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Creative Collaborations

A Pacific Northwest Sculptors Online Exhibit

Sept 1 – Oct 30, 2022

Similar in theme to “Unmatched Pairs” from our group show in 2019 at the Multnomah Art Gallery, pairs of artists will present a piece demonstrating the power of creative collaboration from concept to completion. Additionally, each paired artist will also display one individual piece adjacent to the collaborative piece to give viewers a broader perspective of the interaction of their creative inspiration. Participants will create one collaborative piece, one individual piece.


Click square thumbnails once to view larger, full-sized images.
If you are interested in purchasing the art shown, please click on the artist’s name in the large view caption to email them directly.


Rick Crawford / Phil Seder

This tori bell form was designed in contemplation of the Hoichi Kurisu-designed Japanese garden surrounding Saffron Fields Vineyard where the artists gathered and conceived the work.

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Gaia Bell, Rick Crawford, Katy McFadden and Phil Seder, Steel, wood, ceramics, 60″ x 48″ x 36″, $4900
The Gaia name was embraced both in recognition of the earth elements: steel, wood and clay, composing the piece and the title of the collaborative summer 2022 show staged by the artists. Phil Seder developed the basic wood framework for the tori arch and its supporting wood elements, as well as forged metal hardware. Rick Crawford then used special tools to work and expose the grain of the old-growth fir elements, lending a deep organic character that integrates with rusted elements of the large oxygen tank that forms the bell. Finally, Katy McFadden’s ceramic highlights draw on rich earth-toned glazes to further harmonize the composition.

Gaia Bell, Rick Crawford/Katy McFadden/Phil Seder, Steel, wood, ceramics, 60″ x 48″ x 36″, $4900

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Port-Hole Slab #20, Rick Crawford, Repurposed Douglas fir, rust patina, steel base, paint, 17.5″ x 8″ x 3″, Website

Port-Hole Slab #20, Rick Crawford, Repurposed Douglas fir, rust patina, steel base, paint, 17.5″ x 8″ x 3″, NFS

Great Blue, Phil Seder, Forge steel and copper. Powder blue patina, Lifesize (approx 48” wingspan), $3000, Website

Great Blue, Phil Seder, Forge steel and copper. Powder blue patina, Lifesize (approx 48” wingspan), $3000

The collaborative challenges were three-fold: timing and exchange of the large elements, development and blending of the color pallet and attachment of ceramic elements to a composition that is primarily wood and metal. The first challenge was overcome through several van trips involving coastal clam chowder lunches. Blending of the color pallet was accomplished through use of techniques to darken the wood to better blend with the deep rust of the bell, as well as careful selection of ceramic glazes. Rust itself needed to be carefully managed since the newer forged fittings required matching with the very deep natural rust of the older tank. A concoction of hydrogen peroxide, salt and vinegar worked that magic.

The attachment of Katy McFadden’s ceramic pieces was perhaps the most discussed problem. Due to the size of the composition, the piece was designed to be completely disassembled for transportation. Phil developed the concept of vanity plates that hide the four bolts that secure each upright to the arched cross piece. These plates, along with the center pin holding the bell in place, served as the anchor point for the ceramics.

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Concept Sketch


George Heath / Chas Martin

This was a learning experience on several levels. We explored several ideas and experimented with various media before this idea emerged. In the process, we shared sketches, photos, created examples using Papier Mache, clay, wire, foil and more. When the final idea erupted, we researched techniques, shared photos and videos and finally went to work. There was more time in the thinking than the execution. All fun!

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Rising Tide, George Heath and Chas Martin, 13″x18″x18″, mixed media, $400

Rising Tide, George Heath and Chas Martin, 13″x18″x18″, mixed media, $400

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Fishhead, George Heath, Ceramic, 4-1/2″x4″x4″, $65

Fishhead, George Heath, Ceramic, 4-1/2″x4″x4″, $65

Impasse, Chas Martin, 12″x12″x8″, mixed media, $950

Impasse, Chas Martin, 12″x12″x8″, mixed media, $950

Process narrative, pictures, and sketches…

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Connie Colter / Bob Deasy

The collaborative vision was to illuminate our post-pandemic emergence back into the world. Our purpose was to show humankind’s indomitable hope and courage throughout the ages.

