side B if you will, of the same sculpture depicted below. But somehow in the midst of photo-editing I was overcome by an inane will to compose a childish rhyme to go along with it. One silly line led to the next until...well, there's really no fair excuse for it all. May I blame it on a recent weekend in CT with one children's book that could not be put to its fair, final resting place no matter how many pillows we buried it under, repeatedly!? 

I certainly don't want to overwrite the fine song already in your happy head so lets just say the book dealt with one particular redundant BUS ride and its incessant, screeching, howling, desperately in-need-of-oil (and a god-help-us how about a flat tire?) wheels...But jest, do I. My friends have an adorable daughter who I love spending time with. Maybe next time she will have moved on to trains. Trains are good. Trains are fun plus they're a lot faster than buses and... 

P.S. I just wrote a book for Foster (i.e. Annette & Matthew & their Tenacious Bus Song Loving Crew) at the rest stop where I pulled over for coffee on my way to the studio today. I'm about to start the drawings/story-boarding. It's about my beloved kitty Mischka of course...in no small part inspired by conversations with Bunny and our hilarious weekend experiencing Annette's SNL-worthy speed-reading juxtaposed with Matthew's Broadway-beating performances.

CaribbeanReefShark.jpeg