An Art Project

“Fear always accompanies the making of art,

generated by the shock of seeing an idea taking its form.

A sculpture in the mind is safe and secure…

the actual work rarely behaves as intended.”

~Andy Goldsworthy

I have mentioned recently before class a few times about the retaining wall that I am currently working on and here is a photo of one section of it. It is still a work in progress but it is really starting to take form. I am using all found block, brick, rocks and concrete scraps that I have been gathering for quite some time with the idea that I would create something out of them.

My neighbor came by early in the process to see what I was up to… I said, “if I was using pristine materials, I would be using a level and making it ‘right’, but I am using scrap and pasting it all together with mortar mix and making it work… this is an art project!” And I have taken that sentiment to heart, incorporating marbles, found objects and bits of old pottery from my days as a studio potter into this very sculptural wall. I am having a blast! Did you know that I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramic Art and spent 20+ years as a studio potter and teacher?!

And as I looked for a quote to go with this photo, I came upon this Andy Goldsworthy quote and immediately loved it. I have had this idea of a wall for so long in my imagination and there is definitely a shock in actually seeing it come into form! And as he says, things don’t always behave as you expect or intend them to…. it is a process of stepping back and refining the approach every single step of the way!

I have been an admirer of the artwork of Andy Goldsworthy for a long time. I love how he works with nature as a way to learn about and understand nature. If you are not familiar with his work, here are a couple of short videos to watch. THIS ONE made a few years ago about his work and process. And THIS ONE is about a new exhibit of his work. Once you see these, you may want to go down the rabbit hole and explore even more of his work.