Ken Newman Sculpting on the Road

When the mold is destroyed - Well Worn

2012-01-31T16:39:00.000-07:00

Well Worn - Classic Patina

A couple weeks ago we sent notes out to clients who purchased Well Worn over the last several years. The 22 sculptures and 2 APs reside in states from California to the Long Island Sound. Before we make a last wax of the sculpture for digital enlargement for a monumental sculpture in the future, we asked our clients which part of the mold they would like to receive.

Here are some of their comments:

Congratulations on selling your last piece, I have a request.. As I have two boys I would like to give each of them one arm, if others do not request them. via New York

I am very much enjoying having Well Worn in my home so do many of my guests. If possible I would like the left boot. via Arkansas

Thanks so much for thinking of me, 1, Boots, 2. Head, 3. Hands, 4. Arms, 5Legs, 6. Crate, 7. Back, 8. Stomach. via Texas

Well Worn - Blue Jean Patina

We would love to have a piece of the mold, let us know which piece you have for us. via Virginia

Left Boot, Left Hand in that order. via California

Excited to receive a piece of the mold, number 1 Head, via Washington State

I specifically like the shoulder and neck area which is what initially drew me to the sculpture, But I also enjoy the strong shoulders and arms, The back and the head are also nice. The hands holding the shirt are a reminiscent sight I have seen many times. Just love the detail on the boots, ok, ok I love the entire piece! via Idaho

We thought we might enjoy a shoe from the mold, if one is available. We've never had the opportunity to select a piece of the mold before! Thank you. via Arizona

How about the shirt? via California

I want the crate! via Utah

When we are ready to make the last wax for the digital enlargement, the first step of the monumental process, we will photograph the process...watch for updates in September.

2012-01-30T08:33:00.000-07:00

At a 10 week show, you need to feel like you are at home.

Visit us at the Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale Arizona.

Cory's Corner: Celebration of Fine Art

2012-01-26T12:47:00.000-07:00

Cory's Corner: Celebration of Fine Art

Check out this link, Last year video's by Fox 10 News in Arizona at the Celebration of Fine Art featuring the artists in the NW corner of the tent!

Cory is heading back out today! www.celebrateart.com

Wyoming Cowboy Joins National Artists at the Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale, Arizona | PRLog

2012-01-16T15:05:00.000-07:00

Tom Lucas - Featured artist at the Celebration of Fine Art

Wyoming Cowboy Joins National Artists at the Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale, Arizona | PRLog

The Celebration of Fine Art - A Writer's Words

2012-01-16T12:44:00.000-07:00

Ken Newman Sculptures

You can almost always tell when Ken is working. You can hearhis hammer and chisel throughout the tents at the Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale, Arizona. Without the noise to make it seemreal, you might mistake Ken’s work as ancient, Druidic magic.

Although he works with bronze, too, you can tell Ken’s awoodsman. He’s always busy with hishands, feeling and seeing beyond the known and revealing the unseen in thewood. He’s a wood whisperer of sorts.

Trying to describe what Ken does with or to the wood issomewhat difficult. He exposes the art in the wood. He liberates the story that lies within thewood. He removed what is not necessary to reveal what is vital. Actually,describing his work is easy; realizing how much time, energy, patience,commitment, and persistence he invests into each piece suggests the truemeaning of the man. He’s one of a kind.

Precipitous Drop - In Progress

Ken finds pieces of wood. He stacks them, stores them andsometimes turns them upside down. Ken has X-ray vision; he sees what no oneelse can see. With a spooky intuition developed through years of experience,Ken knows what the inside grain will reveal. Of course, wood work being what itis, he also knows how to adopt, adapt and improve his designs as he works.After all, that’s the secret of life, isn’t it?

Precipitous Drop - Completed

When he is finished – after months of work, hundreds ofhours, and untold interruptions – Ken uses natural oils to tenderly heightenthe beauty of the wood in order to direct the observer’s eye to the intricatemaze of action and meaning. Whether it’s a fluffy bunny hiding behind a pricklycactus or an otter darting to the surface to snatch its supper, Ken’ssculptures are truly awe-inspiring.

Certainly, you realize when you see the sculptures thatKen’s talent is extremely rare; but the message of his work resonates deeply,too; No matter who a person is, no matter the person’s shape or size or genderor color, true beauty lies within. No matter what other people think about the“outside” what lies “inside” is what truly matters.

1.75 Sq Ft of Forest Floor

With Ken and his partner (his official storyteller) who canrecount, almost to the hour, the how and when and where and why of eachsculpture, its evolution from forest floor to mirrored stand. She surrounds himwith an aura of sorts, like a wood nymph guarding a priest performing sacredrites in a secret grove.

In addition, Ken’s retriever seems quite satisfied as hismaster uses the most ancient and simple tools to liberate the art from thewood. Undoubtedly, a game of “catch the stick” ends differently at Ken’s house.To Ken, a convivial conservationist no stick is simple a piece of wood. It haspotential, full of rich art.

By John Pinkerton, Arizona

Thank you John for putting your words on paper... we look forward to seeing you at the Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale, Arizona.

2012-01-12T10:07:00.000-07:00

The Celebration of Fine Art - Scottsdale Arizona

January 14-March 25 (Ten Weeks)

10am-6pm Daily

New Studio #227

New Tent Location - 101 @ Hayden Rd- South (Big White Tents)

Wood and Bronze Sculptures

1 Lab (Emma)

100 Working Artists

Sunshine Galore!

Visit us in Scottsdale at the Celebration of Fine Art!

Location Map for Celebration of Fine Art

If you wish to use GPS, the nearest registered address is 17700 N Hayden Rd, which is about 1/2 mile south of our location. You’ll see our big white tents!

Hours: Open daily 10am to 6pm
Parking: Is FREE and on-site
Tickets: $10.00 for adults and $8.00 for seniors and military. Children under 12 are admitted at no charge.

Note: your Celebration of Fine Art ™ ticket is an all-event pass, good for all 10 weeks of the show and sale.

The Beginning - Walking the Wood

2012-01-11T07:58:00.001-07:00

Debbie’sView-The Beginning

Preface: Ken and I met back in the early nineties, he was finishing a custom home and had convinced the buyer that an exterior sculpture would be a great addition. They decided on eagles and he spent several months creating two life-size eagles from redwood perched on a spiral exterior staircase with an eagles nest. I met him for lunch frequently on the site and during those times we planned for a future in art. I was a resort manager with business and marketing background, we both had children in their teens. We created a rough outline of a business plan with goals and expectations and as soon as the boys were off to work and college we sold the house, ventured to Idaho and began our journey in art.

Nesting Eagles - Truckee, California

As Ken begins a new wood sculpture, I look at the rawform of wood with so many questions. I have learned (and continue to bereminded) that it’s better to keep quiet and just watch the subject emergebecause there are no answers, only exploration. So quietly I photograph thesculptures in various stages and angles. Don’t let anyone tell you that thereare only four sides to wood or a sculpture. Just when I think I found the best angle of a sculpture, anotheremerges. Remember, it is all about exploration.

There are no concrete plans when Ken begins asculpture, he may do rough sketches of an animal, sometimes he just jots downabstract lines in his workbook and other times the only sketches that exist,are in his mind.

Over the years, I have begun to accept the fact thateach sculpture is a journey and are a reflection of his life experiences andonly when he’s done will I begin to understand the full impact of the statementhe creates within each artwork.

Prior to sculpting, many hours are spent late at nightwith what I call “Walking the Wood”. Ken investigates thewood, (remember they are raw forms, not blocks) aged and weathered with cracks,character and sometimes other organisms. Just as a surgeon studies and evaluates a patient, it’s amazing to watchhim patiently work the wood, probing, cutting, following the growth patterns,and knots. Through this process heidentifies the structure in the wood, its weakness, strengths, discovering itspossibilities and potential. At the same time, he is researching intimately theanimal’s characteristics, measurements and its habitat. Ken’s visual memory of animals, along withbooks, specimens, calipers, pencils and sketchbooks are nearby as he continues“Walking the Wood”.

Next blog… as Ken begins the subtractive processDebbie gets out of the way when the chips begin to fly...

Debbie

One Star to Good Sam Emergency Road Service –Not so Good Sam

2011-12-29T20:46:00.000-07:00

Traveling in an RV can be challenging when you have an 1100mile Road Trip. You can be prepared –but things happen. While making our waysouth for the winter, we noticed sparks out the passenger window on the 5^thwheel, okay actually Kenny noticed the sparks- yes the sparks were on my sideand I should have noticed them first! Itwas about 7pm and we were 20 some miles south of Lund, Nevada on a lonelystretch of Hwy 318. We were about 15 miles short of our planned rest-stop forthe evening.

The flat was on the right side, so we pulled off the road asfar as possible on a two-land highway and called Good Sam Emergency RoadsideService. It was Saturday evening so wewere hoping for a quick change before it got too late and too cold. Lows wereexpected in the teens.

Lance answered our call at Good Sam's and once we figuredout exactly where we were (Our Garman GPS is wonderful). Lance assessed ouremergency situation; we had a couple options, a change using the spare or areplacement tire. The replacement tire through a Goodyear dealer was 150 milesaway, we considered this and Lance got a price of $425 for someone to come outand deliver it. We then decided it wasmore important to get off the road, so we chose to just go for the change. Lance went to work finding us someone. After about an hour, we got a call backtelling us they apologized for the delay, but they thought they found someone inLund who could come out and once they confirmed the rate they would callback.

Lance called back 45 minutes laterapologizing that they couldn't find anyone, no one would come to our aid. They had called the Highway Patrol – tiredcalling several people and no one could come until morning. Ken asked what happened to the guy he hadmentioned earlier, but Lance just stated he was very apologetic, and his supervisorinformed him to tell us we were on our own, if we found someone Good Sam would reimbursethe cost.

Well, as you might imagine that didn't go over well on ourend. Ken asked for his supervisor, he said he would put us on hold, and Kensaid no, just put her on because she was the one that made the call to leavehim stranded on the road in the middle of no-where. He asked if it was okay to mute the call andshe would be right on – a couple minutes later Phyllis came on and Ken askedhow they could leave him on the road with semis in the middle of nowhere. Shesaid, they had exhausted their search in finding help to change the tire and ifhe could find someone Good Sam would cover the cost. Ken asked her how shethought he would be successful at that when they weren't, it was now almost 10 pm.

Ken explained oursituation on the road and let her listen to the semis roaring by. She said she was sorry. Then Ken explainedthat we have been paying for Good Sam Emergency Repair Service for years and ifhe went out there and changed the tire and there was any kind of incident, GoodSam would be liable for the damages, injury, etc. She was sorry but there was nothing she coulddo. Then Ken asked if he could request a tow since he was parked partially onthe highway. She then said, "So youwant to change this from a tire change to a tow", he said yes. She saidshe would put in the request and someone would call back.

Well, wouldn't you know it, Lance called back within 15minutes and said he found someone outside Lund (20 miles away) he would bethere in the 20/30 minutes to change the tire. In the meantime, Ken went out to check the damage,apparently a short 2x6 board from a semi lodged between the frame and tirewearing the tread completely off the rim.

When the repairman showed up about 10:45pm, he said he wouldhave been there 2-1/2 hours ago, except that the Good Sam never called back toauthorize the work. The caller (Lance) had to check with his supervisor and shedeclined. The repairman quickly got usback on the road. We even followed him home and he allowed us to park in hispasture overnight. We dropped the trailer there, while Ken headed back to Elyto get a tire. The repairman said there was a tire shop that had a weekendnumber for emergency service. On Sunday, after several hours we were back onthe road – with a new 10 ply tire $240…

***** Five Stars to Gardner's Garage of Lund Nevada for your greatservice and the extra mile you took to help us get back on our way- You are some special people! Thank You!

***** Five Stars and special thanks to Gale Oil and Tire, a Goodyear dealer inEly, Nevada for opening on a Sunday morning.

* One Star to Good Sam for telling us there was no one willingto help us and not being completely honest with us about the repairman in limbo26 miles away… the One Star is for the Good Sam operator Lance who tried hisbest!

Checking Attendance

2011-12-15T10:23:00.000-07:00

This commission, started after conversations with the client. Those conversations generated six sketches with my thoughts related to his connections with his dog. The client chose the sketch below. His lab had passed; he provided several images and left me to create a piece of art.

Ken Newman Sculptures - Sketch

The idea was inspired by a video sent to me by a collector of Forever Ready. It was of his lab in its’ last months. There was a split second that brought back a flood of memories of my old friends, for me it was the true spirit of the lab. I have always encouraged my dog to walk in front of me unleashed. It fosters confidence in our relationship. In that video it was a dog that walks in confidence, although the walk showed signs of struggle, it never failed to stop or hesitate to turn and check on the welfare of their friend.

Ken Newman Sculptures - Attendance Study

The small lab study above was done in order to define the foot posture before enlarging the sculpture, which is about 10% larger than life. The client approved the final clay in May and the bronze casting process is complete.

