.

Starting with the definition of sculpture, I was looking for how its defined in the art world. I found a YouTube account with 23k subscribers, ArtHistory101 who defined sculpture as “Three-dimensional art made by one of four processes: carving, modelling, casting, constructing” which I believe to be a common understanding by a majority of the art community. He discussed in his video that there is a “muddy” area of sculpture due to relief sculptures and heavy bodied paintings. This is the area I believe my daughters new skill falls.

Then there is the belief that embroidery falls under “craft” and not art, so how does one know the difference? Artincontext.org has an article that defines and explains the definitions of what they believe the difference is and how to spot it. Here is a simplified chart they provide on their site as a quick reference.

As a sculptor, I see large flaws in this. I also see the validity in why one would agree with this. I believe that as times have changed and more contemporary art is created, the lines between the two are extremely blurred. I would define sculpture as a three-dimensional object that has been created by pushing the limits of a material, or combination of materials, past the ordinary to create something unique. By this definition my daughter is crafting right now. As she grows and builds her skill, she could go on to push the boundaries of what she is creating to become a sculptor.

For example, Kathrin Marchenko is an incredible embroidery artist creating large scale, colorful works on tulle. Her portraits are entrancing. While drawing you closer, the detail work comes to life and is even more captivating. She continues to push the boundaries of her work by trying new materials like sewing thread on wire forms to bring life to portraits in a new way. Her work is a perfect example of how craft is pushed to art, and in this case, sculpture.

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In the end, it’s all subjective. I am going to continue down the rabbit hole of showing you what sculpture can be, how artists across the globe have pushed craft into incredible fine art sculptures, and bring a new appreciation to sculptors of all kinds. If you have someone you think falls into this category, share them with me in the comments. I love finding new artists!

After this accomplishment I won a coloring contest with M&M. I don’t know how old I was, but I remember the feeling of excitement, along with the disappointment of not winning the years’ worth of candy. LOL

Life after this was hard on the whole family so I wouldn’t feel these feelings again until I was in high school. The school was too big to be worried about getting picked on for being good at something. I was able to come out of my shell a little in art class. Unfortunately, life had other plans for me and art was no longer an option. I became pregnant when I was 16 and had to be a mom, not an artist. I would still draw on occasion, but it didn’t get to be my outlet like many other artists I talk to.

I may have hid my talent to focus on taking care of my daughter, but creativity and I were joined at the hip. I always seemed to find jobs around art. I ran the photo department at Walgreens when there was still a one-hour photo, I worked at a video store, and I even forced my way into a graphic design job that I was not at all qualified for. That job was the one that really pushed my creativity and desire to know and learn more.

Thankfully, when I was around 28, I was afforded the opportunity to attend the local college. I didn’t hesitate to pursue an art degree, even though I was met with much negativity about my choice. “What are you going to do with an art degree?!” was the most common question, for which I would respond “Draw on the back of it and sell it.” I knew what I wanted to be. An artist. I wish someone had told me that I already was.

College was incredible. I excelled in everything and I think it was because I didn’t want to squander the opportunity. I became VP and Community Representative of the Art Guild, won 2 freshman writing awards, maintained a 3.75 GPA all while sharing it with my two daughters and hoping it would inspire them to go to college when they were older. However, the greatest gift I got from college was Prof. Benson Warren. He introduced me to sculpture and pushed everyone’s buttons by answering a question with a question. He made me think past the obvious while also challenging me to bring my organizational skills and chaotic creativity together. I am forever grateful for his commitment to hold me and all his students to the highest level. Unfortunately, I didn’t complete college. I found out that my daughters would get more grants if I didn’t graduate, so I left 2 hours short of my associates.

Thankfully, my portfolio was strong enough to catch the attention of an Air Force Officer who put me in contact with a dental lab. You may ask yourself…what in the world do these things have to do with each other? Well, the Air Force wrote the holy bible of dental lab tech training manuals. I had no idea sculpting teeth or dentures was even an option. This referral is where I started, grew, and thrived for the next 15 years. I did some artwork on the side, joined some art communities, and always kept space to create but I didn’t feel the same encouragement and support I felt in college. I also didn’t know how to BE a sculptor. Therefore, I fell content in sculpting full mouth restorations for people. It was fulfilling to be a part of someone’s transformation and know the work you were doing was making a positive difference.

