“gust” building the shell

April 11, 2018 Cindee Klement

dip 3 - wet

Ready for dip 4

the top of the cup is cut off and the blind vents are cut open in order to allow the wax to expand and milt out of the shell.

In the furnace to burn out the wax and the felt

with the wax melted out I now blow out what is left of the felt.

burn out number 2

With an pneumatic air hose I blew out the charred debris from each hat.

A cure from above looking into the cup that the bronze will be poured into.

After blowing out the pieces for a second time I seal all the holes with sparset.

Last Thursday we did our best to pour these but............. plan B we will pour them this this Thursday.

New piece - Hurricane Harvey confronted with humanity #1

April 8, 2018 Cindee Klement

When you witness or experience a horrific event there are images that hold onto you; images that will forever be conjoined to the experience.

Weathering Houston’s hurricane Harvey, I was glued to the TV and Houston’s social media postings. My eyes soaked up videos of contaminated waters creeping in the homes of nearby neighborhoods. I witnessed daring rescues of families as they were evacuated. In amazement, I watched mothers and children pile into garbage trucks, elderly folks in wheel chairs airlifted by helicopters. Through social media calls for help, it became obvious our cities first responders could not get to every home in need. Proudly, I saw brave Texans convert their flat bottom fishing boats, and jacked up pickup trucks into liferafts and search for those who called for help. No Texan would be left behind.

When our street drained, turning off the news and putting my social media in my pocket, I packed up my dry survivor’s guilt and headed down to the George R. Brown convention center to volunteer and treat my pain and my conscience. The Red Cross had turned one-third of the GRB into a families with pets section. Entering the building with dilated pupils I wove my way through the walk ways created by the clusters of cots and kennels occupied by families and their pets. It struck me that even in the midst of a disaster we humans create neighborhoods and small communities, we are pack animals. I headed towards the pop up pet supply store well stocked from donations made by citizens and the volunteer veterinary clinic where I would be helping out. Careful not to disturb the sleeping citizens of the newly formed families with pets city, I was confronted by a single cot. It was freshly dressed in a crisp white sheet accessorized with a fluffy white pillow and tucked in by a cozy, white flannel blanket decorated with tiny Red Cross logos all over. It was isolated from the others waiting for the next victim of Harvey to tuck themselves in and comfort them with safety. With all the rescue images of people trudging through unsanitary water, homes floating in floodwater fresh in my memory bank that cot was shockingly - humanity. Thirty thousand GRB citizens would be relieved to make it their new homestead. It was heart breaking and beautiful all at the same time. I could imagine if I had been rescued that cot would have been a long-awaited relief. I would not have asked the sheet thread count or if the cotton was grown pesticide free. My heart hurt for all those who were grateful to have such a cot. That cot, that crystal clear image of stripped down humanity, is the Harvey image that holds onto me.

Within weeks, I made two watercolor monotype pieces of the cot. One as I saw it and one with a pet waiting for its owner. I was pleased with their crispness and the delicate watery shapes seen when closely inspected. It occurs to me that the cot was so symbolic to me because of the constant looped eyewitness news reporting and abundance of social media posts. I was seeing the same strong images over and over. From my dry den, I too experienced Harvey.

I have taken photos of my television screen and collected screen shots of these images and will use them as inspiration for additional works to go with the cot. It will be interesting to see if it is interesting to anyone but me.

This is a study for the project. I am experimenting with the type of images I want to use, the sizes of the images and how much they can be abstracted and still be recognizable.

I want to use only black ink on white paper. If I were to make the pieces color ink, I would need to address skin tones and ethnicity. And the truth is that during Harvey, skin color, political and religious affiliations (things that often divide us) were not an issue to the point that they were not even part of the commentary, and that was beautiful. It is a very shuttle way to make a strong statement. I hope it is heard.

“score” #29 a meditation

April 2, 2018 Cindee Klement

Photo of wires coming off the bow depicting the energy created by sound.

I have no idea whether what I am making is “good art” or “bad art,” but I do know that my brain loves painstakingly placing each and every tiny piece of delicate wire exactly where and how my imagination envisions it, and the sounds that come from the strings of the violin, as the horse hair bow, drawn in a focused and precise manner, moves across them. The energy that this sculpture is depicting is both physical and emotional. The work on this part, for me, is a meditation. I don’t really think about it; I just listen and imagine as I twist and attach the wires.