Taking Attendance - (c)Ken Newman Sculptures

The client agreed to let me bring the sculpture into inventory, the edition will be 11. To see the completed sculpture stop by Signature Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona of visit me at the Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale this winter.

Defying the Wind - URI Boundaries

2011-12-11T14:22:00.001-07:00

Defying the Wind - URI Boundaries (c) Ken Newman

This visually expressive mixed media sculpture, explores boundaries, both in society and in our mind. It has Ken Newman’s typical single piece of wood component (oak) combined with an antique wheel hub, an old sign post and metal sign, barb wire, and a metal fence post, which are mounted on carved statuary marble. All combined, create a societal statement as well as highlighting the beauty of nature.

Defying the Wind-URI Boundaries poses the Magpie strategically perched on one foot while holding barb wire in the other, it’s tail blown up and cast off balance by a gust of wind. In society, the winds of change are determined or swayed by knowledge, technology, research or profit. The magpie once had a bounty, considered a nuisance bird by people. Now protected, the winds change, the birds purpose in nature is better understood by society.. Just like the wind, our attitudes change depending on the wind’s direction. The white in the magpie is removed throughout the wood sculpture, representing the unique patterning of the magpie as it is seen especially in the snow, the white of the bird disappears.

In Robert Frost’s poem “Mending Walls” Frost states that “Good fences make good neighbors” or do they? How do these fences/boundaries impact the land, nature, wildlife and man? Man moved west using the wheel, drawn by the open skies, vast prairies and wide open landscapes. As man moved west the first thing many did was to fence and control the land and its assets, stock, wildlife, homes and their neighbors. How do we individually restrict ourselves and others with fences and boundaries (both physical and mental)?

The lines in this sculpture were inspired by a book on Ikebana - Japanese flower arrangement.

AWARDS

First Place Sculpture at the 25th Anniversary Wallowa Arts Festival in Joseph, OR

This is the first in a series of blogs on Ken Newman's wood sculptures. Enjoy!

Exploring The Heart Of Nature, Celebrating The Art Of The Return Of The Light

2011-12-10T20:06:00.001-07:00

The Gallery of Wholeness, Harmony and Radiance at Tlaquepaque in Sedona, Arizona welcomes bronze and wood Sculptor Ken Newman along with New Paintings by Gallery owner Nicholas Kirsten Honshin.

Return of the Crystalline Light

Come celebrate Winter Solstice - The Return of the Light with two award winning artists who both share the intention of bringing light into the world through their unique art. Nicholas Kirsten-Honshin and his wife Krystal welcome featured Artist Ken Newman for a special exhibit at Honshin's Tlaquepaque Galleries, the Gallery of Wholeness Harmony and Radiance and Honshin Fine Art Gallery.

Featured Artist for December Ken Newman receives his inspiration from observing nature. Originally from Ft. Bragg, CA, he is a self taught sculptor who developed an awareness of nature and a passion for wood at a very young age. Now living in Idaho, he spends his life travelling through farmlands, forests and cities throughout the U.S. to find the inspiration for his sculptures. He enjoys creating his artwork with materials such as found wood, bronze, hand forged copper and stone.

Newman has won dozens of awards and has been featured in museums, galleries and juried art shows across the country. His sculptures are more than just bronze and wood figures, they are reflections of his own feelings and observations of man and nature, which are then expressed into a "story" in which he hopes to "direct the viewer's mind to a broader perception."

Ken says "Although the journeys are not the same, there are common threads that connect us." His art is meant to remind us of that connection through the movement and emotion he captures in his sculptures.

Among his wood and bronze sculptures on display in the gallery will be "Sunseekers" 3 bronze Bobwhite Quail awaiting the rising sun on a thin layer of snow. (The Bobwhites are also welcoming the return of the light!)This beautiful sculpture is formed of bronze, hand forged copper leaves, and sculpted marble that Ken has transformed into snow.

Gallery owner, Nicholas Honshin has been expressing his inner creativity for over 40 years through paintings, poetry, sculpture and jewelry. For the past 11 years his peaceful images have also been combined with the poetry and teachings of Zen Master Thick Nhat Hanh in a series of calendars, cards, and datebooks which have reached out to people across the world.

Honshin believes that "Each moment holds the treasure and jewel of life in its heart." His work is both a reflection of this and of the compassion and connection he feels for all living beings. He achieves this through observing, listening and meditating on nature and expressing himself through images on natural canvases of wood and handmade papers.
One of his newest paintings, "Hummingbird of the Healing Heart", the 4th in an ongoing hummingbird series will be on display at the gallery

Join us in December, for art and poetry in the Tlaquepaque Arts Village in Sedona, Arizona at the Gallery of Wholeness Harmony and Radiance and Honshin Fine Art Gallery.

A Gallery is an Important Part of Our Journey

2011-12-08T10:11:00.001-07:00

With all the new media out there, what is the status of galleries around the US? There have been many closures over the past four years; the galleries below that represent us continue on, the gallery in Sedona has recently expanded into two new locations.

We believe galleries are an important part of the art experience and are essential to our overall plan and we encourage you to purchase Ken’s work through these galleries. We support the owners of these galleries, just as we support the art organizations and museums in which Ken’s work is chosen for juried shows. Generally a portion of the sale in these exhibitions are retained by the organizations/museums to further their goals and programs. We believe it’s win-win and encourage you to support them too!

NATIONAL SCULPTORS’ GUILD

COLUMBINE GALLERY

Loveland Colorado

800-606-2015

www.nationalsculptorsguild.com

THE SIGNATURE GALLERY

CHARLES PABST GALLERY

Scottsdale Arizona

480-949-7003

www.thesignaturegallery.com

SILVER SAGE GALLERY

Dubois Wyoming

307 455-3002

www.silversagegallery.com

GOLDEN LOTUS

Uptown Sedona Arizona

and

HONSHIN FINE ART

Ascending Spirit Gallery

and

GALLERY OF WHOLENESS, HARMONY and RADIANCE

Tlaquepaque Sedona Arizona

928 282-5269

www.goldenlotusgallery.com

QR Codes

2011-12-08T10:10:00.001-07:00

Ken Newman Sculptures Website

Celebration of Fine Art

You may have seen similar images in magazines, billboards, ads, menus, etc…this is a QR Code. If you have a iPhone, iPod, Blackberry, Droid or many other Internet connected cell phones with a camera-, By taking a picture of the image (RIGHT FROM THIS SCREEN), you will be directed to a specific site on the Internet, in this case Ken’s new website and the Celebration of Fine Art website.

How does it work—follow the steps below:

· First download a QR program (aka App) that can read the QR Code at one of these sites http://reader.kaywa.com or http://tag/microsoft.com. Just like any App it takes a couple seconds to download.

· Open the App

· Take a picture of the QR Code image above. Once the picture is taken it immediately directs you to Ken’s website where you can browse his sculptures, show calendar and works in progress, etc.

The App keeps track of your QR Codes for future reference. QR codes are used everywhere—beats typing in a URL or searching endlessly. Some codes now can look like logos and images for a fee!

To learn more about scanning/creating tags, Google QR codes or try one of these sites:

http://tag/microsoft.com or http://qrcode.kaywa.com

We have been using QR Codes for about a year at the outdoor shows. It is like a business card, postcard, video all in one and allows others to share your information quickly. We have suggested it to several of the museum exhibitions we participate in and we believe you will be seeing the used in other creative ways. We have plans to create QR Codes for each sculpture, using audio and video presentations in order to reach a wider audience.

WARNING: be careful what you scan—it is another opportunity for the bad guy to hack your phone and data.

2011-12-05T11:51:00.001-07:00

Some Tools of the Trade

Today we just wanted to let you know we reached a milestone on the blog- recently we passed a year worth of blogs (370 something) since we started in 2007. In 2012, our goal is to share two blogs a week as we move across the country to do shows, exhibitions and exploring the world. We plan to continue to share our experiences as road warriors, show exhibitors, museum goers and the joys of lows of Sculpting on the Road. We haven't decided to settle down in one place too long...so enjoy the journey and thanks for tagging along.

Back to work on the next blog... tomorrow! Upcoming Show: Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale, Arizona

Ken and Debbie

You can like us on Facebook Ken Newman Sculptures on Facebook
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Waterfowl Festival in Easton MD

2011-11-07T09:27:00.000-07:00

For the past four years we have headed east in November to the Waterfowl Festival in Easton, Maryland. It is now our one and only wildlife show on the calendar each year. The wood and wildlife sculptures seem to find a sophisticated audience on the east coast, even figurative work sells well.

Three years ago, we added Sculpture at the River Market in Little Rock, Arkansas to the calendar in mid-October, which leaves three weeks between the two shows. It used to be a race across country and back, now it is a leisurely trip between shows—camping and exploring the hardwood forests, rivers and glens. It is also a time to visit family, artists and collectors along the way.

Travel patterns are not set in stone and can dramatically change based on weather—sometimes we go a little south, sometimes we head due east… Flexibility is all part of the journey. This year we plan a short trip to Asheville TN and explore the possibility of offering a sculpting class at an Art Center next fall.

While in Tennessee, we enjoyed the company of Paul Reagan and his Gibson Master/Flatiron Mandolin and the Black Hawk Waltz by Frazier Moss who won 1st Place in the Weiser, Idaho (the worlds largest Fiddle Festival) - it truly is a small world. Paul and my Aunt Eddie, who played her Charles J Horner violin, serenaded us with Old Annie...

These two just loved playing together... amazing musicians.

Allied Artists of America 98th Exhibition features Idaho sculptor's Ken Newman's American Pi – A Moment's Rest

2011-11-03T15:39:00.000-06:00

Every year, we choose a new piece to submit to various shows around the country. Several years ago, Ken was accepted as a member of the Allied Artists of America, Inc. The organization is based in NYC and this year is hosting its 98th exhibition at the National Art Club. This year, American Pi – A Moment's Rest was accepted into the show, which opens this weekend, November 4, 2011 and runs through November 20 with awards presented on this date.

A Reception of Awards Ceremony will be held on Sunday November 20, 2011 at 1:00pm. 24,000 in cash awards and medals will be presented- juror of awards are; Audrey Lewis – curator at the Brandywine River Museum and Gary T Erbe – President emeritus of the Allied Artists of America.

A demonstration by Paul McCormack called "A Portrait in Watercolor" will be featured at the reception and refreshments will be served. The National Arts Club gallery is located at 15 Gramercy Park South, NYC (20th St between 3rd and Park Aves). Gallery hours are; Mon, Weds, Thurs and Friday 10am-12 and 3-5pm, Tuesdays 2-5pm. Saturday and Sunday, call ahead at 212 475-3424.

Ken sculpture is one in a series called American Pi – this particular sculpture captures the essence of the 1960's and the strength and balance required as they entered the work force and dealt with the duality of work and home. Ken Newman has been a member of this organization since 2002 and an elected member since 2008. For details on membership visit; http://www.alliedartistsofamerica.org/ Newman's sculptures have been selected for this annual exhibition five of the past six years; winning awards in 2005, 2007 and 2010.

An Indulgence for Debbie

2011-11-02T15:27:00.000-06:00

An Indulgence for Debbie

Picked up a copy of the Steve Jobs new bio while in Arkansas-figured it would be a great uninterrupted read while Ken sculpts and we are camping. Although, not always an Apple owner – I enjoyed the journey of an innovator.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_jobs

My first experience with the Apple was using an Apple II at the University of Irvine campus for educational teaching classes I took when working on my teaching credential back in the late 80s. The turtle was all the rage. I was working at a school district with a program called Writing to Read, which came with IBM's PC jr's, so most of my future computers were PCs; IBM, Compaq and then Dells.

The next time an Apple came into the picture, was when I did a justification presentation for a Macintosh at Tahoe Donner for desktop publishing (using PageMaker and Quark) for our monthly newsletter. This was the only MAC in the company – we were mostly working off an HP mainframe with terminals at the time; but our newsletter's publishing company used a MAC so we purchased one to integrate our copy – in those days even the text was incompatible…

My most recent experience was with the ITouch my son bought me for Mother's Day a couple years back and I use it periodically as I travel and have wireless, do a little downloading of email and tweeting with it (only complaint was that battery life sucks). Both of my sons have iPads now and it has been fun learning about the different apps…

The book was a fairly quick read – four days. It bounced in the beginning a little bit – but settled in and provided a great overview of Jobs life, career and events that impacted his need to create and innovate. He was fascinated by artists, as am I… to understand where their minds take them when they are creating or just understanding how they see their world. As you might image, my view of things is very different…

So if you have some uninterrupted time, the book is a great read and allows a glimpse into the minds that can change the world with design. My only caveat was his approval of using mind altering drugs-allowing him to see the world in a different way and his belief that others should consider it. Only an opinion.

Things you should never do during hunting season

2011-10-29T20:39:00.000-06:00

Never, never, never book an art show when you are scheduledto leave the day before deer hunting season. It was tough enough getting readyto leave for our six week – two show cross country trip, but Emma the lab andKen only got two days of grouse hunting in before leaving due to heavyrains/snow.

