In Progress: A Question of Taste, Part 3.

Let's see A Question of Taste through to its completion.

With the body of the piece roughed out, I can turn my sights on making a tiny hanging mobile which will suspend from the fork tines. This one will be made from bronze wire. 

 Readying an element.

 The balance being struck.

 The structure complete. Be sure to join me in my online class in July in making mobiles - Poetry in Motion - to discover how addictively enjoyable it is. (Shameless plug.) More info Here.  Or simply join my Facebook group to get updates about it Here.

After patinating the wire and attaching it to the fork, I go about applying numbers to each of the mobile's paddles.

 I'm using the same page as the lens openings were lined with on the body of the piece.

The numbers being added.

 I drop what I've got done into place so I can have a good look at what's happening. I'm thrilled with the combination of static and mobile elements. Now to find the panel to put behind the mobile.

Running off the piece on a photocopier helps me to design choices at actual size.

 More of the same book cover will be used. This will give the piece a unity from top to bottom, and the decrease in contrast behind the mobile will allow the mobile to sit forward without dominating the composition.

 In place. Now I'll make anchor 'ropes' that will tie onto the two side tines of my little fork. Between the name plate at the top and the thread tying the fork below, it will allow for small movement and increase its strength. Plus, no glue!

 Running the Irish linen through the piece.

Preparing to tie the threads to the fork.

 Now the plate gets screwed into place at last.

 A tiny staple is made to stabilize the handle of the fork and keep it centered on the piece.

 Just about to tap it down into place.

 The original label on the back of the shirt stud box is just beautiful, and offers me the perfect place to sign the piece.

 With the pendant complete, I set about making the cord/chain assembly. No rushing here; I want it to be very empathetic with the piece. I begin by making two very tight and willfilly haphazard kumihimo braids of silk.

 Designing the elements that will bridge between silk and...?

 Readying to cap the kumihimo braids. A fella and his tools.

 One cap complete.

 The other midway through fabrication.
 

The final part of the hanging element is this stunning little fabric drive belt from an archaic machine. I attach it on one end with tiny upholstery studs.

 The chain and cord complete and ready to meet the pendant.

That does it. It's a unique piece in my output, as it didn't rely on previous pieces for reference. Come check out the finished piece Here, or look into purchasing information Here.

Thanks for joining me - see you here soon - and leave your comments below, I do love reading your impressions!

Keith

 

Happy 6th Birthday, Folio!

Here's a spiffy new video teaser to celebrate the first published catalog survey of my artwork.
Keith Lo Bue's Folio Edition documents work from each year of making, from 1989 to 2006, In 24 full-color plates. Lavishly packaged in a sleek matte-black embossed folio case. Measuring 6" x 8.25" (21 x 14.8cm), each plate has a postcard back listing information about the work.

Rounding out the publication is an eight page booklet of notes and anecdotes about the selected pieces, providing a rich perspective on the artist's creative methods and thought processes.

The folio in addition is equally at home on your shelf of art books, for giving as a gift, or for sending individually as large postcards.

On this, the sixth anniversary of the folio's publication, the price has been cut in half from $50 to $24.99. To order:

http://www.lobue-art.com/books_dvds.html

Music in this trailer generously provided by Akira Rabelais: http://www.akirarabelais.com/

An Interview about Reflections

Ricë over at the Voodoo Cafe has interviewed me about life and creativity, with a special focus on the piece just finished here on Stuffsmith, "REFLECTIONS."

You can find the podcast here.

Enjoy!

Keith

Lo Bue's First Complete Workshop on DVD!

TOOLS OF THE TRADE: ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR ARTISTS - Available for the first time on DVD!

Click HERE for more information, including a video preview...

New Lo Bue Workshop #7: A FLARE FOR TUBING

Finally, in my list of new workshops to debut this month:

A FLARE FOR TUBING

A custom-made tube-rivet is a rare combination of aesthetic beauty and functional utility. Spend an evening with jeweler Keith Lo Bue and learn to make this simple and elegant connector that will take your work to another level!

Where and when:

September 23rd, 2011:
Art Is...Petaluma - Petaluma, California   Info Here

New Lo Bue Workshop #4: LIFE IN THE MIX

Another new workshop premiering next month:

LIFE IN THE MIX

Let found-object jeweler Keith Lo Bue take you into the world of submerging organic materials into pools of epoxy and polyester resins, learning the tips and tricks to get fascinating and beautiful one-of-a-kind imagery.

