Copper Blog

CAC Teen Apprentices

This past week we had the opportunity to have the Teen Apprentices from the CAC stop by our studio for a guided tour. This was both the first time we opened our studio to a group of students and the first time we were placed in a teacher role. Needless to say, we were a bit nervous but excited to have young eager minds take part in what we have worked so hard at creating over the past few years.

As most students in a new and unfamiliar place they were a bit shy but it only took us asking a few questions to get them to start talking art. We learned that they were painters, sculptors, passionate drawers, and all of them loved the idea of using recycled materials, a staple in the creation of Copper Art Designs. After learning each student’s strengths and weaknesses we moved our discussion to the gallery which quickly turned to a wonderful brainstorm session. We were able to help provide insight and ideas for their upcoming art event that is completely planned and put on by the students themselves.

Through out the afternoon it became apparent that there really is a desire and need for more art in our area. Our high school students are searching for any outlet where they can be creative, learn techniques, and show off their ideas. We were happy to grant them a safe haven for the evening where they could talk freely about the abstract and absurd, even a bit of the classics for good measure.

We hope this is only the beginning of sharing our passion for art with students and fellow artists alike. The Teen Apprentices showed us there is a pulse still beating at the center of our community. It is asking for collaboration, it is begging to learn and share, it wants to feel cultured and loved and we plan to help in any way that we can.

The Teen Apprentice Program will host their event on Friday, May 28th at the CAC. The event will be centered around their own artwork and will also include an open mic, live bands, Guitar Hero on the big screen, and an art raffle. It is sure to be a good time, one that you don’t want to miss, or in their words it is certain to be EPIC!

-Douglas

Another Attempt at the Boardwalk Art Show

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

Stream of Conscious Mapping from the Abyss

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

Whelk

Whelk, you asked for it. A shell of epic proportions that will be part of our salute to nature series which we hope to debut at the Boardwalk Art Show in Virginia Beach this summer.

Whelk 24″ x 36″

A marvel of nature’s design this large shell etched in wonderful detail gives a look at the patterns that rest along the salty blue ocean floor.

The Boardwalk Art Show will be taking place June 18th-21st. You should make some time to check it out if you are in the area. If we are fortunate enough we will be there to greet you and give you a first hand look at all the wonderful art you have been seeing on our blog and website. Stay Tuned for more new art from the studio.

- Douglas

Viva la Vino

The Contemporary Art Center is getting ready for their 18th Annual Wine By Design night, on February 27, 2009. The evening honors Mal Vincent, the film critic for The Virginian Pilot,  and the theme for the event is a mix of red-carpeted movie culture, and of course, plenty of fine west coast wine. There is also a silent auction featuring original art, and Hollywood and wine related items. We created a piece in the spirit of the event to donate to the auction entitled, “Soirée a la Chateau Animaux” (or “Party at the Animal House“). If you live in the Virginia Beach area, come out and support the arts while you enjoy a night of live music, Hollywood glamor, and great California wine tasting.

For tickets or more info about the event, visit this link: http://www.cacv.org/events/WBD.asp

“Soirée a la Chateau Animaux”, 12″ x 22.5″, etched copper with poplar frame.

A play on words in the most literal sense “Soirée a la Chateau Animaux” portrays a sophisticated evening of fine wine and fun in full swing. Personalities of the party guests are emphasized by the animals they reflect. We get to explore the idea that when our inhibitions are lowered or even before they are compromised we all may very well have animated character traits of the most primal nature. Do you see yourself at the party or have you just not shown up yet?

- J. Patch