We left Sunday to head to the foundry in Utah www.adonisbronze.com, we had a day and ahalf to do metal check on 9 sculptures and then patinas on those and threeothers. Kept the foundry busy until noon on Tuesday, basing and foaming inAmerican pi- A Moments Rest for exhibition at the Allied Artists of Americanshow at the National Art Club on Gramercy in NYC – then off to Arkansas.

Never, never drive through Colorado during hunting season –I stopped counting guys in camo, trucks packed with gear, guns, horses and4-wheelers – with license plates from across the country.

You never know what weather to expect when going over I70and the continental divide, says it's clear one minute and then the road isclosed, plus just when you think you’ve gone over the last snow covered summit,there is another… It was starting to stick pretty good on the last summitbefore as we rolled into Boulder.

Never, never stay in a hotel full of hunters, or eat at agreasy spoon or pull into a diesel stop during the beginning of hunting season.It is only a reminder of what Ken is missing in Idaho – which used to be anannual ritual since college until I scheduled a sculpture show in Little Rockon the way to our one and only wildlife show in Easton Maryland. Only worsetime to travel is at the end of the season when horns are sticking out of thetruck.

And if you are lucky, you will tune into KMTS in Coloradoand hear "The 30 point buck" by the Bananas at Large of their followup song "30 Point Buck, Tale 2" Only incites our conversationsabout why we are heading east during hunting season.

We love the Little Rock show www.sculptureattherivermarket.com.This year they offered an $50,000 sculpture opportunity to artists attendingthe show. 29 of the 44 sculptors participated and at the opening reception,guests voted on their favorites and the top three were juried by a committee todetermine the final award winner. Ron Chapel of California sculpture was chosen.

Show sales seemed slow, at least for us, we had severalinterested people, but that doesn't put diesel in the tank. Ken's work ForeverReady did win one of the eight Awards of Excellence, juried by the Museum ofArkansas as well as a local art gallery owner. Ken does have two works in thecity's intimate sculpture garden below the Peabody Hotel, check out the sitefor images of 30 sculptures in the Vogel Schwartz Garden.

I will be posting Ken's sculpture proposal at a later timeon the blog. Leaving the Buffalo River we saw a four point buck-I think on the east they call that an eight point...

Welcoming Fall and the Art Shows on the East Coast

2011-10-09T16:46:00.000-06:00

AWelcome to Fall

After abusy summer season, we are now preparing for fall. We were fortunate enough tohave an extended stay on the North Coast of California with family this summer.At this time we are preparing for a trip back home to Idaho, just in time toput some apples up and repack for our annual trip east. Our first stop is thefoundry in Utah, then on to the following shows, both feature privatereceptions:

Sculptureat the River Marketin Little Rock Arkansas – October 14-16 www.sculptureattherivermarket.com

WaterfowlFestival in EastonMaryland - November 10-13

www.waterfowlfestival.com

Between shows, wewill be exploring the hardwood forests in the east, hopefully taking a trip tovisit Ken's son who doing his graduate work in Statesboro GA, visiting friendsand family in TN and NC. Weather permitting we hope to head north to an art openingin NYC then onto CT, NH and ME before heading to Maryland for the WaterfowlFestival, Check out this blog for updates as we explore and Ken sculpts on theroad.

Fall Releases

Ken'snewest sculpture Checking Attendance -the lab is 10% larger thanlife-size and an edition of 11. At the foundry on our way east we will pick upa smaller study of this sculpture – so watch for it at the fall shows.

Another newsculpture - Calm After the Storm, captures the beauty of a hummingbird afterthe storm has passed - the resilience of nature is empowering. This one is areflection of our unusual weather patterns over the past several years – or maybejust our awareness to those happenings.

Calm After the Storm
(c)2011 Ken Newman Sculptures

Fall AlsoBrings Museum Exhibitions

BosqueArt Classic throughSeptember 25 at the Bosque Art Center in Clifton Texas (ObservingGrace – 1^st Place Sculpture Award - juror Tony Altermann)

IdahoPaints Idaho at theArt Museum of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls through October 25, 2011 (Composed - Wildlife/Animal Award - juror Scott Christensen)

Societyof Animal Artists - Art and the Animal at theDennos Art Museum in Traverse Michigan through December 30, 2012 - theshow then goes on tour across the US.

98th Allied Artists of America - at the National Art Club in NYC November 5-20 Reception and Awards November 20th 1-5pm.

In lateDecember we will be at galleries in Sedona (Honshin Fine Art) and (Signature Gallery)Scottsdale -before heading to the 22nd Annual Celebration of Fine Art -January-March 2012. www.celebrateart.comin Scottsdale, Arizona.

Check outthe new website at www.kennewmansculptures.com

Stop back by and check out our blog while we travel east!

Uncalculated Exposure - The importance of a strong foundation = Sculpture

2011-10-07T09:59:00.000-06:00

I have been asked to explain this sculpture, so here goes, let me know what you think?

This human form represents the struggle of life and the character it builds. It questions the concept of what boundaries we will break or expose ourselves to in order to protect something of a perceived value. What is instinctive, and what is calculated? Can we take a true risk, without exposing oneself?

One arm fends as the other gently protects and the emotional struggle and strength of this human form reflects true courage and the individual’s commitment. Whether it represents a firefighter, a parent, a CEO, an artist or you, each may take extraordinary risks to go beyond the call or to expose themselves without considering the risk.

The charred wood is an extension of his leg grounding the individual, his knee and footprint are implied. The nuts and bolts and scarred metal base represent the foundation of the individual’s heritage, religion, and life experiences, which are the building blocks for a strong foundation enabling one to take an "Uncalculated Exposure".

A self-taught sculptor who typically sculpts from a single piece of wood, this was my first figurative sculpture. Just like with my wood sculptures, the artwork is more than just the subject. The composition and textures all try to direct the viewer’s eyes and mind to interpret and experience the emotional struggle in life. Without experiencing struggle there is no growth.

Uncalculated Exposure's AWARDS and EXHIBITIONS

Richard Marini Award—63rd Audubon Artist’s Salmagundi Club, New York NY

Raymond Brumer—92nd Allied Artists of America National Art Club, New York NY

2nd Place Professional—The Best and the Brightest at the Scottsdale Artists’ School, Scottsdale AZ

Lines into Shapes—The Art Center of Estes Park, Estes Park CO

Contribution-The Essence of Life—Boise State University Gallery, Boise ID

SculptureWalk 2007—Exterior Installation Downtown Sioux Falls SD

Society of Animal Artist Exhibition in Traverse MI

2011-09-30T14:23:00.001-06:00

The 51^st Annual Art and the Animal Exhibitionopens in Traverse City MI

The Dennos Museum at Northwestern Michigan University hostedthe 51^st opening of Art and the Animal, a fine art exhibitioncomprised exclusively of artwork from the Society of Animal Artists, anorganization originating in New York City. The exhibition opens on September 17^th and runs throughDecember 31, 2011. Art and the Animalis the SAA’s premier exhibition and features member artists and their latestwork. Whether it’s a Bateman, Ostermiller or Idaho's own Ken Newman – theexhibition is always a favorite who love nature, wildlife and animal art.

Each year, members of the Society of Animal artists worksin the exhibition are for sale and a full color catalog is available at themuseum or online at www.societyofanimalartists.com The exhibition will be split this year withall artworks going on tour – The Western Tour includes The Wildlife Experiencein Parker CO – November 19, 2011 to February 19, 2012, it then moves onto the DunneganGallery of Art in Bolivar MO from March 15-April 15, 2012 and finally onto the Milwaukee Public Museum in Milwaukee,WI from May 26 – Sept. 3, 2012

The Eastern Tour heads to the Peninsula Fine Art Centerin Newport News VA from January 21^st – March 25, 2012 and then ontothe Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala FL from April 12 to June 12, 2012.

This year, the organization chose "Composed" a bronze long-billed curlew. Ken Newman's wood or bronze sculptures have been featuredin 9 consecutive SAA exhibitions, winning several awards over those years,including the most prestigious Patricia A. Bott – Creative Excellence Awardtwice. There are approximately 120 artworksin the exhibition with 25 sculptures.

In 2011, Ken's work has been exhibited insix other museums including The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls, TheBosque Art Center in Clifton TX, the Wendell Gilley Museum in Southwest HarborME, the Museum of the Gulf Coast, Port Arthur TX, Newington Cropsey Foundation,Hastings on the Hudson NY, and the Michelson

Museum of Art, Marshall TX.

For more information on the Society of Animal Artists –Art and the Animal Exhibition at the Dennos Museum Center contact them at http://www.dennosmuseum.org/ orat 231.995.1055 | 1701 E. Front St. in TraverseCity, MI 49686.

Ken Newman's sculptures, both wildlife and figurative canbe viewed on line at www.kennewmansculptures.com and his work isrepresented by Columbine Gallery in Loveland CO, Signature Gallery in Scottsdale AZ, HonshinFine Art in Sedona AZ and Silver Sage Gallery in Dubois WY.

Goal Setting in 2006 vs 2012

2011-09-28T12:02:00.000-06:00

These are the goals established

and those reached in our seventh year

of setting goals in 2006

Complete an Exterior Installation Show

SculptureWalk 2006

Complete at least four wood sculptures, two bronzes and identify one commission

Revise Business Plan based on income and expenses using 5 year actuals

Review cost saving options for cross country trips

Marketing

Review website and update using new technology.

Develop a bronze marketing campaign

Create mailing and sculpture databases in access to enable label making and promotional material

Maintain historical information in Scrapbook.

Update Bio, Resume and Artist Statement

Work on Draft of Wood Sculpture Book for Publication

Investigate Publisher/Writer
Edit Sculpture Stages

Apply for Sales Shows-Choose at least 5

Sculpture in the Park-Loveland (accepted)
Sculpture in the South-Summerville (accepted)
Sausalito Show
Cambridge Art Show (accepted)
Estes Park Western Wildlife Show (accepted)
Breckenridge Show
SEWE (accepted)
Beaver Creek Show
Easton Waterfowl Show (accepted)
Plantation Wildlife Festival
Art in the Park-Boise
Natureworks-Tulsa
Fallbrook Show (accepted)
Maryhill Art Festival (accepted)
Ft Worden Nature Art Expo Port Townsend WA (accepted)

Attend Annual Membership Meeting

National Sculpture Society (NYC)
Society of Animal Artists (VT)

Visit at Least Three Museums, Exhibitions, and Zoos

Metropolitan Museum (NYC)
Brookgreen Gardens (SC)
Whitney Museum (NYC)
San Francisco (CA)
Prescott Park (AZ)

Juried Shows-Choose at least 3

NASE-Golden Colorado (accepted)
56^th Annual Wind River Show (accepted-award)
SAA (accepted-award)
Birds in Art
Trinidad (accepted-award)
NSS Annual Show
Allied Artists of America, NY (accepted-award)
Bold Expressions, CA (accepted)
Palm Springs Desert Museum
Oakland Museum of California - Natural Sciences The Art of Seeing-Nature Revealed Through Illustration (accepted)
Scottsdale Artists’ School, Best and Brightest, Scottsdale AZ (accepted-award)
Henderson Fine Art Center – 7^th Biennial Kentucky National Wildlife Art Exhibit (accepted-award)

Apply for 2007 Exhibition/Auctions

National Wildlife Museum Miniature
CM Russell Western Art (accepted)
Coors Show
Peppertree
Northwest Rendezvous
Boise Art Museum

Schedule Professional Photography Shoot

New Mug
Studio Shot

Review and Apply for Potential Residencies and Grants

Mendocino (accepted)
NSS
Grants for Classes (accepted)
Exhibition Funding
Idaho Fellowship/Quick Funds (accepted)

Identify Gallery Representation/Evaluate Current Gallery Representation

Identify Museum Show Opportunities

In Mendocino
In Idaho
In Arizona

Attend at least TWO Professional Sculpture/Life Drawing Classes

Magazine Articles

Wildlife Art (Sept Oct 2005)
Sculptural Pursuits (2006)
Fine Art of Woodworking (Holiday Issue 2006)

Publications and Mailings

Newsletter (4)
Postcard (2)
Gray’s Journal Ad

Press Releases

SAA Award Release: Ft Bragg, NSS, Allied Artists, Cambridge, Idaho News
Loveland Show Release
Gallery News

Here are some Specific Goals for 2012

Complete Public Monumental Installation
Further Define Branding – Sculpting on the Road
Expand Blog to include information for other sculptors
Expand Website to include on-line purchases
Apply for Grant Funding in excess of $20,000
Identify and determine how to use images of sculpture to generate additional income
Prepare concept for Kickstarter to create new Public Sculpture
Find in-kind sponsors for Sculpting on the Road to offset travel costs
Complete teaching workshop format – focused on Sculpting your Unique Vision
Identify long term residency in a large city, with access to art services, art venues, teaching opportunities
Develop a group museum exhibition of artist of like-minds

Setting Goals as a Visual Artist

2011-09-23T10:58:00.001-06:00

Setting Goals

In 2000, we started the full-time journey as awildlife wood sculptor – aka Ken Newman Sculptures. Ken was building custom homes in Truckee andLake Tahoe (sculpting on the side since college) and I was working inmanagement with a large resort community. We set the course in motion over a period of two years prior to the lastson graduating from high school. 1997-1999 were spent honing skills andtechniques, creating sculptures, developing gallery representation, enteringexhibitions and shows, planning and learning how to navigate the arts in ourcommunity.