Tragically, in 2022 I suffered massive burnout at my job. I had left work early to go to the hospital with chest pains only to find out it was a severe anxiety attack. Of course, I denied it and went back to work, and obviously, it just got worse. My doctor told me she could give me meds to help relieve the stress, but I decided right then that if I needed to be medicated to do my job, I didn’t need to work there any longer. After a long discussion with my extremely supportive husband, I quit my job and took a full month off to recover. (It took about 3 months for the chest pains to subside.)

As the universe likes to do, this twist in my journey lead me to take a leap into being a full-time artist. Now, was that the smartest idea I’ve ever had, absolutely not, but I have been known to leap first and ask questions later. I had no idea how to make money as an artist; I just wanted to sit in my studio and make weird shit. That’s exactly what I did too. For almost a year and a half I farted around, played in my studio, and honestly healed my soul. Unfortunately, that doesn’t pay bills so I took a part time job and joined an art coop so I could show the work I had been making.

This is where I am today. Actually, I serve coffee in the morning, cuddle my new granddaughter in the afternoon, and am working on sculpture endeavors in the evening. For me being a sculptor is how I am processing this crazy world; being an artist is the excitement of doing something bigger than me; being a creative is bringing things together that don’t seem to belong, and being all these things is why I feel even more determined to make a space for us to gather.

I know I am not alone in this feeling. I have seen many of my colleges, friends and family already feeling defeated. They are unsettled the way I am and not just because life is happening, but the climate in which we are having to live that life. It’s hard to stay positive, find your footing, and remember to see gratitude wherever possible.

I am here, writing this to remind you and myself, there can’t be bad without the good. Find the good. Hell, be the good! It doesn’t have to be monumental, just a sprinkle of genuine kindness can go a very long way. I have found my moments of positivity in the weird. I’m doing the weird thing. The thing that is uncomfortable but brings me joy. Is it always productive? No, but they are the moments that keep me going.

Now, I know this may not seem sculpture related, but I am trying to build a community. That doesn’t always mean creativity in the physical form. Sometimes we just need to know we are not alone. You are not.

Let’s celebrate your wins so far! Did you show up for even 5 mins in your sketchbook? Did you look into a grant? What about a call for art? Did you comment positivity to a stranger while doom scrolling? I did! LOL It all counts, so how are you showing up?

These intricate works can weigh up to six tons! That’s the same as an adult male African elephant. Can you imagine trying to move these let alone work on them? There are 100 human forms that took around 6 years to create. What an accomplishment.

I have linked a TikTok video below so you can see him describe his work and thought process behind them, while also giving a more detailed look at some of these sculptures.

@yazuka.nationART NEWS: Dustin Yellin's (@dustinyellin) practice layers time, myth, and memory into dense, sculptural paintings suspended in glass. Drawing from science fiction, natural history, and philosophy, Yellin collapses linear time into shimmering cross-sections of civilization-where past, present, and future coexist in a single frame. His latest exhibition, 'If a bird's nest is nature, what is a house?' builds a time capsule of belief systems, biological forms, and speculative futures-asking what it means to be human in a universe without a fixed "now." On view through August 1 at Almine Rech (@alminerech), Tribeca Interview captured byJoshua Geyer (@joshuabgeyer) #art #artist Credit - @art

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I am in awe of this kind of patience and talent. If you are too, you can see his TED Talk on YouTube called “A journey through the mind of an artist.” which is a short 7 min video, or you can do the deep dive and watch his interview with Tim Ferris that is almost 2 hrs long on YouTube.

You see, my life has been a lot of big ups, (our first grandbaby was born and I got to help my 90 yr old grandma fulfill a bucket list item) and some downs, (unexpected emergency surgery for a family member and job insecurities) with very little time to find inspiration in the middle. This time of year, tends to do that for most people. However, those small moments of joy, like holding my granddaughter as she sleeps on my chest or seeing my grandma tear up at the sight of something she never thought possible, are what is helping me get through the tough times.

