Sculpterra Winery - Paso Robles, CA

I had put Sculpterra Winery on "the list" a few years ago and finally got around to visiting a few months ago. Well worthy of the trip! I didn't sample any of the wines but the sculpture garden was exquisite and the architecture of the building wasn't far behind.

Most of the sculptures I liked were by John Jagger, but there was also one by Dale Evers that caught my fancy.

Sculpterra Winery Front Entry

"Sweet Dreams" by John Jagger, Sculpterra Winery

"Mermaid" by John Jagger, Sculpterra Winery

"Tarpon" by John Jagger, Sculpterra Winery

"Golden Hooves" by John Jagger, Sculpterra Winery

"MEGA Focus" by Dale Evers, Sculpterra Winery

Sessilanoid - a 40' Interactive Scupture

Artist James Peterson had me at 40' interactive sculpture. Yeah, I'll get on that bus, no question. Oh, wait. It lights up, too? I'm really on board now. Inspired by barnacles? Love it.

The clincher? 

He wrestled internally with building in plastic - the very material destroying a lot of sea life.  He eventually chose to imagine his sculpture as what might happen if the plastic took on the shape of the very things it was destroying. I love a good circle of life story, so that resonated with me. 

Aren't these amazing?

Sessilanoid by James Peterson

Sessilanoid by James Peterson

Sessilanoid by James Peterson

Sessilanoid by James Peterson

Sessilanoid by James Peterson

Sessilanoid: A Sum of all Parts - Interactive Sculpture from James Peterson on Vimeo.

Aquatrope by Tread Messenger

Since I've been immersed in learning metalwork lately, this really turned my crank. Not only is it flat out cool looking, it moves (yay for kinetics!), and it has a message built into it.

The various "wheels" each depict and different water conservation message, timely for us Californians, no? I also love that it lights up, because I think everything should light up ;)

Aquatrope by Tread Messenger.

Aquatrope by Tread Messenger

Aquatrope by Tread Messenger

Aquatrope by Tread Messenger

Aquatrope by Tread Messenger

Wow, two YES two posts in one month. See, I haven't entirely abandoned this blog!

Kinetic Sculpture by David C. Roy

Today is an all video post because if you're going to showcase things that move, you need video of the thing actually MOVING. (Ya think?)  The artist on these is David C. Roy and there are more lovelies on his website.

Bonus: excellent use of classical music tracks.

The Flaming Lotus Girls Light My Fire

I believe I have just found my people.

Kinetic sculpture? check.
Large scale art installation? check.
Fire? check.

Where do I sign up?

Flaming Lotus Girls - Merope 2

Flaming Lotus Girls - Serpent Mother

Flaming Lotus Girls - Tympani Lambada

Flaming Lotus Girls - Xylophage

Cave Digging with Ra Paulette

I've long been a fan of James Hubbell's statement "A house is a piece of sculpture that you live in" and I'm adding a second quote to that from Ra Paulette "I want to create a space that's transformative".

This is exactly what draws me to organic architecture - transformative spaces. Maybe it's just me, but I don't find boxes transformative. They're just boxes that hold your stuff. The curves and softness of organic shapes is what I find transformative. 

I find beauty transformative. 

I find artistry and craftsmanship transformative. 

I hope you find Ra Paulette's work as transformative as I did.

The caves are carved by hand into the sandstone cliffs of Northern New Mexico by Ra himself. 

Art Caves Carved by Ra Paulette

Art Caves Carved by Ra Paulette

Art Caves Carved by Ra Paulette

Art Caves Carved by Ra Paulette

Wire Fantasy Sculptures by Robin Wight

It's fascinating how fast word spreads amongst the arty folk when something "cool" is discovered. Robin Wight is enjoying his newly acquired fame and I'm going to pile on because pretty must be shared....everywhere!

By the way, if these inspire you, there are kits available and the artist has detailed drawings and photos of the works in progress. It always looks so simple...hey, I've got wire in the garage!...but the reality is always that creating takes time and mastery.