In 2001, we realized that where we livedwould not impact our art journey, so we started the migration from California toIdaho, where we had family and a lower cost of living and operating a business.When the last boy graduated in 2001, the house went on the market and we purchaseda new truck and 5^th wheel and headed out to pursue the life of anartist – hence "Sculpting on the Road".

The 5 year plan was developed and put onpaper in 1999. This was a"soft" blueprint of the future, in order to define the direction ofour path into the art realm. Ken wanted to create work that was significant inthe realm of wildlife art and work that shared his love of nature.

These are the overall goals we focusedon for the first five years:

Complete a Specific Number of Artworks

An artist needs to have inventory to sell,jury into exhibitions and put their work into galleries and shows–the body ofwork is important and by identifying a number per year as a goal easilyidentified- you might even want to define size of the works.

Identify and Apply to Sales Show

Spend time identifying your market, price point,genre, etc. We visit shows we considered a match, talked with other artists, clientsand tried to identify our niche. Are you, a Van Gogh, a Warhol orsomewhere in between.

Enter a Specific Number of Juried Shows

In the beginning, we made a goal of applyingto at least five juried shows a year, increase the odds and you might be chosento one. We focus on finding shows withmonetary awards, exposure and mostimportantly jurors that are art critics, have museum connections andcredentials. If you want to get yourwork seen with artists in your genre and in front of a specific curator, findwhich shows they are jurying? Don't jury into an abstract shows if you dorepresentational work. Submit only your best work.

Apply for Memberships to Art/SculptureOrganizations

Engage and join your local art organizations,any regional or state organizations, then national organizations in yourgenre/medium or beyond...

These organizations can help support, provideinsight and elevate your art in venues you can't reach otherwise. Try not to get caught up in the vanity shows,with high entry and show fees.

Create Marketing Materials and Plan

Everyone needs to be seen, although we arenot as visible as some artists, a business card and simple website areessential. Images, postcards and newsletters work via email as well as snailmail. If you don't have a mailing listof people interested in your work, start collecting names for this list at all of your shows.

Press Releases are an essential part of themarketing formula and it is amazing how releases are picked up regionally, instate and nationally. We have a social media presence, (Website, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Linked In) it seems like a viable way to connect with others. If youhave a bankroll, advertising consistently in your market genre can be a veryeffective option for some. If you can't advertise repeatedly for name/imagerecognition, it's probably not worth it. (We don’t have a trust fund or retirement account or Social Security either J)

Continuing Education and ResidencyOpportunities

Classes, seminars, organization meetings areessential to your growth as an artist. Materials,methods, opportunities are changing rapidly and without tapping intoeducational opportunities you may be left behind.

Artist Residencies are a great opportunity tostep away from the daily grind of sales shows and focus and experiment in a newenvironment-residency opportunities vary-search them out. There is nothing likespending a winter with MFA students to enlighten a self-taught artist'sunderstanding that most artists are teachers.

Seek and Research Gallery Opportunities

Not all galleries are able to sell everyone'swork. Do a little research, visit a gallery you think might be compatible –visit with the owner/sales people. Personal verses portfolio is the way to approach a gallery – call aheadto make sure they have time. If there is a connection – be sure you have asimple contract that covers the basics. There are many sample consignment gallerycontracts on-line and hints to consider before signing a contract.

Look for a proactive established gallery –not the new shingle on the street. If you find an artist run gallery, make surethere is someone running it with a business/retail background. The first thingwe do is ask for a business plan -many don't have one. There are great articleson-line related to finding the right gallery for you, do your research and thenbe an active artist in the gallery.

Develop and Refine Business Plan

I added this at the end, because artist's just don'tplan, they create, envision, explore and play…. Business people plan, evaluate,adjust, question and constantly look at the bottom line. Each artist needs alittle help from someone who is looking at the bigger picture.

Find that someone to help you and yourjourney will be a little smoother. There are many good times, but as someoneonce said, real art is created during difficult times, not during times ofprosperity.

Run your art operation like abusiness and see where it leads you.

Whether you want to be a regional or nationalartists, there are so many ways to gather information on the computer about artopportunities, art venues in your specific community, state or nationally orinternationally. It is important todecide what your goals are to insure you are heading in the right direction.You might note that we did not identify monetarygoals, one of our weaknesses, we believe it is all about the Art.

Next blog will detail our goal setting plan for 2006.

15 Reasons We Love Twitter and Tweeting

2011-09-20T10:26:00.000-06:00

These are the 15 reasons we love tweeting:

1. It provides an unbelievable connection to others across theworld that otherwise is impossible.

2. For us it has replaced the newspaper – searches on any topicare timely, informative and with varied opinions.

3. 140 words from normal, intelligent people can lead to betterunderstanding the world. Links shared open avenues for learning and toleration.

4. We enjoysharing information with others who have like mindsand those who are intrigued by our journey.

5. Newsis first hand, from the news makers themselves.

6. While traveling we can read in real time the Boise Stategame, not just from one announcers view but from fans and those that hate the bluefield and jerseys.

7. Inspirational quotes on a tough day can get us through atough spot.

8. Amazingthat you can receive advice on any topic you post.

9. Giving encouragement to a complete stranger is just importantas giving encouragement to family and friends.

10. Celebrating milestoneswith others, even though no one is listening.

11. Amazing to connect with twitter followers atart shows in person after having 140 word tweets with them on Twitter. Can't wait for the first dinner invitation :)

12. Connecting with others who appreciate and love art andartists.

13. Sharing our website and blog with a greater audience throughTwitter. Amazing how the fingers spread...

14. Accepting advice and learning about opportunities from otherswho share their skills, tips and knowledge freely.

15. Finding and receiving deals on museums, food and serviceswhile we travel across the US.

Do you love tweeting? Share your thoughts here or list your top 15 favoritereasons you tweet J

Observing Grace wins award in Texas

2011-09-19T09:00:00.000-06:00

Idaho Sculptor Ken Newman wins 1^st Place SculptureAward at the 26th Annual Bosque Art Classic in Texas

This weekend juror Tony Altermann, a respected westernart expert and gallery owner chose "ObservingGrace", a bronze curlew sculpture for the top sculpture award at the 26^thAnnual Bosque Art Classic Exhibition and Sale at the Bosque Art Center in thehill country of Clifton, Texas. The show features 171 works of art .

The exhibition opened with a private reception onSeptember 9, with the opening reception and award ceremony on September 10, theshow runs through September 25, 2011. Monetary awards are given in eachmedium (acrylic, oil, watercolor, pencil, pastel and sculpture). Robyn Cook'sdrawing called Springtime at the Hales won the 2011 John Steven Jones PurchaseAward Winner.

Below is a list of all the awards:

1st Place Oil/Acrylic - Gettinem Across by Tom Dorr - sold
2nd Place Oil/Acrylic - His Eyeis on the Sparrow by Bobby Robertson

1st Place Drawing - Between Hayand Grass by Cindy Long - sold
2nd Place Drawing - Spring Timeat Hale's by Robyn Cook - sold

1st Place Pastel - Ms. Satsumaby Sangita Phadke - sold
2nd Place Pastel - The LongGoodbye by Patsy Lindamood - sold

1st Place Sculpture - ObservingGrace by Ken Newman
2nd Place Sculpture - End of aLong Running Affair by Rick McCumber

1st Place Watercolor - Old Newsby Don Weller - sold
2nd Place Watercolor - Little Girlwith Braids by Bob Graham

Art Patrons Award - Old News byDon Weller -sold
John Steven Jones Purchase Award- Spring Time at Hales by Robyn Cook - sold

Forimages of all the awards winners click on the links above or visit the 26^th Bosque Art Classic website at http://www.bosqueartscenter.org/newsview.aspx?news=274 .

Sales at the show benefit the programs at the Bosque Art Center.

Composed - wins another award at Idaho Paints Idaho at the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho

2011-08-25T10:22:00.001-06:00

Ken Newman's sculpture Composed wins Wildlife/Animal Award at Idaho Paints Idaho.

"Composed", a long-billed bronze curlew sculpture by Sculptor Ken Newman of Cambridge Idaho won the Wildlife/Animal Award and a $500 prize at the Seventh Idaho Paints Idaho, a juried exhibit showcasing Idaho artists. The exhibition opened Saturday, August 6 at 6pm and runs through October 29, 2011 at the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho (TAM) in Idaho Falls.

At the exhibition opening on August 6^th, juror/painter Scott Christensen chose "Composed" for the Wildlife/Animal Award. Other awards included; Best of Show - Jenna's Doll, Oil by Albin Veselka of Rexburg; Best Landscape - Home at Last, Oil by Joe Keller of Idaho Falls; Best Figurative - Young Dancer Waiting , Oil by Roy Reynolds of Idaho Falls and Abstract/Interpretive- Refish Reprise, Oil by Gertrude Hudson of Boise. The show is a biennial exhibit of 50 pieces of art by Idaho artists. Artworks vary from the abstract to realism. To view award winners go to http://www.theartmuseum.org/IdahoPaints.htm

Ken Newman is best known for his wood wildlife sculptures, in recent years his bronze wildlife and figurative work has been widely collected and "Composed" and edition of 22 was recently purchased by the Woodson Art Museum in Wausau WI. This museum hosts "Birds in Art"; the most recognized Bird Art Exhibition in the world. www.lywam.org This exhibition is on tour and at the:

Wendell Gilley Museum Southwest Harbor, Maine

www.wendellgilleymuseum.org
207-244-7555
July 1 – October 9, 2011

For additional information on the exhibition and museum hours contact The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho www.theartmuseum.org. For more information on Ken Newman and his sculptures visit www.kennewmansculptures.com or call 208 337-8408.

Art Show Circuit - Flip a Coin

2011-08-22T16:16:00.000-06:00

How to Choose an Art Festival – Besides the Best Way (Flipping a Coin J)

We are by far not your hard core festival artists, there are many artists who have been doing the art show circuit for over 40 years, with eleven years under our belt, here are a few observations:

Find a community where art is an important part of the culture. Example, Top 100 art towns in America.

Chose some shows that are focus on exclusively on your genre or medium, i.e., wildlife, puppets, figurative, abstract, etc. or sculpture, paintings, domino earrings, Plein-air, mosaics, etc.

Check out the Community sponsored and supported art festivals, they seem to have a built in audience connected to the community

Choose festivals that support the arts by funding local art programs

Festivals that support and encourage other local organizations to participate including food vendors, activities, performance art).

Festivals that bring in the high end resort tourists

Promoter based shows with good high end client base, not those that rely on cross promotion by other shows.

Commit to a show for over three years if the client base is there but the sales are slow

Never, never, never do a 1^st year show. Exceptions, unless you pay no fees, are the featured artist and happen to be in the area.

Scout out a show before deciding doing it, make sure you are ready for some of the shows setup/tear down issues

Of course, this doesn't mean that you won't sell at other local or regional art venues; your odds are lower on high end work. In our case, we are not looking for volume we are looking for that one or two clients to make the show.

These are suggestions – take them or leave them – comment on them or just Flip a Coin next time you consider doing a show.

Disclosure

You have to be out there to sell, whether you sell your own work or use a gallery or representative... your art will not sell if it is in a closet, storage unit, garage or at your parents.

The summer art season is coming to an end, but that doesn't mean there aren't other opportunities out there. Be creative – thanks for visiting Sculpting on the Road.

Art and Wine - The Perfect Pairing

2011-08-20T15:32:00.001-06:00

Each time we revisit the Art and Wine Pairing Concept we continue to be amazed at how the conversation moves between the two (art and wine) and the dialog begins. Recently we hosted another event in McCall Idaho. Many of the guests weren't quite sure what to expect.... many walked away with a little better understanding... all enjoyed the evening.

YOUR FREE TICKET to the event here on this Blog

Below is an overview of the evening

First, the Medium, the Artist's Name and Three words describing their art and the Artist's name
Second, A brief Artist bio
Third,Images of the Artist's work
Fourth, Three words pairing the wine to the artwork
Last, The wine description

Enjoy!

Acrylics - Whitney Peckman

Rich, Complex, Pregnant

For over 30 years, organic texture supported by vibrant, rich color has defined and propelled Whitney's work. Beginning with complex tapestry weavings, evolving into contemporary paintings and fine art gourds, she has continued to explore and expand the boundaries of natural materials. Looking back on thirty years she can now see that creating beauty creates a space for peace, for calm, and for hope. That, it turns out for her, is the meaning of beauty and the conversation she wishes to share.