I also listen to art podcasts to reinvigorate me to do the things that are less fulfilling. I have two go to podcasts that always help me get moving. The Create! Podcast with Ekaterina Popova and Creative Pep Talk with Andy J. Pizza. They are both loaded with great creative advise, connection through real life experiences, and motivation to keep on creating.

I know I am not alone in this roller coaster of emotions. So how are you finding balance and inspiration? Not just in your art but in life. Are you loosing yourself in a project? Scrolling Substack? Experimenting with new material? Binge watching Stranger Things to prep for the new season? Are you completely invested in a book that won’t let you go? Leave a comment with your favorite way to find inspiration when you’re just not feeling it.

Big Girl Company is a ceramic artist using handbuilding techniques to create the most adorable and sometimes disturbing monsters. I adore that she does a series of kiln reveals to see if anything broke or didn’t survive. She also shares her mistakes like trying to load too much into the kiln and damaging pieces. Her vulnerability is inspiring and refreshing in a world where everything has to be perfectly posted. She also doesn’t hesitate to post her process of hand building which always makes me want to get dirty with clay again.

Jason Vines runs ATXFX and is a special effects artist and prop maker. He is self taught and believes that “because you don’t know how to do something is no reason not to do it.” He emphasises that many jobs he’s taken on is something he’s never done before. I suggest checking out his TikTok page which is loaded with tips, tricks, and funny fails.

Tina Yu is an amazing sculptor I have followed for a long time. She sculpts in poly clay and two part apoxie clay. She shares a lot of videos of her process, inspiration, and even has tutorials on how to sculpt an entire body from head to tip toes on her patron page. If you are a member she will occasionally go live and you can ask questions, which I find not only generous but extremely helpful for artists just getting started in this medium.

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Julian Curi is a paper artist and filmmaker working under the name “Righteous Robot.” His incredible paper-cut films are captivating, as he sculpts puppets, props, and complete environments from paper. He shares his process from sketch to completion in voiced over videos with only gratitude in return.

For fun I am adding Grace of Spades to this list because she creates the most fun decorative pieces like a skittles table with the candy spilling out of the side, a giant paintbrush shelf for her studio, a cheez-it box table with cheez-it coasters, and many more creative pieces of furniture. She shares how she makes each one and honestly, the videos are just a fun watch into her creative mind.

Miss Twisted is a newfound love of mine on TikTok. She is a crafting cosplayer who creates her own elaborate costumes and props, while showing you the process, what she uses and how she tests it. I love her playfulness and willingness to try new things to get the end result she is looking for. She uses all types of materials, even repurposing thrifted items to accomplish moving parts.

Ashley Voortman is a graphic designer that creates miniatures utilizing discarded objects from tea pots to paint pallets. I am a huge fan of hers because she shares it all while showing how something simple can be made into a scary port hole, a fairy home with a circle window, or a terrifying collection of teeth. She is also a great storyteller, so her videos are always a fun listen as well as informative. (She also has a book if you want to do some of her creepy creations)

Lisa of Veter Atelier is all about sharing her experience in using silver clay. She creates handmade talismanic pieces which she offers video tutorials and free tool guides to help any beginner get started. Lisa also posts Q&As for her most asked questions.

Hammerstone School posts lots of videos on TikTok that are great tips and info on working with tools in a woodshop environment, but they are a newer account so when it comes to woodworking tips, tricks and information I usually go to Amy at 2girls1cutt. She is very knowledgeable and really focuses on making women feel comfortable with tools and the shop environment. You can ask her anything, she’s always an open book.

Mathew Doughty of RugorMat is known for his oversized spray foam creations. He does tons of free tutorials and DIY’s to show what spray foam can do, the best types to use for different projects, and even hilarious PSA’s. He is a great problem solver and gets very creative with techniques when trying something new.

Last but definitely not least is Briony. She builds giant sculptures using all different types of items. Her 6 foot disco strawberry is one of my personal favorites, but her to scale formula 1 car created with 50,000 nails is really impressive. She shares her process and inspiration for each project.

Hopefully you can find inspiration of your own from one of these artists. I know there are so many more materials and techniques out there. If you have a favorite artist that is open about their process too, please share in the comments so we can all support them while also learning more about our sculpture community.

