Artists Boni and Dawson

October 18, 2010

My apologies! I have been neglecting this section the past few months while I categorize all the lessons on this website. It has been very time consuming and I really haven't had the time to devote the necessary attention to this section. As soon as lessons are categorized, I will be updating this section on a regular basis. Until then, you can look at the archive of art news by visiting the "News Archive" drop-down menu farther down in the left column.

 

Recycled Art

Italian artist Robert Mitchell Dawson contacted me and reported he has re-designed the interiors of a 14th century palazzo in Rome with a distinctly green tinge. The artist collected discarded indestructible material (PVC, plastic, Styrofoam, etc) from major historical sites in Rome that were under restoration, and, later, he created certain columns and sculptures from the same material. The artistically done objects/sculptures also utilized plaster and some original natural roman colors.

 

The artist took over six years to create these highly functional sculptures. A lot of time was spent in studying the ruins in central Rome to create the same aesthetic feeling. His exhibit is at The Studio at Piazza Venezia in the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj. The Recycling Collection recreates ancient Roman sculptures and art all with recycled indestructible material. See samples below:

 

 

 

See more of his work at The Recycling Connection. You can take a tour of his exhibit from a YouTube video below:

 

Art-Filled and Action-Packed- AEP Fall 2010 National Forum Schedule - Register now and join the conversation! The last day to make hotel reservations at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Convention Center is September 30.

June 27, 2010

Chainsaw Art Gains Popularity

Kamla Ravikumar from India sent me some pictures of great chainsaw art that were done by Randall D. Boni of Simple Abundance [Archive] in Tennessee.

 

Randy Boni has been sculpting full time since 1989. He only sculpts dying or damaged trees and transforms them into works of art. In fact, Bone has a tremendous respect for trees through conservation and forest management.

 

"If a tree is dying or has to be taken down, I feel I'm preserving some remembrance of the tree with my carvings," says Boni.

 

What makes his work more remarkable is that Boni was legally blind for over 30 years. He and his twin brother were born with cataracts. In is late 30's, he underwent surgery and this allowed him to see for the first time.

 

Boni said, "The very first thing I did (following surgery), was run out to East Branch Dam to see the thick cable draped across it. People used to ask me, 'you mean you can't see that cable?' I couldn't even see that a leaf had veins, or flowers had individual petals. I can see now, and I know how fortunate I really am," stated Boni.

 

Boni has churned out many sculptures and is considered one of the most prolific chainsaw artists in the world. He says that growing up near the Allegheny National Forest allowed him to appreciate wildlife and trees. He wants to bring life again to those memories in wood carving.

 

As you can see by his work below, he also paints his sculptures. You can find Boni sculptures all over the country. He also offers work for sale on his website.

 

As you can see, Randy uses the entire tree in his sculptures. He only carves on dying or damaged trees. Click on all the images for full size.