Rise - Copyright 2009 Cobalt Designworks, LLC

After a few people commented that they’d love a small version of our sculpture Rise , we got to thinking about creating a mini rendition of the 9-foot winged woman. At first it seemed counter to the norm; artists usually create a smaller model, or maquette, before creating the larger piece. A maquette allows you to present a design concept for a large piece to potential clients, as well as figure out the best construction techniques and determine where fabrication issues might arise. It is a less costly practice piece, and as such it is usually constructed faster and less deliberately than the final sculpture.

We never built a maquette for Rise, but instead used computer design software (Rhino) to create a 3-D version of my conceptual sketch that could be shown, or rendered, from any angle. It’s the next best way to present a concept without the time and expense of building a physical model.

Rise - Copyright 2009 Cobalt Designworks, LLC

When redesigning a 9 foot high sculpture into a 2 foot version, some modifications must be made in both design and fabrication technique. The basic concept is the same but it’s not an identical sculpture. The biggest change is the body; instead of a hollow form with curves in all the right places, the body of the small Rise is a solid piece of 1/2″ steel, as shown below. Other fabrication differences include the way the head is attached and the construction of the conical base, still made of of sheet metal but using a different fab technique. We are considering having future bases machined.

Luckily there were no changes in either the wings or the luscious “lollipop red” powder coat, the two dominating traits of the sculpture. Here is the finished Rise – mini-style!

Rise (26″ x 12″ x 4″) Copyright 2009 Cobalt Designworks, LLC

Some work-in-progress shots:

Rise - Copyright 2009 Cobalt Designworks, LLC

Here is a photo of my very first metal sculpture, Luna. I designed and created her back in 2001 when I took a welded sculpture class at Clark College just a few blocks away from our house. Luna is a statement of personal power; something I was just starting to regain on my journey to creative recovery.

Creative recovery? Huh?

Luna
Copyright 2001-2009 Jennifer Corio

I was taking a leave of absence from my high tech job at the time, and what I thought I needed most during the break was rest & relaxation. In retrospect what I really needed was a release of pent up creativity. I had spent the last 15+ years exercising my left brain; that analytical, logical part of myself; neglecting my more creative side. I took several art classes during my leave — glass, ceramics, jewelry making, when I finally landed in the welding lab at Clark College under the tutelage of Beth Heron and Patrick Gonzales. I fell in love! It was thrilling to wield a torch and work with heavy equipment I never imagined I had the guts to use. I loved the power of taking a rigid material like steel and transforming it into graceful forms.

When it was time to return to work I had a bit of a crisis of consciousness. Do I enter the rat race again or do I take the risk and try something new? Dave and I were newlyweds then and he fully supported, even encouraged me to pursue the artistic path. One thought particularly swayed me to take the leap: I didn’t know when it would be, 10 years, 5 years, one year from now, but I feared I’d look back at the opportunity I had but didn’t take and feel regret. And regret is one emotion I try to avoid like the plague!

So I took the leap and haven’t looked back (except perhaps to fondly remember a steady paycheck)!  Eight years later I feel like my creative recovery has transformed into a creative journey; a meandering path of adventure, mystery, trial & error, give & take, mind expansion, passion, vision…and so much more.

Stay tuned for stories of irony & good timing in Part II of the tale.

 I don’t remember who I overheard referring to our new sculpture as Hot Rod Angel, but I had to chuckle.  My original idea to explore bold metallic colors came from watching American Chopper and seeing the painters apply multiple layers of yellow and green to a new motorcycle tank.  It was bitchin’, and I couldn’t stop thinking about doing something like that on a sculpture.  When the idea for Rise landed on my sketchpad, I knew I found a place to try that rich color combination. 

There was a slight problem.  Dave and I have chosen not to use solvent based paints and have made a commitment to the powder coat process.  But try as I might, I couldn’t find any yellow-greens I liked in powder.

As the design for Rise started to crystallize, I got to thinking about red instead of yellow-green.  A deep, rich, translucent red.  Red like passion.  Red like the flow of blood.  A red that would enhance the meaning of Rise –  about striving to reach our human potential during our limited time on earth.  You can’t do that without quite a bit of fire and passion!  My hope was that red might help convey that, although Rise is angelic in her presence, she is very human in nature.

The choice has been well-received, with “Lollipop Red” wowing nearly everyone who sees it.   The color changes continuously throughout the day, and at the right time and angle looks as smooth & slick as enamel.  This has only fueled my desire to continue exploring rich translucent colors, and seeing just what we can do with some creative, high quality powder coat applications.  Thank you to the great folks at Masic, our powder coat supplier in Portland who has been very supportive of our work and our ideas‎.

Now onto my continued search for that perfect yellow-green…..

Rise returned from Masic, our powder-coat supplier, donned in a deep translucent and luscious red.  The red together with brushed stainless steel is exquisite and completes my vision for the sculpture.  To get some good shots of her we took her to our neighborhood park and waited for those magical moments of evening light.

Rise

This winged woman with her angelic presence is floating upwards, rising to meet the potential that lies within.

Rise

Strong Body.  Open Mind.  Full Spirit.

The Arts Commission of Bremerton, WA recently commissioned us to create a sculpture as part of their city’s downtown revitalization vision.  They commissioned seven sculptures, one of which is ours, to be placed along Pacific Avenue, the main walking corridor downtown . We are creating a pedestrian-scale version of our existing sculpture called Despite the Rain.  

            Despite the Rain - an ode to the Pacific Northwest weather (and not letting it get the best of you!)

The original version stands at 17″ high and is made from silicon bronze.  For Bremerton we will create a 5-6 foot version in stainless steel.  We will add color to the umbrella and the puddle. 

We are currently in contract negotiations and hope to begin work within a month.  Stay tuned for progress on this exciting project for us.

Rise is the name of the sculpture we are currently working on.  This design was recently juried into a year-long Sculpture Without Walls exhibit in Moses Lake, Washington.  No time to waste — we are scheduled to install on May 23. 

Although chilly and wet, installation of Shapely in Puyallup’s Outdoor Gallery collection went smoothly, and we are quite happy with how she looks standing in the corner of the city’s vibrant downtown park.

                            Shapely

“A childlike fascination with bright colors and puzzle pieces resurfaces as we play with vivid yet simple shapes; piecing them together to create flowing lines and a sensuous, more grown-up form.”

Today we picked up Shapely from the powder-coater (Masic in Portland).  Dave assembled it in the studio to make sure everything’s good to go to Puyallup for installation in two days.  Perfect!  So at the last minute we rounded up some local friends and neighbors to help us celebrate and send her on her way.  She’ll be gone for at least two years.

Thanks to everyone who came; it was a fun time.  If someone could please send a photo of themself or anyone else (besides Dave and me) standing next to the sculpture, I’d love to post it.  I had hoped to take lots of photos of folks standing next to it, but apparently I can’t host and take photos at the same time!