The turtles keep surfacing when someones shadow fell across the surface of the fountain. They are looking for a snack or just to let everyone know that they are still around. They rise and fall with the rhythm of merry go round horses.
Kay found this hilarious.
9×12 Pencil & Paper
I have been doing sculptures for years but always looked upon them as a largely private matter.
Mostly, they are done just to keep the juices flowing. I had not really ever had any intent to show or sell them.
Stylistically, they are akin to some of what Cy Twombly, Jack Whitten & Robert Rauschenberg had done. They are one part totemic object, one part a sort of a chronicle of a moment and place. Intuitively I came up with my own rules which served me well from the get go. I will only use materials that are on hand and of the time and place that I am at. This lends a strong improvisational element to my sculptures while also allowing the place to dictate important aspects of the work’s voice.
It is “easy” compared to my other visual work since there is no pre plan and so a piece can never be wrong. Working in a different manner and medium from my other work has led me to view my process in a new light which ultimately adds to my chops and palette.
A few people having seen some of them, understood what they were about and even liked them. I would have considered it an achievement to have had even one person “get it” . So many more than that, it melted my resolve for them to remain unseen. Of course I fully realize that they are not going to be everybody’s cup of tea. I am sure too, that there will be people that really enjoy my paintings and drawings but are left cold by these.
They are varying degrees of sturdy. Most done on the road, if not gifted would not make it home. And even left behind as a memento, they often have a limited lifespan. Others on account of the nature of the materials used, start to die the moment that they are born. The winner always in a fatal game.
This fragility makes it so that my sculptures are often three works in one. There is the conception and creation of the piece. Then there is the physical work itself for however long it lasts and lastly the photo of the piece.
Even knowing that some will not physically last, I have not photographed every sculpture i have ever done. I like the idea of their existence being akin to hearing a piece of music or poem. It can give pleasure and add to you in some way but its intangible.
Give me a pencil nubbin and scrap of paper and I am pleased. I do not need everything I do to be worthy of being framed or even seen. I get a huge pleasure now in the process. This is a major aspect of my sculptures importance to myself. The process is the pay off intellectually and spiritually.
W.Wolfson ’19
“Monkey Bird”
“Cecil Taylor”
“One Eyed Face” (This one is actually very sturdy being wood & Steel)
The relationship between artist and subject/model goes back almost to mankind’s nascence. The advent of cell phones has made expectations veer off from a portrait’s purpose. This is especially true in regards to the public’s expectations.
The ability now of anyone, at any given time to whip out their phone and make a movie or take photos makes the casual viewer come to expect a work of art to lean towards hyper realism.
This defeats the purpose of art, exact visual reportage down to the smallest skin pore and one might as well just snap a photo. Portraits allow for multi layers of enjoyment and contemplation. Done right and they can be revisited, offering up new things with each viewing.
It is a matter of choice for every artist, but personally I always want my pieces to look like the subject. A commonality is that for every artist the dynamic with the subject. It is as if the artist is describing the subject but instead of words, utilized are the technique and style (voice) of the artist. I describe you, but my words are my own.
With portraits, the likeness is captured but so are psychological insights. Not only are the subject’s positioning and posing conjured up but present too are aspects of personality that do not come to the fore in photos unless blatantly apparent (i.e drunk, crying, laughing et al)
I always try to use subjects who are not professional models as I want the body language to be their own and not the expected or academic positioning. Ideally, subjects are people within my orbit, the added trust of knowing each other bolstering the organic conveyance of emotion, which is the ultimate goal for all my work.
Ganache 9×12 Watercolor & Multi Media Paper
Some time, way after the fall of mankind. Earth is a cleaner, if not kinder place.
“Bernie…yeah…Bernie…You’re killing me Bernie…”
A knock on the door, a head is poked in and quickly waved away.
“You forget, I cut my teeth starting in the copy room, working under the orangutans. Yes, yes it was very thoughtful of you to have remembered us during the holidays, yes my wife was very happy. No, c’mon Bernie…Bernie… we agreed on five percent…how good a quarter we had has nothing to do with anything…Ok, you know what, i can’t spend anymore time on this, you win, you get your seven percent. So much for ape don’t kill ape…ok..yeah-yeah no hard feelings, of course see you at the club…”
pencil & 5×4 Paper Quick Sketch
Have been busy with a bunch of larger projects (including getting next short story collection ready!) but that would never keep me from compulsively reaching for ever present pocket pad when out and about (nor hour or two of woodshedding every night)
Give me a scrap of paper and pencil nubbin and it is one of my greatest pleasures in life, serving the process.
3×5 per side
Part of an ongoing project.
Colored Pencil & Paper 9×12
I have an ongoing Portrait Project. Music, gastronomy and literature are my main sources of inspiration.
By way of thanks, with their direct participation, I do portraits of artists from various mediums who I respect and enjoy.
Like my taste in music, it is a diverse list.
Boris Fishman is an author & journalist/essayist. He & painter Luc Tuysman are the first non-musicians to participate in the project so far.
With my portraits of other artists i do not seek to underscore what their work is about but rather the emotional truth of the moment of the artists.
More information on Boris:
“Boris” 9×12 Graphite & Paper
I had read how, for the most part artists do not retire. They do their thing, regardless of medium, as long as they can. I think this is because what gets one into the game initially is that it is a calling. After years of doing it, the process itself becomes a part of the artist.
Keith Richard’s hands show a life of service for the muse. They have become almost sculptural.
They are reminiscent now of the library of congress documentary photos of the first blues men and their hands.
In some ways it is full circle as in this respect, after over half a century, aspects of Keith now resemble those first blues men who were his childhood heroes and initial inspirations.
Keith’s Hand 9×12 graphite & Paper
“Serbia is the new Paris.”
“Every city wants to be, claims to be the new Paris.”
“It is very true of here.”
“Dance with me, it is one of things Serbian girls are best at.”
“Maybe we will have a drink later.”
The pen felt cool then hot as it rested in my breast pocket.
W.Wolfson’19
Rache 7×10 Watercolor & Cotton Paper
I always have a pocket pad on me, more often than not it is my Midori w/ customized paper. I compulsively try different brands and set ups/ style.
I do in general prefer the refillable ones. There is something about having same pad accompany me all over the world and grow increasingly familiar in touch and sight for me.
There are some great non refillable pads out there too. Within my diverse collection of pocket pads they all fall within the 3×5 size range.
One thing I like about mixing thing up pad wise is that although they all are the same size each company’s paper has different properties. My voice remains present but each type of paper adding something of its own property’s to the mix.
It is akin to a musician using different instruments for different types of songs (think for example, Miles Davis or Jimmy Page)
Here are some quick sketches done on pocket pad of company I just discovered.
Paper Life Painting 