I am very excited about this project which is nearing completion.  Another octopus sculpture, and once again I have it fashioned as a coffee table. This is my 7^th octopus sculpture and each time they evolve as I discover more about the creatures and the technical aspects required in molding and creating these sculptures.  This sculpture was inspired by some images we captured last summer during a halibut fishing trip while up at Nimmo Bay Resort. We didn’t catch any halibut, but we did catch a magnificent octopus and when we released it floated through the crystal clear water column as it descended back to the depths. It was amazing. The image left a vivid impression with me and I have been working on this piece over the winter.

I have constructed this one using a new method where the sucker detail is cast separately and then added to the body of the octopus during the wax casting stage. This has allowed me to capture a far greater level of detail in the suckers. And for those of you who are wondering, there are a total of 780 suckers on my sculpture.  The table design is such that the supporting sculpture base can be reversed with the suckers facing up and the head down or the other way around – two tables in one. 

This will be a very unique and distinctive piece. The glass table top can be cut as an oval or square and can be etched with a marine pattern selected in concert with the clients desires.

I expect to have it finished and on display at the Shell Aero Centre at the Victoria International Airport in June 2012.     

Drift Wood and Bronze – Coffee Tables

With a recent commission for a unique coffee table, we have spend lots of time beach combing these days looking for interesting pieces of weathered drift wood that can be fashioned into table pedestals.  A pair of bronze steelhead trout will be mounted into the wooden pedestals on each table and they will be finished off with an etched maple leaf pattern on the glass tops.  

Selwyn Lodge – Northern Saskatchewan

This year I am displaying one of my new sculptures of the Northern Pike at Selwyn Lodge in Northern Saskatchewan. I am also creating a new bronze sculpture of a walleye that I hope to have completed by the fall of this year.

Nimmo Bay Resort

This year I will be displaying several new works in each of the guest accommodations rooms at Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort.

Kingsbrae Garden Sculpture Competition – St Andrews New Brunswick

The giant mushroom with a sitting toad – Toad stool – is almost ready for shipping out to the Kingsbrae Garden Sculpture competition with an opening event on June 16. We are hoping it will be well received as it is a long costly way for shipping. Check out Kingsbrae Botanical Gardens at www.kingsbrae.com.

Upcoming Shows and Displays

I will once again be participating in the Saanich Penninsula Arts Council Spring Studio Tour on June 9 and 10^th.  There will be demonstrations on sculpting and mold making as well as a large display of new bronze works and several in progress projects. Refreshments and cookies will be served.   

Throughout the summer selected pieces will also be on display at the Shell Aero Centre at Victoria International Airport and The Pier Hotel lobby in Sidney BC.

Personal Note

On a personal note we have some made some changes around the house and studio this year. My wife Jutta has folded up her gardening business to focus on our newly expanded family and work in the studio doing much of the mold making and wax casting work as well as helping out with shows and marketing. We also did our first a joint sculpture project creating the giant mushroom sculpture last year.

Eagle Sculpture Commissioned by BCGEU for their Spirit of Leadership Award

“A Christmas Inpsired” – Art Show at the Muse Winery 

Our “Christmas Inspired Art Show” at the Muse Winery had a very enthusiastic turnout this year and all of the participating artists were very appreciative of the responses. We are planning an even bigger show next December!  Thanks to all who came out.

Draw for Nimmo Bay Resort Stay

One of my clients who purchased the Great Blue Heron Sculpture during the Sidney Fine Art Show in October has won luxurious accommodation, dining and adventure at Nimmo Bay Resort for 3 days during the summer of 2012.

 Kingsbrae Sculpture Garden- New Brunswick

I am thrilled to announce that my entry in the 4^th Annual Kingsbrae Garden sculpture competition in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, has been selected as one of finalists for 2012. ‘Toadstool’ will consist of a giant mushroom with a very large frog sitting under the shelter of the mushroom cap. It is going to whimsical, very fun and it looks like there will be a big road trip coming up this summer.         

