Saturday, September 23, 2017

Escher Called...


Yesterday, I paid a visit to Oak Street Garden Shop in Crestline Village. While snapping pumpkins, I looked up and spotted the light and shadows. Without the blue sky and clouds to give the viewer a sense of place, this BW comes across as an M.C. Escher!

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Boys And Their Stuff


Sometime, when I go for a shoot for one thing, I find a treasure when I leave. Boys and their stuff. I loved this.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Saz


Sometimes the best photos are just outside my apartment door. My neighbor, Sazerac is our vigilant watchman.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Sunset in the Ham


We don't have a showstopper NYC skyline, but we love it just the same.

Saturday, September 16, 2017

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.

Friday, September 15, 2017

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.






Thursday, September 14, 2017

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!

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

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!

Monday, September 11, 2017

Rain, Rain, Rain...


Hurricane Irma is promising to send a deluge to Birmingham on Monday and Tuesday. Whatever she sends our way, it can't compare to the devastation she and Harvey have brought to so many. Please share whatever you feel you can to the recovery efforts for those affected inTexas, Florida, as well as those in the islands. Not to be forgotten, those in Mexico as well as those across this world who have lost everything due to earthquakes, tsunamis, and flooding. There are so many in need.

Tuesday, September 5, 2017