Exhibit your sculpture outdoors in Lafayette, Colorado in 2026. The honorarium is $1,200 for a one-year installation. While on display, your piece will garner ongoing positive exposure in our arts-centric, Creative, Diverse, Eclectic downtown. As we enter our 18th year, we have twenty Art on the Street sculpture locations to fill. The deadline for this call is October 23, 2025.

The City of Lafayette and Public Art Committee are committed to community representation through the support of diverse public artists and artworks in the Art on the Street Program. We seek diversity in materials, subject matter, the artists, and the stories they are telling. 

Call Type: Public Art
Eligibility: National
State: Colorado
Entry Deadline: 10/23/25
Days remaining to deadline: 3
Number of Applications Allowed: 3

Dates:

• Entries are due October 23, 2025

• Public Art Committee will make its selections in November 2025

• Artists will be notified by December 2025

• Installation April 20-23, 2026

• Reception and Awards Ceremony October 17, 2026 (tentative)

• Uninstall April 2027

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Explore Gaia and Showcase Art Celebrating Our Living Earth

Gallerium proudly presents Gaia 2026, the 2nd annual juried international exhibition, publication, and sales to celebrate our living earth.

Gaia is an extraordinary opportunity to connect, express, and share your artistic voice with the world! This unique art call revolves around Gaia, the ancient Greek goddess who symbolizes the Earth as a living, breathing entity and the nurturing Mother of all life.

Gaia represents the interconnectedness of all things—land, sea, air, flora, and fauna—woven into the very fabric of existence. She embodies both the beauty and the fragility of our planet, the balance of creation and destruction, growth and decay.

Let’s come together to create a profound impact!

Submit your visual artistic expression of Gaia and be part of a journey that celebrates the Earth, highlights its challenges, and cherishes its beauty.

View last year’s exhibition at: https://www.gallerium.art/gaia-2025

Call Type: Competitions
Eligibility: International
State: Unspecified
Entry Deadline: 10/24/25
Days remaining to deadline: 4
Event Dates: 2/7/26 - 4/7/26

Get published in 2 pages and boost your media presence in the art world

Observica contemporary art magazine invites you to submit your original art for the 33rd issue of Observica, the Elite Edition 2025.

Published online and in high-quality print-on-demand versions, the magazine will be released in stylish full-color glossy A4 pages.

Moreover, the magazine is accessible to thousands of art experts, collectors, and art enthusiasts, as well as galleries, museums, and art institutions from over 150 countries.

Each selected artist will receive 2 dedicated A4 colorful pages.

The artist’s photo and biography will be published on one separate page, and the artwork’s image will be presented on the other, including artwork data, the artist’s photo, and a lifetime active link with a QR code.

It is free to submit, and the selected artists will be asked to pay a fixed selection fee. Please check the Fee section for more information.

Past issues at https://www.observica.com/publications

Call Type: Competitions
Eligibility: International
State: Unspecified
Entry Deadline: 10/27/25
Days remaining to deadline: 7

Her delightful sculptures are not all grumpy, some are happy, maybe even joyful, while others look like they may take a bite back. LOL I am obviously behind as you can see because when I came across this video her “Backyard Buddies” went on sale in August. Don’t fret though. She is great at creating consistent work of new grumpy friends to collect.

I am always a huge fan of someone willing to openly share and not gatekeep in the sculpture community, so a big “Thank You” to her and give Kylie a follow if you haven’t already.

*all images are from Kylie Flinn’s Instagram and can be found HERE.

Get involved. Share on your other socials. You will find my daily updates on my Instagram. I will post the entire months prompts here so that if you come across this in the middle of the month, you are free to catch up or start where you are in another project. It’s all about having fun and doing a daily practice.

I can’t wait to see what we all create. Now let’s start sculpting!

Week 1: Core Foundations - Anatomy Building Blocks

Focus: Simple forms that will become the creature’s skeleton and muscles.
1. Sphere – practice smoothness; becomes creature’s skull or joint.
2. Cylinder – limb base form
3. Cone – horn, claw, or tail tip
4. Egg Shape – torso or abdomen form.
5. Bone Structure – a spine or rib cage mockup.
6. Basic Torso Block – rough body core.
7. Head Block – basic skull form, no details yet.

