Machell's Commons - Public Art on a Private Fence: Pt 2

I've been telling you about the fence project that I was commissioned to create based on the concept given to me by my client Klaus.

(follow this link for the previous fence-related post public-artwork-on-private-fence-pt-1.html )

Klaus' letter to the editor concerning the fence was published this week in the Dec. 4th issue of The Auroran, the local paper..

 A local high school student, Laurel Cook,  decided to make a 10min documentary for her film class about the fence as well. I was interviewed in my studio last week for it. Her due date is Dec 17th so I hope to see the results soon.

The project began in May 2012 and we installed the completed figures on November 13th, 2012. It was very cold. We even had a few snowflakes and then a bit of rain, but we were anxious to complete the project.

To briefly recap, I drew characters for the fence, creating life-size templates for them out of paper which Klaus took and used as his guide to cut the shapes out of wood. Once cut, with the edges sanded, they came back to me for priming on  both sides and then painting into their final colour. In addition I had washers to paint in rustproofing primer, two sides, and the heads of bolts to paint to match the characters so when they were inserted into their body they would not be visible. As an added visual treat, Klaus requested I paint about 30 washers in a bright colour so when he saw the fence from the house he'd see bright dots on his fence since the whole installation is not on the interior of the fence but on the exterior, overlooking a local public park and tennis club.

getting ready to install the characters on the fence

all present and accounted for

To install we drilled strategically placed holes (never in the face/head!)

hole in arm ok

who could drill into this face?!

Klaus then went inside the fence, to his property, while I stayed on the outside facing the public space. I inserted the matching bolt, added a rustproofed washer and then we fed the bolt though the fence slats where Klaus had a brightly painted washer to thread onto the bolt and then he added a nut and tightened the whole thing up.

Klaus did this freehand drilling that freaked me out a bit

but it looked like he'd done this kind of thing a lot, so I stopped worrying

It took a few hours, especially as people stopped by to talk to us about what we were doing. Most times I made them work a bit too: holding things up so I could step back to see the composition

as well as helping me pass tools back and forth to Klaus over the fence.

Klaus and his trusty wrench

Slowly it came together until it was finished. Three animals weren't included in the final layout this time round: the earthworm, the snail and the porcupine. We plan to change it up in the spring.

Once done, I headed to the backside of the installation and touched up the backs of the animals that peeped over the fence. Several figures are double-sided so Klaus and his wife can enjoy them from their windows.

back of chorusline birds

painted washers

 As well, his idea to paint the washers was brilliant! I LOVE the coloured dots here and there. I think there is a future art project to be done with the washers only.

What is missing are the two thought bubbles and the one word bubble. In time, these characters will be expressing themselves. Klaus is considering what he wants to say/what they could say.

For now, he is content to have only the name of the piece there. It is called Machell's Commons. This is a take of the original name for the town of Aurora, where this artwork lives. It was called Machell's Corner. The fence depicts a gathering area, or commons, when there was not as much development and more wildlife. The joy of spaces and the joy of nature. When the natural environment was more stimulating and interesting.

Machell's Commons  20' x 6' fence with painted wood figures
with Klaus Wehrenberg and Katie Argyle

The unexpected on Advent Day 7

 Door 7 strategically placed near the numbers 5 and 6. 

Clever.

 2 characters on 1 square. 

I like this new graphic.

The 5 pointed star that is Patrick Starr. 

Yum.

Public Artwork on a Private Fence: Pt 1

 

One of the most elaborate projects I've worked on happened for me this year.

Machell's Commons  painted wood animals installed on a 20' stretch of private fence, facing a public park (with owner Klaus)

This project started in May and we wrapped it up mid-November. If you've ever doubted the power of showing your work as an artist at a farmers' market, well, without me doing that I would never have had the opportunity to work with Klaus Wehrenberg and to help bring his vision of creating some visual interest in an otherwise bland suburban environment. It was a delight for me all year long to hear his views on art and stimulating environments vs. what we have by default as there is precious little attention being given to this kind of stuff in our communities. Nevermind! We were out to do a little something about it.

At the back of Klaus' property is this fence. Here it is as it existed in May. This was our canvas.