Butterflies by Robin Wight

Cobwebs by Robin Wight

Wishes by Robin Wight

Raindance by Robin Wight

YinYang by Robin Wight

Awesome Glass Artist Dale Chihuly

Apprenticeship wanted.

With one Dale Chihuly, glass artist.

Teach me your ways, oh great one, for you make magic and I would make magic, too.

Drink in the lovely....

(The Dream House definitely has a glass studio!)

Macchia Forest - Dale Chiluly, Glass Artist

Persian Blue - Dale Chihuly, Glass Artis

Neon Forest - Dale Chihuly, Glass Artist

Ikebana Boat - Dale Chihuly, Glass Artist

Creative Stone Mason - Thea Alvin

I LIKE ROCKS; I LIKE WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY, AND I LIKE HOW THEY SAY IT.

- Stone artist Thea Alvin 

I'm on a "rock" mission lately while I design a pebble mosaic for my front yard, so my ideation travels brought me to the work of stone mason Thea Alvin. She makes the most amazing arches out of stone, which are shown in her video below. 

I love it when I can find video of an artist talking about their creative process - about why the love the medium in which they work. The essence of art is love; love of the creative, love of the making, love of ambiance, and most of all the love of the medium in which they work. 

Home Studio in Vermont -  Artist Thea Alvin

Pool Fountain at Tarr Steps House, UK - Artist Thea Alvin

Arch at Duke, Nicholas School for the Environment, NC - Artist Thea Alvin

Lions and Sculptures and Artists..Oh, My!

Because we shall let no fine metal sculpture go unblogged, we present this beautiful piece of work by Turkish artist Selcuk Yilmaz. The sculpture was built over 10 months using 4,000 pieces of scrap metal. The artist has named his creation Aslan. 

Pretty danged awesome, don't you agree? 

Metal Lion Sculpture by Selcuk Yilmaz

Metal Lion Sculpture by Selcuk Yilmaz

Metal Lion Sculpture by Selcuk Yilmaz

Metal Lion Sculpture by Selcuk Yilmaz

Stunning 3D Environments by JeeYoung Lee

Jeez, 3 weeks since my last post. I suck. I promise to try and post more frequently in 2014!

Today we shall explore the deeply cool creative environment building of artist JeeYoung Lee. I thought these were digital designs at first but they aren't. The artist actually creates these environments in his studio and then photographs them.

Somebody should create an exhibition space for him where people can walk in and experience these. Each room a different environment complete with lighting and sound effects. I'd go see that.

Resurrection by JeeYoung Lee

Nightscape by JeeYoung Lee

I'll be Back by JeeYoung Lee

Treasure Hunt by JeeYoung Lee

Artist Soo Sunny Park Swings for the Fences

A 50' roll of chain link fence is available at Home Depot. Just sayin'.

Glass pieces, not so hard to create. And if you have any experience with stained glass, the possibilities are endless.

As I was watching the video for this gorgeous sculpture installation by Soo Sunny Park, I was experiencing that familiar "oooooh, I could do something like this in the back yard...."  And now I have ideas.

Lots and lots of ideas.

How about you?

Unwoven Light by Soo Sunny Park

Unwoven Light by Soo Sunny Park

Sculpture by John Jagger - Sculpterra Winery

A little love today for the Steampunk fans out there!

I spotted the image of the sleeping big cat on some random search, which resulted in an immediate "WOW".  Thankfully, the internet is much better at image matching today and people are getting better about labeling and adding attributes to photos. Thus I found not only where said kitty rested, but the name of her sculptor.

Even better, there is a whole garden of these gorgeous bronze sculptures by John Jagger - and they all live happy at a winery. A winery in one of my favorite vacation destinations.

How awesome is that?

"Sweet Dreams" by John Jagger

"Sweet Dreams" by John Jagger

"Eternal Flame" by John Jagger

"Golden Hooves" by John Jagger

"Mermaid" by John Jagger