Martin Mobiles and Sculpture

Camera, Wire People, Bead Mobiles, & Wood Spheres

2011-02-17T18:25:00.002-06:00

Haven't posted photographs in quite a while. Need to do that. Will get at it shortly. Concentrating on wire people lately. Making a few bead mobiles in the next week, and have ideas of wood sphere mobiles dancing in my head. Stay tuned - photos will show the work.

Good Challenge

2010-11-29T17:52:00.003-06:00

I received a request for a small wire sculpture recently. The request was based on a similar piece of my work installed at a cafe. The request was very clear and very specific. There are times when artist freedom is at play and work for sale is sold on a 'there it is, hope you like, and buy it' basis. Other times, a request like 'do you have that in purple' can be challenging and even irritating. Not this time. The customer is requesting a piece that is specific to her family, and she wishes it to reflect their friendships and reality of the present. She knows what she wants. It's a fair request. Work is underway. Results not in yet. Report to follow. A good challenge.

Metal Circles

2010-09-20T12:29:00.003-05:00

Hung two fresh metal circle mobiles at a local cafe this morning. While installing them, I met someone who used to live in Wisconsin and now resides in the state of Washington. She mentioned purchasing several of my mobiles years ago that now hang in her home near the sea, including a large wire salmon that is right at home hanging in her atrium. First time we met. Feels good to know old mobiles are still hanging and enjoyed.

I went to the Chicago Museum of Modern Art last week to view an Alexander Calder exhibit. Amazing as always. Works of seven contemporary artists inspired by Calder were also shown. My conclusion - Calder stands alone as the master of mobiles.

Fall 2010

2010-09-14T18:05:00.002-05:00

July 2010 - Distributed art supplies to a middle school art teacher for use in her classroom and to the director of a local nonprofit agency teaching art skills to disabled adults. About to become involved as a volunteer with the nonprofit agency.

Workshop is in good shape, meaning supplies are organized and the work area is reasonably cleaned up. Some sales this summer to people who have seen my work. Spending some time producing new mobiles, and have some energy to market some of the finished work. Will be updating installations at several coffee shop/restaurants this fall.

Workshop Changes

2010-06-21T07:02:00.003-05:00

It's been worth the time the past few days to sort through my workshop supplies. The work is freeing up space and freeing my mind to rethink what kind of artwork I want to make. I like the thought of making smaller, more precise mobiles relative to what I've been producing.

I'm eliminating and/or minimizing most of the physical risks from my work environment. The health risks have included being around metal shavings, metal dust, sawdust, and paint fumes. There are also risks that come from operating small machines (bench grinder, drill press, scroll saw, sander).

Passing Some On

2010-06-20T07:46:00.002-05:00

I will spend time today sorting through beads, wood, metal, plastic, wire, tools, and finished mobiles. When done, the stuff will be delivered to my art teacher friend who can take it to her classroom. Perhaps I'll join her for a day or two this fall to teach kids how to make mobiles.

Classroom Supplies

2010-06-19T06:21:00.002-05:00

I've been thinking about distributing some of my art materials to a teacher I know who is dealing with budget cuts. Ran into her yesterday at the Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books. She expressed interest and so I have committed to contribute stuff to her for use in her middle school art classes. Next step is to choose what to give her. I've purchased and gathered lots of material over the past 15 years. Plan to get at it this week.

Still Thinking, Still Inspired

2010-06-08T17:21:00.003-05:00

It's been nine months since I last posted here. Mobile and sculpture have taken a back seat to other interests........travel, exercise, golf, reading, and some cooking.

This is my fourth year of being away from a 42 year traditional work life. It has been as good or better than I imagined. New friendships and more time with my best friend and wife Kathy.

Art has my avocation for about 15 years. About two weeks ago, after a year of very little time in my workshop/studio, thoughts of making mobiles again entered my head. I pulled out a few of my Alexander Calder books and was once again inspired by what I saw. I'm back at it. We'll see what happens. Could be short lived with little art produced, or perhaps some new inspiration and good work will come forth. Ah, the beauty of being an artist.

Installation

2009-09-29T06:29:00.002-05:00

Installing ten mobiles and a group of wall sculptures at Four Seasons Coffee Shop in Brookfield, Wisconsin this week.

2009-09-08T12:20:00.002-05:00

Fall is in the air. Golf, exercise at the gym, family wedding, reading, yard work, and social gatherings have occupied my time during the past six months. Prior to that, time in Oakland and Miami visiting our kids and their families. Point is I haven't produced any real art in the past year. Still have work hanging in galleries and retail outlets. Sold a large mobile (4'x5') of fish and metal pieces a week ago, and just received a request for a silent auction donation from a local foundation. Just not passionate about making art these days. Too many other things I like to do.

I wander into my workshop and studio occasionally to ponder what I might make, organize a few items, throw some never to be used stuff in the trash, look at mobiles made several years ago (and wonder how I made them), and realize there is potential to get back at it (or maybe not).

We'll see.