Week 2: Head & Expression – The Creature’s Personality

Focus: sculpting the face, sensory organs, and expressions.
8. Eye Shape – recessed or bulging.
9. Nose, Beak, or Snout – experiment with different possibilities.
10. Mouth Base – lips, beak, or mandibles.
11. Teeth, Tongue, or Inner Mouth – small details.
12. Ears, Fins, or Horn Nubs – head accents.
13. Facial Wrinkles or Scales – texture study.
14. Head Refinement – combine all head elements into a finished creature head.

Week 3: Limbs, Appendages & Movement

Focus: arms, legs, wings, tails, and how the creature might move.
15. Front Limb Base – smooth arm/leg shape.
16. Back Limb Base – balancing shape.
17. Hands, Paws, Claws, or Talons – detail study.
18. Feet or Hooves – grounding element.
19. Tail or Tentacle Base – long form.
20. Tail/Tentacle End – spade, fluff, barb, suction cup.
21. Wing, Fin, or Extra Appendage – an optional movement feature.

Week 4: Surface, Character, and Final Creature

Focus: surface details, props, and creature unification.
22. Skin Texture – scales, fur, bumps, or wrinkles.
23. Armor Plate or Ridge – protective surfaces.
24. Spikes, Feathers, or Fins – decorative flourish.
25. Creature Accessory – collar, crown, shell, or harness.
26. Pose Study – bend arms/legs into a dynamic stance.
27. Base for Creature – small platform, rock, or nest.
28. Assemble Core Body – attach torso, head, limbs.
29. Attach Tail & Accessories – integrate smoothly.
30. Final Refinements – blend seams, add last details.
31. Reveal Day – Complete Creature! – your assembled monster, beast, alien, or guardian is finished.

Over the past four years I have been more focused on growing as an artist. In this process I have found much frustration in the separation of mediums in the sculpture world and the labels in which we are restricted to. I believe that if we have a space to come together, share our passions, and lift each other up through community, education and creativity, we all win. Thus, Sculptitude was born.

Here I am going to bring you snippets of my sculpting adventures while also doing interviews with sculptors I admire, share random artwork pieces I find while scrolling that I can’t get over, bring you some interesting or expiring calls for art, and so much more. I am really excited to come together with you all to admire the non-traditional, sometimes eccentric, sculptures created by some of the most talented, inspiring artists we have today.

Thank you so much for tagging along. If you’d like to see more of my work, you can find my website HERE

Jewelry has a very long and complex history. Every area of the globe has a unique story around jewelry, but I am going to stay focused here in North America where tribes across the entire continent were creating jewelry with what most would consider limited resources. Utilizing what Mother Earth had given them, tribes would use bones, quills, feathers, shells, and stones to create personal adornments.

Around the 16th century the Navajo Tribe began making rings, necklaces, belt buckles and bracelets after coming in regular contact with the Spanish and wanting to make these items themselves. Even though copper was more accessible in North America, the Navajo would trade with the Spanish for silver coins, teapots, and candlesticks to melt down and use for their jewelry. As more Navajo became metalsmiths, they began incorporating turquoise stones which were highly valued by them and in trade with the Spanish.

In the early 1870’s the Zuni Tribe was already working with brass, copper, and iron, so it was a natural progression to learn silversmithing from the Navajo. The Zuni then taught the Hopi Tribe, and before long every tribe was using these metals and techniques to create their own style.

Unfortunately, due to the European conquest that took over America, it halted the ability of tribes to be creative. The horrific treatment these people underwent meant that they could no longer continue to explore or expand the beautiful traditions they had developed and held so sacred. Thankfully, many of these jewelry traditions have survived and are shared by the following Native artists.

Chad Lorenzo is a Navajo silversmith who creates each piece by hand. He shares his process of making jewelry on TikTok because he believes it aids in keeping his culture alive, but if you are trying to grab a one-of-a-kind piece, you’d better follow him on Instagram because they go fast!

Matilda Joe is known for her amazing beadwork that she has been doing for over 10 years. She is from San Carlos Apache Reservation, located in Arizona, and is best known for her iconic beaded hoops, which I am a big fan of! Her Instagram best showcases her abilities and wide range of traditional beaded jewelry.

