Where Artists Create - Donna's Cast of Characters

These make me smile every time I see4 them. For more of Donna's delightful characters, please visit her Etsy Shop!  My apologies to Donna for the corny titles I gave her work. I hope to be forgiven.

A grate man is hard to find.

This guy doesn't fit the mold.

VJ: What is the inspiration for your work?

DSS: Humor and whimsy are the emotions that started me wanting to create my quirky assemblage sculptures. I'm influenced by folk art, masks and sculptures from different cultures, characters, and animals from movies and nature; and even by facial expressions and gestures that I see in other people.

The Red Feathered Woodpecker

VJ: If you could explore another medium, what would that be:

DSS: Just recently I started using driftwood to create my assemblage sculptures. Using driftwood gives my sculptures a more primitive and tribal look. This allows me to further explore and be inspired by art from a greater variety of world cultures.

Her brain is like a sieve. So is mine.

Where Artists Create - The Studio

 Donna Sophronia-Sims' studio, is so small that it was difficult to get a wide angle shot. These detail shots will give you and idea of the delightful collection she keeps stacked on shelves on all four walls!


VJ: Tell me about your creative space

DSS: My creative space is a detached metal building in my backyard. I"m surrounded by found and discarded objects waiting to become something beyond their original purpose. I have to modify and join all of the pieces together. While I"m working one sculpture it is not unusual for me to glance over at another object on the shelf and  have an idea speak in my head. In addition, listening to lively music keeps me energized and drowns out other noises that could be distracting.

Where Artists Create - Donna Sophronia-Sims

Meet my friend, neighbor and talented assemblage artist, Donna Sophronia-Sims. Donna creates what she calls found object robots and assemblage art dolls. Her studio is a small shed in her back yard that is chock full of found objects waiting patiently to become another whimsical creation.

VJ: How would you describe your work?

DSS: My robots, art dolls, and driftwood sculptures are assembled from old, damaged, rusty and recycled objects made of metal, wood, plastic and fabric. I may use the whole object, or modify it and use only fragments. I tinker with the found objects trying out different arrangements, until my intuition tells me it's right, into a complete work of art that reflects my humorous and whimsical goal. Some of my sculptures are attached to a base and some hang on the wall. 

It's fun and challenging to figure out the best way to join all the pieces together. Sometimes it's simple and sometimes complex. My pieces are primarily joined together using nuts, screws, rivets and adhesives. Steel objects are joined together with weld tacks. I use power tools for drilling or dismantling different parts.

Come back tomorrow and meet some of her Cast of Characters!

Where Artists Create - Driftwood Dude

This guy should put a smile on your face. He's the work of Birmingham assemblage artist Donna Sophronia-Sims. We'll poke around her tiny studio this week. Come back tomorrow!