Oliaris Caught in the Light

I have been working with Audrey Derell, an amazing graphic designer, to create a portrait of one of my creatures. Audrey orchestrated this image called "Oliaris Caught in the Light."

(What you are seeing is a photograph of a rabbit that has tripped a trigger on a night-vision infrared broad spectrum camera. Used mainly for security, I was able to 'borrow' one of these gadgets and set it up in a secret location...hoping to capture the elusive Oliaris rabbit. In the photo, it appears that he is sitting in a wooded area.)

This image is being released as a limited edition digital print in conjunction with a fundraiser for arts in public schools in Santa Fe.

New York Post

The New York Post interviewed me and then used one of my images in their article about SOFA New York.

Alleni Taking Aim

Alleni Taking Aim
M/m/croquet ball
25" x 18" x 9"

Historically, it seems like rabbits have been portraid as meek, passive creatures, something afraid of human contact...but not in New Mexico. The large jack rabbits that I see around Santa Fe are nothing but fast, sleek, intelligent and sometimes scary. I often stumble on them while hiking, some are brown and white, some black and white.

I have started thinking of them as tricksters, especially when it comes to interacting with humans. Once my back is turned, I figure they can do just about anything to us!

Alleni, the about rabbit, has a large, heavy wooden croquet ball. He does not seem timid as he looks around for a target.

Surviving SOFA

I have just returned from participating in SOFA New York where I was represented by Jane Sauer and her amazing staff. During the fair, five of my pieces found new homes, one being purchased by a young couple from Cuzco, Peru. Here are the pieces that were sold:

Having Wings

On the back wall of the Jane Sauer Gallery, five ravens are watching each other.



A cat stands in the corner, watching the ravens as they converse with each other.



A large fruit bat, wings extended, dominates the center of the room.



The back of the bat has accumulated some ends and odds. Behind him a large hanging bird swoops down from the fire place. To the left a Great Blue Heron looks toward the door.



Two black Ibis sit on a base made from old mountain bike tires. Hanging from the wall, a nest of old twigs has been made by a swarm of song birds, who fly below the nest.



Two chickens strut around each other, showing off their beautiful feathers.

Interpretations

macklotii
M/m
24" x 24" x 5"


Recently, I came across an article about all the naturalists that had lost their lives in pursuit of documenting new species of flora and fauna from around the world. There was an illustration of a fruit bat that had been collected by one of these unfortunate scientists. It had been collected and sent back to a natural history museum in the Netherlands in the mid 1800's.

What struck me as interesting was how the preserved bat looked more like a bear, even a friendly teddy bear. Obviously, whoever 'stuffed' this bat had never seen a real one. Their interpretation of what they thought this creature should look like is so different than what it looks like in real life.

The bat 'wings' were cut out of an old work apron that I had saved. I seem to save just about everything I use in my studio, and this creature begged to have himself cloaked in a piece of fabric that had some history to it.

January Work

Dryomis & Perigyps
wood/metal/inner tubes/found material
39" x 30" x 30"

These two birds that are wrapped in bike inner tubes were originally made about four years ago. They have been sitting in my studio, collecting dust. I decided to transform them, one more time. Wrapping the wooden structure seems like a natural progression, at least to me.

The base is made from mountain bike tires and inner tubes with a little metal added. (This particular style I refer to as "nuvo-Mennonite." I think of Mennonites as Shakers that got wild, and maybe smoked a little pot.)