“score” - #25 marching on

March 15, 2018 Cindee Klement

I was able to get another full day of work in. I was primarily focused on integrating the large piece of welded wire that makes up the movement created by his right arm with the steel and plaster figure’s arm and head. I am integrating the two by adding small broken pieces of wire cloth within the welded wire.

I also added some tiny delicate wires to the movement of the bows. The delicate sounds coming off the strings.

the top back of the head

One of my artist friends Vincent Blair stopped in and took a quick pic as I worked.

My wire stash is on the pedestal.

"the road". Cyclist - and what inspired this series.

June 18, 2017 Cindee Klement

Inspiration for new abstract series- I am often asked where my ideas come from. The answer is everywhere. I am always looking for imagery that interests me. Imagery that, when abstracted, will express a particular emotion or energy. I then think about what type of lines will best express that feeling, what media will work best. I was inspired to create the cyclist body of work a few months ago very early on a Sunday morning when I was peacefully driving down Allen Parkway toward downtown. "Could you be loved" by Bob Marley was playing on the radio. The asphalt street, slightly curving to the right, sparkled in the glaring sunlight. The second that I saw them, I was inspired by their images, their lines, the rhythm they shared, the obvious camaraderie that bonded them.

Below is is a summary of what I remember of that morning.

Houston's downtown skyline was lathered in dark shadows; it dripped silhouettes of oil into puddles. The silhouettes, their broad shoulders and fit waistlines bobbled back and forth over my dashboard, as their black spindle-like legs pumped the pedals right, left, right, left, never straying from the pool of their shadow. I stayed a safe distance behind and studied the rhythm of their images. Their body language, their energy, and sense of being part of a pack stayed with me.

If you zoom in you can see it like I saw it.

I will post more in my process soon.

Kinder Morgan Gallery

February 22, 2017 Cindee Klement

"murmur of the water" was accepted into the Kinder Morgan "Line Line Line Exhibition". On view in Downtown Houston March 6th - June 2nd.

"murmur of the water"

79" X 50"

paint, ink, and pastels on stonehedge

If you are in NYC check out my piece @ Site:Brooklyn art gallery

January 7, 2017 Cindee Klement

The Figure: Interpreted Through Contemporary Mediums

Juried by Barbara A. MacAdam

Site:Brooklyn
165 7th St
Brooklyn, NY

for details see the link below.

http://eepurl.com/cvMw0f

Site:Brooklyn

Artist Reception – Wednesday January 18th 6-9PMJan 19 – Feb 19, 2017

Gail Nadeau - "The Red Kimono"Artists:

Steven Palumbo, Kang Sean, Courtney Bae, Elise Thompson, John Gallagher, Petrea Noyes, Carol Coates, Phillip Connell, Tom Acevedo, Barbara Smith, Ronald Gonzalez, Cindee Klement, Andrew Hockenberry, Deborah Druick, Robin Dintiman, Kathy Collins, Claire Gilliam, Candice Flewharty,
Farnosh Olamai Birch, John Power, Philippe Hyojung Kim, Ola Aldous,
Greta Young, Gail Nadeau, Mary Lou Greene, Tomas Modzelewski,
Claire Apana, John Patrick Snyder, Alain Rogier, Diana Burchfield,
Alexa Hoyer, Sophie Brenneman, John Kayrouz, Brooke Alexander,
Joshua Dean, Owen Brown, Sharon Bartel Clements, Rajab Sayed,
John Edwards, Gill Alexander, Lee Ann Carr, Colleen Kelly,
Michelle Muri-Sloane

peace pigeon project # 15

December 9, 2016 Cindee Klement

One thing I like about art is the people. The Houston art community is very supportive. We all help each other and cheer each other on. A few weeks ago leaving TXRX I saw a big wooden wire spool by the road. I thought it might be a great pedestal for one of Barbara's found object pieces. I saved it for her. She ended up cutting up the spool for another piece. Peace pigeon #15 is a scrap from that spool. Barbara saved it for me. It is a beauty just like Barbara. I was very touched that she would go to the trouble to capture this pigeon for me.