Charles Loloma was a Hopi Native American artist who created pottery and paintings, but in the 20th century he began using Hopi inspiration to interpret other things such as Egyptian Deities. He began using non-traditional stones and exploring the technique of tufa casting and inlay. He did this saying he believed “people have inner gems. This is why I include inner gems in much of my work.” He continues to be an inspiration to Native jewelers to this day.

If you are looking for a collaboration of Native jewelry, artwork and more, Eighth Generation is the first tribally owned brand in the US or Canada. They beautifully blend traditional and modern aesthetics to create uniquely stunning jewelry. According to their website: “Eighth Generation provides a strong, ethical alternative to “Native-inspired” art and products through our artist-centric approach and 100% Native designed products. We are reclaiming a market that has been dominated by non-Native companies using stolen and fake “Native-inspired” designs by investing in Native creativity, capacity, entrepreneurship, and values. Through our Inspired Natives® Project, which is anchored by the tagline “Inspired Natives®, not Native-inspired,” we build business capacity among cultural artists while addressing the economic impact of cultural appropriation.”

The lost wax method is an ancient technique used to cast sculptures, jewelry, dental appliances, and other items in different metals like bronze, gold, silver and aluminum. Pieces are created, or duplicated, in wax before being made into a mold. The mold is then heated in an oven, so the wax is melted out of the mold completely. Once the mold is heated and the wax is gone, it is filled with the metal of choice. Once cooled, the mold is broken open to reveal the final sculpture. But wait…there’s more! The piece still has to be ground smooth, sometimes welded to fix casting issues or add separately cast pieces together and then polished to perfection. Some artists will also flame the metal, anodize the metal, or simply paint it to achieve a particular aesthetic for their piece.

A lot of work goes into each piece no matter the size. Artist Guilloume knows this better than most. This year he celebrates 50 years of creating metal sculptures and oil paintings focusing on unity and partnership. I was honored to be invited to his atelier last August for a four man show featuring Guilloume, Johann Sebastian, Claudio Tolousse, and Jose Cordova. All of these artists are amazing metalsmiths who use the lost wax process, but more than that, they are all family. Seeing firsthand how Guilloume shared his process, experiences, stories, time, and pride in his partners, all unfiltered from the heart, showed me that he not only celebrates unity, but he also breathes it into everything he does.

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If you’d like to see how the process is done, sculptor Rick Bricker is featured in this video explaining everything you need to know while showing you how it is done in his foundry. In case you don’t know, a foundry is a very useful place artists can send or take their completed wax piece to and have them complete the casting process. Beware though, this process is fascinating, and you may find yourself in a rabbit hole of videos.

David Smith is one of the best-known large scale abstract metal sculptors, and one of my personal favorites, as well as one of the pioneers of welding in America. Thanks to his experimentation and exploration, he paved the way for artists like Rea Ripple to dominate her craft. I came across her on the show “Metal Shop Masters” on Netflix. Her work with forging sheet metal and hand cutting intricate designs is incredible. I absolutely love what she does with car bodies. She is also going above and beyond as an artist by advocating for more women in the trade, which I find very inspiring.

Speaking of expanding a trade, Max Randolph offers apprenticeships in the ancient craft of blacksmithing. He is the most talented blacksmith I’ve ever seen and doesn’t gatekeep his process at all. If you visit his social media accounts, you can see everything from his incredibly precise drawings and drafts to his completed works like the 2000-pound Hobbit Door or the insane 18-foot Valhalla doors!

Another artist that works in large abstract metal sculptures is Jeffery Laudenslager., who has taken this artform to a whole new level. He incorporates kinetic energy and geometric shapes into his pieces, while also playing with the illusion of balance. You cannot help but be pulled in while being completely mesmerized by the movement and play of each piece.

Within my own local scene, Hardy and Fuller in the Santa Fe Art District in Denver offers blacksmithing, welding and metal sculpture. Don’t worry about safety because they provide that class before you get started. They also have guest artists in the studio showcasing other metal processes if you are looking to expand your knowledge.

If you have recommendations for classes near you, please feel free to share! You never know who is looking for something new near them.

