Doug and I recently submitted our third Boardwalk Art Show application. Below you will find the images we submitted for our application. The funny thing about this application (and many others like it) is the fact that the artist gets only 300 characters, yes characters not words, to describe the materials and techniques used in creating the art. Regardless of the limitations to explain one’s work, we thought our description was concise and accurate not only with materials and technique but also in describing the intent of our work:
Copper sheet metal is cut into various shapes, colored with patina via oxidation, and displayed in hand crafted wood frames. This work explores how humans visually and conceptually reconcile the dichotomy of discrete and continuous data as it relates to nature and time.
I’ll try and post some explanations of the pieces soon. See ya’ll soon.
JSuar
↓ 365 Days – Etsy Listing
↓ Blue Alchemy – Sold
↓ 12 Month – Etsy listing
↓ Animal Line Work – All sold
Tagged: ART, art show, Boardwalk Art Show, CAC, Contemporary Art Center, copper, data, nature, patina, poplar, sculptures, seasons, temperature, wood
If we had to, in just a hundred characters or less, I guess we would explain the project some what like this:
“With scrap materials as building blocks, the tale of how storytelling and creativity was conceived.”
Well, that is a jumping off point at least though we would like to think there is much more at play here. These pieces started off as most of the projects John and I have worked on together, with a lot of ideas and not nearly enough time to execute them all.
Stream of Conscious Mapping from the Abyss is our initial attempt at a visual metaphor, sculpting how humans learned to express their inner emotions through stories. Early development and understanding hinged on our ability to interpret the world around us. Science, and more specifically math, helped to form the foundation of understanding. From there humans were able to abstract and create with the elements in their environment. These creations evolved into music, written stories, visual art, and many other forms not traditionally thought of as art. As human understanding grew and technologies progressed, humans slowly were able to start capturing and interpreting more and more of the world at large. In the modern day human creativity appears at a point that which building blocks are reaching new heights and pushing the bounds of expression. These pieces serve as the road map of how humans arrived at the door step of today.
The colorful collages are representations of the reaches of the human narrative. They are paired with pieces of “Remainder Art” as John and I have deemed them. Rough cut cardboard that has collected excess paint, glue, and lacquers used in the creation of other art projects. This pairing allows us to cleanly see the unknown happenings around us that, if given a chance, have at the heart of them what the human narrative is all about, life.
Unfortunately we did not get accepted into the exhibit this year. This could be seen as a let down but for us it was a chance to create that we were able to seize. Our collage of scrape materials now decorate our own studio walls waiting for their next evolution.
-Douglas
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Tagged: ART, CAC, cardboard, chaos, Collaboration, contemporary, Contemporary Art Center, creation, creativity, literature, math, narrative, nature, order, paint, patterns, text
As the sound of the new years bells slowly settle in the back of our heads our hands and minds are fighting the frost to keep art alive. This year we plan to take a new approach to our blogging. We will still keep up with our traditional posts showing off new copper work and updates about shows and events. Though, we want to focus on not only the art that we create but the art that is created in our community by friends and new acquaintances alike as well. As our fiends at AltDaily [altdaily.com] seem to point out on an almost daily basis, Hampton Roads is in need of a sustainable artist community!
Not that we are lacking talent and people with a sense of culture rippling through their veins, it is just not big enough yet. So in hopes that we can keep ourselves creative and inspire those around us we will be posting our attempts at poetry, short films, musical experiments, more artist documentaries, and various 2D artwork. If you have a project that helps us to think or question or that just simply allows us to take a step back and appreciate all the sights and sounds around us please let us know about it.
Stay tuned for what we, and what you, come up with!
Let’s not let the area go stale this winter, until we meet again,
-Douglas
Tagged: AltDaily, ART, blog, community, Hampton Roads
Near the end of 2009 we had an opportunity to work on award plaques for the Otis Film Festival held annually at Regent University. The awards were to be given to various winners at the festival in six different categories (see list below for award and award winners). Chris Free who participated in the festival was also in charge of finding the appropriate ceremonial gifts. He came to us looking for rustic and aged plaques which would honor the outstanding attempts at cinema at Regent.
We produced awards with a rough deep brown patina that gave them an antique look. We also allowed the fill of the etch (the text) to pull out in certain areas to add further effect. The final result was something very original and far from the ordinary plaques or trophies commonly given at award ceremonies.
We thank Chris for seeking us out to help in this project and we hope we can be of service in the future. Congratulations to all the winners at this years Otis Film Festival.