Vibrant, Layered, Fruitful

Peirano - The Other Red, 2009, California

One is immediately struck by the vibrant color of this wine. The aromas of blackberries and plums are complemented by spice, toasty oak and cedar notes. Upon washing this liquid across the palate, a wave of sweet black cherries and boysenberries, with a hint of smoky, dark oak lead to a long, totally seductive, finish.

Once we have received the fruit at the winery, we keep each varietal separate through the entire fermentation and aging process, so each grape can fully express its true character. We then make several blends and sample each one until we have found one that is greater than the sum of its parts. The 2008 blend consists of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 10% Syrah. We found this blend to be the best expression of our little corner of the Lodi Appellation.

Fused Glass - Syed Ahmad

Deep, Vivid, Jubilant

My method is improvisational. The glass sheets I have at hand and the image in my mind will do their dance back and forth. The medium imposes its will as much as the artist does. Immersed in paradox, I allow for intentional accidents and planned surprises. While the creative work is done at room temperature, the final outcome is not apparent until after the technical process of kiln-firing. The improvised collage of glass is placed in a kiln and fired to around 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, the pieces of glass begin to flow and fuse, blending shapes and colors. The colors I use are from a specially coated dichroic glass, in which color is created not from pigment but from a thin film coating deposited onto the glass in a highly technical and specialized industrial vacuum chamber. The reinforced wavelengths are perceived by the human eye as being highly saturated in color. The work compels you to look deeply into the piece while observing the changing hues as you move across it, engaging with glass as a living medium

Plush, Alluring, Joyful

Penelope Sanches Garnacha/Syrah, Spain 2010

Aromas of fresh strawberry fruit. The palate follows suit ! Enjoy notes of strawberry cake and raspberry fruit. it displays currant preserve backed by slight notes of toffee and hints of coffee café latte from the aging process in permeable tanks. Full-bodied, long and satisfying."

Pouring it into a glass or decanter, the bubbles are a deep violet color giving a sense of the density of the wine. Full bodied with all kinds of bright flavors going on, the Penelope can be an interesting wine if you stop to think about it long enough. In our Penelope wine label you can enjoy a picture of a flamenco dancer. This traditional dance is mainly practiced in the South of the country, but you can find passionate people for flamenco dance everywhere in the world.

Sculpture – Wood and Bronze Ken Newman

Movement, Reverence, Connection

As we become distanced from the natural world, my sculptures capture a unique view of nature where discovery becomes a focal point. I am drawn to question and interpret the relationships of man and nature and how each influences the other. It is a reflection of time and places during this journey called life. Not an arrived destination, but an effort to understand the world around me (us).

I create art to impact the viewer’s thoughts and perceptions of nature, not for a sculpture’s simplicity or beauty. Sculpting from a single piece of wood; my goal is to create a respect for nature and to convey and share my appreciation and connection to wildlife. It is a passion that only continues to mature as I sculpt in different mediums and subjects.

1.75 Sq Ft of Forest Floor

Sunday's Dress

Revealing, Elegance, Terrior

Andeluna Malbec 2009, Argentina

Great color intensity with violet tones. Aroma of fruits and flowers, with notes of dulce de leche, vanilla and chocolate given by its aging in oak barrels for 6 months. Typical sweetness of this variety. Balanced, full bodied and complex with ripe tannins.

Andeluna Cellars is a winery and vineyard rich with history and romance – just like the country it calls home. This beautiful place is the inspiration for the name Andeluna, which was chosen to symbolize the romance and heritage of the Argentine moon illuminating the magnificent Andes Mountains that frame the Uco Valley near the town of Tupungato. The combination of great vineyards growing classic varietals with world-class winemaking creates flavors and wines that cannot be found anywhere else.

90 points, a "Best Buy" designation and #25 on the "Top 100 Best Buys of 2008" from Wine Enthusiast Magazine: "Great color, extraction and overall balance for an under-$15 wine. There's slam-bang dark fruit, good mouth feel, tightness and serious but controlled tannins. Oak plays its role on the back palate and finish, and in the end the wine is as savory and balanced as it is bold and fruity." (12/1/2008) And, according to Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Bright ruby-red. A whiff of pepper-and-gunpowder reduction dissipates to reveal aromas of plum, cherry, dark chocolate, fresh herbs and spicy oak. Smooth and sweet, with good spicy lift to the plum, currant and chocolate flavors; a stronger cherry element emerged with air. A fresh, round, pliant wine that finishes with soft tannins and a restrained sweetness." (Jan/Feb '09)

This is the first three of six artists!

Watch for more updates in a couple days.

At the Foundry

2011-08-09T10:18:00.000-06:00

The long road took us from Coeur d'Alene last weekend to the the foundry in Utah today.

Working on metal and patina for a couple pieces for museum exhibitions.

Then off to California.....

Upcoming Shows

Bodega Art, Wine and Seafood Festival - August 27-28

NorthStar at Tahoe Art Festival - September 2-4

Idaho Paints Idaho opens August 6 at the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho

2011-08-03T13:04:00.002-06:00

Ken Newman's Sculptor chosen for Idaho Paints Idaho

Composed, a long-billed bronze curlew sculpture by Sculptor Ken Newman of Cambridge Idaho was accepted into the Seventh Idaho Paints Idaho, a juried exhibit showcasing Idaho artists. The exhibition opens Saturday, August 6 at 6pm and runs through October 31, 2011 at the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho (TAM) in Idaho Falls.

The show is a biennial exhibit of 50 pieces of art exhibited at TAM. Artworks vary from the abstract to realism. The exhibit opening and awards ceremony will be held on Saturday August 6, 2011 at 6pm. Award categories include; Best of Show, Landscape, Figurative, Wildlife/Animal and Abstract/Interpretive.

Ken Newman is best known for his wood wildlife sculptures, in recent years his bronze wildlife and figurative work has been widely collected and Composed was recently purchased by the Woodson Art Museum in Wausau WI, the museum hosts "Birds in Art", the most recognized Bird Art Exhibition in the world. www.lywam.org

The Juror for the TAM exhibition and awards is painter Scott Christensen who grew up in Lander Wyoming, where he learned to appreciate nature's beauty at an early age. Although largely considered to be a self-taught artist, Christensen has sought tutelage from Bob Barlow, Clyde Aspevig and William Reese. After three decades at the easel, Scott's work is recognized and sought by collectors around the globe.

For additional details on the artists in the exhibition and museum hours contact; The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho www.theartmuseum.org. For more information on Ken Newman and his sculptures visit www.kennewmansculptures.com or call 208 337-8408.

Artists Collide in McCall Idaho

2011-07-28T10:33:00.000-06:00

Always fun to find a friend on the river kayaking... Whitney and Syed http://www.nwsalon.com spent the week in McCall Idaho at the McCall Art + Commerce Center CreAtive Sparx workshop and art events. They are off to Washington for the Bellevue Art shows and to see family in Friday Harbor. We are off to Sun Valley then next weekend we will be in Coeur d'Alene for Art on the Green at North Idaho College. Packing, unpacking and getting ready to hit the road again. Hope to post some images this week of our McCall art events!

www.nwsalon.com

Art Event in McCall Idaho - The CreAtive Sparx!

2011-07-21T13:27:00.001-06:00

The CreAtive Sparx week began when painter Whitney Peckman and fused glass artist Syed Ahmad arrived from North Carolina and Donna Armstrong opened the doors of the McCall Art + Commerce Center in McCall, Idaho. With two studio spaces, one for workshops and one for the CreAtive Sparx Gallery we unpacked and went to work on Tuesday morning setting up the gallery. With a great eye for design and color, Whitney chose the layout and placement of artwork throughout the gallery.

Setting up pro-panels, lighting structure, hanging work, moving pedestals and signing and tagging the show took about 7 hours.

The CreAtive Sparx Gallery opened on Wednesday and runs through Monday July 25, it is open daily from 10am-5pm and features Whitney and Syed's art and four Idaho artists, Debra Facchin of Whirling Circles Studios, Cindy Leavitt of the McCall Pottery, Goldsmith Donna Armstrong and sculptor Ken Newman of Cambridge Idaho. At least one of the artists is working in the gallery each day, so stop by and enjoy the CreAtive process.

Tonight, the CreAtive Sparx Artists will present 20/20 Vision at the McCall Art+Comerce Center. This FREE event is a visual – live mic evening where the "CreAtives" share their passion which Sparx their lives. 20 slides, 20 seconds each with dialog creating a 6 minute 40 second enlightening conversation with each artist.

Tomorrow night, July 22 from 7-9pm the "CreAtives" will be hosting a private evening where Art meets Wine and the dialog begins. Each artist identified three words that describe their work and Kit Worthington of Bistro 45 and Kim Mott of the Idaho Wine Merchant chose wines to pair with the art. Tickets for the event are $15 per person and can be purchased at the gallery. This event will be held in the CreAtive Sparx Gallery, advance purchase suggested as space is limited.

We look forward to seeing you at the gallery. Watch for our updates tomorrow!

Artists' Celebration of Charlie's Garden in McCall Idaho

2011-07-17T08:49:00.001-06:00

Ken Newman has been selected to participate in the 2011 Artists' Celebration of Charlie's Garden overlooking Payette Lake in McCall, Idaho which is being held Saturday, July 23rd from 6-8pm.

Jurors this year were Bill Woolston, director of the Art Department at the University of Idaho; Kim Mott, artist and Idaho wine merchant; and Debra Facchin, artist and owner of Whirling Circles Studio.

The "Garden Party" is an important fundraiser for The McCall Arts and Humanities Council and the

many programs it provides the community throughout the year, as well as an outreach opportunity for artists.

Ken Newman's "A Moment's Rest" was one of eight artworks selected to be presented in the Jury's Choice area at the 2011 event. These pieces were chosen for their particularly high quality of craftsmanship, innovation, technical skill, expression of artistic vision, and conceptual strength.

Jury's Choice Artists for 2011

Jesse DeMoss "Sculpture"

Kristin Eames "Pingora"

Uma Mulnick "Crystal Galaxy"

Ken Newman "A Moment's Rest"

Christine Raymond "Dreams of Spring"

Mark Dale Smith "Goldfinch Mirror"

Jennifer Worsley "The Waterfall"

Tom Stewart "Grove in Pastel"

Ken Newman will be attending the event this year in McCall and will have several sculptures for sale through a silent auction, with 40% benefiting the local arts council. The arts in all areas are suffering and your support of this event helps develop a vibrant art community in McCall. Purchase tickets through the McCall Arts and Humanities Council and plan on attending the Charlie's Garden Event on Saturday July 23, 2011 from 6-8pm. Tickets are $60 and the event includes wine, beer, appetizers, and music. Tickets can be reserved by e-mailing mccallartshumanities@gmail.com or calling 208-634-7136. Tickets are also be available for sale in McCall at McCall Drug and Mountain Monkey Business, www.mccallarts.org

Heading out to the Foundry

2011-07-11T19:56:00.000-06:00

This is the project for the next couple days - we will be at the foundry completing the metal and patina on this new sculpture... Watch for postings. Next week we will be in McCall Idaho at the CreAtive Sparx Week -

First Friday in Ft Bragg and Second Saturday in Mendocino – The Arts on the North Coast of California

2011-06-30T11:41:00.000-06:00

We headed out for First Friday in Fort Bragg and walked in the rain as we made our way through six galleries in the downtown area. The crowds were pretty impressive for a dreary evening, but what else you do when the fog rolls in on the coast, except enjoy an evening viewing art. Most of the galleries in town are co-ops like the Northcoast Artists. We enjoyed our stroll and saw some great work,although mostly pottery,watercolor and drawings. There was several interesting mixed-media works at The Partners Gallery.

The next week we headed out after an early abalone dinner to Mendocino for Second Saturday to check out downtown Mendocino. The town was a bustling art mecca started in the 60 and running through the 80's but seemed to have lost its luster in the past three decades. Most of the shops are crafts, jewelry, ceramic, mostly gifts – and some really beautiful gifts. If you are looking for a special event gift, it provides a wide variety of artistic crafts, glass, art to wear and jewelry.

The fine furniture (unique woods and design) at the Highlight Gallery on Main Street www.thehighlightgallery.com was exceptional. A $27,000 price point for a large dining room table and chairs was good to see. The area is well-known for the connection to famous woodworker James Krenov. There is a school College of the Redwoods Fine Furniture in Ft Bragg that caters to woodworkers around the world. This is the only gallery that the owners engaged us as we entered and as we left. Several of the galleries, like Panache, Prentice/Zacha Bay Window weren't even open.

We then headed down Main St to the sunset deck of the Artists Co-Op of Mendocino www.artcoopmendocino.com . It seemed like the place to be if you enjoy a glass a wine while enjoying the sunset, but wasn't overly impressed by the work, remember art is subjective.

We next headed up Karsten St to the Open-Door-Arts at the Historic ODD FELLOWS building. They were hosting a small local Mendocino artists as well as a fundraiser for Ft Bragg's sister city Otsuchi in Japan, which was wiped out by the Tsunami. The event is sponsored by the Ft Bragg Otsuchi Cultural Exchange Association. Over a number of years, they have been hosting exchange students from this area with students from . The silent auction of over 100 items runs through July 3^at 7pm.

