| another Art Card! |
[12 Dec 2008|12:09pm] |
Just finished another art card..."The Origin"
This is starting to get really fun. If you want a link to the ebay auction (i'll be posting it on ebay tonight) shoot me an email.
As the others were, this one will start at 99 cents with no reserve.
You can find my email on the mudmonkey site if you don't currently have it.
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| ACEOs....and I'm going to try to use Livejournal more again...heh |
[09 Dec 2008|09:29am] |
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I decided to try my hand at something new. A while back I started to do some painting again. At the time I was painting images on fired ceramic figures. A friend of mine mentioned that I might want to look into ACEOs. I did…and then promptly forgot about them (that’s pretty much how my brain works).
Well, I stumbled on them again and decided to try my hand at making an ACEO. What is an ACEO? Essentially they are trading cards created by artists. ACEO stands for Art Cards Editions and Originals.
I’m going to post a couple of mine on ebay. I’ve always wanted to create something that was inexpensive enough that it was attainable by just about anyone. ACEOs may offer just that. Hope you enjoy…when these are on ebay I’ll post a link: here and here (just in case you’re willing to gamble 99 cents on getting this in an ebay auction)
"Mono Vision"
"Mono Vision" is my first ACEO. He's the part of all of us that can be so focused and so enamored with something that it becomes the single vision we have. He’s a nice guy to have along for the ride…but don’t let him drive all the time.
“Perilous Voyage” I gave this one that title because I can never spell Perilous right. Maybe if I have to do it over and over I’ll memorize it correctly.
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| "childs play" piece for 'Just Britney' show in LA |
[04 Oct 2007|03:53pm] |
So, i was invited to be part of a show in LA at a gallery called World of Wonder. The show was entitled "Just Britney".
Each artist created a piece inspired by Britney Spears. Mine is titled "Childs Play"
I was surprised by a message from someone stating that this piece had shown up on a morning show in Australia. A quick search led me to a "Hollywood News" bit on an Australian show where they talk about the World of Wonder gallery opening...and indeed they showed the piece...Neat.
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) ahora_rockets also posted in my journal asking about the piece...so i thought i would just create this post.
Here's a copy of what she wrote and my reply:
ahora_rockets : Hey, random add, but interested in keeping an eye on your work, cause i was utterly enthralled with your piece in the 'Just Britney' exhibit, along with your technical execution & aesthetics.
Mm, but as well: I guess i'm curious to know too if you were intentionally aligning the pop princess with "other'd figures of fertility"? That's the reading i got out of it, but naturally, i haven't seen any artist statements surrounding the exhibit, so i can only imagine. -Allison
mudmonkey: Allison,
Thanks for writing. Were you out at the show in LA? Or did you see the piece elsewhere (if so, where?).
I’m glad you asked about the ‘just britney’ piece (titled Childs Play). The short answer is yes…I was trying to make a comment about how different cultures create fertility symbols. Britney is most certainly a sex symbol…and that may be the closest to a fertility symbol we have. From what I’ve learned (and I’m no expert on these things…just have read a bit) the dolls I tried to use are called Aquaba or Ashanti dolls. Apparently they appear in a few different African cultures and serve several social purposes. The first is the obvious function as a fertility symbol. However, another “level” to the piece has to do with some information I found that claimed that the dolls were used with young girls to help them learn how to care for an infant (ie be a mother?). Britney is a sex symbol, but was also a mouseketeer and role model for young girls at one time. Anyway, I could write about this forever, but I’ll just leave it at that.
Thanks so much for asking! -simon
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| Finally here...dongo custom toys... |
[26 Mar 2007|09:29am] |
The experimenting is over and i've finished the first few Custom Dongo Toys...
They are currently for sale on ebay
here
here
and here
or, if you like, you can just search for "dongo toys" or "simon boses"
Let me know what you think!
-simon
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| Some more new stuff... |
[12 Dec 2006|07:16pm] |
I've been playing some more with firing forms then painting them. I really like the result. I'm enjoying painting again. I have 16 new pieces in the works ranging in size from 3" to 12". Below are images of 2 of the ones that are done. I'll be revamping DongoToys.com to sell these guys too. They will all be "one of a kind" so i'll probably start out selling them via ebay. (i had a hard time finding the javascript that would allow me to setup a shopping cart that would sell items that i only had one of...so ebay it is.).
