Spike, (Wood and resin construction with shoe lasts, hammer head and rope)To continue the recycling theme I'm hoping you will go over to Susan Valyi's website to see the menagerie of quirky characters she has created from shoe lasts, found wood, bone and metal objects.
Psst (wood and resin construction with shoe lasts)
Guaranteed to put a smile on your face! The titles are so apt too. Look at this one. Traipse. Have you ever seen a more suave traipser than this chap? Except perhaps for Steve Martin in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Traipse (wood and resin construction with shoe lasts)
"I believe the art I create is a reflection of my life's visual memory. Everything I see is banked, analyzed and edited leaving me with something like a personal museum of influences. When I explore a new idea, or sketch, I feel the moment a connection is made and the idea merges with the best of what resides in my memory bank." - Susan Valyi
The Patrons, (Wood and resin construction with shoe lasts and hammer heads)"My materials and methods serve my work process. Wood suits me. Scavenging suits me. Hard physical labour suits me. My current constructions are joined with resin. I build up shapes like fitting a puzzle together, guided by my sketches. A continuous process of adding then grinding away. The finished pieces are oiled and sometimes white-washed, then polished to a smooth but textured patina which reveals the underlying mosaic of wood."
Once a Dancer, (Bone and resin construction with shoe lasts)
these are so wonderfully fantastical! thank you. :)
ReplyDeletewhere do you find such wonderful things! what a talented woman!thanks lyle
ReplyDeleteThis struck me - "My materials and methods serve my work process. Wood suits me. Scavenging suits me. Hard physical labour suits me." An artist perfectly aligned with her process and her expression. I take delight in that. Thanks again Robyn for finding another great artist for us to enjoy! Happy Weekend to you too.
ReplyDeleteThey are all marvellous but I really do love "Traipse." Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI have one of these old wooden shoe things. I didn't realize they were called "lasts". These creations are absolutely fabulous. Loved this, Robyn!
ReplyDeleteLOVE -- thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWonderful that these objects which were employed at work are now pieces of quirky art that people smile at.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the recycled post too!
Best wishes Blu x
Thank you for your wonderfull blog! i enjoyed reading about your art vision. regards, Paula
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful. There is so much movement in them. The shoe lasts are alive.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, Susan Valyi has a fantastic imagination hasn't she?
ReplyDeleteLyle, talented indeed!
Leslie, Susan's statement struck a chord.
Dolores, Traipse is fantastic isn't it? I love Psst, too.
Willow, I keep finding shoe lasts at "junk" shops but at such a price that I've never purchased one.
Denise, glad you enjoyed.
Blu, I imagine they are wonderful to the touch as well.
Paula, thank you!
Don, I thought you would appreciate these.
What an eye for the wonderful you have, Robyn. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteToni
Susan's work has so much personality. Thanks for putting a smile on my face this morning.
ReplyDeleteThese are so unique and interesting. They really feel almost alive. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI've been collecting shoe lasts for years and have just used them as sculptural objects by themselves...I just love what susan has done with them!
ReplyDeleteIf Edward Gorey had been a sculptor, he might have made something like these.
ReplyDeletewhimsical and fun!
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha...these are wonderful examples of works of art made with great humour.
ReplyDeleteThanks Toni.
ReplyDeleteChris, I'm still smiling each time I check in to reply to a few comments.
Seth, they do seem to be alive don't they? They've got such attitude!
Beadbabe49, the wood used to make the shoe lasts is so beautiful that it's not surprising they would be collectors pieces.
ArtSparker, yes I can see a few Edward Gorey creatures in this menagerie....with shoes.
Jeane, great fun :-)
Priya, I knew these would appeal to your wonderful sense of humour.
What a wonderfully creative mind, Robyn.
ReplyDeleteYou always show me things that set my imagination aglow!! These are just wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThis the most wonderful recycling of shoe lasts- or anything for that matter - that I have ever seen!! I wish I could carve!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteThese are brilliant! Thanks once again.
ReplyDeleteI visited the site you linked about the shoe lasts and am now wondering whom was the inspiration to whom? You or Susan? Or do you both work together? They are really incredible. I love the hammer heads. I love to carve also. Very creative. What would we all do without art?????
ReplyDeleteWeaver, the reason I google so much is to discover all the amazingly talented people out there. Such creative minds!
ReplyDeletePamela, absolutely wonderful!
Oogleboops, I will look at shoe lasts with new eyes from now on.
Caroline, happy to share the links.
Teri, I discovered Susan's work this week and am bowled over by each piece. I often wonder what we would do without art.
Hmmm...Whimsy from hard work...Not to be taken lightly...
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely D-LIGHT-ful! Thank you for sharing them. Makes me smile all over. I've been doing a blog wander to get inspired - think I'm ready to create!
ReplyDeleteWhat everyone else has said!! so much fun. I found one of these shoe forms years ago, and it still sits as is, never finding it's form beyond itself! Eventually a very old wooden shoe shine kit came into my life, so it's found a home upon it - much less original. Still, I do like it :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for pointing us to another amazing artist. I always love coming here :)
ReplyDeleteHer art is so very interesting and imaginative. I watched her video...it is interesting to see her process.
Wow you find the best artists... these pieces all have such personality.
ReplyDeleteI always have to choose a favourite (dont know why), but this is so hard...maybe Psst!
Hope you are having a lovely week and getting lots of carving done yourself.
Jacky xox
Thanks so much for introducing this artist...I went on her site and truly enjoyed her creations.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to this brilliantly witty artist Robyn. I love absolutely everything she has done. You find the most amazing artists and craftspeople.
ReplyDeleteThat first one made me laugh out loud... then i thought, how come they all have good feet!
ReplyDeleteSo funny but also stylish, postures with so much evoked.
These are a fantastic find...really put a smile on my boatrace!
ReplyDeletex;0)
DJ, the nicks and the blisters are never taken lightly :-)
ReplyDeleteRenee, happy creating!
Karin, I like the sound of it:-)
Mo'a, my door is always open :-)
Jacky, I admit I also have to choose favourites and yes it's a busy week. Carving up a storm!
Mary Ann, well worth a visit!
Cathy, so glad you enjoyed them.
Mansuetude, you've been far too quiet...glad you're back in blogging form. A horse with big feet...you just have to laugh!
Mimi, any time I can put a smile on your boatrace...
These pieces are awesome!
ReplyDeleterobyn- I've had shoe lasts sitting in my studio for years and just looked at them...now I really 'see'them.
ReplyDeleteWOWOWO!!!! crazy, beautiful talent. I loved her statement- it made the post for me. Thanx Robyn, for bringing us such beauty, cause I can't imagine seeing this on any other blog.
ReplyDeleteRobyn, these do make me smile... it is so amazing to me what artists create... thank you for sharing your finds. Have a lovely and productive week! roxanne
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing imagination some people have, and how amazing are you finding all of the inspirational work every week. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize that these were not your pieces. So sorry if I made a faux pax about that but I am SO happy that you are sharing the art of these people. I love the snakes in the current post. Done with Sharpies???? WOW!
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