"Homage"

I was honored to be invited to a short residency at Stone Walls, home of the David Hayes Sculpture Fields in Coventry Ct. in August of 2021. My second visit to the home and studio of the late modern master David Hayes. http://www.davidhayes.com/ I met David Hayes in 2008 in Syracuse, NY. He had a citywide multi piece exhibition. Twenty some sculptures installed throughout the city on a walking tour beginning at the Everson Museum and ending in the near west side. I visited the exhibition several times during that year and jumped at the chance to hear him speak when he offered a talk about his life and work. It was after his lecture that I had a warm and inspiring visit with him. Sadly Mr.Hayes passed in 2013. In a chance meeting several years later I met his son John in Florida and have since become friends. Through John I have come to know older brother David and sister Mary. This frienship with the family has given me an even greater appreciation for the artist. His commitment to his craft. His dedication and hard work. The challenges that he faced as an artist and family man. This has been and continues to be a rewarding and inspiring relationship. I was offered an extremely unique opportunity to sift through the now dust and dirt covered outdoor work space where Mr. Hayes cut steel. I was asked to take anything small that I wished, and to make a sculpture or two or three. "Homage" is the second sculpture completed with this material gleaned from the grounds. This work is composed of four seperate pieces of steel and arranged in a manner as true to the artist's aesthetic as I could imagine. I also made an effort to leave each piece as close to way I found them, with minimal grinding or alteration as reasonable. This was so as to leave as much of the hand of the master live on in this sculpture. I did however add an element that was my own. The round circular piece was something I had and included so as to add my own touch to the piece. It also serves as a nod to David Smith, (American sculptor 1906 - 1965)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Smith_(sculptor). David Smith and David Hayes met at the University of Indiana when Smith was teaching and Hayes was a graduate student. David Hayes would subsequently visit Bolton Landing summers to work with Smith and learn and refine his welding skills. This sculpture is a tribute to these two men. Their work and dedication to advancing modern art in their lifetimes.

Anthology Debe and K.V. Abbott

"The Critic" SOLD

Deb and I have always had a cat or two around. When we moved to Florida, we agreed, "No more animals". Right.....That didn't last long. We have two that moved in and adopted us within the first couple of years we were here. A small gray kitten was the first to show up in the yard. Born to a feral mother we expect. She was so young that she completely domesticated. The second one known as Frida Cathlo, for of course the artist Frida Kahlo. This is Frida here with one of my small steel sculptures. This sculpture is now sold. Private collection. New Mexico, USA.

"Red Kimono" $900

"Red Kimono" Acrylic on canvas and canvas on canvas, 24" X 30", 2019/2020. The latest in my "Silk Road" series.

"HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN" SOLD

Welded steel tabletop sculpture. 13" X 9"X 5" Torch cut welded steel.

"Composition in Steel, 2018"

This small tabletop sculpture is made from industrial salvage and found objects. welded and multiple clear coats to seal it. 9" X 11" X 6". Enjoy!

ART EFFECT GALLERY

My current exhibition at Art Effect Gallery at The Vue at Lake Eola in Orlando. This show of "shaped paintings" was curated by Kirsten Gjermo. Artist's reception March 22, 6- 8pm.

TTS#1, January 2015, "Poetry in Steel" SOLD

My latest tabletop steel piece.  I hope to debut this one at my upcoming show at The Gallery at Avalon Island in Orlando.

"Free Will"

"Free Will"  Acrylic on canvas w/ canvas on canvas and paint skin.   This is a small scale painting at 16" X 20" currently on view and available at Gallery on First, 211 E. First St., Sanford, Florida.   





You can choose a ready guide 
In some celestial voice 
If you choose not to decide 
You still have made a choice 

You can choose from phantom fears 
And kindness that can kill 
I will choose a path that's clear 
I will choose free will 


Rush, 1980

TTS#4, November 2014 - "Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe"

This recent piece is another welded steel tabletop sculpture.  18" X 17" X 3"  It is currently on display at Gallery on First,  211 E. First St., Sanford, Florida.  It available for purchase.  $450.00  Shipping available

A Man For All Seasons

No, not Sir Thomas More, but a good friend and a man who constantly challenges himself and never stops learning, exploring and reaching for more in life. Dr. Charles Laman, or Chuck as his friends call him. Chuck's accomplishments are many, from marathon runner, mountain climber (he has climbed four of the highest peaks in the world) and canoe racer to name just a few. An artist an art collector,at age 60 Dr. Charles Laman sold his thriving dental practice in keeping a promise to himself, to focus on things more important in life than making a living. It was time to spend the the rest of his life living, really living and creating. To become the artist he had always wanted to be. In my humble opinion he had already done more than most could ever dream of in a lifetime. Chuck is one of those "Energizer Bunny" types we all know. He starts his days early and finds interesting things to do. Not one to sit in front of a TV. He is an avid reader and accomplished in a variety of mediums from photography, ceramic pottery, both hand built and wheel thrown, watercolor and scupture. He is one of those people that never stops creating and sees beauty in everything, especially nature. Nature is something he has in abundance on his 32 acre off grid camp near the Adirondack Park blue line. The two pieces pictured above are just two of several sculptures along the road into the cabin and small works are found randomly throughout the property with many more works in progress at every turn. This man is for all seasons and continues to challenge and inspire those fortunate enough to know him.

"Quark" at OMA

On Friday June 20, Deb and I attended the opening reception for the "Florida Prize in Contemporary Art"at the Orlando Museum of Art. The event was a lot of fun and we enjoyed seeing a lot of friends and fellow artists. As for the show? Well,not so much. If that is supposed to be the best in contemporary art in Florida…….. Let's just say we were not impressed. I am not a critic and despite my opinion I encourage all to attend and judge for yourself. The Museum deserves your support. Hey, you may come away with a very different perspective. We were more impressed with the massive sculpture currently installed on the grounds for the 90th anniversary of the museum. "Quark" a 70 foot tall piece on loan from Chattanooga sculptor John Henry.

Ephemera

Encaustic on rag board. Measures 16" X 16" framed.

Untitled - KVA #2, 2014

This piece is mixed media on birch panel. It is one of an ongoing series of circle paintings. Very Midcentury in style. The painting measures 24" X 24" and is currently on display at Gallery on First, 211 E. First St., Sanford, Florida. $900.00