Thank you Barbara.

peace pigeon project #6 - grounded

November 10, 2016 Cindee Klement

Roots

These roots have been taking up space in my work area for at least three years. It feels so good to finally use them.

Drawing that inspired the series.

German beak trumpeter pigeon with leg muffs

Peace Pigeon project #3 - feathery finery - start to finish

November 3, 2016 Cindee Klement

I welded together a small steel armature using pencil size steel.

When I add the tail it will stand up better.

Wow! I love just the lath.

Accepted -

October 27, 2016 Cindee Klement

A few weeks ago I noticed that Artspace a non profit gallery in Roundrock, Texas was having a call for art. The curatorial theme - "celebration and Rememberence" a sort of day of the dead celebration. I immediately thought about a bust I sulpted in 2014 and how nice it would be for the inspiration of my sculpture (Mr. S.Erickson) if the piece was selected. "Celebration and Remembered" is not a juried Show and I had decided to only apply for selective juried shows. It would be a away of paying tribute to a man who was forgotten in his time and it was a local opportunity to submit a sculpture. So I submitted the piece. I am happy happy to report that "forgotten soul- S.Erickson" will be remembered and celebrated at Artspace in Roundtop Texas during the month of December. Below is the artist statement I submitted.

forgotten soul – S. Erickson

Was one of the thousands who died at the Oregon state mental hospital whose ashes were abandoned inside 3500 copper urns. I saw his picture in the newspaper and could not forget him. "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" was filmed at Oregon state mental hospital.His file stated he was a laborer and suffered from senility, he came to New York in 1883 from Norway. Mr. Erickson was one of the forgotten souls but I could not forget him.

peace pigeon project #2

October 16, 2016 Cindee Klement

10/13

I started building the armature for another pigeon. I am using airplane safety wire pliers to attach metal lath into the shape of a German beak trumpeter pigeon.

The armature ready for plaster or concrete.

Material - metal lath, gloves and cutters.

Armature -One leg muff pigeon  leg — Armature -One leg muff pigeon leg

Armature-  Two feet and the start of the chest — Armature- Two feet and the start of the chest

Had to do a little smashing of the mesh.

"that stick is not gonna throw itself"

September 13, 2016 Cindee Klement

I put this picture on Facebook and Instagram requesting title of work suggestions. Kay Powell Curtis' aunt face booked me "that stick is not gonna throw itself." Curtis and I both burst out laughing. She took the words right out of his mouth.

It is a keeper. Now I just have to finish it.

Thank you Kay- 😘 thanks so much for taking the time to look at my post and for sharing your very special quirky Kay verbiage. You made my day.

"that stick is not gonna throw itself. "

New piece- still working on the title

September 4, 2016 Cindee Klement

9/26/2016 - 10/2/2016

I started a new sculpture. This will be an additional piece to my series based on shaking dogs. My fingers are crossed.

Pedestal ✅ photos of similar pose ✅ wire✅ wire cutters✅ music ✅

Starting the body. This will be the back side of the piece. The front of the piece you will see just the dogs head popping out and paws gripping the side of a deck.

I Moved the piece from my garage to my studio at Glassell. It got a little banged up in the move. There is a lot of negative space involved in these pieces so it is important to have a clean white background behind whichever side I am working on. I have created a movable partition that I move around it as I work.

I taped two 3 paneled science fair poster boards together to make my clean white back drop.

Front view- at this time he is headless. The most important part of this piece will be the dogs expression.

Left view- the tail is wagging extreme left. I spent an entire day getting this tail perfect. Next week I will take a backside view.

The next step is to start the head and face.

I will start a new post for the head of this piece.

I am still struggling with a name. Curtis suggested "did I win?"

I was thinking "paws up"

Naming the piece is an important task to me. I struggle with the name of each and every piece. And I am struggling with the name of this piece.

If you have a suggestion for a "title of work" please do not hesitate to send me an idea.

New piece in the works- I am still working on the name. It will be part of my "shake shake shake" work.

September 4, 2016 Cindee Klement

9/26/2016

I started a new sculpture. I hope it works with my shake shake shake work.

