What does Sculpting look like?

For some time, people have asked me if I really carve stone. Or do I just make molds and pour some sculpture medium (Industrial Casting Plaster, FGR-85, or eeek!!! concrete) into the molds.

Recently, Jody filmed me cutting into my latest block of stone. She managed to capture most everything except the zen moment of the dust blanketing your vision and the sting of the stone chips as they fly off the stone as it is being abused.

Am not sure if this video will convince everyone that I am sculpting, but it will prove eye-opening for people who live and work in clean environments. The link to my Facebook page is : http://www.facebook.com/friends/?id=776353289&flid=0&view=everyone&q=&nt=0&nk=0&s=0&st=0#/video/video.php?v=73337563289

copyright 2009 Carl Wright

Newest Video of Singer/Songwriter Steve Warner

Jody has just finished filming a new video for singer/songwriter Steve Warner. It is a song performed by Steve about having a bad day. Steve's inspiration for the song/title is a riff on an old Jimmy Rogers tune - "In the Jailhouse Now". Here is the link on YouTube to listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-A92DC4qac

Enjoy!

copyright 2009 Carl Wright

New Gallery Representation

Late breaking news.

As of Friday the 27th, Carl is now represented by Progressive Galleries of Lancaster, PA. The owners, Walter Diehl and Jonas Hair, are cutting an art swath in downtown Lancaster. Their gallery is located in an old candy factory in the downtown area. It is a gorgeous gallery with exposed beams and 16' (or more - they are tall) ceilings.

The Lancaster location of the Progressive is considered the "flag ship" of their operation. This is their central location. They also have two other satelite locations - one in Harrisburg, and the other in York, PA.

Jonas and Walter handle and sell great contemporary paintings, ceramic sculpture, and now of course stone sculpture. You can see some examples at: http://www.progressivegalleries.com/wpg2

Am looking forward to a very rewarding business relationship with them.

copyright 2009 Carl Wright

Painting Auction ends March 31st.

It just seems like yesterday when I put up the last post about getting ready for the Painting Auction - and now it is almost over. With 35 paintings up for auction this is a great time to get the painting that you always wanted of Jodys.

The paintings include not only paintings from Jodys colorful dog series but also includes paintings from her Famous People Series (Einstein at left is a part of the Famous People Series) and also my personal favorite series the Strong/Assertive Women Series.

The painting auction paintings are on view at: http://www.wsggallery.com/auction.htm. terms and conditions are also there.

If you have any questions either call me or email me and we can answer any and all of your questions.

copyright 2009 Carl Wright

An Auction

Today Jody and I are working on an auction of some of her paintings. These are paintings not giclees nor prints. The auction will run for the month of March. The auction will be run off of our website. We will take bids by email. Bids will then be posted to the auction page several times a day. Payment and shipping details on the web address below.


Dog Pictured above is Back Seat Driver by Jody Wright

There are a total of 24 colorful dog and cat paintings, one 3-d spuds mckenzie fiberglass dog, 3 each Classic Women paintings, an Obama Portrait, Mark Twain Portrait, Einstein Portrait, and several abstracts up for auction.

Check out the link at http://www.wsggallery.com/auction.htm.

Email me at carl@wsggallery.com if you have any questions.

copyright 2009 Carl Wright

Art Collecting Article Part 2

Where to look for art?

The ideal non-confrontational place to start is in art history survey books. After spotting some “schools” or trends that you like, branch out from there. Also go to museums both for the older more classic works (Renaissance for example) and also to museums that carry the more contemporary and cutting edge artists. From sheer dint of observing, you can quickly start to see what you do and don’t like. The important thing is not to see 5 museums in one day. You will experience "art fatigue" – the sickness of, at 4 in the afternoon, not remembering what you saw at 10 am.

With a willing partner or spouse, this can make for a wonderful date. Not all dates have to end up at the movies or the amusement park. With this partner or spouse you have the opportunity to discuss art – why you like or dislike it. This can stimulate your thinking and move you past the typical subjects of discussing illnesses, what is happening at the office, and what Madonna is doing this week etc.

After getting your feet wet with art in museums and books – time to delve into the internet. You can find lots of galleries that handle artwork in similar veins to what you looked at on your previous outings. There is also a plethora of local artists that have open studios that you can visit, community art shows, public art, etc.

Now you are ready to fly on your own. By now you now have some likes and dislikes in art. The important thing with art is to look at art outside of your immediate likes and dislikes occasionally. You will occasionally find some wonderful art that you never knew of – it’s worth it. Also, as you see more art, your taste in art will also change. So when you buy – buy art that really grips you by the throat and won’t let you go. Those art pieces you will never outgrow.

To sum up in a pithy way the foregoing article from ehow.com said: ”Following someone else's collecting advice is generally more expensive than doing your own research and making your own decisions”. I would add that it is also not as much fun.

Go out have some fun, enjoy time looking with your loved one and get to learn about something that you do not normally encounter.

Painting: Women in Red Dress by Ralph Basford

copyright 2009 CarlWright

Art Collecting Article part 1 of 2

Who collects art?

Collecting art can be a rancorous beast. According to ehow.com “Collectors use art to decorate their home, earn money as an investor or simply satisfy the desire to build a fine collection. From ehow.com” But the categories are never that neat and clean. Some collectors do want to decorate their home and earn money on their “investment”. Some want to build a collection because of the intellectual thrill, emotional stimuli of acquiring and also the ability to show off their “prizes”.

On Collecting Art

How to go about collecting art? Do you listen to art gallery directors? Look at museums? Visit art shows and openings? Or just give up and collect stamps? I believe it is a combination of all but the last one.

Ultimately the benefits and burden on collecting art fall on the individual. Every person taste is different. Fortunately so are all the categories of art. So since everything is thrust on you, the individual, you should enjoy yourself to the max.

As to who to listen to? Listen to everyone but act on no one’s advice. Collecting art is a voyage of discovery. Just like being a sea captain, your voyage is about what appeals to you and makes you feel good.

Each person that advises you, the gallery director, artists, etc. all have a potent point of view. Gallery directors and artist want to sell you the latest and greatest artwork – they are in business after all. Your friends might be well-meaning but not know you very well – artistically. They all may be right about how their art is the greatest – but it very possibly will not suit you.

Good Artwork does not need adjectives or superlatives – it just is

There is also a fallacy here: there is a best or greatest artwork. The best and greatest artwork is always subjective to a particular individual. For instance, in college Picasso was always one of the gods to fawn over. Yes he was okay, had a long art life, and was productive. But he did not make me sit up and squirm in my seat. George Braque and Salvador Dali did that. So each person is different – no better and no worse. Anyone pushing artwork on you that is the greatest or best should be politely ignored so that you can get back to your browsing.

Kyouko Installation, private residence, NC

copyright 2009 Carl Wright