Newsletter Archives - Pacific Northwest Sculptors

Share the extraordinary.

I believe in synchronicity. When I’m working on a project, creating and solving the problem is part of the process. Exposing myself to a range of possibilities helps me find the unique solution to those problems.

Identifying possibilities is where things can fall into predictable patterns. My perpetual goal is to break out of predictability. “Garbage in, garbage out” is not much different than “predictable in, predictable out.” While in art school, one of my insanely creative instructors constantly encouraged us to find unrelated input, read unrelated articles, explore new experiences, participate in disparate conversations. The result, he said, would provide the spark to launch an idea in a fresh direction.

That advice has served me well for decades. I always seek random information wherever I can. It’s how I manage my own creative process. I scan every resource for new information, visuals, techniques, materials.

All this brings me to one of the basic benefits of an active membership in PNWS. We all have our own sources of information. And since we are such an ecliptic group, those collective sources represent an incredible reference library of knowledge.

Our monthly “Who’s Doing What” articles are an interesting mix of concepts, styles, materials, etc. But, beyond that, we all observe a broad range of images and ideas every day. We all experience inspiration through examples of others’ work. Sharing those observations can provide the spark another member is seeking.

My challenge to everyone is simply this: If you see something interesting, unusual, outrageous, unique, inspired, incredible (you get the idea) share it with the rest of us in the form of a short article. Something as simple as an image and a sentence will do. Post it to your personal page on our site. If the response to this request is sufficient, we may add another feature to the monthly newsletter. Or, this can become an ongoing idea bank through our News – PNWS forum accessible through your profile page on our website.

Next steps: Keep your eyes open. When you see something, think beyond your immediate need and share what you’ve seen with the rest of the group. Let’s set a new standard: “Extraordinary in, extraordinary out!”

Oregon Potters Association show visit

I attended the Oregon Potters Association show on Sunday, May 7^th, in the afternoon. This was the first since the wave of COVID washed over everyone. The show was in the same space as I remember last time yet seemed smaller as the other guilds did not have as much representation.

There were many of the traditional items one would expect at a ceramic show and much more. I managed to take over 100 pictures some of which I will share below.

Check out more of Ms. Wocasek’s work at
@littletailceramics • Instagram photos and videos

You can see more of his work at
Kendall Jones (kendalljonesartist.com)

The Return of the Salmon Child
Michael Simmons

“Photosynthesis #2”
See more of her work at
Kirsten Page Bennett (@kirstenpagebennett) • Instagram photos and videos

Babette Harvey
Check out more of her work at
www.babetteharvey.com

These are just a few of the marvelous works presented. If you have not attended this show then I strongly recommend you plan to do so next year. Even I found something to purchase

Nancy Yturriaga Adams
Home | Nancy Yturriaga Adams Clay Artist (nancyadams.net)

More details on NFT’s

Thank you to those of you who attended the meeting this month. While Dan Fine shared an overview about Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT’s). I am digging in to learn more.

Here are some additional sources of information of the ins and outs of NFT’s. Right now I am reading up on how to start this process. I thought you might like to read some of what I have discovered .

OpenSea, one of the largest market has a unique vantage point as they’ve seen nearly every NFT-related project that has come online since late 2017. Has published an in-depth article titled “The Non-Fungible Token Bible: Everything you need to know about NFTs”

Here is an article, with video, interviewing people who not crypto ‘experts’ or ‘zealots’ about their exploration and use of NFT’s Crypto isn’t just for bros: Meet the mothers entering the market (nbcnews.com)

Then we have artists like Karen Shidlo who writes “…graduate of Pratt Institute, a private school ranked 7 in the world for Art and Design Universities. As a young woman, I had dreams of being a painter, with my final pieces displayed in galleries all over the East Village… many artists with a traditional background like myself are skeptical of it (NFT’s)…” Her full article is “The potential in NFT’s for artist’s (even the traditional ones)”

From this article I expect to start a thread, conversation, on our forums on this topic to share other observations and welcome each of you.