Yikes! So many problems to fix at this point.  (Left view) — Yikes! So many problems to fix at this point. (Left view)

His tail is wagging far to his left. (right view)

I worked a full day on legs and torso and I am feeling a lot better about how it is shaping up.

I will address the head in a deprecate post.

Celebrating national dog day

August 26, 2016 Cindee Klement

New cranescape

August 22, 2016 Cindee Klement

In July I started a new cranescape. As I started two thoughts were colliding in my head. The first thought was to start a new companion piece for my first four crane pieces which all have yellow cranes. The second thought was to create a cranescape with white cranes. There are 3 white cranes working everyday a few blocks from my home.

White construction cranes on Kirby drive.

Below are the notes I made as the piece progressed.

This piece will be 50" X 72". I like my Stonehenge to be really alive so I collage building shapes of Stonehenge to it. I tear all the shapes to help build the energy of the piece and bring life to the paper.

Collaging the paper with more paper before I start drawing. I am using two different colors of white.

The basic structure of this piece is the same as my first four. A large mass of buildings on the left, three structures in the distance top right, with a few structures below.

The paper is dripping wet so I will let it dry out for awhile. I have little patience for waiting. 😕

I am very messy. I really need a table and a lot of plastic.

I am not happy with the direction this has gone. I want to take it back to just black ink and charcoal.

Adding more charcoal chunk and then more gesso, more black ink, more charcoal powder and more gesso.

I misplaced a photo between the last photo and the next. Sorry for the jump.

Then I saw it right there on my Stonehenge paper - the construction site as in my first drawings but the cranes were white and barely visible as when day breaks.

Cranes at first light50" X 72" ink, gesso, charcoal and collage. — Cranes at first light
50" X 72"
ink, gesso, charcoal and collage.

This will make a great lenticular with one of the other pieces.

Cranescape - lenticular

August 1, 2016 Cindee Klement

This lenticular is made from two pieces "dance of the cranes" interlaced with "sunset cranes".

I am trying to decide on a title for this piece ???????????

Growing up in a small border town, seeing a skyline of construction cranes is invigorating and exciting. The cranes as a subject matter are a symbol of opportunity to me. I drew the four pieces in the series spring/summer of 2015 because of my personal connection with the Houston cranes.

This past year while traveling I noticed that Miami, Washington DC, Dallas, Ft. Worth, and New York City all have skylines littered with construction cranes. With a bit of research I learned that the US is experiencing a construction boom.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erincarlyle/2016/02/10/building-boom-towns-the-metro-areas-with-the-most-new-construction/#e0dba195a5e0

These Cranescapes record this moment in US economic history (469.5 billion in construction starts in 2015). My abstract interpretation of this moment could be any city experiencing a construction boom. This gives the work universal appeal for anyone interested in American contemporary art.

new wire sculpture "shake shake shake-jump".

July 21, 2016 Cindee Klement

"Shake shake shake" started with 5 simple abstract drawings of dogs shaking water off their coats. Here is the back story-

Easter of 2015 - grateful to have both kids in town we decided to go to the Buffalo Bayou Dog Park - all of us. My son Griffin took a slow mo video of our elderly Labrador Kitty. Kitty loved the dog park and would retrieve tennis balls from the pond like she was a two-year-old pup. She would consistently drop the ball at your feet and as you would bend over to pick it up shake all the water off her coat right on to all those standing near by. My son’s video inspired my “shake shake shake” series. In the drawings I used bubbles to express not only the action but the joy. The next challenge was to capture the same magical moment in 3D with wire sculptures. I have completed two sculptures and I have 3 more in my head. Then I felt the need to capture the dogs intense hyper focus on the ball before he is released to chase it down so I made "sit". "Sit " is on exhibit at MFAH Glassell studio school Interspace Gallery in the 2016 student juried show. This series of sculptures and drawings seems to continually lead to more work. I completed 6 - 50" X 60" drawings I call "fetch". The fetch pieces are more about the water as the dogs splash through water to get their balls. These pieces are all about ears and splashing. Still I feel I need 1 more piece to complete the story. The past 3+ weeks I have been working on another wire sculpture "jump". My goal is to capture that moment when time seems to freeze for a split second, the energy is calm and focused before the big splash landing in a lake. The point of view is from in the water and below the dog. Here is my drawing of "jump".