Klaus showed me that he had already made a few artistic interventions by adding these mushroom shapes to the tops of the fenceposts, but he wanted more.

When I met Klaus in the market for the first time, he told me he had been searching for the right artist, one who could "do funny animals".
"Oh, I can do funny animals", I said.
In addition he was looking for an artist comfortable with colour.
Again, that works for me.

His concept was already well thought out. He really needed someone to help bring it into the world. After some discussion over what animals he would like to depict on the fence I did some preliminary drawings. Usually I just do a pencil sketch, but he needed full colour.

Once we were agreed, the next step was for me to make the paper templates in the true size of the finished character. I had 19 animals to create on paper. Klaus would then take my templates and cut them out of wood.

Here are some of the templates

Fast forward to late August. Here is the pile of wood critters ready to be primed before they can be painted. I have to say that when Klaus handed me the wooden figures the edges were superb. Turns out he's a woodworker with an expert touch. The edges were a thing of beauty, but functionally they were rounded to help facilitate the shedding of the rain (snow and ice) off all the surfaces.

 This project required that the wood be sealed as best we could since it is an outdoor installation. In addtion, one side of the wood was primed grey, one side white and all the washers and the heads of the bolts were also primed to protect from the weather. The UV rays are another kettle of fish. At least if things fade they will fade in unison.

Here are the rabbits before

and after being primed

Here's the back of the beaver showing  the primed washers too.

To be continued...

Thinking about the apocalyse. it's soon isn't it? Advent Day 6

I was stopped at a red light this morning and right there, in downtown suburbia, I recalled that the apocalpyse is supposed to be soon, isn't it? December something 2012, right?

As I looked around me the traffic started to inch forward and all the SUV's, all the mid size cars, the odd Smart car and the few, very very few, pedestrians bundled up in their winter finest all seemed so calm.

I don't think anyone is worried about the end of the world, I thought to myself.

And me? I was trying to track down a printer for $49.99. I think if it was the end of the world, I wouldn't be tracking down a printer.

I might be in the car though. That's possible. And I'd probably abandon the Spongebob Advent Calendar at yesterday's discovery.

But since I feel no reason to do The Most Important Thing, I went ahead and opened Day 6.

my day was filled with frustration, as shown here by the tab I ripped trying to get the little door open

2nd one like this

and another Gary. I wish the chocolate tasted different today too.

5 days of opening little cardboard doors: The Spongebob Advent Calendar continues.

peek - a - boo

I see

you.

Wrestling with my print: I win.

I headed off to the studio again, determined to face that print and finish it.

yesterday's print overtop of today's inked palm tree block burnished until the ink showed through but not until the paper ripped

I inked up the second block and very carefully placed it on top of yesterday's printed background. I flipped the block over so it was underneath the paper and started to burnish. I could see the inky lines start coming through so I knew it would be a good print.

paper on top; inked woodcut beneath it

After peeking at the image and going over areas that were lighter so the image would be even, I was ready to see the whole thing.

Skyline     12" x 12" woodcut monoprint  2012

And here's the complete print. Two blocks printed, one on the other. The background block was twice the size as the carved palm tree block.

It feels fantastic to be getting to my Key West projects, all a result of my memorable time spent in residency at The Studios of Key West in February.  I'd say it's perfect timing to turn my mind to this subect matter. The snow was flying today and we're in for our first deep freeze tonight.

A rusty and irritable first go at making prints again.

I started the day with a visit to Yoffee Coffee. I don't have a coffee maker in my studio yet so this is where I've decided to go for now. It's on my way up to my studio so it convenient, and yes, it is all because of the name. And it looks like I'll be getting free coffees in no time, especially if I don't get that coffeemaker.