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Ann Carrington has been an inspiration to me as she doesn’t subscribe to just one way of pushing the limits of found metal objects. When she stumbles upon a unique metal object, Ann tries to incorporate the item's unique history while giving it a new story. In doing so, she uses many different techniques to accomplish her vision, such as welding, hammering, mold presses, and even using chains and pins like embroidery to accomplish her vision. I suggest checking out her Instagram to see her incredible work.

Palett’O Creations taps right into my nerdy side as he has created Star Wars and Nightmare before Christmas characters, robots that steal your heart, and many other beautiful pieces. I am also a sucker for a well-executed female form, and he has a few. One of my favorites busts he has crafted uses well placed metal scraps creating a very futuristic and seductive vibe. HIs newest sculpture is a dragon that looks to not only utilize discarded metal pieces, but also customized work from sheet metal. These pieces and more can be seen on his Instagram as well.

Obviously, I cannot forget to include someone local. Dolan Geiman is located in Denver, CO and uses his work to celebrate his love of Mother Nature and the American landscape. He is well recognized for his assemblage sculptures while more recently he has grown into creating more paintings, paper sculptures, and even wearable art! His work centers around the traditional western themes of buffalos, fish, cowboys, native americans, boots, horses, and the beautiful countryside to name a few. His process and pieces can also be seen on Instagram.

With these artists and most metal assemblies, welding skills are a must. There is a lot to know, consider, and a variety of materials so if you are thinking about picking up a torch to give it a go, I suggest Welding Mania as a resource. I linked the beginners guide because it gives you a clear and complete guide for free. If you have other suggestions, recommendations, or artists you admire, please share with the community in the comments.

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According to The First Metallurgists: The Mastery of Ancient Metalwork “The earliest known use of metals dates back to the Neolithic period, with gold and copper being used for decorative and practical purposes. By around 4000 BCE, early metallurgists began experimenting with smelting copper ores, leading to the production of stronger and more versatile tools. The development of alloying, particularly the combination of copper and tin to create bronze, revolutionized craftsmanship and warfare.”

Metal as an artform, I’d say, has been around the whole time. The creativity and intellect to form metal into utilitarian objects then continue to experiment while pushing the material to its limits to see what more could be done, is exactly what artists continue to do today. Through hammering, casting, forging, welding, and many other techniques, artists found a way to express their creativity with iron, bronze, copper, silver, brass, gold, aluminum and titanium to list a few.

When I talk to people about what metal sculpture is, it usually brings up the large outdoor installations that you may see outside a museum, in a downtown art scene or if you're lucky they are in a park you frequently walk. Luckily for us, metal sculpture is much broader than that. This month we will deep dive into some of these techniques and artists who have mastered, and are still pushing the boundaries of, three-dimensional metal art. For now, I have to get out there and tackle that yard!!!

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I had a great time doing this along with plenty of inspiration. Let's start with Sam Miller. She uses old black & white photos, paper, jewelry, shoes, dolls, letters, and more, to create timeless collages. Her antique style and ability to include so many details without looking cluttered makes her artwork pull you in to see what else it says to you.

If you are looking for a more simplistic style with great storytelling you must see Glenn Martinez. His work utilizes symbolism and relics to convey powerful stories of hope, resilience, and vulnerability, while some pay homage to those who have inspired or intrigued him. Each piece is beautifully executed in both art and story.

Jennie Sharmen-Cox is an artist after my own heart. She uses her collages to examine female struggles, while also balancing the history of the found objects she is utilizing. Her work is stunning and powerful without saying a word. Her newest collection isn’t collage but is still very impactful.

Last but not least, I don’t want to leave out Jenifer J. Renzel. I love the way she perfectly displays how an incredible self-taught collage assemblage artist can pivot in their creative journey to start creating paintings, digital works, and miniatures.

I believe that it's very important in our creative journey to learn not to be scared of pivoting. Embrace the ups, downs and changes because that is how we grow as well as find a way to unwind. This process for me this week was just what I needed and maybe you will be inspired to pull out that memory box of knick knacks that you’ve been hoarding, grab a shadow box or frame, maybe a glass of wine, and go to town feeding your creative spirit.

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Creating dolls out of spare parts must be part of the artist's DNA as I am definitely not alone in this; there are several assemblage artists who create incredible new dolls from old parts! One of my favorites is my friend Gina Bryant. She uses old tins for the torso, doll parts for the head and arms and legs while adding fun, creative accents to showcase the unique characteristics of each one.