Where and when:

September 22th, 2011:
Art Is...Petaluma - Petaluma, California   Info Here

October 10th, 2011:Art Is...Who - Danbury, Connecticut   Info Here

New Lo Bue Workshop #3: ALL IN A CORD

Introducing a rather surprising departure from my other workshops:

ALL IN A CORD

 The fascinating art of kumihimo, or Japanese braiding, has centuries of colourful history. Used long ago to connect the armour of the Samurai warriors as well as to fasten silk kimonos, this easy to learn technique has so many creative possibilities it's mindboggling.

     Join found-object artist (and budding kumi-he-man) Keith Lo Bue as he introduces you to his newest passion in a whirlwind workshop that will have you in knots.

With only a few inexpensive and simple tools, you will learn a creative activity that you can do simply anywhere, at any time. On a airplane or train ride, waiting in a car, even in bed - it's an eminently portable, meditative process that yields exquisite braids for jewelry, journal closures, assemblage and a million other uses.

Note - the Seattle class below is a 2-day intensive, and the Petaluma and Danbury classes are 1-day...

Where and when:

September 26th, 2011:
Art Is...Petaluma - Petaluma, California   Info Here

October 1 - 2, 2011:
Artfest Annex - Seattle, Washington   Info Here

October 10th, 2011:Art Is...Who - Danbury, Connecticut   Info Here

New Lo Bue Workshop #1: FORGING: A Smashing Introduction

Here's the first of a series of posts I'll be running in the next week to let you know about SEVEN new workshops I'll be premiering in the US starting next month!

FORGING: A Smashing Introduction

 

In one action-packed day, artist Keith Lo Bue will give you a good working knowledge of forging (flattening and shaping) wire. You'll learn proper technique, safety and invaluable tricks that will become a vital part of your creative expression... Come find out why so many people are falling in love with their hammers!

The supply list can be found here.

Where and when:

September 25th, 2011:
Art Is...Petaluma - Petaluma, California   Info Here  

October 11th, 2011: Art Is...Who - Danbury, Connecticut   Info Here

March 16th, 2012:
Art Is...You Sydney - Sydney, Australia   Info Here

Stuffsmith: Now Electrified!

 

 I'm thrilled to announce the digital publication of my new e-book: STUFFSMITH: The Found-Object Artwork of Keith Lo Bue, Volume One. This 350+ page tome compiles every post on this blog chronologically from its inception in 2008 to last week, then fleshes it all out with hi-res images of the finished pieces worked on here, plus several shots of my studio never before published. 

Perhaps best of all, this huge chronicle only costs $7!

The e-book is in the PDF format, and can be viewed on any computer, plus iPads and such. In fact, if you order and have a different brand of e-book reader that won't read PDF's, I'll convert it to the proper format for you at no charge.

It might just be the coolest thing to bring on that next road-trip!

You can ORDER HERE and I'll email you your own link to download.

Thank you, from the heart, for supporting two years of one of the most rewarding long-term projects I've embarked on. Here's to many more years of smithing stuff here for you!

Keith

Kids Attack Found Objects in Hervey Bay

Before I jaunt off to the US to teach next week, I thought I'd post up the brilliant work done by an enthusiastic group of fifteen 8 to 14-year-old's up at the gallery where my exhibition is taking place. Called the 'Mudskipper's workshop', the kids were challenged, in the two-hour class, to use their own ingenuity to cobble the piles of junk in front of each of them into something interesting.  Without glue.

Check out what went down. (Click on images to enlarge them)

A few mums stayed and got their hands dirty as well.

Serious concentration.

A spaceship, complete with control keyboard, takes shape. Check out the smart use of electrical tape.

My oldest daughter Mira, right, finds a new buddy.

No timid moves here - it's unchecked creativity at work.

Decisions, decisions.

An impromptu exhibition was set up on a table so we could all admire the handiwork.

Puppet, with stand and pet!

A house for secrets.

 

A portrait in sheep spine, of her dad, apparently - are my eyes really that screwy?

A beautiful assembly of fresh plants, which can be replaced at will.

A hanging garden of treasures.

The amazing flying lion!

A complex little contraption.

A gorgeous little viewing portal and treasure trove.

The spaceship - that's a steering wheel and hubcap put to really good use.

A beautiful and sensitive fish sculpture.
 

An intimate Pandora's box.

 

This catapult shoots something long and thin that I can't remember - was it pick-up sticks or knitting needles? Don't try this at home!

A lovely display of tiny sculptures - what a set.

The Hervey Bay Artists Gang, in da house. Congrats to them all!
I'd encourage any of the artists above to post down below and let us know which one you did.
See you soon,
Keith