Westport Fine Arts Festival Debut
Michael Bud • Jul 21, 2014
The sculptures lined the sidewalk of Gorham Island for the 2014 Westport Fine Arts Festival
The sculpture collection was the main attraction on the bridge into the festival and were definitely one of the highlights of the festival. Actors and role players took the time to pose, or interact with the sculptures. Kids and adults alike were engaged with the bold figures and abstract forms. As featured in Westport News.
In many of my recent pieces, all or part of the sculpture is seared with a torch. I got some of my inspiration from the Japanese exterior siding technique called Shou Sugi Ban (or Yakisugi) that preserves wood. The type of wood used traditionally is Sugi (Japanese Cyprus). The process involves charring the wood, cooling it, cleaning it, and finishing it with a natural oil. Ever since I was a child, I was absolutely fascinated and enchanted by fire. It serves as an amazing compliment to many woods. Depending on the type of wood, oil, and technique used, different shades of reds, browns, blacks and silvers can be achieved.
Here are a few posts from my instagram showing the progress of the current piece in my studio.
Forward Motion , one of my smaller sculptures is on display at NYC Jewelers on Main Street in Westport . Stop by and take a look. While you're there, tell Morris the owner I said hello!
