Vluchtig

Greetings.
I would like to introduce you to Vluchtig, she is the latest and greatest of my polymer people. Vluchtig means fleeting in Dutch which is an allusion to some of the symbolism of the piece. I must apologize in advance for in re-reading this post, I sound a bit ranty and preachy, Its only because I have regained passion for my work, thats all. With more time on my hands lately to actually make art rather than novelty items, I was able to sculpt this piece carefully. Using some actual observation of the human figure also lended a hand in creating what is one of my most anatomically correct sculptures and definitely one with the most muscle tone. When sculpting I usually expedite the process to move as quickly as possible, but now I see what ive been missing which is a figure I actually like. Its not really about the money anymore, so with this piece I worked slowly and deliberately. There are not only finger prints on the piece, but also nicks and cuts, small gashes, I did not smooth them over, she is human, humans are imperfect beings. read more below.

So I started out as usual with the nude figure, this time opting to sculpt nipples and some muscle tone, this is a strong fit female figure. I worked on the hair for quite a long time as well because I wanted to make a style that fell over her face instead of my usual part down the middle type of hair. I was able to achieve this through layers, her hair has three different lengths of hair for a layered look that goes from short to very long in the back. Believe it or not, the hair mimics her personality which is not static, it is constantly changing, she is a work in progress forever for she has a mind of her own. Those who think for themselves are constantly reinventing the way they see the world.

The figure is about three inches tall and although I say im “shopping” for wings in the video, I would rather the butterfly be simply on or next to her. The butterfly in the actual composition of this figure and her immediate surroundings when she is encased will be pivotal. The butterfly represents death. The figure is almost the epitome of female perfection, yet the butterfly is there to remind us that life is short and that our living condition is a temporary one. A representation of fleeting life. Depressing? No, but for those who never read this, they may just think the butterfly is “cute”, if they only knew that art is not arbitrary, even when we don’t know the meaning of a work of art, it has meaning. This sculpture was created to invoke in you something, I want you to react to it, you don’t have to enjoy it, but as long as it had an effect on you, that is all that I ask for.

It was pointed out to me that the figures legs looked strange, I noticed it was because her thighs tapered down to her huge calf muscles, so with the finished product the legs are drown up closer to the body like below.

Het vluchtige leven

Thoughts

the stuff below is in not taken form, or ramble, but the thoughts are good platforms on which to create the next set of sculptures... I cant wait, right now im at a point where I cant force myself, I have to actually think about why im making stuff at all.

Change the world view that people are sinners and that god is going to save them. Quest for knowledge. Empiricism, look at something and examine it. Looking to know (learn) is empiricism. The visual element volume and also line in certain instances. The renaissance is the beginning of the modern world, and a way of thinking outside of the middle ages. Secular art, away from religious. To be a humanist is to be interested in humanity, what it is to be human. Joy in knowing. Make an enclosed garden which symbolizes the unbroken womb of the virgin. Like Titian's "Pastoral Concert" ideas that nature gives us life. Those restorative things that bring us back to where we came from. Water = life refreshment. Figures being a poetic allusion, muse, inspiration of music. Allusion = allegory, roses represent beauty, sensualness. How can secular art have depth, seriousness? Introspection, we are not just intellectual, but thoughtful. part of what makes our identity is our inner life which is hard to capture. A secularization and individual thinking. Art is a product of an individual, not a society and reflect that artists life and world view. Virgin Mary? NO, celebrate the grandeur in individuals.

Where the hell have I been?

Where the hell have I been?
Hi guys, I know I have been missing in action, but its because I have laryngitis and final exams coming up in school. I know its Christmas and the time to make money on the streets of NYC, but really I think health and peace of mind is more important, I should be back out soon.

Mary's Annunciation gets a make over

Hey!

I will be at Union Square tomorrow (today?) Friday, November 28, 2008 to sell some miniature sculptures for ya.

Only a few will be new, the two larger ones will be the guy in the last blog, who ended up not having wings because they did not look nice on him, and also the piece below.

This piece was conceptualized from one of the works of Guido di Pietro da Mugello, or better known as Fra Giovanni da Fiesole, or just simply Fra Angelico (Angelic Brother). He was born in at the turn of the 14th century and died in 1455. He is well-known for his fresco wall paintings, the polymer people above were modeled from his "Annunciation" which he painted at the Monastery of San Marco in Florence Italy around 1438-1445. The figures in the Annunciation are indicators of the artists ability to create shadows through shading and also the figures poses mimic the arches in the piece, yet my polymer figures do not interact with their space so intimately. They are a contemporized "annunciation", the announcement that one is pregnant is often a happy one, but not so in this case, the mother-to-be in my figures is in contemplation as Gabriel looks onto her.

The Fresco can be seen below.

New Piece - el hombre extremo 1

Note, this blog contains polymer nudity, so although just clay I know some of you may be offended by it, this is your warning.

So lately I’ve been really wanting to make some male figures to embody the ultimate man. These figures are inspired by a real person who shall remain anonymous. I plan on making a series of these, the pose and at times features are a personal ideal, all of these figures will be various shades of brown. I just completed my first one, I am very happy with it, I enjoyed sculpting the physique, it is different than a woman’s body, more angular, less curvy and sensual and more bumpy for lack of a better term.

Below check out photos of the progress, which began with the head, went on to sculpting the chest and abdominals, penis, and onto the toes on the feet and the fingers on the hands, this was a new pose for me, taken from life. The figure will remain as is, uncolored and unpainted, to give a sculptural quality to the piece, there will still be wings though, clear cycad wings.

Click any pic to see it big.

FIVE YEARS OF POLYMER CLAY

Hi,
many of you have seen the "gallery" page on http://www.thebutterflypeople.com/ on which I put over 200 pictures of my favorite butterfly people from January 2004 until current. Well, this page will come down soon after the new year comes in, maybe around my late mothers birthday in Febuary. The new page will feature all of my latest works as to keep things current, but I have created a permanent page for the photos to be kept for those who like to look at them (I know one person wants to print out pictures of them and create a coffee table book), the address is http://guppie51.tripod.com/fiveyears.htm
Bookmark it if you enjoy it, again since my site wont have it in about three months.

11-22-08 in review

Today felt a return of sorts to Union Square since many a Saturday passed by in which I wanted to be at the park but had to attend a street fair instead. I must say, the crisp Autumn air and 30-degree weather was something I rather enjoyed, I like the feel that is in the air, it is a cheery and light hearted kind of time of year. The holiday season is upon us and I will NOT complain, its easier than ever to sell and I must keep up with the demand. I will be making ten little baby basket-weave-head sleeping figures for next weekend and a few “fairy” girls. These girls will be simply fairies with the leafy clothes and everything. Both are small sized therefore $10 each.
But back to the day… the day was sunny, gorgeous if a bit cold, and just a real pleasure to be a part of, something about street vending makes me feel like I lived life, I can easily spend two weeks at home and the time passes by and is never re-claimed, yet when I go outdoors (especially with my camera) and capture the day, I can always reflect and that single day was more active and fun than an entire two weeks at home. See the video above for some of my antics with fellow artist Lisa Park who is a photographer, and some girl jumping on two guys lying on the sidewalk. Below, check out some pics of me dancing and being silly. The beautiful figure below with the purple poppies and straight hair was sold to a very good fan of the butterfly people. Thanks to all of you who help make my journey a happy one!