#656 In the field . . . birthday #72

Last week was my birthday and we returned to the rustic
cabin in remote northern Colorado where we celebrated 

July 24 last year.  We lived in Colorado for many years
and know the area very well . . . we know all of the backroads,

 the best places to fish for Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout,
the trails to the little streams where the Brook Trout
hang out,and where to see wildlife.
The old camp where we stay is close to
timberline and is heavily populated with moose . . .
we never fail to see them.





Below, are images of moose taken last week in the high country.

Below, I spotted a recumbent young bull in the shade from a distance . . .
we left him at peace but got him with a telephoto.

Below, Trish is fishing at a favorite high country lake where we saw nesting Ospreys.

Shown below, is another favorite lake . . . I photographed a Mule Deer doe while enjoying a cold beer and the scenery.

The temperature dips down at night and the old housekeeping cabin is heated with an ancient wood burning cookstove.
The wood and kindling is provided for us, chopped, split, and always plentiful . . . I'm used to wood heat and love it!
Below, is a photo of the dogs warming up on a chilly morning in front of the cookstove while the boiled coffee perks.

The proprietors of the camp are fellow bird lovers and have hummingbird feeders everywhere.  

Below, are photos of Trish, a feeder outside our cabin, and along with the resident Chipmunk,
we could count on a live model and plenty of entertainment during the cocktail hour!

Below, is an early etching of hummingbirds.

Go to the BLOG INDEX on the right for more information.

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish

#545 In the studio: hummingbirds

I don't sculpt many small birds but the hummingbird is an exception.  I spent the morning of July 4th creating a little high-releif modeled wall hanging of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird drinking dewdrops from a rose petal.  Low-releif, bas-relief, and high-releif presentation is tricky.  The sculptor must "trick" the viewer's eye into perceiving reality by making use of sculptural drawing, form, and composition.   The design must come forward yet also recede . . . design is paramount.
I'll live with it for awhile, then a mold will be made, and it will be taken to the foundry to be cast in bronze.

Below is an image of the clay model.

Below, is a drawing of hummingbirds.

Below. are images of hummers at our feeder.

Below, is a photo of an early sculpture entitled, "Hummingbird and Roses".

Hummer and Rose
10"H

Below, is an image of a watercolor- tinted, original etching of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

To learn more about the subjects go to the links below.

For a complete list of the blog index go to the Index Page and
type the subject in the Search This Blog link on the right.

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish

#437 In the studio: Bird anatomy, con't . . .

Please start this bird anatomy series with post #403,  March 10.

Composition is the arrangement of visual elements in a work of art, composition means "putting together."  

A good composition gives the viewer's eye both movement and repose.  

There must be an area of interest contrasted by areas of rest.

There are three main principles of composition:

1.  Composition is a harmonious arrangement of two or more elements, one of which dominates all others in interest.  
     The dominant element becomes the focal point or center of interest.

2.  There should be as few secondary elements as possible and these should be arranged to support the main interest.

3.  The position of the center of interest depends upon the feeling of balance created by the distribution of the different
     elements in the composition.

In the first box the dot is centered, static and not interesting.  This is not good composition.





In the second box, the dots are symmetrical and not interesting, and therefore not a good composition.





In the third box we're getting there.  The space seems to balance the dot.  The Japanese call this "formal sparseness of design."






The fourth box has a composition.

Hummer and Rose
10"H 4"W 4"D

Composition combines clear spatial organization and harmony . . . a simple placement of the figure in nature.

All sculpture, drawings, and etchings - copyright Sandy Scott

#435 In the studio: Bird anatomy, con't . . .

Please start this bird anatomy series with post #403,  March 10.

Sculpture is the study of a thousand silhouettes.
                                                               - Rodin   


In sculpture, the subject represented is the positive shape.  The empty space around the subject is the negative shape.

The viewer usually does not think about or consider the shape around the sculpture.  
The sculptor, however is constantly aware of both the positive and negative shapes 
as they are a device for designing and organizing the sculpture.

The sculptor should practice designing and seeing in this way, and here's how to do it:  
Select a sculpture of an animal and direct your gaze intently on the figure itself.  
Choose a sculpture with a quiet and simple pose.  
Then, concentrate on the negative shapes or the space surrounding the sculpture.  
You must wait until your vision accepts the negative shape and think of it as a totally separate form.

Now, imagine that the sculpture vanishes.  What is left?  You will find that the negative shapes have 
become distinctive shapes in their own right, and if you focus on these shapes, they become forms.

The sculpture that you are looking at has drawn you into it visually and almost physically.  
The realization of negative shapes adds a new dimension to the image before you, adding to 
your appreciation of its beauty and content. 


Below, look at the lighted sculpture and practice seeing the negative shapes around the subject. 

Height of Land

 Shade of Paradise

 Cochin China

Gamble's Sunset

For more information about negative space see previous post, #434.

All drawings and sculpture copyright Sandy Scott.

#351 Living with art

Everyone in the art world knows Nancy Guzik and Richard Schmid.  I have the great pleasure of calling these two fine artists friends.    One of my most memorable experiences was in the early 1990s when Trish and I spent 2 weeks with them in Alaska . . .  I was able to witness two masters working in the field.

I have several  paintings by both of them which I cherish.  The Guzik painting shown below is of her cat;  painted when her studio was not far from mine in Ft. Collins, Colorado . . . twenty years ago.  My sculpture, "Hummingbird and Rose" sets under it.