Augmented Reality Exhibition Opportunity for Your Real-World Physical Sculpture in Public Sculpture Park

You have the opportunity to participate in a cutting-edge sculpture exhibition that is anticipated to be the first of its kind in the world: An Augmented Reality exhibition of real-world sculptures that will be virtually displayed via an app onto a real-world outdoor pedestal in a beautiful forested public sculpture park setting. Your preparation steps can be done simply and remotely from your studio or wherever your physical sculpture is currently located, with no requirements for travel or onsite installation. This unique ongoing show comes with many artist benefits including public exhibition at a popular sculpture park, association with a whole new way of experiencing sculpture, marketing of you, zero commission on sales (100% to artist), and no additional costs beyond the entry fee. We seek unique, exciting artistic visions that will enthrall viewers through both your original sculpture and this new interactive way of experiencing your art. Sculptures will be exhibited in small groups and rotated over time, with the possibility of making repeat appearances.

Up to 10 selected artists will each be paid a $500 honorarium for your participation. As an added bonus, only Pacific Northwest Sculptors members will receive a 50% discount on the entry fee. Follow the entry instructions, just pay $15 ($30 for non-members), and include a note that you are a PNWS member.

Price Sculpture Forest (www.SculptureForest.org) is Where Art Enhances Nature and Nature Enhances Art. We are a 501c3 nonprofit public sculpture park and nature preserve set within a mature native Pacific Northwest habitat north of Seattle, Washington. Visitor and media reception to the sculpture experience has been terrific and is continually growing, with art lovers strolling among the exhibited sculptures and walking paths throughout the year.

Your real-world physical sculpture will be digitally transformed for onsite display by a technology startup company we are partnering with. A custom Augmented Reality phone app has already been created specifically for this exhibition at Price Sculpture Forest. Visitors will download the app onsite (free WiFi is provided) and be able to view your sculpture via a QR code on your sculpture plaque that shows your name and sculpture title. The visitors can then see your high-resolution sculpture on the pedestal seamlessly placed within the visual context of the entire area, background, and people there. They can walk around your sculpture to see it from all angles and view it up close or from a distance. They can even stand by your sculpture and take a picture with it. The app will include artist information about you plus links to your website and social media for additional information, contact, and sales inquiries.

The behind-the-scenes technology we have developed for digitizing your sculpture is complex, yet the steps needed from you have been optimized to be both quick and simple. We will provide straightforward step-by-step instructions plus be available to help by phone or email, if needed. You basically just need a good quality high resolution video camera (most modern smartphones will work), good even lighting all around your sculpture if possible, and the ability to upload a large video file to a website. We handle everything else for you from there.

We are looking for sculptures that represent either of two specific themes, Nature Nurtured and Whimsy Way, as described in the prospectus. Go to https://SculptureForest.org/ARExhibition for more information and to apply.

Spacial Connections

My obsession with space continues. I have mentioned previously that in sculpture, space can create suspense. This month, I’d like you to consider space as a connector.

Here’s an analogy. An atom is about 99.9% empty space. All we really see is the remaining .1% of the atom. We are aware of matter, but not the void it encompasses. That void is full of information. Think, for a minute, about the space you fill during a day and what portion of that space you occupy with your body. Similar to an atom, your form takes up a small portion of your overall sphere of influence.

That sphere of influence is critical whether you’re an atom or a member of an organization. Your impact on the community around you is far broader than your physical presence.

So when we describe PNWS as a knowledge sharing community, we’re really talking about how we fill the space between us to share what we know, who we know, where to find, who to find. These are the kinds of topics we used to cover informally during our face-to-face meetings. Until those days return, which I hope is very soon, we rely on each other to bridge the space – to ask or respond to questions from fellow members.

The pandemic introduced us to a series of new habits. I am asking you to revive an old one. Connect with another member this week. Find someone whose work interests you. Send them a compliment and a question. Leverage your membership in PNWS to learn something new. And never underestimate the value of what you know. It might be exactly what someone is trying to figure out.

April 2022 Meeting With Art Wells

Bob Deasy first met Art several years ago in Lawerence, Kansas at a sculpture workshop. His work is amazing. He is very personable and easy to talk to.

Art’s philosophy regarding artwork is, “Fine art is food for the soul, and I strive to create something nourishing.” Art’s marble portraits and figures are considered by his peers to be world class. His works are held in private and corporate collections throughout the U.S. and abroad. His life size marble “Creation of Eve” was on exhibit in the Las Vegas Art Museum for 2 ½ years.

Here is a link to his You Tube channel where you can see some of his works. Art Wells – YouTube

Please be sure to join us for what will be an exciting evening.