Furniture Project 3

Bedside Table

wood and mixed media

     This project was created to match my headboard.  I wanted to incorporate the rich black and gold colors I used in my headboard along with some natural elements.  For this table I used tree braches and wood to create the bottom and a wood round for the top.  My favorite part of this piece is seeing the reflection of the branches on the top when light shines on it, its like looking into a pond. 

Furniture Project 2

Koi Table

Wood and mixed media

     This was another furniture project I created for Design class.  We were challenged to create a piece that would push the boundaries of art and furniture.  Our piece was meant to be a conversation piece that would make the view wonder if it was meant to be functional or meant to be viewed only, I feel this piece does just that.  I have always loved watching koi fish swim around a pond and longed for a way to bring that beauty inside my home.  I created the top of this table to look like a stained glass koi pond. Each piece was cut, laid and hand painted to achieve that look.  I surrounded the edge with rock to further that pond aesthetic.  The top sits on what looks to be a tree trunk but it is also constructed entirely by hand, then carved and painted to look like a tree. For the base, I added blue glass mosaic work along with river rocks. 

Koi Table 2

wood and mixed media

      My first table was such a success that I decided to make another one as a gift. The design for this table varies slightly, but uses the same techniques and ideas.

Side view

Top view

Furniture Project

Headboard 

wood and mixed media

Lights on

Close up

     This headboard was made using wood.  I then added all the aspects I wanted my head board to contain, such as working lights and a small shelf.  I wanted this to be decorative and artistic as well as functional, so I added drapery and hand sculpted tree braches to give it an Asian aesthetic (which I love).

Silent Cry

Silent Cry

Mixed Media Sculpture

Inside Close Up

Front

Back 

Close Up

     This sculpture was created as a response to issues that effect the world today.  Abuse is prominent is many homes and yet often times goes unseen. Victims are forced to keep secrets for fear of what might happen if this abuse is discovered.  I grew up in an abusive home, so therefore this subject is very personal to me.  I tried my best to recreate that pain, fear, and internal struggle within this piece.

     I decided to make the base color of this piece gray, to represent the stone-like exterior that is necessary when trying to survive an abusive relationship.  I also wanted to keep the facial features simple so that it wasn't race or gender specific.  This figure is wearing a mask, which is cracking under the weight of the lies and deception that is  often present when dealing with abuse.  The arms and noose indicate suicidal thoughts or attempts that one might consider when living with abuse.  The clothing my figure is wearing is also significant in the fact that it shows irony.  We will often buy clothing such as this that shows our insides, bones, etc and yet hide what is really going on inside. The back of the figure shows how abusive words begin to invade thoughts and remain a permanent memory.  Inside the sculpture is another scene, I chose to use blue lights to represent the sadness and pain an abused victim must live with. It may also represent the loneliness one feels in having to hide this part of themselves and deal with it alone.  In the background is a broken heart, again representing pain and betrayal.  In the very middle is a small figure, again grey to remain ambiguous. This figure has one hand grasping up in pain and the other hand reaching out, touching the front of the sculpture asking for help that will never come. The figures mouth and face is being covered by hands suppressing a cry for help.  The face seems to be pulled in different directions representing the turmoil one faces when dealing with abuse.  This wasn't a very pretty piece, but then again, it wasn't meant to be.  This piece was meant to be disturbing and ugly because abuse is disturbing and ugly.  It is meant to shed light on a subject that is often hidden, and I feel it does just that.  

The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid

Paper Sculpture

This piece is made entirely out of paper and paper products, the only exception is the lights.