It is all subjective, defined by one’s sense of intensity…
For years, I walked through woodlands, photographing/gathering; leaves, stones, pieces of bark or moss. I observed form and color, was aware of the graceful calligraphy of birds in flight, but rarely noticed the insects, small mammals and individual plants, the substructure of the woodland that created a kind of hieroglyphic sign language whose meaning of was overpowered by grander forms and colors.
In this series of works I developed a language that registers these individual components, but which at the same time is as specified as an ideogram.
This is of course subjective, but it is so real to me that it feels "real". 
 
  • Raven-the orator...close-up
    Raven-the orator...close-up
    close-up Raven-the orator. ideogram: woodland eyes/beak, dense leaf pattern ideogram: woodland eyes/beak, dense leaf pattern copper, stainless steel 29" x 40" x 10"
  • Raven-the Orator
    Raven-the Orator
    Raven-the Orator...full frontal view ideogram: woodland eyes/beak, dense leaf pattern, tangled invasive vines 29"x 40" x 15"
  • praying mantis...close-up
    praying mantis...close-up
    One of the first works completed as part of this project was a 96" high sculpture of a praying mantis poised patiently on a steel rod of grass. I chose the praying mantis because of it's architectural body and the inherent symbolic meaning attributed to the insect. Appearing calm, patient, even meditative this contradicts the insects aggressive, indiscriminately omnivorous reality. copper, bronze steel 2012 96"H x 75"w
  • Raven-the Statesman....full view
    Raven-the Statesman....full view
    Raven-the Statesman, each bird in the series is different, capturing a different aspect of the birds essence. ideogram: woodland beak, dense leaf pattern, tangled of invasive vines, detritus of man copper, bronze 45"L x 43"H x 15"W
  • Raven-in thought
    Raven-in thought
    Raven-in-thought The ravens intelligence and curiosity is a constant wonder. ideogram: woodland beak/eyes/claws-danger, dense leaf pattern, tangled invasive vines copper, bronze 36"L x 15"H x 13"W
  • Raven....close-up of leaf litter, matted undergrowth
    Raven....close-up of leaf litter, matted undergrowth
    Raven....close-up of leaf litter, matted undergrowth ideogram; undergrowth/leaf litter copper
  • wood thrush-nest-shovel...close-up
    wood thrush-nest-shovel...close-up
    wood thrush..close-up.... a nest with eggs... leaves balanced on a 72" long steel branch rotates 360 degrees.... bobs up and down... supported by a stylized shovel. ideogram: transparent qualities of woodland birds and animals, individual leaf, domed-shaped nest (the result of species transitioning to nesting off the ground, where the risk from predators is greater), detritus of man steel, copper, bronze. 72" wide x 84" high
  • wood thrush-nest-shovel....full view
    wood thrush-nest-shovel....full view
    Full view, wood thrush.... a nest with eggs... leaves balanced on a 72" long steel branch rotates 360 degrees.... bobs up and down... supported by a stylized shovel. ideogram: transparent qualities of woodland birds and animals, individual leaf, domed-shaped nest (the result of species transitioning to nesting off the ground, where the risk from predators is greater), detritus of man steel, copper, bronze. 72" wide x 84" high
  • Balzac, Spotted Owl....close-up
    Balzac, Spotted Owl....close-up
    great horned owl ideogram: secretive, concealed, covert qualities of woodland birds and mammals, tangled/knotty nature of the woods stainless steel, copper, bronze. 72" wide x 84" high
  • Balzac, Spotted Owl...full view
    Balzac, Spotted Owl...full view
    Balzac, Great Horned Owl...full view ideogram: secretive, concealed, covert qualities of woodland birds and mammals, danger, tangled/knotty nature of the woods stainless steel, copper, bronze. 15" x15" x 40"
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