Then off to the Mendocino Art Center, Mendocino Art Center with roots back into the 60's. They offer an artist in residence program, which Ken participated in the winter of 2006. The art center juries artists from throughout the country and abroad, mostly master students providing them low cost living quarters, studio space, equipment and gallery space over the winter. As with any residency, it is rewarding to surround you with other artists developing a body of works and striving for personal and artist's growth. Imagine Ken doing a show with a group of MFA students, who didn't want to price their work in a gallery show?

In the summer, the center is host to retreat style workshops held by art instructors in all mediums; drawing, painting, fiber, jewelry, metal, ceramic, sculpture etc. Ken was particularly drawn to the metal forging, which over the years, he continues to include in his works.

The center has a new director and it will be interesting if the Art Center can recreate itself in the ever changing art world.

Stone Sculpture - The Three Ages of Woman

The Three Ages of Woman – a sculpture we saw a couple years ago is now complete. John Fisher, a sculptor who lived in a small village of Querceta, near Pietrasanta in northern Tuscany spent 11 weeks on site creating this sculpture during the summer of 2007. John enjoys the social aspect of sculpting in a public setting, engaging the viewers and answering their questions. He has completed other public monumental works in Santa Barbara and Fairfax, VA.

The sculpture is for sale, 50% of the proceeding benefits the Mendocino Art Center's Building Renovation Project. If you know anyone interested, the sculpture was sculpted by hand/chisel from a ten-ton eight foot tall block of Texas limestone.

For those historical buffs out there, the Mendocino Art Center is of the grounds of the former Preston Mansion, which was featured in the James Dean movies East of Eden. It burned to the ground in 1957 and the Art Center founder Bill Zacha acquired the property.

We enjoyed our time on the coast... we will be back in August.

Surf Fishing in Northern California

2011-06-26T14:16:00.000-06:00

One of the joys of spending time on the coast of California is being here long enough to be able to see the ocean's many gifts. In order to spearfish and abalone dive, the ocean needs to be somewhat calm… the surf fish run at a high tide and the fish don't run regularly and with a lot of shore line you have to rely on seeing them run or word of mouth. The salmon are even harder to find in the ocean, the neighbor relies on other local fisherman to learn when they are hitting. Oh, the gifts of the ocean and friends.

Here are some images from our day at Little Howard, north of the town of Westport on Hwy 1.

We heard the surf fish were running here yesterday from a friend. We headed north of Ft Bragg past the town of Westport. First, Ken checks the ocean from the bluff with binoculars.

Then out of the truck and on to the beach, nothing at Howard Beach, but just around the bend Ken sees an osprey working and as we reach the beach it is full of fishermen, pelicans and seagulls.

This pelican waited patiently for the fisherman to dump his surf fish in the bucket and then as the fisherman headed back out to the surf, he tosses one to the pelican J He hung out for over 15 minutes – even with Emma at my side.

Out Ken goes, most of the guys are in waders, some in wetsuits, Ken is in his jeans and boots. Gear is not his thing… He is using his father's old net and didn't notice that it had a hole in the bottom until he lost his first two catches. The last time he was able to surf fish was in the mid-nineties with his young sons. But, as a kid they would catch 400 lbs for some of the local commercial fisherman.

The bucket fills up; the silvery fish remind me of sardines, but are not oily or smelly.

The seagulls work the water's edge and get their fill too!

This bucket of fish now needs to be cleaned. The head is cut off with scissors and then a cut up the belly – the next person takes their thumb and scrapes the inners out… You are left with a bucket of clean fish and a bucket of blood and guts, great fertilizer for the garden.

We will give them a day to setup in the fridge and enjoy the salmon caught the other day. Surf fish tomorrow night for dinner, brought to you by the ocean off the North Coast of California.

Creative Sparx Events in McCall Idaho

2011-06-24T14:05:00.000-06:00

For more details on workshops and other events, check out CreAtive Sparx Workshops in McCall Idaho

The events run July 18-25 in McCall, Idaho, register early! Call 208 634-5556

Artsy Fartsy Tuesday

2011-06-21T09:59:00.000-06:00

Artsy Fartsy Tuesday - Pick of the Day

Check out the link about Ken's work by a part-time blogger, lover of dogs and fellow artist!

Summer Festival Season Starts

2011-06-14T15:17:00.000-06:00

Summer Festival Season Starts

The summer Festival season begins this weekend with our 4^th year at the Marin Art Festival in San Rafael California. As we travel south we are looking forward to meeting up with old clients, (not really old) as well as the hoards of art lovers who enjoy a day of art, libations and regional foods. As a working artist, it is all about finding opportunities to put your work in front of people, over the years we continue to be amazed at how many communities provide artists opportunities to create works for those in their communities.

The works in the shows vary, from fine art to fine craft and sometimes everything in between. Our summer schedule varies from year to year based on many factors, whether we are chosen by a jury, seeking events close to family or special events and always considering the raising costs of diesel fuel. This year we headed from Idaho to Ken's hometown on the north coast of California and then onto the first show of the summer season at the Marin Art Festival. www.marinartfestival.com

Click here For FREE tickets ($20 Value) to this weekend's show in San Rafael CA. We are in Booth 110E.

2011-2012 Art Exhibits/Shows

June 18-19 Marin Art Festival, San Rafael CA www.marinartfestival.com

July 8-10 Ketchum Art Festival, Sun Valley ID www.ketchumartsfestvial.com

July 19-25 McCall's CreAtive Sparx, McCall ID www.nwsalon.com

Aug 5-7 Art on the Green, Coeur d'Alene ID www.artonthegreen.org

Aug 27-28 Bodega Seafood, Art & Wine Festival, Bodega CA

Sept 2-4 Northstar at Tahoe Art Festival, Lake Tahoe CA

Sept Art and the Animal Exhibition – Dennos Museum MI

Oct 14-16 Sculpture at the River Market, Little Rock AR www.sculptureattherivermarket.com

Nov 10-13 Waterfowl Festival, Easton MD www.waterfowlfestival.com

Jan-Mar 12 Celebration of Fine Art, Scottsdale AZ www.celebrateart.com

We have several shows and events in Idaho during the month of July and early August, and then we head back to the coast for the Bodega Seafood, Art & Wine Festival and Northstar at Tahoe. We lived in Tahoe in the late 80's-2000 raising the boys in Truckee. The show at Northstar is another reconnection to the area, and the boys will also be in town, a big plus for us.

If we aren't in your neck of the woods this summer, stop by one of the galleries that represent Ken's sculptures.

The Signature Gallery, Downtown Scottsdale, Arizona

Silver Sage Gallery, Downtown Dubois, Wyoming

Columbine Gallery, Loveland, Colorado

Golden Lotus in Uptown Sedona, Arizona

Honshin Fine Art in Tlaquepaque Art Center, Sedona Arizona

See you on the road -

Ken and Debbie

Bases, Bases and more bases...

2011-06-11T11:01:00.000-06:00

Thought you might enjoy the new bases for the hummingbird sculpture called: Calm After the Storm.

The bases are getting more complicated as new ones in the edition are completed. There are 22 in the edition and he has already completed 10.

The hummingbird's posture is one of my imagination not that of observation. It is a posture that is possible and probable and shows the beauty of a hummingbird at rest; portraying a glistening jewel.

The extension which supports the hummingbird is meant to represent a geometric abstraction of the hummingbird form.

Unlike the jewel representation of the hummingbird, the geometric form represents the power of man and nature. The piercing of metal through metal is to suggest the tension between power and beauty.

In these two new sculptures, one includes a nest within a geometric base. The other is set forcefully down on a delicate lily created from a single piece of copper and finished with patina.

Free Passes to the Marin Art Festival - JUNE 18-19

2011-06-08T14:10:00.000-06:00

Two FREE passes to the Marin Art Festival

Use this link to receive two free passes to the Marin Art Festival - JUNE 18-19, 2011 Father's Day Weekend
Print it and bring it to the show. We will be in booth 110!
Thanks Karen for the correction... :)

Northern California - Abalone Season

2011-06-04T14:57:00.000-06:00

New Abalone Card - over 4ft in length

Heading out to free dive in Ft Bragg, CA

Harbor Seals on the rocks.

Takes 10-15 minutes to tag your abalone.

The new tools of the trade.

New abalone card or streamer in California, J is almost 4 feet long. Most people aren't aware that there is actually still abalone diving allowed in the state of California, it may not be that way in the future and it is doesn't appear to be related to abalone numbers in Mendocino County.

We travel back to California each spring, Ken, who was born and raised in Ft Bragg, has been free diving since he was 11 and began hand picking abalone at age 8 *that is almost 45 years*– back then the limit was 5 per day without a season limit.

In the past fifteen years things have changed radically on the North Coast of California relating to its fishing and ocean management and as we know, so has the world. When I (Debbie) first came to the coast, there was a season limit of 100 abalone per diver.

The weather on the North Coast is somewhat unpredictable and everyday is not an abalone day, Ken is not an hand picker at low tide, he loves to dive a low tide but at depths of 15-30 feet. Sometimes he dives a high tide if the ocean is calm, we have friends who have perished at the hands of the ocean in the quest of an abalone dinner, and it is not worth it. All of the kids have dove at one time or the other and only one - Derek continues to dive.

We enjoy abalone -eat a lot, share it with friends, family and neighbors. The limit per diver went from 100 to 50 to 24 (3 a day), where it now sits, and the season is open 9 months, I think. Initially, you just recorded the information on your tag, in the past several years - you actually have to tag each abalone and complete information on the card.

When you are born and raised on the coast; the ocean and its gifts are a way of life; from ling cod and salmon to abalone and crab. The ocean provides abundance for those who chose to harvest their own food. Listen up Mark Zuckerberg, in this commercialize food market, living in Idaho – and while we visit in Ft Bragg, the gardeners, gatherers and hunters know the land, plants and animals. You really don't know an animal until it goes from the land/ocean/sky to plate.

This year's sport fishing book includes 110 pages of rules and regulations – presented to fisherman in 8pt-10pt type to regulate the 1,100 mile coastline of California. Try to decipher the spearfishing regulations, we spent several hours and still can't figure them out. And guess what, you have to call the F&G line or check on-line to see if they have made any changes before going fishing to see if any changes have been made since publication. Can you image anyone actually doing this, or even reading the 110 pages..? Okay I did – but I am not the norm.

Before Abalone diving - educate yourself.

CA Sport fishing regulations

Pacific Coast Fisherman's Federation Association:

Marine Life Protection Act

Creating Art in Small Studios

2011-05-22T10:13:00.000-06:00

Lori McNee writes about working in a small studio space and features several artists who use social media. Check out Ken's RV studio space. At the time he was working on two sculptures, a wood and clay for bronze.

Creating Art in Small Studios

The CreAtive Sparx is Heading to McCall Idaho

2011-05-17T16:49:00.001-06:00

Mixed Media Sculptures

2011-05-15T11:54:00.000-06:00

Every now and then Ken creates a small bronze sculpture. His last small sculpture "Sparrow Series" sold out in early 2010 - each sculpture (11 in the edition) had an unique base, see examples below.

Mile High Sparrow

Rocking Out Sparrow

Last fall, Ken started a new small sculpture while at the Woodson Art Museum Birds in Art Exhibition in Wausau WI. The sculpture was completed in December and the first castings were released in February 2011 at the Celebration of Fine Art. The first three sculptures have sold and one is currently at Golden Lotus Gallery in Sedona Arizona. Ken is working on bases for the next seven sculpture bases for the summer shows and other galleries...

This sculpture is available at Golden Lotus Gallery

The new sculpture Calm After the Storm deals with the power of nature and how nature adapts. Nature doesn't complain, whine, it just continue on doing what it does to survive, if it survives... They don't wonder why, question God, blame it on something or someone else. They just pick up the pieces and move on. We might be able to learn from this, they are like children, resilient and forgiving - Deb

Calm After the Storm - Hummingbird

The posture is one of my imagination not that of observation. It is a posture that is possible and probable and shows the beauty of a hummingbird at rest; portraying a glistening jewel.

The extension which supports the hummingbird is meant to represent a geometric abstraction of the hummingbird form. Unlike the jewel representation of the hummingbird, the geometric form represents the power of man and nature. The piercing of metal through metal is to suggest the tension between power and beauty.

The image below shows some of the parts of the hummingbird bases Ken is creating... A sculpted marble dice, a sphere, scarred steel, copper flower, wood, metal... just image what Ken might be thinking about creating.

These are just some of the bases pieces - remember there will be 22 different sculptures.

Watch for updates on the new website as the sculptures are completed.

www.kennewmansculptures.com

Ken Newman at Galerie Belle Ame in Eagle, Idaho

2011-05-05T15:51:00.002-06:00

This is a series of six YouTube videos narrated by Randy Miller of Idaho's Behind the Artist Door. This was an unprepared, unexpected interview that solicited responses by Ken prior to the gallery reception featuring his sculptures in October 2010. All six videos are on Randy's YouTube site.