Works in Progress

Other projects now underway include a new 1/3 sized open wing Eagle Sculpture commissioned by the BC Government Employees Union for their upcoming Award of Excellence ceremonies, a new Octopus in Motion sculpture, a British Bull Dog – “Oliver” riding a skateboard, a pair of spawning steelehad trout, and for some contrast, a stylized female figurative piece.

Looking forward to a creative New Year. Thanks for your interest and support this past year.

I will be participating in a group show and sale at the Muse Winery in Deep Cove (North Saanich, BC) on December 9, 10 and 11. Always an exciting event with a rich collection of unique art works by 6 different artists and a great selection of wines from the winery. Details to be announced.

Be sure to ask about the Draw that I will be offering clients this fall. A few days of luxury, decadence and adventure up at Nimmo Bay Resort during the summer of 2012 (go to www.nimmobay.com).

This a picture of my new octopus sculpture shown as a work-in-progress (painted wax replica shown). I hope to have this piece back in bronze in time for the fall studio tour. The first Edition of 10 has been sold; additional editions are available by order.

Other new sculptures underway include a pair of White Sided Dolphins Riding a Wave (macquette for a larger proposed installation) and several new local freshwater and marine fish. And then there is Bam Bam, the orangutang sculpture that will be the subject of my next entry.

So far this year I have completed the following sculptures in bronze:
• Timber Wolf
• Aero – Chocolate Lab
• A Series of Abalone Deck Lights

Three small sculptures of a black bear, walrus  and frog all mounted on native rock.

New works in progress include a new octopus sculpture, smaller than the previous sculptures.  I expect to have this piece in bronze by late October.  The orangutang sculpture is nearing completion and I hope to have it cast in bronze by the early new year. Other pieces include a desk lamp with a cast abalone shell mounted on a cut river cobble and a wall mounted octopus sculpture. In a departure from my regular work, I am embarking on a new stylized sculpture using the female form.

Several of my works are now on display up at Nimmo Bay Resort, at the Shell Aero Centre at the Victoria International Airport and at the Pier Hotel in Sidney BC.

I will be entering 2 to 3 pieces in the Sidney Fine Art Show this September and will once again be part of the Saanich Peninsula Art Studio Tour on October 21 and 22, 2011.

During the past year I had the good fortune to complete several new commissions including:

Oyster Catcher. Edition of 20. $2,800

A major focus for much of 2010 was the design and submission of “Keeping the Inspiration Alive”, an Olympic Legacy Project for the Resort Municipality of Whistler. This project was a joint effort by Nathan Scott and myself. We were shortlisted for the final phase of the project for which we built a very elaborate scale maquette of our proposal. We came very, very close to winning but missed the “Gold”. This was an extremely exciting and motivating experience.

Canada Lynx Sculture. Celebration Plaza, Whistler BC

Current Projects

With the new year comes a new wave of energy and inspiration. I am currently finishing up two life sized commissioned sculptures of a departed Chocolate Labrador and a Timber Wolf and expect to have them in bronze by the end of March.

Other works now in progress include a new octopus sculpture and a great blue heron.

Proposed Olympic Legacy Monument -`Keeping the Inspiration Alive

Plans for 2011

Following on with the canine theme I am planning on two more dog sculptures this year, one of a British Bulldog and the other of a Beagle. These pieces will contribute to my upcoming “Dog Show” in December.

I am very excited about my next project which will see two new life sized sculptures of Orangutangs in bronze sometime this summer. Soon my web site will be updated and revised to include several new works.

Octopus Figurehead on Formosa Ketch

Works on Display

Several selected works will again be on display up at Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort. Works will also be on display in the reception lounge located in the Shell Aero Centre at the Victoria International Airport and at the Pier Hotel in Sidney BC.

Upcoming Show Schedule

• Spring Studio Tour

• Sidney Fine Art Show – Pending Adjudication

• Fall Studio Tour

• 5^th Annual Christmas Art Show at the Muse Winery “The Dog Show”

Dates to be Announced