I’ve heard lots of folks talk about how bad the year, 2016, was. As I grow older, here’s what I know for sure: Celebrities die every year and will continue to do so. Worse yet, we will lose friends and family each year. The reality is, one of us is next in line. This burden becomes heavier as time ticks by, so I do my best not to dwell on it. As an artist, 2016 was a year to remember! It started out with a bang as I received notice that I was awarded three spots in Sioux Falls’ annual SculptureWalk; two on Phillips Ave and one in Avera’s indoor show. Although it was a lot to take on, it was incredibly gratifying to be selected. The long hours I spent in my studio were akin to a marathon, for me. Even though the finish line was a long ways away, I knew that I would cross it. I was relaxed and danced my way around the studio, feverishly working towards my goal. It blows me away to know that approximately 500,000 people will view my SculptureWalk pieces, this year.
September saw the opening of my “Deep Sea Imaginarium” in the Everist Gallery at the Washington Pavilion. It is by far the largest undertaking in my career. I was awarded the show nearly 2 ½ years ago, and I started working on it immediately. It was hard to fathom what it might look like when I started, but I knew that I would need a lot of pieces…101 pieces to be exact. My studio was turning into my new home as I started to sculpt. I created an environment full of previously undiscovered species of fish. Each was made of found objects and lighted from within. When we finally turned out the gallery lights, the glowing fish took on a life of their own and have swam, unimpeded, for nearly five months. I also wrote rhymes to accompany each fish. My biggest goal was to try to transport the audience into my head. “Take a peek inside my brain where fishin’ tales are spun. My psychedelic fish parade has only just begun.”
Positive vibrations, my friends, and here’s to a great New Year!