Here they are...i'll update with better pictures when i get the chance.
Tree Prince
Dealer
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[07 Dec 2006|08:21pm] |
okay...so there's no title for this yet...it’s an experiment really….but i've been thinking for a while about doing "custom style" pieces.
Those of you who are familiar with designer toys will recognize the technique. I'm making the figure of clay and firing it, but then painting it. A bit different process from that of sculpting figures…or of buying a blank toy and painting it. I’m thinking that I will change DongoToys.com to just a “customs” site (where each sculpture would be one of a kind). These are quite a bit of work, but I really like painting them.
In school my professors often suggested I change my major to illustration because I was stronger in 2-D than 3-D so it’s nice to have an outlet for doing some 2-D work again.
Let me know what you think. It’s important to me to hear what the reaction will be to work like this…it’s always risky as an artist to change things up (not that I would stop doing work the way that I have been. But I would do less of it).
-simon
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[16 Nov 2006|06:38pm] |
well i finished up the turtle...and it went to the arts center (of st. pete) for their holiday show. Now i'm shooting pictures of 7 new psycons that i'm sending to a gallery in San Jose, CA. (also for a holiday sale). Here is the turtle done:
I'll post pics of the new psycons after i've sent them out tomorrow.
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| new work for November... |
[03 Nov 2006|11:21pm] |
as promised i'm continuting to update this blog regularly.
I've been working like crazy in the studio.
Something new and fun...
thats for size...and because sarah is a goof when i give her the camera...
this is for different views...
I'm getting sick...so i'm going to go sleep...but soon i will tell you about my new lovebird...and maybe even show some pictures.
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| a new day |
[27 Oct 2006|09:57am] |
I turned 32 the other day.
And, I started to make a list of things that I would like to change. On that list (nowhere near the top) was trying to post at least a few times a week on my blog. Now, as I said above it was nowhere near the top of the list, however, it was one of the easiest changes to make. Now here I am making my first blog entry as a 32 year old. (I have to practice saying that I’m 32 because it’s really awkward when you can’t remember how old you are and there’s a long pause when someone asks you).
Work…really that’s what you’re here for isn’t it…
I sometimes think it’s bad luck to show things that aren’t finished. I have a bad history with things blowing up after I’ve taken pictures of them…but I like to tempt fate…so, here are a few things I’m working on…
New Psycons...
It’s been over a year since I made new ones and I thought I would go back to the drawing board with them. I’ve decided to change the shape of the lower half and to add a base. They will look something like this:
So far I like them, but they are a work in progress...
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| Dongo Toys Goes Live... |
[30 Apr 2006|07:54pm] |
Okay...so it's ready...tonight or tomorrow (in the wee hours) Dongo Toys will go active. If you guys could check it out...see if anything is broken...play with the links and all that jazz that would be great.
a little something to pique your interest?
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| What's a Dongo? |
[25 Apr 2006|07:20pm] |
It seems to be my pattern that I login ever 3 months or so and post some images.
I’m a little late this time…but I’ve been pretty busy and have lots of new things to show.
The highlights:
My biggest news is DongoToys.com. I've told some of you about this...I’ve been kicking around the idea for more than a year, but recent developments have allowed me to bring it to life. Have you ever heard of Designer Toys? If not do a google search, or just visit www.kidrobot.com or www.munkyking.com. I've been workin on creating ceramic toys. Some are "one of a kind" and others are multiples created with the aid of molds. In any case, if you're curious take a look at the site. If you're really curious join the email list for the site...i promise not to spam you to death.
I’ve started making much larger figures. They are similar to the psycons, but they are 18” rather than 6”. They have been super successful in the galleries I’ve been showing in. Currently there are 4 in my studio waiting to be shipped out, and 3-4 in galleries. I’ve created about 15 of these guys in the last 4 months….and I’ve got many new ones in the works. So, keep an eye out here and on my website.
I’ve been invited to do a show in Galveston, TX this summer, and am currently part of a show in Mobile, AL.