Class Reunion

2009-09-03T07:23:00.002-05:00

Attended Class of 1959 high school reunion in late August. Quite wonderful. Renewed old friendships. Startled by appearances of classmates - some who looked 50 years old, others who looked 85. Our journey goes quickly. Seems such a short time ago we were kids.

Conversation with Gene

2009-03-02T15:11:00.005-06:00

Visited with Gene, a painter, this morning at my favorite coffee shop. The subject was artist dry spots, vacuums, do nothing days, a passing month with no satisfaction of work completed. One of Gene's coping mechanisms is turning from watercolor painting to photography. Photographs at close range of flowers, for example. Perhaps we part time artists should accept that art work need not possess us. Can work if one is not economically tied to selling art. Also believe we have a better shot at making good art if we have other interests (i.e. exercise, kids and grandkids, crossword puzzles, books). The studio doesn't demand that we're there every day. Fresh ideas to make art sometimes come easier after time away from one's art work area. Perhaps today is one of those idea days. Guess I'd better get in the studio and find out.

Recent Work

2009-02-28T15:51:00.006-06:00

Wall Mobile with Friends from other artists

Wisconsin Winter

2009-02-26T19:19:00.000-06:00

Have been away from art work for the past month as an outcome of escaping the Wisconsin winter. Will get back at it for a week and then escape again. Intend to post some new photos of recent work soon.

Cutting Metal

2009-01-11T21:57:00.001-06:00

Visited a machining company recently to explore using a few machines to cut and treat metal. The owner, Dan, was very helpful. Will likely move ahead and do some work there, or retain the firm to cut some of my designs for use in sculpture and mobiles.

On Into 2009

2009-01-05T13:58:00.000-06:00

Two installations completed last week at the new Rehabilitation Hospital of Wisconsin. The 46 bed hospital is located on the outskirts of Waukesha, about 20 miles from Milwaukee. It has three wings. One of the wings has a northwoods theme. The mobile I made hangs in the family room on the north side of the building. Consists of 13 metal fish, each 6" - 15" in length. One objective of the mobile is to have the fish move in the air as real fish move in water - free and easy. The second piece of artwork is on a wall in the front entrance lobby. It consists of seven groups of wire people attached to a support wire. Each group has 3 - 5 people. Each person is about 6" in height. An objective of the work is to convey feelings of movement, bending, stretching, waving.

Recently installed seven painted sphere mobiles at nearby restaurant. Red, blue, yellow, silver.

Will be meeting with a tool and die company in the next week or so to discuss cutting some metal I have in inventory.

Studio & Workshop

2008-12-02T13:28:00.000-06:00

Installed several mobiles and sculptures this past weekdend at Restyle Studios, a new retail home decor store. Amy, the owner, is a pleasure to work with. She has a good eye for art, is on top of her studio layout, and is decisive in managing how things are done. Retail is tough business. I believe Amy understands. Wish her the best.

Several nice days in my workshop recently. Just mailed a mobile to Austin, TX for a kid's room. The mobile has a constellation feel. Nine painted hardwood spheres painted in three colors (blue, red, silver). Just finishing two more similar mobiles, one commissioned and the other for Restyle Studios. Also working on a series of metal column mobile sculptures.

Until next time.

Workshop

2008-11-21T20:02:00.000-06:00

Had some nice designs in mind today. Didn't convert to good art. Wire snapped. Didn't have the touch to tie fish line knots. Wood balls split. Frustrating. Some work sessions do not go well. Back at it tomorrow. Aiming at unique, original pieces for new shop that opened a few weeks ago nearby. Keep at it!

Happenings Home and Away

2008-11-18T21:04:00.000-06:00

The past 30 days have been enjoyable. Have created several new mobiles and wire sculptures in response to project requests from clients. Also invited to display work in a new retail venture nearby. Workshop has been cleaned up. Fresh coat of white paint on main workbench provides a better background to see work pieces during assembly. More to be done, of course.

We had a nice trip to Oakland, CA recently to visit our daughter and her family. Artisitic inspiration abounds in the Bay area ----- museums, galleries, restaurant design, landscape, and people. Went on a field trip with our son-in-law to view current design build projects. He and our daughter work together to create beautiful, unique restaurant spaces for clients. Visited the workspace of Chris French Metal in Oakland. Beautiful down to earth shop and office. Produces great custom metal work, primarily for commercial use (i.e. restaurants, office buidings, private residences.)

2008-10-16T17:31:00.001-05:00

Cleaned and organized main workbench today. More to do tomorrow. Sketchbook review. Create and build single column mobile.

Workshop Thoughts

2008-10-14T13:32:00.000-05:00

Just returned home from a five day trip and am pleased to have 10 days with few commitments. Several workshop upkeep tasks are on my mind. Clean and organize work benches, assembly tables, machines, storage units, and inventory. Move supplies as needed for convenience. One four hour session should get me to where I want to be. Then, importantly, review sketchbooks for good ideas from the past. Pick a few and create new works.

Installation

2008-10-04T12:05:00.000-05:00

Installation at new Rehabilitation Hospital of Wisconsin.

