CANNON BEACH, OREGON – Every Tuesday throughout the summer from Noon-3pm Pacific Northwest sculptor/painter and artist in residence Michael Tieman will be sculpting in Haystack Gallery. This summer program titled, 'Tieman on Tuesdays', will have Michael sculpting in clay 'The Jeweler' the next piece in his “Hands of the Artists” collection.
This is the progress ...
Day 1
Today for the three hours I was working in the gallery I spent my time working on the pinch models of my next two pieces. I have chosen 'The Jeweler' and 'The Potter - Wheel'. I first start out my new pieces as rough sketches, and when I get something I like, I start work on a pinch model, a small 6-8 inch rough clay piece that I do to quickly see the form and movement of the piece and also how I need to construct the wire and pipe armature that will hold the clay in place. I have found through mishaps that the armature that is too weak makes for many hours of swearing and in most cases I've had to tear the piece apart and re-do it. So for me the pinch model saves my sanity. The photo above on the left is the finished model of The Jeweler, it's in scale and let's me see the movement clearly. In the original sketch, the figure was in a chair facing the back, you will notice that the chair has been replaced with an organic shaped rock or pedestal. Not sure which, but for now good enough.
Day 2
I was going to work on this piece just at the gallery on Tuesday's this summer, but to build the armature I needed to run to the hardware store for the pipe and wood base and also to get more wire. With the cutting and wrapping I needed to do it at home where I have the space and the tools. For the next demo day I brought it to the gallery ready for final wire wrapping and the beginning of building the clay model.
Day 3
I spent my three hours wrapping the armature wire with a thinner gauge wire. This will allow the clay to grip the heavier wire and stay put. I always start by putting a heart in the chest of the figure, giving it a soul. Then to set the proportions I move on to the head and in this case the hips since they carry the weight of the seated figure I want to see that it sits right. At the end of the time I was starting to block out the forms in the face and neck and shoulders.
Day 4
Summer finally arrived today, July6 right on cue. Even with most of the lights out in the gallery and all of the fans and 2 air conditioners on it was hot. We only have a few days a year like this so I can't complain especially to my sister who lives in Texas. Unfortunately when it gets this warm the clay I use, an oil and wax base clay that doesn't harden or dry out, becomes very soft it almost melts. That means I have to work fast before it becomes too sticky, put fans on it while I work and not work as many hours. So the photos you see above are the result of less than 3 hours work. I mostly added clay to get the overall muscle forms, the face details I will hold off on until a cooler day so the clay holds the details. Tomorrow it is to be hotter so I'll put a fan on the sculpture to keep it cool.
Day 5
It was a cooler day today so I was able to spend more time on the piece. I have started to carve and contour the muscles in the arms and shoulders as well as the legs and torso. There were more people around today so I spent more time explaining the sculpture and the lost wax process that ends up as a final bronze. I was also interviewed by the local newspaper. Next week I will try and photograph the areas I have worked on closer so you can see more of the details. I think I will try and finish the face and hair.
Day 6
Cooler today than last week so I was able to work on the face and hair. I decided she needed long flowing hair, but sculpted close to the head and wrapping around to the front. More people in today looking and asking questions. I did not accomplish much as to the sculpture, but did more talking so it was a good day. Look forward to next week as I will add a foam base that she is sitting on and will spend more time on the body so it should look more put together.
Day 7
I finished the head and face today sculpted more of the arms and chest and moved her legs a bit. Then I started the rock she is sitting on. Working on the curves and moving your eye around the piece, so there are slight changes but needed for the movement of the overall piece. This week was busier so again I did more talking and less sculpting, but that is part of the process. I had a family come in with Perdue sweatshirts who had read the newspaper article and had to come in and meet and talk to me. We had a good time as I am from Ohio State and we are both Big 10 schools. They promised to read this every week to keep up with the piece so a big Hi for my Perdue friends. Next week I will be refining the arm and leg muscles and maybe work on the rock base. The hands I am leaving until last as I need to know from the jeweler what the plan is for the jewelry.
Days 8 & 9This is two days of work (3hrs/day in the gallery), and I hope you can see a difference, although it might seem slight. I have worked on the rock she is sitting on, shaping it to compliment the figure and the movement. The rock will be a rough texture in contrast to the smoother texture of the figure. I have also spent my time refining the shapes of the figure, the feet are done as is the rest of the body, except the hands and upper arms. Those will be completed when I have the piece from the jeweler. Also, you can see I have started to define the edges of the clothing as it drapes around the figure. Now I will be work on refining the muscles and forms and flow of the piece, very important, but not easily seen. So the next series of photos should be close-up views of some of the areas.
By the way, the jeweler who has agreed to be the second artist is Sharon Amber, a very talented local jewelery designer who has had her own shop here in Cannon Beach for over thirty years. I am really looking forward to working with her on this piece and she has promised to show me some sketches of her ideas this week.
About Michael Tieman
As Michael Tieman sees it, “The
role of an artist from the dawn of time has been as a visual storyteller.
The stories my paintings and sculptures tell are ones of confidence,
strength, passion, playful sophistication and the celebration of life.”
Tieman has sketched and painted since childhood and has spent over four decades as a working artist, both as a graphic designer and a fine artist. Following the encouragement of a friend and gallery owner, Michael expanded his talents into sculptures cast in bronze. Tieman's sculptures are unique in that they are a combination of traditional figurative sculpture and his Impressionistic painting style.
“I create my bronze sculpture as a three dimensional painting; texture is the impasto brushstroke, color is the play of light and shadows across the surfaces, and detail is the free style movement of the impressionist style. My ladies have a chiseled jaw and high cheekbones, producing great strong shadows, and the athletic body and proud confidence of an Amazon warrior. ”
Member of; Pacific Northwest Sculptors, National Sculpture Society, International Sculpture Center, International Society Acrylic Painters and the Cannon Beach Gallery Group – (Board Member from 2002-09, President-2005,2006, 2008, & 2009).