Those are the highlights.
Will update more as things come along.
now, another picture...
( another pic )
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| like a cleanex rising from the flames... |
[14 Feb 2006|04:34pm] |
Hi kids…
I was sent a friendly reminder that I’ve been neglecting my LJ friends by not posting enough. It’s funny how often I say to myself, “I’m going to start posting in my LJ every whatever-week-day” … but it never happens. Life has a way of getting in the way. (which is ironic if you think about the fact that LJ is all about writing about life).
What have I been up to?
Well, art, for one thing.
We’re coming up on the one year anniversary of my moving here (florida) and I have to say that I’m feeling pretty good about that decision. I’ve been in a few shows here and done pretty well. I was in the Temple Bethel show a couple of weeks ago and was awarded an honorable mention (that was neat).
I managed to create 8 new pieces in the first 3 weeks of January. Only one of them sold at Temple Bethel…but that just means I will have more to send to Houston and Galveston. I was a bit disappointed about the Bethel show because I only sold 3 of the 15 or so pieces I delivered there. It was an ego bruising after selling almost everything at the show I did for Café Alma.
I’m still working on getting all the photos of the new work posted on my website…but as soon as they are ready I will post them here too.
Hey, remember that whole Dongo Toys idea I had? No? Well, I purchased the domain name Dongotoys.com. (dongo=“made of clay” in Swahili) In any case the Jira I made were my fist attempt at making a clay toy (actually they were my second…my first didn’t come out so good). They did so well that I’ve decided to go ahead and expand them and make some more clay toys. For the most part they will be slip cast molded pieces that will be in limited and unlimited editions. What does that mean? Mostly that means I can sell them for much less than my other sculpture. The Jira were only like 45.00. And some of the new toys will be even less. So, keep an eye on the site…and oh yeah, use my bulletin boards….seriously…they are the most useless thing right now. Any ideas on how to make them more interesting?
Hope everyone is well…if you’re in FL let me know…I’m a really good host…I grew up here you know.
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| made the local news paper... |
[17 Dec 2005|05:19pm] |
how cool is this...someone called to tell me they saw my work in the paper...
take a look:
link (click the "art" article at the top)
neat xmas gift for me from the news paper.
awwww...they're so sweet.
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| Brand Spank’n New |
[07 Dec 2005|07:58am] |
( want to see more? )
I’ve been working on something completely new.
They are inspired by “art toys”
I call them Jira. (Swahili for Seed)
They are small sculptures that i made a mold of and have been casting in clay.
Each has to be sculpted some after coming out of the mold and is then hand painted- so no two are exactly alike. They have a small hole cut in the back so that they can easily hang on a hook or nail in the wall.
The image above are the color combos i've come up with so far. (still working out more)
The first set has already been sent to a gallery in Galveston.
You can contact them through the info on my gallery page.
I’ve decided to start taking orders for these.
However, if you want them before xmas you’d better let me know soon.
The price is 40.00 each and shipping will need to be calculated based on where you live (they are extremely light - so that they can hang, and shouldn't cost very much to ship).
Please email all orders to me asap. I can take payment via paypal right away. If you don’t have paypal we’ll work out some other form of payment.
Back to the studio now!
Thanks!
simon
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| "face first"...one man show... |
[03 Oct 2005|10:00pm] |
I've been working crazy hard to finish everything for my first one man
show here in St. Pete. It will be at a beautiful little cafe down town
called Cafe Alma (their website). The opening will be the evening of Saturday Oct. 15th at 8PM.
Here is a digital look at the postcard:
If you'd like a copy of it please email me your address and i'll get it out to you right away.
I'll be posting images of the work and the opening in the future.
Hope to see some of you there!
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| something new and different... |
[20 Jul 2005|09:35pm] |
This is something new for me...
I wanted to create some work that could hang on the wall, and cost less than one of my sculptures. Here it is...
(sorry the image isn't great...i'll update it as soon as i can shoot another) It’s a relief carved image that has been cast (in clay)...ie. it’s hollow (like a hollow tile). It measures 13" x 9.25" and can easily hang on the wall with a small hook (weighs in at approx 2 lbs). I am limiting the edition to 30 of these...after that i break the mold and no others will be made. Each is cast then carved a bit and hand painted by me.
