13 April

What's The Opposite of Shearing A Sheep?


I’m in love again. It’s a good thing my show at Half Moon Creek Gallery, “The Artful Garden,” is still a few weeks away, because otherwise, the price for my new Sheep sculptures would be one million dollars each! I’ve Blogged before about loving certain pieces I make a little too much to realistically put a price on them to sell, but I know the love affair will end and I’ll soon be able to part with them. I’ll probably be out of love by this weekend because I’ve got so

many other ideas percolating right now that my artmaking is in high gear. Good timing with all of the Shows coming up I need to be highly creative AND productive –which isn’t necessarily something I can conjure up on demand.

Based on my patterns and maquettes, SteelFab got the bodies of the Sheep cut out in record time. I plasma cut out their curls from some of Half Moon Creek’s up-cycled galvanized duct work they tore out of

the new Gallery building. As I was welding the metal “wool” to their bodies I was laughing to myself thinking what the opposite of shearing a sheep would be?! The adult Sheep stand about 30” tall and their lamb is about 15” tall. Their steel bodies will have a nice rust patina over time while the galvanized “wool” will contrast and stay bright and shiny. I want to make

a whole flock… we’ll see how my stamina holds out! They would have photographed so much better on a pasture of green grass, BUT we still have a yard full of snow.

Mother’s Day weekend is going to be jam packed for our family, not only do I have “The Artful Garden” show opening but my parents are coming up here that same weekend for my nephew’s high school graduation. It’s probably a good idea that Alaska Airlines charges so much for extra baggage because I think my Mom is going to have to come up with another way to sneak some of these sheep home to her garden…

The middle son William, my ever handy shop helper, delivery guy, sculpture installer, traded his Chevy Tahoe for another open bed truck –YAHOO! Just in time for Garden Show season! Will’s trucks over the years have been so much easier to haul my larger works in than in our Tundra which has a topper on it. He’s smiling because FREE gas from Mom is ever-so-nice.


12 comments:

Christine--RHP said...

ok, those sheep are adorable.
(and middle son too....)

Unknown said...

Love those 'million dollar' sheep!!

Judy Shreve said...

The sheep are so cool -- wish I lived closer - would love to go to "the Artful Garden' show! Hope you sell a million dollars worth of pieces! :>))

cookingwithgas said...

love the sheep they made me chuckle!
Ewe are wonderful!
My sister just put a weave on a stuffed Lion- and this week is giving said stuffed lion a pedicure.

Life as an artist is fun!
And look at that handsome son of yours!

Tracey Broome said...

Yep, son and sheep are toooo cute! I'm like you I love a lot of my things too much to sell for awhile and then get tired of trying to find a place for them! I like the idea of these sheep with rusty patina, I love rusty things!

Tracey Broome said...

Don't you like the way all of the girls are commenting on your son! What a bunch of pervs we are haha!!

Anonymous said...

gives a whole other meaning to "steel wool"

cindy shake said...

OMG JIM!!! You've just given me the title for the SHEEP -YOU ARE AWESOME!

It's OK Tracey- Willie Boy is used to it. He's 6'8", likes martial arts, has plenty of tats, a HUGE heart and is sweet as pie. He's got the girls kickin' down the door -but they have to get through his cute girlfriend Kim first :o)) Selfish me, I thought the best part of the picture was HIS OPEN BED TRUCK!!
xox

Orion Designs said...

I can't wait to see those adorable sheep in person!

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

Those are so baaaaaaaaad! (in a good way)

ang design said...

sweeet sheepies i hope you do make a flock they'll look great! and cool news for delivery boy! now thats a ute!!

Anonymous said...

OMG can I replace whats in my pasture with those? Steel Wool, I LOVE THAT! AND THE DUDE with the TRUCK! He's got some nice "ink" going on.