More wax carving

For my senior studies class with Tim Lazure I had to design my own class to some extent. I was to come up with projects that I wanted to focus on that were relative to my senior show theme and that ties in with my work as a whole. As one of those components I wanted to really explore the wax carving technique and see what I can come up with. I told myself, (and Tim) that I would have atleast 6 carved and ready to be cast by the end of February. So far when I get the wax and tools out I love it and really get into it. However when the wax carving tool kit remains shut on my desk while I work on other things weighing me down my progress seems to suffer....strange huh?

Nonetheless, I think the little I have done so far is a start and I have plenty stirring in the sketchbook!

Electroforming = paint everything you can find in copper paint and see what happens

Electroforming has been a recent uplift in my studio. A new process that was introduced by Ken Bova in Contemporary Techniques. I heard and saw fellow students working with it last semester and have been interested since. However, when we were assigned the project  I came up with this idea that originally thought would be really great. I wanted to create a series of rings made from wax and other objects that I would collage together. (After they are completely painted in copper and set into the Electroforming bath for some hours they would be hollow copper basically). 

Long story short I just could not get into it and was not enjoying the process at all. Finally I decided to take a trip to the Dollar store then Michaels and see what funny little objects would inspire me. I picked up a bunch of random garden items, fake flowers and such at Michaels along with some plastic squishy grapes.

half painted with electrodag(copper conductive paint)

Lets just say that I ended up going back to Michaels 3 hours later and returned everything I had bought for more grapes.....or a whole bag full.

creative thoughts drowning in a never ending list of "to do's"

So I have a few different "projects" that I am working on these days in the studio at home and everywhere inbetween.... I have been super busy in there, if I am not working on the images you are about to see then I have been designing my resume, writing a business plan, learning to take "professional" photographs of my work, doing all my endless wedding planning that does not fit in well with a college student, making a website for the wedding, registering items for a house I don't have yet, meeting with graphic designers to do creative things on a computer, (things I finally realized I can't do by myself). applying to show after at show so people can actually see what I do all day in the art building, as well as learn portuguese as much as possible to communicate with this new family I am soon to be apart of.....All while trying to maintain a loving life with my family, friends, and fiance.

 It has been difficult to come to the studio, clear my mind and put away my to-do list. To sit down, and have creative, innovative thoughts. Sometimes, I get there and find myself accomplishing everything but the things I dreamed Id work on there the night before.....However, once I really get into it I never want to stop.

.....until my tummy growls.

Little Beauties I made for the Valentines Sale!