3D Whimsical Wire Animal Sculptures and Mobiles
In 1971 I discovered and developed my ability to sketch with wire to make earrings, then elephants and trains. In my excitement I got too big for ears so I went with mobiles over my daughter’s crib!
My career as a demonstrating wire artist, specializing in mobiles, began in 1975 at Portland Oregon Saturday Market: Brass Wire Mobiles. I continued to create Mobiles for 10 years traveling the West Coast. Then, as guest artist at Sea World, San Diego, I began making 3D sculptures starting with simple dolphin shapes.
In 1992 we left Oregon on a 3 month fair tour which turned into an 8 year adventure living out of our motor home. We were exhibiting in Midwest and East Coast shows, and eventually moved to Florida. During this time I pursued a second career in education. In 2017 we relocated to Rio Rancho, New Mexico, a new experience with shows in New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, Wyoming and California.
The experimental use of negative space has been the focus of my sculptures. Each of my three-dimensional designs are spontaneous impressions. I begin with a loose image in my mind. Then as I develop the idea in wire, the finished design takes on its own personality.
There are no patterns or drawings beforehand. Each complex design is created totally freehand, sometimes from a continuous wire. My only tools are a pair of pliers and cutters.
Even though my artworks have consumed over 100 miles of wire and sometimes I think I’ve done it all, I still get new ideas that just beg to be tried.
Commissions / Awards / Highlights / Demonstrating Artist +
2023 – 3rd Place Overall, Granbury, TX, Harvest Moon Festival of the Arts
2023 – 2nd Place Sculpture, Artfest at Castle Rock, CO
2023 – Honorable Mention Sculpture, Mini Division – MasterWorks of New Mexico
2019 & 2022 – Exhibition Lighting Manager & Facilities Assistant, Int’l Assoc. of Pastel Societies Convention, Albuquerque, NM
2022 – 2nd Place Sculpture, Mini Division – MasterWorks of New Mexico
2018 – 2nd Place Sculpture – Ridgway, CO Ridgway Rendezvous
2016 & 2017 – 1st Place Sculpture – Ridgway, CO Ridgway Rendezvous
2015 – Award of Merit, Best Metal – Dunedin, FL Art Harvest
2014 – Florida Craftsmen Gallery – St Petersburg, FL Holiday Boutique
2012 – Present – Acrylic, Oil & Watercolor Painting – Plein Air & Studio
2003 – 2016 – Certified Florida School Teacher K-12, Media Specialist, Endorsements: Reading, Gifted
2001 – 1st Place Sculpture – Cape Coral, FL Festival of the Arts
2001 – Certificate of Merit – Tarpon Springs, FL Arts & Crafts Festival
2000 – Patron Award – Fernandina Beach, FL Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival
2000 – 3rd Place Sculpture – Fort Myers, FL Lee Sidewalk Art Festival
1999 – Judges Selection – Ocala, FL Arts Festival
1998 – Merit Award – Philadelphia, PA Rosen Group, Inc., Buyers Market of American Craft,
1996 – Federation de Gymnastique, ruling board for ’96 Summer Olympics, Atlanta, GA – six 4 foot tall gymnasts of tin, brass & bronze wire
1996 – Honorable Mention, Warren, MI Art in the Park
1995 – Eastman Kodak Co. Aviation – 75 international awards – sculptures of DC-3
1993 – Sea World, San Diego, CA – summer guest artist – first formed 3D wire designs – My art now in private collections in 20 countries
1992 – Best of Show & 1st Place Sculpture, Millbrae, CA Art & Wine Festival
1992 – 2001 – Nationwide tour of juried art shows where the artist is always present, with Lyn. “Always at home” in RV anywhere in USA. Towed my “studio.” Exhibited in 22 states, 40 shows/year. Created 200 +/- commissions/year.
1980’s – Off hand glass blower (pt), another medium where form & shape reign; Owner, 2 Retail Businesses
1975-81 – Artist at Portland and Eugene, OR Saturday Markets, Oregon Country Fair & art tours throughout the Pacific Northwest & Midwest
Olympics Wire Gymnasts
