↓
 
P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell

Creating my artwork, work in progress & new work.

Post navigation

← Older posts

“Struggle to Rise” Triptych

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on March 24, 2023 by SandraMarch 24, 2023

I am making very halting progress on the “Struggle to Rise” triptych. This work is slow going at the best of times, but with spring coming the garden demands my time.

However I had some fun posing the wire armatures for photos. And I will continue to pose them as I progress with adding “flesh”. I probably will not flesh these figures out completely. At least my current though is leave some wire exposed, and to detail out only in partially for a more ravaged look. Or something like that … !

photo of first figure for "Struggle to Rise" triptych
photo 2 of first figure for "Struggle to Rise" triptych
photo 3 of first figure for "Struggle to Rise" triptych

I imagine a low relief textured base for the three panels, but I also like the idea of using more of my potholes. One possibility is to create the relief in clear or very slightly tinted resin over pothole photo prints. This will be a lot of work, as I think I would need to create full silicone mold the size of the panels. But I could just use the same mold for each panel, making three casts. Each could be tinted differently, and I can embed different items in each one, and I could even alter the mold a bit each time by adding silicone. And of course use different pothole photos for each. Maybe I have a plan, TBD.

Meanwhile the “Struggle to Rise” triptych parts occupy my main work table, and beg for more attention.

The above photo has “flesh” of a permanent material, but the head is only oil based clay, and like our heads, is too fragile! I must make a real head for figure number one, and get on with the next figures.

Share
Posted in My Art

The Way of All Flesh

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on February 20, 2023 by SandraFebruary 20, 2023

I have a 12″ wire armature for experimenting with the way of all flesh! The wire and some epoxy clay form the figures bones, and now to try methods for wrapping this figure in flesh. I want something satisfying (to me) and also translucent enough that I can see the “bones” showing through with the right lighting. My thought is to wrap this figure with stiffened fabric or paper, but this is all an experiment for me.

I started with stiffened synthetic gauze curtain fabric, dipped in a craft fabric stiffener. This fine polyester or nylon mesh has too much body, and did not conform well to my attempts to wrap it. I did not try applying smaller pieces, as it seems quite difficult to work with, and I want to try other materials. Here are photos of this first experiment with flesh:

Next I experimented with tissue paper, and used acrylic matte medium instead of fabric stiffener. The matte medium dries more quickly, and may be more flexible when dry. The tissue paper is extremely delicate when wet, so I doubled it over just to pick it up and wrap it around the figure. It also tends to wrinkle and cling before I have it in position, so I was unable to keep it at the initial double layer. That makes it more opaque than I would like. I really want more light through. I may need to use more wire to bulk out the figure and work with wider shorter strips of paper. Here are some photos of this effort:

The fabric I used first went the way of all flesh, and I may try removing the tissue paper also… TBD.

Share
Posted in My Art

The Thin Ones Struggle to Rise

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on February 14, 2023 by SandraFebruary 19, 2023

Still working very slowly toward a new work which may be called Struggle to Rise. Three armatures are now getting a few more wire bones, and I call them The Thin Ones for now. The Thin Ones Struggle to Rise, and I struggle to decide how to flesh them out! I could stay with the known quantity of Apoxie Sculpt, but that really feels a bit tame.

So what about using paper clay and building up the base and the figures? Or I could try to create somewhat translucent figures using a sort of paper mache with clear acrylic medium, perhaps with rice paper. It could be pretty wonderful to have the wire armature show through in good light. Now that really interests me… but how do I actually do that?

Somehow I am barely managing an hour or two a day on this project, but that will have to be enough for now. There is so much work to be done in the yard and in the home,some visitors to enjoy now as the days lengthen and the weather improves. And of course exercise to be taken daily. My walks always generate photos, and then I must sort, delete, and categorize these for posting and printing.

I have made a fourth, smaller and slightly different, armature in order to experiment with materials. This armature is more rigid, with a predetermined standing position; I did use some Apoxie Fixit to lock it together and cover some sharp ends of wire. The bones are done, so now to add a bit of experimental “flesh” of some sort!

But I make my dimensional hands on art mandatory too, and so the thin ones struggle to rise, and will eventually succeed, I believe.

Share
Posted in My Art

Armatures Struggle to Rise

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on January 31, 2023 by SandraFebruary 3, 2023

I have a tentative plan for my next work, in which three full relief dimensional figures will be mounted on three flat panels. The plan is for three panels that will hang side by side on a wall, with the figures emerging from them.