My neighbour in the garage where my studio lives was telling me that this year it's going to be cold in there. I am in an enclosed room with two heaters, both given to me to keep me warm. One is called the Microfurnace. So far it does the trick. I just got a clock for the studio and it has a temperature feature on it which will come in handy. When I left it was 14C/57F in there. About 7C/45F in the garage outside my door. So long as it stays above freezing my supplies will be ok. I sure hope it doesn't get to that. Anyway. I'm not cranky about the temperature situation. It's not a surprise and it's still warmer than an EZ UP canopy outside this time of year.

paper, rulers, inspirational image, microfurnace, pens, blocks

Today's job was to reacquaint myself with making prints. It's all I've been thinking about. I've been anxiously meeting all my deadlines, finishing commissions, wrapping up the year, all to get to this point. I have one woodblock carved that was meant to be printed overtop of another larger block. I've proofed the carved block, back in the spring, and today I was going to make the background print and then tomorrow print on top of it.

template for my print paper and woodblock positioning

Figuring out my layout took over half an hour. Tearing the paper was irritating and I didn't tear enough as I had to stop mid printing and tear more. Of the 4 I made, 2 were suited to today's task.

inks, spreaders, small sponges and q-tips (don't like these I decided) gloves, brayer and glass

I inked my block. I burnished it and it went well. I approached the print block and the ink more like paint and canvas, and that bugged me. I wanted to just switch over into print mode but it's not like that. I'm going to have to feel it out again.

block ready for printing

paper on inked block

I was working on my tabletop on the floor. I've lost a connector pin to attach one of the four legs to my table. I tested this table before I brought it over there so, where did that go? The legs are IKEA, circa 2002 - the date the table was made is on  its underside. I will be replacing them, but not this week. I'm just on the floor.

part one, done.

I am showing you the best of 3 prints. It was the 1st one. The second is weak and muddy. And the third one shifted on me as I placed it, so it's not good for this project. Maybe something else.

I have to work out how best to use that room. I need to efficiently lay out my space. I'll be crankier about it the more I use it because I'll know what just isn't right. I don't want any kind of delay, any learning curve. I just want to be in the work, you know? It's going to take some time, but at least I have started again.

Advent-ures: Day 4 of 32.

Day Number Four.

Open the little door.

Chocolate once more,

with Gary as decor.

Nickelodeon Chocolatiers, you are on notice! Day 3 of the Spongebob Squarepants Advent Calendar Adventure.

Door number 3,
for day number 3
on my advent calendar
promised a lot

I hoped to see something
amazing,
mysterious,
mind-boggling

  
Ok.
So there's Spongebob
with a Santa hat.

He is
infectiously
cheerful.

But it's Mr. Krabs.
Again! Day 3 and already a repeat?
Come on Nickelodeon chocolatiers!
You can do better.

Advent adventure: 2nd day. I realize my day begins with a tiny chocolate bite.

I woke up realizing that each morning for the next few weeks will start out with a tiny embossed chocolate square.

There you are Day #2. I see you.

I don't usually start my day like this. But would I save it for later?
 Would I delay opening the tiny portal to see what's hiding below??

Patrick decorates himself as a Christmas tree.

I think not. 

Truthfully, were I in sunnier climes, that chocolate would melt in a flash. You'd better just down it or it'll be a sticky-finger memory. It's really just a taste. Not even a bite.

Today's surprise is Mr. Eugene Krabs. I often make a Christmas Crab brooch. Sometimes earrings too. I am getting excited by these tiny forms left behind when the chocolate comes out.

2 down. 30 to go.

My Bob l'Eponge Advent Calendar Adventure!! Day One.

On a whim I purchased a SpongeBob Squarepants / Bob L'Eponge Advent calendar for $2 from the local dollar store. I've never had an advent calendar. Being one to try new things I am fully engaging with this calendar.

I'll post each day's special surprise.

Today we have Spongebob as a Christmas tree on the back of the piece I punched out to get at the small cheap chocolate square which has a raised Squidward design diagonally across its surface. It struck me that I now have a (flimsy) mold of a Squidward as well. I may get more out of this than chocolate and joyful surprises!

I Finally Made A Calendar!

It's only taken me about 10 years of wanting to create a calendar to finally get the job done. This summer I painted for the Burr House Tea Room and I thought those paintings would be great for a kitchen calendar. I got to work and created this:

There a few copies available locally at the Burr House Craft Gallery. But if you are not in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, I am happy to mail you one. They are $20.00 each and you can pay me through paypal. Please email me at katieargyle@yahoo.ca and I can send you the details.

(BTW books are not far behind...)