Figuring the figurative artist

Greetings Gossip Lover,

Well, well, well, treat, treat, TREAT!

DC (intrepid videographer) and yours truly, Gossip Lady were lucky enough to be invited to visit figurative sculptor Christopher Gowell's private studio!

Granted; it might have been nice if we'd called ahead the day of our visit. But we had a few extra minutes and just dropped by and as it was it proved most fortuitous.

Much to our delight, and I venture to say yours, we found Christopher in the middle of a session with a live model. It's true - beauty begets beauty - at least in the case of lovely Emily, the model, and her facsimile taking form on Christopher's stand. See video here.

So there's that and a wonderful private tour of an outstanding sculpture garden at Sanctuary Arts - a school and art center, owned and run by Mz. Gowell.

Can't imagine this one won't delight the pants off you. Speaking of which, if you are offended by nudity, regardless of how tasteful, please skip this video.

I'm off now, but expect to hear from me again soon. I had trouble with this contraption and was unable to post the last video, so will do that and catch you up on lots of area happenings. For now, off to WEST ad ACT ONE, to catch Genvieve Aichele's one-woman show, which ends today! So get a move on!!

Yours in love of arts
Gossip Lady

Photo by the lovely Deb Cram

Alchemey

Greetings Gossip Lovers,

Oooooooo. Magical symbol.

Looks like some unearthed alchemists marking; maybe directions to another dimensions or at least a way to make tin into gold.

Well both are right in their own fashion, sort of. It's certainly a symbol for a group of alchemists, the Iron Guild a collection of metals workers and sculptor/ teachers, that do a traveling iron casting show. It's people practicing one of the oldest and most fascinating art forms.

A number of this magic folk, work-ring showed up at Sanctuary Arts' Green Foundry, in Eliot, Maine, which is run by two of its members, sculptors, and foundryfolk Josh Dow and Lauren Holmgren .

It was so interesting that I'm just going to let the photos speak for themselves. Truly, truly a magical process.

So here's the process from melting busted up iron radiators in a cupola, to catching liquefied iron in a "ladle," to finally casting (pouring) into molds.

It was exciting, exhilarating, and - well a good word to describe it powerful; the visuals, the process, and all those people in rugged attire.

You must admit, the rough-and-ready gear is rather appealing. Smokin' would not be an overstatement.

The Green Foundry is holding a pouring on August 15, that will be open to the public.

Listen to G Lady folks, even if you haven't a shred of interest in sculpture, any art form or a foundry - this is simply an exhilarating experience not to be missed, somehow touches the primal.

G Lady will definitely be returning. Liquid metal and men and women in leather? Pah-lease!

Note the final posted photo. That would be "fire in a bowl." Liquid Iron. True alchemy.


Yours, in love with the legacy of so many that came before,

Gossip Lady

P.S, Did you ever see G Lady's video on Green Foundry? Lovely Lauren and Sweet Josh took DC (intrepid videographer) and G Lady through the entire facility and explained what it is they do step by step. Fascinating I tell you. Utterly fascinating! Click HERE and scroll down the page to see it. Ta-ta for now Gossip Lover.