At the moment I think of this work as “Struggle to Rise”, but that may well change! However there is no doubt that the armatures struggle to rise! I am trying a new very particular method to make 18″ wire armatures, and I am not proficient. My armatures struggle to rise! Two done, one more to go…

Wire armature figure lying resting on one elbow

And then there were three! I created the third “person” a bit differently, in two halves joined along the spine. I was struggling with twisting, and hoped this would work better. But it was not necessarily easier, as joining them up required considerable care to ensure that the two halves match up correctly for a symmetric result!

Share
Posted in My Art

Not Out of the Woods Yet is Signed and Sealed

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on January 13, 2023 by SandraJanuary 31, 2023

My most ambitious sculpture to date is finished, now that Not Out of the Woods Yet is Signed and Sealed!

All that is really left to do is a good photo shoot of the final finished work. I think I can do better than this, but I need a better backdrop, careful lighting, and just a lot more attention to the angles! Here are a few results from a new photo shoot:

This brand new artwork is not for sale yet: I need a little time to myself with the finished piece. I always need that if the work is authentically new to me. At the moment this is single three part artwork (with label), but each section can stand alone. So when it is time for me to sell this, I may be willing to sell this as three separate mixed media sculptures.

The base of this is sturdy wood, and the dimensions as a single three part artwork are 25″ wide by 20″ deep by 25″ tall.

I still play with a few things that are removable and can be changed around: one figure caries a padlock and key on a chain, another padlock hangs from a tree. I have found a finer more delicate chain than the gold one in the photo above! Another figure caries its very own “pothole”. Currently the grey figure wears a key on fine chain and carries a feather. But these items are not permanent parts of this installation, at least for now.

Background and About Not Out of the Woods Yet

I walk daily, and think it saves my soul and my body. I see interest and beauty all around, and take many photos. During the shutdowns and cautious times of the COVID pandemic I started to enjoy the poorly maintained roads in my small town. These inspired a photo series: The Surprisingly Artistic Potholes of Port Townsend.

In this piece three thin hollow chested figures walk the streets, wading across the Potholes of Port Townsend, or perhaps the potholes of Anytown. Here pennies grow on trees, to fill these potholes, but the figures have other more serious concerns as they stride forward. They walk to face all the challenges of life, and they are Not Out of the Woods Yet.

I have chosen sculpture, and these mediums, because I want my work to be, and to feel, strong. This work requires a three dimensional presence.

Please consider this as a sneak preview: this piece is new, and not yet for sale. I need to keep it close for a while, until I have fully considered its impact. But if you are interested in purchasing it, please let me do know. It will probably be for sale within the year.

I am already thinking on to the next one … I have something in mind that I hope to bring to fruition. And it may be another, rather different, triptych. And another major challenge!

Share
Posted in My Art

Resin Pour for Not Out of the Woods Yet

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on January 6, 2023 by SandraJanuary 6, 2023

I have finished the resin pour for Not Out of the Woods Yet: glossy resin covers the Surprisingly Artistic Potholes of Port Townsend of the three sections. This is a major milestone and the final significant phase. It should be all detailing and touch up now!

I will need a bit more resin here and there for the sanded edges, scratches, and patchy spots; these will get a thin resin coat that I plan to rub on (with gloved hands!). The pouring was quite the ordeal and there is always the risk of somehow ruining months of work. Resin can be rewarding, but it is not fun. I am so relieved to get this far. No real disasters, although one section sprung major leaks and was quite a pain to deal with. However all three pours were ultimately successful.

Share
Posted in My Art

Not Out of the Woods Yet is Back

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on December 18, 2022 by SandraDecember 18, 2022

My current slowly progressing art project, Not Out of the Woods Yet is back on the worktable. It is indeed still not out of the woods yet, but is getting closer! I decided that two backdrops are required. These will fit onto the long sides of two sections, and will mirror the base shape and imagery.

Because I am me, I needed to work out the material (thin plywood), and tweak the imagery to soften & fade it out a bit. In between acquiring and wrapping Christmas presents, I get only a bit of artwork done most days. Today I cut out the plywood shapes, despite wet sawhorses, cramped working space, and cold sleety weather!