The Collector's Preview - featured an Art and Wine Pairing: http://kennewman.blogspot.com/2010/10/sneak-at-ken-newman-collectors-preview.html?spref=tw

Sculpting on the Road with Sculptor Ken Newman

2011-05-01T09:37:00.001-06:00

Why did you begin "Sculpting on the Road"?

Originally it was for national exposure and marketing. It was also an opportunity to expose myself to the broad range of art that exists across the country. Being self taught I was quite naive about the world of art. So, I might as well dive in head first. Today we continue this journey for many of the same business reasons (especially in these economic times). Now, what I have come to understand is that our travels have provided an opening into a wonderful world I had not a clue existed.

What do you do while on the road (besides art-related activities)?

I am addicted to sculpting, is there something else besides art and its related activities? We do visit family, friends, clients and combine some limited sightseeing. I am a poor tourist, and somehow things get related back to art. There are great art markets throughout the US. Debbie seems to find ones somewhere close to family and or friends.

How does being on the road influence your work and provide inspiration?

How can the sights, sounds and people of America not influence one? We do not travel to or for research. I rarely take photos and Deb's photos I think are for documentation, she is all business. I really try to use my senses to take in an area and appreciate it. Each forest, river, mountain, town and people has an incredible uniqueness about them.

How do you manage to create your art while on the road?

When pulling the 5th-wheel trailer, the back 12 feet is a studio and it also has a generator. So when stopping within 2 hours I can be working anywhere even in an isolated area. Many times however, we travel with a tent, camping gear and a limited amount of tools spending 10-12 days in one location I can be very productive with just hand tools and no generator. I may just borrow space in the garage or shop of family or friends. When you're addicted to sculpting there is always a method to the madness and you find a way.

My indoor studio.

My outdoor studio.

How does being on the road play into the business of art?

Currently self promotion is an important part of our business plan. We choose shows and exhibitions across the country, which allows an artist to develop a personal connection to clients that purchase your work, which continues to grow life experiences and helps with understanding the art market across America (that is if you can ever really understand the art market).

It also has provided the opportunity to meet artists from every corner of the US. Artists are very sharing individuals and have helped immensely in directing our journey, a valuable network of support and information. We continue to go to art galleries and meet owners as we look to move my work into this area. We currently have five gallery representations; Galerie Belle Ame in Eagle, Idaho, Columbine Gallery in Loveland, Colorado, Signature Gallery in Scottsdale Arizona, Silver Sage Galley in Dubois, Wyoming and Golden Lotus Gallery in Sedona, Arizona.

Do you make your entire living off of your art?

The art is the only source of income for us. There is no trust fund or retirement fund. We live off the sale of sculptures and looooooove.

What do you see that is interesting on the road?

You see what you want to see – natural wonders – architectural beauty - quaint greasy spoons-same chain commercial strip centers - North, South, East and West. Nature succumbing to expansion. Man's hand succumbing to the natural process. The challenge is to see a little or maybe a lot clearer.

Where is the most interesting place that you have been?

Traveling in the West over the years, I learned to admire and appreciate the so-called boring areas, South Eastern Oregon and the miles of isolation in Nevada. Again, there is no most interesting place, it's being in the wilderness of Idaho and making you way back to camp in the dark of night, your senses come alive – are you being watched – it is unbelievable what one can see without the aid of light. What you hear and that sixth sense. This is a complete opposite of walking the streets of Manhattan ,where everything bombards the senses, it is so intense, but equally wonderful. Then add the people and culture to these places and they become all intertwined.

Do you take your dog on the road, too?

We started this journey with a great lab Dude and after we lost him at the age of 14, it took three years to convince Deb we needed a pup. After much pouting and puppy dog eyes on my part, we were gifted Emma (a yellow lab), it is the exception not to see her with us.

What’s the best part of being on the road?

Of course, there is all the natural beauty and the people you meet. Dining along the interstate and the compassion of the oil companies. In the end, what seems to make it special are the things that you initially think are bad – days of rain while tent camping – become wonderful times with great memories? A wrong turn in an urban area that exposes you to sights that leave a lasting impact.

The most difficult part?

The most difficult is being way from family, especially the kids during the holidays (we have four boys who have lives of their own-we are looking forward to grand kids someday). Sometimes not having a conventional shop/studio is tough on productivity.

Back to Sculpting on the Road, we are off to McCall, Idaho this week to meet with a client, then off to the foundry in Utah. After that we travel to California for a show in Marin... pray for stability in diesel prices or send money!

The questions for this interview were asked by Carissa Sindon, a freelance writer and photographer residing in McCall, Idaho. The responses are Ken's. Carissa's article on sculptor Ken Newman was published in the Spring issue of McCall Home and Design Magazine Check out the link to enjoy her story on Ken's life as an artist.

From Idea to Clay to Foundry - American π Series

2011-04-27T16:52:00.001-06:00

Why does an artist create a piece of art? What possesses their minds with the need to create? Is there always a message? I found the quote below and always think about it when Ken is contemplating a new sculpture.

"An artist cannot talk about his art anymore than a plant can discuss horticulture". Jean Cocteau – Newsweek 1955.

This is very true when Ken begins working on a sculpture and typically he only writes about a sculpture when it is complete and he has to provide information on the piece for a museum/exhibition catalog or when the sculpture sells and I encourage him to share something about why he created the piece with the Collector.

Sometimes his words are puzzle to me, but other times he surprises me with his wonderful way of looking at the world. It may be innate for a conversationalist to express themselves – but most artists aren't conversationalists. They are thinkers, contemplate and sometimes don't want to share their inner thoughts about their work, isn't an artist suppose to be mysterious? What if what they say is not popular or misunderstood- not only do they expose their inner thoughts with others who only critique their unique view of the world.
If you read Ken's Artist Statement, you will gain a small insight into his work and why he does what he does.
How do you get inside the head of an artist... Well with images - I hope to show you the process Ken goes through to create a sculpture.

The Beginning of a Sculpture Series:

He began the American Pi female figurative sculpture series in 2008. He had completed a couple male sculptures and wanted to create his first woman figurative work. He chose not to create the perfect woman based on societal standards, but began with asking women of all ages – who was their mentor? Who did they derive their strength from in hard times?

It was amazing to him that most women would skip their mother's generation and reflect on their grandmother. So this was the beginning of his reflection on women.

First in the series was American Pi – Sunday's Dress (capturing the 1940's depression and war years), then American Pi-A New Perm (1950's post-war prosperity in the US and the beginning of marketing on women) and now at the foundry is American Pi-A Moment's Rest (the late 1960's women balancing work and home – trying to find the strength and balance to do it on her own terms.

In this sculpture, he created the female form as a nude and it traveled with us across country from weekend art festivals, sculpture shows, galleries, and to wildlife art shows. The sculpture received a lot of attention by men and women alike. Women seemed to enjoy the independence and strength of the sculpture, men seemed to enjoy the nude form, mostly.

As he worked on the posture, it changed several times. Here is the first study for the sculpture, typically Ken creates a study to identify the armature he will use in the larger sculpture. This study was 3-4 inches tall.

Small Clay Studies

Metal Armature

Everyone wants to pose for Ken.

More clay and arms evolve.

Even family gets in on the posing.

Even a cowboy!

Sculpture headed to the Foundry in February 2011

At foundry in April, checking on metal.

Heading to the foundry in May to work with foundry staff on finalizing metal and patina.

Look for final images about May 16, 2011

Check out Scott Rogers, a fellow sculptor who enjoys writing about his work - http://www.scottrogerssculpture.com/

April Newsletter is OUT!

2011-04-24T11:00:00.001-06:00

The Dragonslayer

2011-04-19T11:32:00.000-06:00

In January, Ken stopped by Ball Consulting in Tempe Arizona to purchase clay for a new sculpture, while checking out he read a poem on the board. After that visit, he asked me to find the poem, saying, or words on the internet. He told me it was by Roosevelt and the name was The Dragonslayer. No success for me on the search, so during his next visit he asked if they could copy the text from the board.

This poem so resonated with Ken, I am posting it here for all those who are out there making their way in the world and knowing that we all error and come up short... but it is the pursuit of a worthy cause that is the real reward.

The Dragonslayer

"It is not the critic who counts,

nor the man who points out how the strong person stumbles

or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the person:

who is actually in the arena,

whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood,

who strives valiantly,

who errs and comes short again and again because

there is no effort without error and shortcomings,

but who does actually strive to do the deeds,

who knows the great enthusiasms,

the great devotions,

who spends himself in a worthy cause,

who, at best knows in the end,

the high achievement of triumph,

and who, at worst if he fails while daring greatly,

knows his place shall never be with those timid and cold souls

who know neither victory not defeat."

T. Roosevelt

Well Worn Sculpture - SOLD OUT!

2011-04-06T12:29:00.000-06:00

Well Worn, was sculpted to reflect exhaustion and its presence in our lives. What fascinates and inspires me is the individual who possesses this strength of character. When completely exhausted, what enables one to continue, Responsibility? Dependability? Commitment? Each are components to the foundation for success, and these are characteristics that I have the utmost respect for. Sacrifice, another critical element, is subtlety suggested by the missing digit and it is often this unspoken sacrifice that grounds and creates a strong individual. This sculpture is also a reflection of the labor movement in America and how it was built on the back of steel works, loggers, miners, builders, and all the trades that continue to build America.

While sculpting this I was reminded of my father’s generation and Tennessee Ernie Ford’s song, Sixteen Tons… The marble used on the base is from Colorado and was a remnant of Yule marble used for headstones at the National Memorial Cemetery in Washington DC and the walls of the Lincoln Memorial. Discarded from the marble mine, the small boulder was unearthed while creating a road deeper into the mine.

In our last newsletter, we noted that the last casting in the edition of Well Worn. The last sculpture in the edition was sold in late March at the Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Part of the sculpture process is destroying the mold, we took possession of the mold after the final casting was completed. In the next several months we will pull one last wax for to be used in creating a digital model for a future monumental sculpture. The sculpture will not be cast in various sizes, only monumental, possibly 1-1/2 life size.

After we pull the final wax, the mold will be cut up. It is a tradition in the foundry business to offer clients a piece of the mold. So watch for the process of destroying the mold. Maybe live video!

WELL WORN AWARDS and EXHIBITIONS:

Raymond H Brumer Memorial Award

94th Annual Allied Artists of America, New York NY

Founder’s Award

25th Annual Wallowa Valley Art Festival, Joseph OR

52nd International Open Exhibition

Bold Expressions, Sacramento Art Center, Carmichael CA

Lines into Shapes Exhibition

Art Center of Estes Park Estes Park CO

Spring issue of McCall Magazine features Ken Newman's sculptures

2011-04-01T20:11:00.000-06:00

Lake Fork Publishing featured Ken Newman in their Spring Issue of McCall Magazine. Freelance writer Carissa Sindon caught up with Ken this fall over the internet and interviewed him for this article while we were traveling to a show on the east coast. Carissa focused on the journey we take in creating and selling art. She met Ken last summer at the McCall Arts and Conference Center in McCall during the Artists in Action Show in July, where they had a long conversation about how he approaches his work and life. Thank you Carissa and Lake Fork Publishing for choosing to share Ken's journey and passion for Sculpting on the Road.

Click on the link McCall Magazine Spring On-line Issue to enjoy the entire article and McCall Magazine's Spring issue. Chose the McCall Magazine at the bottom of the site, below the Boise Magazine

Pick up a copy of McCall Magazine at any one of these fine retailers:

Albertson's
Barnes and Noble
Boise Art Museum
Boise Co-op
Discovery Center of Idaho
Eagle Historic Museum
Fred Meyer
Log Cabin Literary Center
McCall Drug
Paul's Market
Ridley's Market
Winco

Don't miss McCall Magazine's Friday Trivia Question on Facebook and win a gift certificate from Bella Kitchen, McCall Jewelry Company or Rupert Restaurant.

Subscriber to both BOISE and MCCALL MAGAZINES Today for – Just $1.25 an issue Go to http://www.lakeforkpublishing.com/ and enter promo code COMBO2011 – Save over 68% off the combined price!

Countdown at the Celebration of Fine Art

2011-03-17T10:38:00.000-06:00

The Celebration of Fine Art is coming to an end. Two weekend left with over 98 artists working daily creating new works. Don't miss the show, located in Scottsdale at the 101 Loop and Scottsdale Rd.

New sculpture coming out of the foundry

2011-03-03T14:29:00.000-07:00

Worked on this sculpture at Birds in Art this fall and it arrived from the foundry at the Celebration of Fine Art. I typically do one small sculpture every other year. It is an exercise for me to do small pieces, working small is hard on the eyes! There is always someone who can't afford a wood sculpture or no where to put a significant bronze, so check it out.

Not yet named... Hummingbird sculpture.

Love of the Lab

2011-02-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

The beginning of a new sculpture...

Capturing a man's best friend.