Jeanette Crooks creates similar works with a more industrial spin. She incorporates metal parts and pieces with doll parts, creating stories and whole scenes that span several pieces. She also creates wall hanging pieces that vary in size, shape, and content using the same industrial method.

If you like a more twisted and darker feeling you need to follow Twisted Copper Forest! Their use of wood and metal with dark eyed doll faces will definitely delight the strange and unusual art lover, and if that doesn’t do it for you, their variety of similarly dark miniatures will.

Repurposing dolls is a fun and creative outlet for many artists, including myself. If you decide to go down the rabbit hole of assemblage doll art, you will find everything from doll planters and keepsake boxes to jewelry and lamps. So next time your little one abandons that half chewed doll, maybe donate it to the local art resale shop for the artist looking for that one arm to complete their vision.

Hopefully after seeing all this incredible artwork you are feeling inspired! Here is one of my favorite creations for you to see. Please feel free to share what you have created as I would LOVE to see it!

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Artist Dario Tironi uses colorful discarded items to create simple yet impactful human forms.

Artist Bernard Pras uses discarded toys to recreate famous images and/or characters on canvas and three dimensionally.

Artist duo Tim Nobel and Sue Webster use a light source pointed at an artistically arranged trash pile to project an unexpected shadow image onto a wall.

Artist Thomas Deininger uses optical illusion to transform trash into mind bending creations. I highly suggest checking out his videos to get a true feel for his work.

I have linked all the artists listed, so please go check them out and let me know who your favorite is! I will see you next week for another method of assemblage art and artists!

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Image from Tim Nobel and Sue Webster

When I think of assemblage art I think of Marcel Duchamp. Before Duchamp was challenging the question of “What is Art?”, there were people making utilitarian objects from the stuff they had around them. For instance, musical instruments were fashioned from jugs, film canisters, old furniture, a wash tub, whatever they could find. Before that you had tribes utilizing what the earth gave them to make baskets, pottery, clothing, traps, beads, homes, whatever they needed. All these people were using creativity to put things together that didn’t seem to belong. I know some may argue that these examples are not “assemblage art” but seeing as art is subjective, I would say they used what they had to assemble what they needed, which is what I do. Duchamp was the artist who paved the way for the rest of us to manipulate “readymade” objects for art and not for necessity.

Assemblage art has been around for a long time, but it wasn’t until 1961 when William C. Seitz curated a show in New York called “The Art of Assemblage” that this artform really made a name for itself in the art world. Since then, you have artists like Beyte Saar, Robert Rauschenberg, Jean Tinguely and many more who have pushed the limits of this artform to create statements, move people, or just have fun.

As far as where this artform is heading…the possibilities seem endless! Nowadays, you can find discarded and abandoned items with artistic potential everywhere. Personally, I love a good thrift or antique store, but people will discard things on the side of the road, end of their driveways, garage sales, online…wherever it is most convenient for them. With this unending availability of stuff, a resurgence of “upcycling” has swept the country bringing with it a new appreciation for the art of transformation. I’m energized to see what the future holds and hope you find some inspiration along the way.

I’m thrilled to get started but first let me tell you a little about myself. My name is Holly Chapman and I am an assemblage sculptor living in Colorado. I currently work part time as a dental lab technician creating removable prosthetics, volunteer as a board member and curation coordinator at the Denver Art Society, all while creating artwork from my home studio, being a wife, a mom of two and a dog mom to three. As I have been growing as an artist, I’ve found much frustration in the separation of mediums in the sculpture world and the labels in which we are restricted to. I believe that if we have a space to come together, share our passions, and lift each other up through community, education and creativity, we all win.

Thus, Sculptitude was born. My goal here is to focus on a different medium every month and share artists in those areas to help educate, explore, and expand our appreciation and love for sculpture. However, I cannot do this alone. So please tell me your favorite sculptors, favorite mediums, who inspires you, or feel free to share this with a friend, because I do not know everything or everyone but I’m here to grow with you.

Thank you all in advance.

Holly

Find me at www.hollychapmanart.com or IG @holly.chapmanart

“Bubble Baby” by Holly Chapman

Photo by Justin Thornton

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