I need to reprint & cut the imagery, and then choose different images from The Surprisingly Artistic Potholes of Port Townsend. These will go on the backs of my backdrops, since these could be visible when the work is on display. Hear is the sneak peek at the progress to date!

Share
Posted in My Art

Three Figures Finally Shape Up

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on November 28, 2022 by SandraDecember 6, 2022

I have been working in my studio, plugging away on a project that has been ever so slow to take shape. I often do start an art project without a final vision, and this current sculpture project is no exception. But now I have fixed on a final shape, and the work progresses daily my three figures finally shape up!

This is a three part sculpture, each being valid alone, but designed to fit together for a stronger impact. My working title is “Not Out of the Woods Yet”, and I hope it works on several levels. Here are currently available previews:

There is still plenty more work to do on this, but I know how to mount everything. Well that should be “sort of”, as it is still tricky to get the figures mounted without too much clutter & mess. I did not plan adequately, but now I do know that I can figure it out.

I still have not selected the pothole to be printed and applied to the last section, but it may be one with my own shadowy reflection prominent. There are several of these to choose from, and so many other favorite potholes also!

I finished the first figure in July, but I didn’t finished the third tree until earlier this month. By then I had part of the final plan. However I only came up with the three part sectional base with Surprisingly Artistic Potholes of Port Townsend in the middle of November, and now my three figures finally shape up!

Update on 12/6: The second section is now fully attached, with the mounting epoxy on the figure officially cured later today. She is stepping right in the mud! I will need to finesse this section a bit, and decide if there will be few more details added. Then on to the next one!

Share
Posted in My Art

Sometimes Photography is Easier

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on November 4, 2022 by SandraNovember 4, 2022

Sometimes I get stalled on an art project, and I can procrastinate tackling the issues. Sometimes photography is easier! It is creative and seductively convenient: no muss, no fuss! I just click away. There is the need to transfer and sort images, which is tedious, but easy enough. And I can get lost for hours with a bit of digital touch up or major transformations. Am I just wasting my time? Ah, that is not possible; how can we waste time? What is or is not a “waste”?

I enjoy my images, and perhaps that is sufficient. Here are two of my slightly touched up photos with the more heavily manipulated versions. The last image is a seasonal “leaf print” on a sidewalk, also cleaned up a bit …

Share
Posted in Digital, My Art, Photography

Not Out of the Woods Yet

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on October 26, 2022 by SandraOctober 26, 2022

It is possible that Not Out of the Woods Yet is the work in progress that has been pending all too long. I have finally completed one of three planned trees to accompany my three Walkers: the three heartless? walking figures I completed about two months ago. This title came to me recently, and may help me bring this artwork to completion! I do hope so!

This work has been problematic: full of uncertainty and difficult to implement. I have had to repair two of the figures because the material is applied so thinly over the armature, and the figures are not yet mounted or stable standing up. The trees take time, and I find working on them somewhat unsatisfying, but I have recently added something that interests me more. Do you like the recent addition of old pennies as symbolic leaves?

However there are more trees to complete, and then the environment for these figures. So I am not out of the woods yet!

Share
Posted in My Art

Post navigation

← Older posts

PTArtist Sandra Stowell

I sell directly, and at Saatchi online. Prints are available at Saatchi, and the sales links listed below. Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or about a purchase.
  • About Making Art
  • Contact Me
  • Artist Statement

Browse My Art

  • My Art Gallery
  • SandraStowell.com More art!
  • Surprisingly Artistic Potholes of Port Townsend Digital photo series

Buy my Art

  • Art at Saatchi Online Select originals & prints.
  • On RedBubble Products Extensive clothing line & more!
  • On Zazzle Products More products with my art & patterns
  • On Society6 Products Art on shirts, mugs, & more!

Contact me

  • Contact Me Email me please!

Recent Posts …

  • “Struggle to Rise” Triptych
  • The Way of All Flesh
  • The Thin Ones Struggle to Rise
  • Armatures Struggle to Rise
  • Not Out of the Woods Yet is Signed and Sealed

Browse by Category

  • About my art
  • Craft Projects
  • Designed Products
  • Digital
  • Drawing
  • Ephemeral
  • Exhibitions
  • Experimental
  • Hidden images
  • My Art
  • Painting
  • Photography
  • Printmaking
  • Ramblings
  • Sculpture
  • Sketchbooks

All images copyright Sandra Stowell unless otherwise attributed - Weaver Xtreme Theme
↑
Share