Building Crista-Gallis' Nest

Outside my studio, the world of small birds continues to fascinate me. The house finches, tiny and delicate, dominate the trees and bird feeder. They look at my window, their heads cocked. Building nests is now the main activity (besides a quick glimpse of two mating finches). They use just about any contained space to assemble found material to make their nests.

This piece that I just completed shows a house finch bringing nesting material to its nest. The nest is a bit more fanciful. I am hoping that it looks like something that Andy Goldsworthy might have put together if he were ever asked to make a bird's nest.

Building Crista-Gallis' Nest
wood/wire/metal/found objects
24" x 16" x 16"

Dugon Holding Toy

This elongated figure, Dugon, has the features of an Eland or an African grazing animal. Most of the other features seem human, including the body, hands and feet. Hanging off of its belt there is a piece of weathered glass (usage unknown), a paddle or tool, and assorted other artifacts.

In its outstretched hands, the figure is holding what on first glance appears to be a toy. Upon further study, the miniature animal contains details suggesting an effigy or fetish of some kind. Could this 'toy' be some sort of fertility symbol?

Dugon Holding Toy
wood/cloth/metal/found objects
28" x 7" 6"

Found Object Art 2

I just received my copy of the new book, Found Object Art 2, with several of my pieces included. The book is professionally printed and well organized. Most of the artists included in the book are making interesting and dynamic work with recycled material.

Its exciting to have images in a real book. It gives me a sense of permanence, knowing that this book might be sitting on a library shelf somewhere, waiting to be picked up and enjoyed by someone.

Ornatus & Ourebi

Several winters ago, my bird feeder hosted a small house finch. Nothing unusual there, however, this particular bird had only one eye. The other one was closed. As the weeks went by, he kept coming to the feeder. I was impressed by his stamina, considering his affliction. (I later found out that there is a virus affecting small song birds around the country and that was probably what he had on his eye.)

I never saw him again. My bird feeder continues to attract dozens of house finches but I wonder what happened to him. These two birds are based on the little house finch (and hopefully capture some of his energy and beauty.)

Ornatus & Ourebi
wood/cloth/metal/found objects
each 7" x 15" x 6"

Lost & Found

Tarandus
26" x 5" x 5"

A somewhat ragged deer, she is still molting. Pieces of cloth hang off her shoulders, the final remnants of her 'fur.' She holds another pair of antlers in her hands. She found them while walking in the forest. On her hip she carries a tool, its use is not known.

Bedouin with Falcon

After picking up the book, Arabian Sands, by Wilfred Thesiger, his photograph of Zayid's Falconers inspired me to create this piece.

Furcifer and Lotor
wood/wire/cloth/found objects
26" x 6" x 7"

The First Piece

This is the first piece of sculpture that I made. It was shown at the St. John's College exhibition, Books As Inspiration, in November of 2005. I was co-curating the show and decided to make a piece. The theme had to do with using something from one of the great books that St. John's uses in its curriculum. There were about 65 pieces of art from artists around Santa Fe.

I read Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and made this piece, which shows Huck and Jim floating down the river. An old ledger was used for the raft. My first pieces were assembled with sticks from my back yard, sculpting wax that a friend had given me, and old bed sheets that I ripped apart.