Metal & Wire Mobile

2008-10-01T09:29:00.000-05:00

Made this mobile for my son's music store. Now hangs in our home.

Bead Mobile

2008-10-01T09:24:00.000-05:00

2008-09-27T20:04:00.000-05:00

Wall Mobiles and Table Top Mobiles

2008-09-23T19:15:00.000-05:00

We were in Miami Beach recently to visit our son and his family. On our last day there, we visited Lincoln Road to have breakfast at Books & Books Cafe. Nice spot, with whole wheat pancakes and good coffee. Afterward, we visited ARTCENTER/SOUTH FLORIDA, a working artist cooperative. Came upon some good wire sculpture by DAVIDZ. Birds, faces of people, bodies, appendages, flowers, and wire script. Met the artist. We discussed our common interest in the works and life of Alexander Calder, the timelessness of his art, and his joyful existence outside the mainstream art world.

2008-09-23T12:31:00.000-05:00

This piece includes colorful beads made in a Bali village. I bought several types of the beads from a distributor at the Milwaukee Beads and Buttons show. The beads shown are hung on thin stainless steel wire and suspeneded from metal mesh.

2008-09-19T15:17:00.000-05:00

This piece was created ten years ago, as was the piece shown below. They are in a private residence in Miami, Florida.

2008-09-19T15:10:00.000-05:00

Public Art

2008-09-12T19:28:00.000-05:00

My thanks to Bill Taylor for forwarding the picture below. I was fortunate to be one of four artists selected to work on the Waukesha Transit Center public art project. The others were Richard Taylor (Bill's son), Richard Peterson, and Oakbrook Esser.

Bill Taylor is a painter, mural maker, and general good guy who has been involved with the Waukesha and Milwaukee art scene for many years. He also assists his son Richard, a well known Milwaukee sculptor.

Mobile at Waukesha Transit Center

2008-09-12T19:20:00.000-05:00

Runner in a Tree

2008-09-09T19:52:00.000-05:00

Garden Pot Art

2008-09-09T19:51:00.000-05:00

Elephant Foot or Tree Trunk?

2008-09-09T19:47:00.000-05:00

Bright Blue Garden Accent

2008-09-09T19:46:00.001-05:00

Garden Red

2008-09-09T19:46:00.000-05:00

Fish Family

2008-09-09T16:17:00.000-05:00

Silver Fish in a Circle

2008-09-09T16:16:00.001-05:00

Hallway Mobile

2008-09-09T16:16:00.000-05:00

Brewers Two Pewaukee Window

2008-09-09T16:15:00.000-05:00

Fish Swimming Through

2008-09-09T16:14:00.000-05:00

Pewaukee Lake across from Brewers Two

2008-09-09T16:13:00.000-05:00

Brewers Two Pewaukee

2008-09-09T15:59:00.000-05:00

More Photos from Brewers Two

2008-09-09T15:29:00.000-05:00

Visited 2nd Brewers Two location this morning to photograph mobiles installed in the cafe during the past year. The cafe is located across the street from Pewaukee Lake in downtown Pewaukee.
Enjoyed a cup of coffee and a good morning roll. Beautiful morning to view the lake.

2008-09-08T13:51:00.000-05:00

Mobiles and sculptures posted today are installed in a wonderful spot known as Brewers Two Cafe. It is located in Meadowbrook Marketplace on the west side of Waukesha. The cafe is a gathering place for friends and business people, plus a quick stop for people on the way to work or play.

Fresh bakery, soups, salads, sandwiches, coffee and tea are mainstays of the menu.

For several years, cafe owners Ellen and Eileen have invited area artists to display artwork. A musical group performs on Saturday mornings.

Many, many people appreciate having Brewers Two nearby.

Wall Hanging Mobile

2008-09-08T13:50:00.000-05:00

2008-09-08T13:48:00.000-05:00

Wire Wall People

2008-09-08T13:42:00.000-05:00

Metal Fish Mobile

2008-09-08T12:33:00.000-05:00

More Metal Fish

2008-09-08T12:28:00.000-05:00

Workshop Happenings

2008-09-06T15:53:00.000-05:00

Experimenting with wire people today. Different wire thickness, combinations, people shapes and sizes. Finished installation of four groups of 4" wire people. Pleased with results.
Working on new project involving several mobiles & sculptures. Not a done deal yet, but a nice possibility and challenge.

Table Top Discs

2008-09-05T19:44:00.000-05:00

Table Top Mobile

2008-09-05T18:53:00.000-05:00

Photos, Project

2008-08-16T15:40:00.000-05:00

Checking for additional photos. Lots of slides, pictures available. Need to get into format to transfer to blog.
Working on wire people project for private residence. Seven groups with 2-4 people each. Will be above fireplace within 3x5 foot space. Beautiful loft space. Several paintings, sculptures, and a mobile, all done by local artists.

Wire People

2008-08-15T10:21:00.000-05:00

An example of wire sculpture.

Start-up

2008-08-15T09:45:00.000-05:00

Started blog. Will post photographs of work soon.