Commentary, Biography & Bibliography
Mission Statement:
Artist's Statement:
My work explores the meshing of the Human Condition and the greatest magic of our time - Technology. I seek to convey how we view this mystery via the meshing of spiritualism, superstition and circuitry. My art is spun from the dreams of Shamans and the bones of obsolete technology -- history both ancient and recent. I am attempting to show a correlation between the faith in age-old mysteries (aka religion) and the new faith of the microprocessor....both things we can never hope to fully understand, but both things we shall certainly carry forward into the future. These SHALL mesh....we will merge with circuitry, via implants....become more connected directly from brain interfaces...and our religion...our entire manner of spirituality, will incorporate this new path to enlightenment.
My Tech Shaman mask series brings the superstition of gods and spirits forward to the Computer Age -- each assemblage modeled as if faith moves electrons and mystery drives wild magic in circuits. Clad in these masks, the New Shamans shall resurrect dead machines with prayer and ritual....directing unseen energies of quantum mechanics.
The Tech Totem series examines the bones of technology in a variety of mediums -- as in Catholic reliquaries of Saint's remains -- the totems that remind us of where we have been and what powers we can grasp with faith. With these totems we shall dream far greater things than we can know.
In the Transcendental series, I explore, via mixed media, the emergence of art from utilitarian items -- the cast off circuit board, the vacuum tube, electronic components -- all items that were born to serve, but in their grace of service, have transcended purpose.
In essence, I am driven to create. My work is not born of idle amusement, but of a compulsion to make things that I believe should exist -- creations I want to see brought to a visual reality that expresses concepts beyond mere words.
ABOUT THE DIGITAL ART (circa 1990):
My work consists of images derived from fractal formulas (for the most part) that are composited together to form the final image. I also occasionally use scanned photographs.
I've been involved in computer graphics (aka digital) since the late-80's on a serious basis. I use a 486/133 DOS-based machine to create all the images you see here at this site (most of my tools run under DOS or Windows 3.1 and are not compatible with Windows 95).
Each image takes a minimum of 40 hours to create. Some have taken much longer.
WOOD CARVING (circa 2/2000):
I'm a newcomer to wood carving. I inadertently found I had a knack, if you call it such, in Februrary 2000 while trying out an idea that had come to me as I wrestled with a sleepless night.
I had been creating 2-dimensional fish for about 6 months (cutting them out of plywood and painting them as realistically as I could) when I had an idea of using a bandsaw and a 4x4 to create a fish with a curved tail.
I used a friend's bandsaw and after getting back to my shop, began smoothing the fish shape with my Dremel and a sanding drum. The darn thing took on a life of it's own and before I knew it, I had a realistic looking 3-D fish.
My approach to fish carving is minimalistic. I began using Cedar since I had a stack of half-rotted 4x4s. I simply cut the good parts out and set them aside to dry thoroughly. Cedar carves well and looks good with a natural finish.
I've also used fir posts and beams to carve from as well. When a Dogwood tree blew over last year, I cut it up and after a bit, began eyeing the pieces as possible carving material. This was the source of two of my carvings of trout emerging from limbs (Fish Gallery 2). Later I found driftwood works well also.
I've since bought a bandsaw, added a flexible shaft to my Dremel and bought some carbide bits, but the tools remain fairly simple. I use hand chisels for a small portion of the carvings. I've also picked up a copy of "The Breakthrough Guide to Fish Carving" - this is a treasure trove of information.
I have a long ways to go, but the journey, so far, has been sheer joy.
WOOD WORKING (circa 2001):
Ah...working with wood. I would have sworn (on just about anything you wanted) up until a few years ago, that I had no talent whatsoever for working with wood. Guess I was wrong. You never know until you try. Thank you Joseph for giving my first table saw.
TECH SHAMANISM (2003):
This grew out of a desire to take "Soul of the Machine" to a three-dimensional existence. I'd previously created "Tech Shrine #1" and "#2" several years ago (Tech Shrine #1 is part of Chemeketa Community College's art collection) - where I festooned the framed piece with circuitry. What evolution is in store for this series? I have no idea, but it oughta be interesting.
TRANSCENDENTAL CIRCUITRY (2005):
This series arose from exposure to a mixed media class I took in the first quarter of 2005 under the direction of Doug Dacar. I found the tools to begin truly merging circuit boards into a collaged background and the ideas continue to fester until they become reality.
The 'transcendental' portion of the series refers to the moving of circuit boards from a mere utility (or common) perception to a higher state of awareness...i.e. 'art'...where the usefulness is traded for an inherent beauty unintended by the creators of the original material.
TECH SHAMAN FETISHES (AUGUST 2005):
In progress....smaller...with the same essence as the masks...but more milli-amp hours per square inch.
Bowl Turning (2006):
Years and years ago, in a far, far distant time, I took Shop class in school. The only portion I enjoyed happened to be turning bowls on the lathe. After all this time, I have decided to re-explore the form. I purchased a Delta midi-lathe and have been making quite a pile of wood shavings. I might even get good at it someday........
Ceramics (2007):
This is an interest I really had never given any thought. In 2005 I took a few mixed media classes and the first was heavy in ceramic emphasis. As I explored the media, I began to see how ceramics could take my work yet a bit further and became intrigued. I somehow managed to luck into finding a kiln without really looking and now, the journey begins down THAT path.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
- "Something Red" show. Artists in Action, Salem Oregon. 2nd Place Mixed Media. December 2008
- Featured artist Fall 2008 Issue of BURST! E-Zine (http://burstwherethoart.com/issue-3.php)
- Second place, The Statesman-Journal/Mary Lou Zeek "Alter Ego" contest with Shaman Mask "Emergence". October 2006
- "Salmon: Intel Inside" and "Salmon: Reliquary" created for Salem's Salmon in the City project. 2005
- "Floating Point Unity" exhibited at Salem Salon 2005 exhibit March 2005, Bush Barn
- Cover artist for "Dark Moon Rising" e-Zine, October 2004
- Weekly exhibitor at Salem Saturday Market, Salem OR (1999,2000,2002,2003,2004,2005) and various other art venues.
- Featured artist June 2002 Dark Moon Rising e-zine (www.darkmoonrising.com)
- Featured artist at The Human Club Galleries (www.humanclub.com) 2001
- Featured artist for June 2000 at the Northern Exposure Gallery in Salem Oregon.
- Permanent Exhibit: Chemeketa College (Science and Technology Building): "Soul of the Machine". 1999
- The Evolution of Art - Digital Artists on Exhibit. Seaside, OR June 1999 Juried show.
- One man show - Salem Public Library, August 1996.
- Two man show (with Gus Frederick) at the Borland Gallery in Silverton, OR. January 1994, October 1995 and January 1996.
- Wirehead Virtual Media Gallerie (CD-ROM) published by quantum axcess 1994.
- My earlier fractal work can be found in the Waite Group Press books: "Fractal Creations 2nd Edition", 1993 and "Fractals for Windows", 1992.