Getting Down in Detroit

I am currently living in Detroit, MI and working with two great artists named Amy Weiks and Gabriel Craig. They own Smith Shop in Corktown, Detroit. SmithShop is a metalworking and making space part of Pony Ride a collaborative, low rent, creative space where inventive individuals can take their business ideas and make them a reality. This is a great atmosphere to work in and be a part of. Check of the smithshopdetroit.com website and see what classes and other activities and opportunities are being held here.

Biotechnology and The Hand

I made the following pieces for my undergrad BFA thesis show. My artist statement below describes the relationship between the body and the wearer and how these braces came into exisitance. 

3dimensional renderings of joint specific braces made on the computer.

Final fitting and documentation.

These thumb braces have number keys that correspond to each finger brace and joint location.

This brace was created to keep Josh's joints and fingers in a specific position to help him with writing and painting.

In this body of work I am focused on alleviating body restrictions, such as limited hand function, for a personalized fit to Josh Huyck who has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. With this degenerative disease, Josh is losing everyday hand function due to the deformation of collagen surrounding the joints in his fingers. These finger braces were created using a 3d computer-aided design (CAD) program, and were modeled specifically from Josh’s hands. These prosthetic braces allow him to hold each finger in a position that prevents hyperextension and flexing. Working in this method has enhanced the ability to produce these braces. This allows me to change, manipulate, and retain information that will benefit an individual with this condition while creating a unique work of art that challenges traditional craft discourse. If you have any questions 

Enameling!

I know I haven't been around in a while but I just wanted to update everyone on what I have been doing these past four months. I started to enamel and I find it very exciting to use a medium with such complexities that challenge me to experiment and endure the different aspects of enamel that may restrictions. I work around these restrictions to create a project that is based on the human life cycle. From beginning, to growth and flourishing, and to decay and death. My use of foundation white enamel, soft fusing transparent enamel, and burnout is how I achieved these different stages of the human life cycle in jewelry form.

Interesting Design Ideas

Check out this website, modern designs for furniture, simple and effective! http://www.sixdifferentways.com/?m=200905

BRASS!

This is a project I'm working on in Constuction and Fabrication, with Stacey Weber. Taking a found object (brass corners) and changing its form. I found that through working on this project I have been closing myself off to others and this is a representation of how I want to reveal myself and that I don't have to protect myself from outside influences.

Inspiration from life

Having a physical connection to someone or something inspires me to think about that person or thing and why I have it or need it, or why I that person is important to me or not.
People from around the world spreading their thoughts and ideas is important to me because I believe we are all connected in one way or another and knowing and talking to someone from across the world can open up a person's life.


Without my friends I don't know where I would be. They help me think.
This is a picture of my grandpa's pond in Oakfield, WI. I chose this as an inspiration because it is nature at its finest; undisturbed and wonderful. I love to go there and listen to all the sounds that surround me, knowing that this is all going to continue on with or without my influence.
Repetition has a very big influence on my work, it is so simple but yet it is so powerful and alluring.
Along with repetition I really get excited about design in its simplest form, geometric shapes together creating a larger form that is phenomenal.
This was a drawing I did for drawing II last year and it inspires me because I was surprised when i finished at how much i really enjoyed it and how it inspired me to want to make it better and improve myself as an artist. As Frankie F. said just like the lathe can improve itself so can help myself, work hard and become better.
I also really enjoy flowers, they amaze me. Their forms and colors really stick out to me and attract me to them. This can be seen in some of the work I do.
My mother. She is wonderful and is very important to me. Enough said.

Check out this website and what Steven Connor has to say about objects and their potential in our world today. http://www.bbk.ac.uk/english/skc/magic/