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Emergence, Bob Deasy and Constance Colter, Brown Onyx and Ceramic, 23″x12″x14″, $2585

Emergence, Bob Deasy and Constance Colter, Brown Onyx and Ceramic, 23″x12″x14″, $2585

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Transcendence, Connie Colter Bisque-Fired Ceramic, L 5.75 inches x W 16 inches x H 15.75 inches, $1,900, Website

The sculpture is entitled, “Transcendence.” Her expression captures the small and perfect moments in life in which the warmth of the sun on your closed eyes invokes a pure feeling of peace, joy, and hope. The piece began with an idea of a girl’s face lifted to the sun with arms spiraling upwards and was refined over months in successive iterations to refine and enhance the final design.

Over a period of a few months the piece moved from a design vision to the finished sculpture. Clay is a fascinating material because it constantly moves through different phases of drying which requires different tools/ techniques at each stage as well as daily monitoring. The first stage was twenty-five pounds of wet clay sitting on my studio table. The next stage was a rough rendition of the figure requiring multiple supports to avoid the effects of gravity. As the figure became stronger and dryer in the leather-dry stage, it was hollowed and strengthened further to ensure it would not blow up in the heat of the kiln. Finally, after weeks of air drying, the sculpture successfully made it through the kiln firing to the bisque stoneware form. Layers of watercolor, ink and acrylic stains were then applied to bring out the design and enhance the color of the piece.

Transcendence, Constance Colter, Bisque-Fired Ceramic, L 5.75 inches x W 16 inches x H 15.75 inches, $1,900

Blue, Bob Deasy, Onyx stone, 10″ x 6″ x 6″, $485.

Blue, Bob Deasy, Onyx stone, 10″ x 6″ x 6″, $485.

We brainstormed throughout the process to ensure that the stone’s beauty and the figures’ narrative were optimized in the collaboration. The first step was selecting an onyx stone ribboned with tones of brown, honey, and taffy golds. Bob worked the stone with a grinder, hammers, files, and chisels. Connie designed and sculpted some seven figures in clay, scaled and designed to specific locations on or in the stone. Figures were then assessed for their potential within the narrative and for optimal placement. As work progressed, three figures emerged for their power in the narrative and to reflect the beauty of the stone. Each figure was individually modeled in clay, kiln-fired, and then stained to reflect variations in the colors of the stone. The figure at the top of the stone presented significant challenges because it had to be modeled in place to ensure perfect fit and balance. The next step was to polish the interior of the stone so that the stunning striations of color bands were maximized while preserving the narrative of the figures in relation to the stone. Figures were then carefully fitted and pinned onto the stone in their final placement.

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Raw brown onyx stone

Raw brown onyx stone

The child figure modeled in clay.

The child figure modeled in clay.

The stone with assorted figures from another angle.

The stone with assorted figures from another angle.


Alisa Looney / Francie Allen

Francie originally thought her usual wire netting medium would work with Alisa’s red steel dancing man. It didn’t. After much experimentation, she discovered that two flat figures cut out of wire screening worked wonderfully. They are planar like the planes of Alisa’s sculpture. Like her figure, they are dancers, with their arms raised to contrast with Apollo’s lowered arms.

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Apollo and the Sun Dancers, Alisa Looney and Francie Allen, Painted Steel and Wire Screening, 14″ x 11″ x 7″, $1000

Apollo and the Sun Dancers, Alisa Looney and Francie Allen, Painted Steel and Wire Screening, 14″ x 11″ x 7″, $1000

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Choosing From Within, Alisa Looney, Powder Coated Steel, 78.5” x 61” x 36”, $17,000, Website

Choosing From Within represents the authentic moment of choice, when we say Yes! to life. When we trust our inner wisdom to set up healthy boundaries, this allows an opening to create new possibilities. Deep red color suggests listening to the heart. – photo by Kerry Davis Photography

Choosing From Within, Alisa Looney, Powder Coated Steel, 78.5” x 61” x 36”, $17,000

Two Dancers and a Score for Soaring, Francie Allen, Wire netting, 27” x 29” x 23”, $2500 – sold, Website

The study for this sculpture symbolized Francie’s and her late husband’s ecstatic spiritual connection. They were both dancers. Later, she sculpted this piece especially for Patricia Albere, founder of the online Evolutionary Collective. It expresses the blossoming of Patricia’s dynamic, revolutionary, international work with Unity Consciousness, which began with an extraordinary love connection she had as a young woman. The male figure below represents the strength of a bridge, while the female above is soaring

Two Dancers and a Score for Soaring, Francie Allen, Wire netting, 27” x 29” x 23”, $2500 – sold

Process narrative, pictures, and sketches…

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Apollo and Daphne, who did not go together.
Second view of Apollo and the Sun Dancers
Francie at work, struggling to fit the wire netting into the collaboration.
The first draft of Apollo’s dancer.

