"ACHATES" June 2010

"Achates" is the first peice I have produced useing my new process of development. Achates is not only an abstraction useing paint and stencils like before. It is a assemblage peice as well useing such found objects as golf balls, furniture fasteners, bottle caps, and misc. bolts and screws. It also incorporates a section of wheatpasted flyers and photos that have been layers and torn to represent age. The process begins with the use of 60 1.5"X36" strips of reclaimed wood turns upright and attached together showing the detailed textures and patterns of the ply wood and the prior used surfaces that bleed over into the plys. The stencils, wheatepaste and painting where then applied and the assemblage objects place upon completion. The title came from the term achates which means loyal friend. The work was commission by Sean and Melanie Cutler, Sean and I have been friends for the last 23 years and this peice represents that longevtiy and understanding of that friendship. I requested both Sean and Melanie to complete a 5 question questionaire that has 5 answers to each question. Questions such as which 5 symbols represent you best? Some of those answers were then incorporated into the peice. sections such as the flor de lis in the clock, and the faint images of celtic knobs surrounding the clock. In the wheatepasted face there are band flyers from when Sean played in several local Florida band, such as Num. Another interesting aspect to this process is the installation of these peices. They will be installed useing a steel track that runs above and below the peice. The peice will then be attached from the bottom and the top. In the future this will allow me to attache several peices together to form one large work 8'X8', 10'X10' or even larger. This new process incorporates alot more detail then the works prior and responce to the new work has been extremely good. Some have said they can't stop looking at it because they see neww elements each time and some just enjoy the mixture of techniques and the composition. Never the lease this new and exciting process with open new avenues of expression and communication in the near future while creating and great size to work with. Peace.....5.....