Celebration of Fine Art on the Valley Dish

2011-02-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

The show runs through March 27, 2011 - visit Ken Newman and 97 other artists in the Big White Tents in Scottsdale Arizona.

Preparing for Presentation to Surgeons at Westin Kierland in Scottsdale

2011-02-22T09:21:00.000-07:00

Watch for final presentation in a couple days..
Always an interesting process to prepare for a presentation like this.

A Sculptor's Journey in the Arizona Desert

2011-02-05T15:55:00.000-07:00

Walking the desert with Emma everyday not only gives us exercise, it reveals the footprints of man in the desert.

On this particular day, I saw something shiny in the wash, an Italian coin. Replaced by the Euro, it shined in the Arizona sun.

Flip it over...

Imagine that - a sculptor.

So off I go to the Celebration of Fine Art to sculpt another day with a sculptor worth 50 lire in my pocket.

Good luck!

The Evolution of a Figurative Sculpture Series - American Pi

2011-02-01T10:40:00.001-07:00

Several years ago, Ken decided to create his first female figurative sculpture. Not wanting to replicate the perfect woman (whatever that is) he asked women from their 20s to 60s, who they derived their strength from and through these conversations he discovered that most found that mentor with their grandmother.
A generation now lost, mid length skirt, covered apron and hair up in a bun. Seated on her chair of choice, hand made by Ken and sitting on a limestone base to reflect her earthy nature. Hands open, but very stoic.

Before completing "Sunday's Dress" he decided to create a woman series and began the second in the American Pi series, the next generation "A New Perm".

A New Perm evolved from his memories of family getting together. The men would play pinochle and the women would give home perms on Friday nights. It was a simple family life when families would get together at the end of the day and watch a small black and white television together. Simple, innocent and playful. The perm represents the beginning of the impact that marketing (Hollywood, Movies, TV, Magazines, etc).

will have on the future of women. A New Perm is so comfortable in her body!

The next sculpture in the American Pi series is completed in clay and ready for the foundry, A Moment's Rest. It reflects the changes in society in the late 60s and early 70's A posture of balance and strength, speaks to the duality of work and home. A mini skirt and cone bra, released to reflect the social and sexual freedom of those times. She is exhausted and is in a purely feminine in form, articulating her back, hair pinned up and finding a moment’s rest and then on to the next task. The reality that work, home and children is a balancing act.

Enjoying the Journey on the Road - Eagle Idaho Fall 2010

2011-01-28T16:04:00.000-07:00

Video of Ken Newman at Galerie Belle Ame in Eagle Idaho at
the Fall Opening - video by Randy Miller of Behind the Artist's Door.

The Celebration of Fine Art reminds me of the Louvre

2011-01-28T14:45:00.000-07:00

Art Collectors love the Celebration of Fine Art, but today we had a life long artist enjoy drawing in the tent. She wanted to capture a posture that took her breath away, Tale of Respect - Ken Newman's bronze pheasant sculpture.

Her passion for art and composition reminded me of my (Debbie's) trip to the Louvre in the early eighties. I had two young boys and my then father-in-law asked if I wanted to go to Europe with him. At first I declined, went home and thought about it (what was I thinking?) I called him back and told him I had changed my mind and would he still consider taking me.

While in France, I experienced over and over again the scene of artists capturing works by the Masters. Sitting in the aisles of the Louvre, leaning against a wall across from a painting, studying and drawing the compositions for later investigation and contemplation.

The Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale Arizona is like no other, except maybe when an artist is sketching a Master's work.

Cory's Corner: Celebration of Fine Art

2011-01-27T12:47:00.001-07:00

Cory's Corner: Celebration of Fine Art

Check out this link, video shot this morning at the Celebration of Fine Art featuring the artists in the NW corner of the tent!

art ponderings today: Diamonds & Reticulated Silver & Gold!

2011-01-19T14:28:00.000-07:00

art ponderings today: Diamonds & Reticulated Silver & Gold!: "Come along with me as I continue featuring Celebration of Fine Art artists, art and happenings in the Big White Tent at the Loop 101 and Sco..."

Talk about RUSHING around.

2011-01-16T16:52:00.000-07:00

The setup at the Celebration of Fine Art is now complete. The last two days have been a whirlwind of activity in the tent on the corner of Scottsdale Rd and the Loop 101.

The Northwest Salon is a group of artists who are located in the NW corner of the Celebration of Fine Art.

The show runs January 15- March 27, 7 days a week from 10am to 6pm. Stop by and visit us in the NW Salon and Watch Art Develop!

What are we missing as we rush through life?

2011-01-05T16:34:00.000-07:00

What are we missing as we rush through life?

Check this out... Interesting story about society! Are we really too busy!

Celebration of Fine Art Booths Setup Start Soons

2011-01-03T17:28:00.000-07:00

These images are of the Northwest corner (7 artists) of the Celebration of Fine Art.

The tent encompasses 40,000 sqft with over 100 artists.

The show runs from Saturday, January 15-March 27, 2011.

Each artist is provided a space which they make their own for the 70 day show.

Setup starts next week, watch it evolve here..

In the meantime check out last year's video of the Northwest Salon at the Celebration of Fine Art.

Northwest Salon YouTube Video

Sculpting at Art Walk in Scottsdale Arizona at The Signature Gallery

2010-12-29T09:47:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Arizona a little over two weeks ago and settled into our RV, our home-away-from home in Phoenix for the next several months Ken will be sculpting at The Signature Gallery during the Scottsdale Art Walk on December 30 and January 6. This Thursday is the Fiesta Bowl ArtWalk and we look forward to seeing all the Oregon and Auburn fans.

Merry Christmas 2010 - A Retro Christmas!

2010-12-22T11:11:00.000-07:00

Emma's 1st Christmas!

Emma Now!

Celebration of Fine Art - Winner - 2010 Sterling Awards - Micro Business

2010-12-20T13:53:00.000-07:00

Here is where we are January 15-March 27th, 2011. 2010 Sterling Award Winner of the Micro Business in Scottsdale Arizona!

Arkansas - The Natural State

2010-12-05T19:59:00.002-07:00

Last year, Ken watched a show on Ken Burn's National Parks and was struck by the raw beauty and remoteness of the Buffalo River, the 1st designated National River in the US. So after last year's Sculpture at the River Market show in Little Rock we headed 2 hours northwest to Tyler Bend Campground on the Buffalo River. A beautiful area, with a wide river known for its kayaking, canoeing and fishing. The river was high and we spent several days, exploring between rainstorms, or should I say thunderstorms. This year, we again made our way north after the show in Little Rock. A drought in Arkansas brought us to a completely different landscape. The river was down 20 feet and there were many places where it was easy to cross and explore the other side. Whitetail, elk, armadillos, squirrels, eagles, blue jays, cardinals and tons of skunks were seen daily during our 12 day stay.

Most of our time was spent in the park and on the river; the fall weather was beautiful, high 70's and lows in the 50's a night. Last year, a local RVer brought us rolls and coffee under our tarp feeling sorry for us and our damp adventure. This year, we found Ferguson's Restaurant, who makes the best fresh cinnamon rolls a mile from the camp. Ferguson's serves country cooking as well as carrying numerous tourist type items; including some amazing furniture and quilts.

Emma (the lab) enjoyed the two swims a day and long walks, she found every goat head thorn and by the end of the two weeks, she just held her paw up for us to remove them. We took a ride over to Buffalo Campground, further up the river and took the images below.

Tent camping can bring out the best or worst in another person. With the weather good, we reminisced about the things we missed last year…the spiders and insects were thick, this year they hardly existed. Last year the river was rushing, this year in some places it was only ankle deep. What a difference a year can make, Mother Nature at her best and so unpredictable.

A Trip to the Birds of Prey Facility in Boise Idaho

2010-12-04T15:56:00.000-07:00

While we have lived in Idaho, we never seem to have enough time to take in some of the wonderful opportunities Idaho provides like the Boise Art Museum and the Birds of Prey facility outside of Boise. We finally made the trip to see the Birds of Prey museum while setting up and attending a gallery exhibition at Galerie Belle Ame in Eagle, Idaho.

Established in 1970 as a research and breeding facility for the peregrine falcon, it has evolved into an unbelievable research center for falconry and the study and conservation of birds of prey worldwide.
This is a day trip we have talked about for about ten years, the sign off the freeway is always a reminder… and now the opportunity for us to explore.

Volunteers greeted us at the gate letting us know the tour of the Research and Archives Center was just about to begin. Off we went with 9 other birders, falconry buffs and visitors to the Boise area. Archives tours are offered daily as part of the World Center for Birds of Prey experience and begin in The Velma Morrison Interpretive Center. The tour highlighted the history and sport of falconry.

Not only did the library area have an impressive collection of bird and falconry research books and journals it was full of rare books, original art including sculptures. A new wing was completed in 2009 funded by a Saudi prince in honor of his father who loved falconry. The new building hosts a completely staged tent with figure replicas of a falconry camp. There is a large collection of falconry instruments, both for the birds and their handlers.

Next we were off to see live birds and the more museum type exhibitions at the Visitor's Center. A new condor breeding area, with cliffs for nesting, was recently created to simulate the bird's natural habitat. I was most fascinated by the Harpy Eagle, a colorful almost prehistoric looking bird. It brought back memories of the condor project at the Wild Animal Park near San Diego in the late 1970s. They have a number of live birds at the center and a docent who provides up-close views of the birds.

As we leave the center and wind down the foothills to Boise, it was another reminder of how much we still need to explore the state we live in...Idaho. To have such a research center nearby is a great value when loving to sculpt birds.

For more information: on the Birds of Prey in the Foothills of Boise Idaho:
Peregrine Fund - Birds of Prey
5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise ID 83709 (Off Cole and I 84)
208 362 8687

A Favorite Sculpture - by Avard Fairbanks

2010-11-29T21:06:00.002-07:00

Several years ago, we were heading home from Cody WY and the Buffalo Bill Art Show in late September through Yellowstone and the truck had injector problems. We found ourselves limping into the Chevy dealer in St Anthony, Idaho. The repairs took a couple days, so we parked the RV outside the dealership and roamed the small city. Near the dealer we found the Verteran' Park with a number of memorials and a very interesting sculpture. We had lunch in the park and spent quite a bit of time walking around the sculpture, talking about how wonderful your eye moved through the monument. It's placement perfect, everything was just right. I took the photo below.

Years later, I was looking at public sculptures in Idaho and did a little research and found out that there are several Doughboy sculptures. There is one near us in Payette Idaho, apparently it was a popular subject and small towns across the US purchased one for their war memorials. I knew the one in St Anthony's was different, I finally found who the sculptor was Avard T Fairbanks. See the link for more images of the sculpture Doughboy Sculpture in St Anthony Idaho . A very famous and well studied sculptor.

Avrad's philosophy of art:

"The arts are created for contemplation and edification, the expression of the highest ambitions and the spiritual hope of a people...Through simple harmonies, art can bring understanding and uplift to the downtrodden. It can recognize the finer qualities of men of all stations of life, and cause people to believe their own kind of living is worthwhile, particularly since art ennobles the struggles of life."

"Our kind of work is one dealing primarily with order...To be sure, art must be intellectual and must there have a thoroughgoing terminology, technical-in accord with scientific terms-and philosophical as well. It should be understandable to children, the untutored, as well as the most highly learned and technically trained."

This link will take you to excerpts from the book "Human Proportions for Artist" written by Avard T Fairbanks and Eugene F.Fairbanks. Always an interesting journey.

Just got the book in the mail today. If you are a sculptor this is a great reference book.

Traveling...Sculpting on the Road visits Relative in NC

2010-11-26T13:42:00.000-07:00

One of the most rewarding parts of the journey that takes us to art and museum shows across the United States is that it allows us to connect to family. This year we were fortunate enough to see many of our extended family members, especially special are those who are aging aunts, uncles and cousins. This year we took a side trip to visit the oldest relative so far - Seth Rogers at Lee's Chapel in Greensboro NC.

Lee's Chapel

Lee's Chapel Graveyard

Home of Ken's Grandfather's (Walter Newman 1871-1933 Mother's (Caroline Rogers 1851-1931)

Father Seth Rogers (1822-1816)

There was no map to the grave, service was going on, so we wandered among the headstones. Near the new church we found this marble headstone under a large tree. It seemed to be well cared for and more intricate than most in the graveyard.

According to records, Seth and Kitty Rogers (his wife) lived for over 25 years in Bruce County, Ontario from 1845-1870 and Seth was in North Carolina for 6 years, his wife Kitty was there for 14 years, she rejoined her 2 sons in Gainsborough, Saskatchewan in 1884. The church is Methodist.

Always an interesting journey!

Ken Newman Caught on Camera - Behind the Door of an Artist

2010-11-22T11:00:00.005-07:00

Behind the Door of an Artist at Galerie Belle Ame - Ken Newman Sculptures

Special thanks to Randy Miller for catching Ken at the gallery and bringing his passion for sculpting alive.

I bet you have never heard Ken talk so much at one time.

Click on the link above and ENJOY!

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