Francie Allen / Alisa Looney

Francie initially made this paper pulp figure as a partner to Alisa’s red metal dancing figure. She was not satisfied with how they worked together, so she sent it to Alisa and we discussed pairing it with a natural dancing piece of wood. This reminded Francie that Daphne ran from Apollo and became a tree, hence the title. On a bike ride through the forest Alisa found the perfect branch to dance with Daphne. She added the birds nest which she recently found under the pines. These materials are ephemeral, as nature constantly composts and regenerates. Daphne will continue her journey, exploring dance partners and beautiful places in Nature.

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Daphne Moves with the Trees, Francie Allen and Alisa Looney, Paper Pulp, Found Branch and Bird’s Nest, 15″ x 49″ x 31″, NFS

Daphne Moves with the Trees, Francie Allen and Alisa Looney, Paper Pulp, Found Branch and Bird’s Nest, 15″ x 49″ x 31″, NFS

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The Juggler, Francie Allen, Paper Pulp, 40” x 24” x 16”, $4400, Website

The Juggler has no arms: my take on the bank scandal and financial crisis that the US suffered in 2008. This Juggler stands in for the archetype of The Joker or The Fool in the major arcana of Tarot.

The Juggler, Francie Allen, Paper Pulp, 40” x 24” x 16”, $4400

Nesting Maiden, Alisa Looney, Enamel (glass) on Steel, 15 x 7.75 x 8.25, $2,400, Website

Nesting Maiden was made to acknowledge the generosity of all mothers of the world and our deep connection to nature. I especially want to acknowledge the indigenous women who carry the knowledge of how to care for our earth and all living things.

Nesting Maiden, Alisa Looney, Enamel (glass) on Steel, 15 x 7.75 x 8.25, $2,400

Process narrative, pictures, and sketches…

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This is an alternate outdoor view of Alisa’s experimentation with Francie’s Daphne sculpture.
Studio view of Daphne after Francie realized the sculpture was not to be paired with Alisa’s Apollo.

Wade Womack / Alisa Looney

Gymnopédie, Kinetic Sculpture.
Whimsical wind powered wheel allowing you to see the world through tinted glass with a song.

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Gymopedie, Kinetic Sculpture, Wade Womack and Alisa Looney, Bike parts, steel, stained glass, 28″ x 30″ x 38″, $5,695

Whimsical wind powered wheel allowing you to see the world through tinted glass with a song.

Gymopedie, Kinetic Sculpture, Wade Womack and Alisa Looney, Bike parts, steel, stained glass, 28″ x 30″ x 38″, $5,695

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Contact No 2 (bench), Alisa Looney, Powder Coated Steel, 47″ x 72.5″ x 35″, $17,000 , Website

A place for people to gather, pause, and connect with each other. Created to nurture relationships, and to inspire new possibilities of playful connection. Relationships are the primary source of comfort, joy and depth in our lives. This “sunshine” yellow sculpture was created to celebrate these sacred moments of connection. – photo by Kerry Davis Photography

Contact No 2 (bench), Alisa Looney, Powder Coated Steel, 47″ x 72.5″ x 35″, $17,000

Modulateur Sonore de Lumiére Temporelle, Wade Womack, Bike parts, steel, stained glass, 48” x 29” x 89”, sold, Website

Ambient light and sound modulator created to alter your perceptions of the world around you.

Modulateur Sonore de Lumiére Temporelle, Wade Womack, Bike parts, steel, stained glass, 48” x 29” x 89”, sold

Process narrative, pictures, and sketches

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Chayo Wilson / Laurie Vail

Laurie and I like to lay out a bunch of driftwood we have collected and pour over the pieces. We turn them over, hold them in different positions and pair them until we get an inspiration! We get out large paper and draw what might make up our future sculpture. We then each set out to make our parts in our own studios to come together as a piece down the road . It’s fun and sometimes parts change as we see the piece come into reality

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Dreaming With Dragons, Chayo Wilson and Laurie Vail, Driftwood and Metal Clay, 22″x27″x7″, $1500

Dreaming With Dragons, Chayo Wilson and Laurie Vail, Driftwood and Metal Clay, 22″x27″x7″, $1500

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Tall Fish Vessel, Chayo Wilson, Slab built Stoneware, 17”x5”x6”, $350.00

Tall Fish Vessel, Chayo Wilson, Slab built Stoneware, 17”x5”x6”, $350.00

Laurie Vail, Driftwood, steel and paint, 8”x4”x4”, $250.

Laurie Vail, Driftwood, steel and paint, 8”x4”x4”, $250.

Process narrative, pictures, and sketches…

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