Serpentine Motion

I know I've posted this image once before, but it serves as a good example of the "serpentine" motion most of my mobiles perform. Because the separate elements of the piece are linked with one another directly (instead of hanging freely as from a string) they cause a chain reaction of movement when stirred. This effect can be mesmerizing and is carefully considered during the design of most of my work. I really like the cause and effect relationship the elements have on one another. This chain reaction of movement is known as "serpentine motion" due to the resemblance it bears to a snake's undulating body. Keep in mind this image moves quickly in comparison to the normal slow and gentle movements of my larger mobile pieces, I only show it here to better illustrate the mechanics of my work. For more information, feel free to email me at artinhighplaces@charter.net.

My Methods

I'm often asked about my techniques and construction methods. In response, I'll explain that in most cases I keep my work as clean and simple as possible. Most of my work includes no glue, welding, nuts or bolts. Just simple shapes and bent wire. A good analogy to me is music, anyone can make simple sounds, but arranging the sound into something musical is an art. Have you ever really listened to "Moonlight Sonata" and heard how simple it is? Yet it's a great and enduring work of art. I strive for the same simplicity and beauty of form in many of my hanging mobiles.

If you would like to discuss a new project, feel free to contact me at artinhighplaces@charter.net.

Sprung

"Sprung" is a mobile I had kind of forgotten about until a friend saw it hanging in the corner of my workspace and inquired about it. I originally made is as a scaled up version of my mobile titled, "Tucson," but after completion I wasn't sure I really liked it. I donated it to a charity auction and it brought in more than I thought it would! It never ceases to amaze me how much I can underestimate a piece until others see it. I'm sure that's a common problem for artists, and I'm no exception.

One of my first....

This is one of the first mobiles I made with the intention of giving it to someone else. Up to this point, I had really just made them for myself because it was fun, then gave them as gifts after the fact. This time, I had the client in mind...my mom. It still hangs in her home today, some 5 years later.
The piece is made of aluminum wire with paper shapes. The paper is white on one side, blue on the other. If I had it to do over again, I think I would have made some of the shapes much larger. However, the, "client," seems very happy with it and won't let me change a thing. I did later make a piece with larger shapes that was similar to this called Branches, you can see it in another post. Feel free to contact me if you'd like a similar piece.

Flambeau

This is a whimsical little piece I made that kind of evokes, "speed." The original was made in galvanized wire, but I later made a copy in stainless for a cleaner shiny look. It's a silly little mobile that would look good in a boy's race car bedroom. The original is only about 12 inches tall but it can easily be scaled up.

Barnstormers

When I was a kid, there was a sailboat mobile hanging in my bedroom. I used to lay on the top bunk and blow gently on it causing it to spin slowly as I was falling asleep. Years later, when I had children of my own, I thought back to how much I enjoyed that mobile. So, I decided to make one of my own for my kids. This is an image of that mobile, with airplanes to match the bedding my boys had at the time. I don't make many mobiles of the "stick and string" variety like this anymore, but this one opened the door to a new and exciting art form I hadn't yet explored.

Automata

When I was a kid, I couldn't rest until I figured out how things worked. I loved taking stuff apart and making new things with the stuff I found inside. I especially get a thrill out of making something out of nothing, creating something unique just by bending wire for example. A while ago, I started making these little wire creations with moving parts just for fun. At the time, I had never heard the term "Automata" but have since realized it's a well established art form. It might be hard to tell from the photo above, but when you crank the tail of the sculpture the wings flap. I donated this piece to a charity auction and was later commissioned (by someone who was outbid!) to make similar pieces. I'll probably make more of this type of thing in the future. Below is a photo of one of the commissioned pieces. In this piece, there are two human figures that move as if they are rowing the shaft that causes the wings to flap. There are also two sets of wings that rise and fall at different intervals, and tail fins that move from side to side. Though these are not mobiles, they are fun kinetic art!