The Otis Film Festival is annually hosted by the Council of Graduate Students and Regent Undergrad Council.
BEST FILM
Brittle Time – Producer & Director: Caleb Stern, Writer: Michael Boling
2ND PLACE
Standing Outside – Producer: Christopher Free, Director: Joshua Overbay, Writer: Molly Hughes, Director of Photography: Benjamin Dyer
3RD PLACE
3. Sad Sarajevo – Producer: Stephanie Bain, Director/ Writer: Jon Mark Nail
BEST ACTOR
Ryan Clemens
BEST ACTRESS
Anna Koehler
MALENDOWSKI AWARD
Crab Feast or Famine – Producer/ Director: Kat Moo
-Douglas
Tagged: antique, awards, custom, festival, film, film festival, Otis, Regent University
Winter is upon us and we experienced that first hand just a few weeks ago when Doug, some close friends, and I traveled up to Washington DC one week before Christmas. The purpose of the trip was primarily to get out of VB for a bit, see some friends, enjoy the museums, and just have a good time — nothing too crazy. Doug and I also wanted to visit some of the Smithsonian Museum’s gift shops to get information about possibly selling our copper merchandise at the Museums (not much progress was made here though we’ll keep you posted). The photos below will give you an idea of what actually occurred that weekend. We had a great time and definitely appreciate our good friend Big Ben lodging and accommodating us for the weekend.
Stay tuned for more updates. Doug and I have a lot up our collective sleeve: marketing, film, art shows (hosting and visiting), new copper art, photography, collaboration, etc. See you all around.
JS
Tagged: blizzard, capital, friends, museums, Smithsonian, snow, travel, trip, Washington DC
Found out today our Ida bookmarks were included in one of the coolest Etsy treasuries I’ve seen yet. We love to see other artists out there exploring how Science and Art intersect and compliment each other.
Thanks to Fata, an an Etsy buyer “interested in things that meld science and art and useful stuff.” We encourage all the science geeks out there to check out the Natural Selections treasury. Treasuries only last for a few days. Head over to our Etsy Store to see our newest artwork.
Thanks for stopping by the blog!
JSuar
Tagged: ART, charles darwin, Darwinius, dinosaurs, Etsy, evolution, evolve, ida, illustration, je, jewelry, masillae, natural selection, science, shells, Treasury
The newest of our custom pieces was a big one that allowed us to work on something we had wanted to for a while, a welcome sign. Early in the companies evolution we had made a few welcome signs just experimenting and ever since we have wanted to take the time to do another one. After meeting Bob and Brigette in Blacksburg, Virginia this summer we soon realized we would get our chance.
At the Steppin Out Fesitval this August we had an opportunity to take on some custom jobs. Our favorite however turned out to be a 24” x 10” custom welcome sign that Bob and Brigette commissioned. It was to be for the entrance way to their house that serves as a foyer before you actually get into their home.
We worked to make a few modifications to the piece over the span of a month and finally had a solid image to work with. It came out perfect. Just recently Bob sent us a couple of photos of it finally in place. With time the piece will begin to patina and take on a unique character all its own. Thanks Bob and Brigette for letting us help with such a cool project.
If you are interested in a custom piece for your home or as a gift we would love to hear about it.
Till next time,
Douglas
Tagged: cabin, copper sign, custom, please come in, sign, welcome, welcome sign
Today we were included in another Etsy Treasury. A Copper Christmas (Treasuries only last for a few days. Head over to our Etsy Store to see our newest artwork.) was put together by WestCoastGlass and features some of their favorite copper work.
Thanks WestCoastGlass! Definitely check out their very cool glass work and jewelry.
JS
Tagged: Christmas, copper, Etsy, gifts, holidays, Treasury, WestCoastGlass
Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer gifts? We have just what you have been looking for. Forget the candy and the cheap trinkets and toys this year, let Copper Art Designs fill the Christmas stockings of your loved ones with pieces of art!
From bookmarks and bracelets to mini journals and coasters we have something for everyone. Or if you don’t see something you like at our table there will be dozens of other local artists and crafters at the show selling wonderful gifts as well. Check out the video below to get a better look at the items that will be on sale.
Happy Holidays from the Copper Art Designs Team, we hope to see you there!
Douglas
Tagged: ART, CAC, CAC Holiday Craft Sale, Christmas, Craft, Craft Sale, Family, gifts, Holiday, local, original, sale