This one is being shown at Vitale Gallery in St. Pete at their show “Hot and Bothered”.
You can see Vitale here: Vitale Gallery. You can contact them for purchase price and shipping information. As i mentioned before the edition is limited to 30, so if you’re interested in purchasing one of these then contact them asap.
Side Note: The piece in the show will be marked AP (for Artist’s Proof- the one i chose as the “perfect” one that all others in the edition should be measured by). The first buyer will get the AP, all others will be marked by the order they were created (just like prints...ie, 1/30, 2/30 up to 30/30).
Shoot me an email if you’d like more pics (it’s hard to see the dimension of the piece here- looks kind of flat).
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| repost, kind of... |
[21 Jun 2005|06:04pm] |
I posted this on the simon boses journal, and i feel bad if i leave this journal out. So, to avoid being one of those parents who have a favorite child i'm going to repost it here again.
Lots of exciting things going on here....
I had my first real “homeowner” experience this week when they turned off my power. Apparently they do that if you don’t give them money (who knew?).
On a more positive note, I finished the two commissioned pieces that i mentioned below. The new owners are very happy with the results (as am i). The whole process went so well that i’m thinking that i might take some more commission work.
I updated my site a bit and added a couple of things. A links page will bring you to information about other artists and venues that i’m involved with and an “upcoming shows” list on my galleries and resume pages will keep you up to date on where i will be showing.
A peek at that list would reveal that in the next 4 months i will be in 4 shows. In July it’s the “Marks and Metaphors” show at the St. Pete Arts Center as well as the “Hot and Bothered” show at the Vitale Gallery. Then in August i will have some work in the “Snowball in Hell” show at Garde Rail Gallery in Seattle. And lastly i will be having a small one man show at Cafe Alma in beautiful down town St. Petersburg.
I plan on making appearances at all these openings so if you’re interested in visiting with me (or just having a really great dinner in the case of Cafe Alma) then mark them on your calendar.
Shhhhh....come here. Closer. Closerrrr. Okay, so between you and me (and i’m afraid to even mention it because i don’t want to curse myself) I may have an opportunity to show 3 pieces in Santa Fe. All i can say right now is that i’m really excited and i will make sure to post pictures of the work as it progresses.
Lastly, I want to invite you all to join me in the forum. I’ve been making a focused effort to visit it daily and post some information about the pieces i’m working on. I’ve started a “works in progress” thread where i hope to post images of the pieces i’m working on. I’m starting a couple of fun (and possibly wacky) projects that will be described in the forum as I manage to get them started. Registration is free and all are welcome.
Thanks for visiting.
-simon
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| in the wurx |
[21 Jun 2005|10:43am] |
I think i mentioned a few posts ago that i’d added a forum to my website. I’ve been working on trying to update it frequently. Lots of great things are going on. I have 4 shows that i will be involved in between now and the end of October. I’ve updated my site with information about those. I also have a couple of “projects” in the works. The piece that i will be showing at the Vitale Gallery will be something new for me. It’s the fruit of my attempts to create something less expensive for people who are interested in purchasing my work. I think people will like it.
Feel free to sign up on the forum and say hi.
hope everyone is doing well.
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| new house of fire... |
[15 May 2005|01:35pm] |
well, my new house has been like arm wrestling a giant.
I decided that it was too much for me to try to renovate the studio on my own. I put my DIY super suit in the closet and went to check out St. Pete Clay Company (www.stpeteclay.com). As of 2 days ago i am the newest member there. I've already managed to sculpt 2 of the 3 commission pieces that i've accepted since moving back to st. pete. "Wait, you don't do commission work," some of you are saying. As it turns out, when you can't pay your water bill you'll pretty much make anything anyone asks you to do. Yay for being an adult.
I like the space quite a bit. And i ran into my high school teacher who first introduced me to clay. It was really strange. He was like, "hey, call me Alan." Yay for being an adult.
Should have new work ready really soon. Asher gallery is asking for new work and that usually means i'll be hearing from Galveston soon too. Hope everyone is doing well. Email me if i haven't sent you new contact info for me.
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