CY Designs

Illustrate Song Lyric #4

2012-02-03T13:55:00.000-08:00

"The soundtrack still runs through my head
I gotta keep every single step
As old as we get, we don't forget
We won't forget

We don't forget"

This illustration was also inspired by my son. At the age of 5, he doodled this on his pad while listening to this song in the car...

Illustrate Song Lyric #3

2012-01-31T15:17:00.000-08:00

Astronautalis "Skeleton"

"Another gust of wind paints her hair across her puzzled face"

Here's what Andy "Astronautalis" said in reply.

Illustrate Song Lyric #2

2012-01-27T14:14:00.001-08:00

8 Bit Cynics "Movement Four"

"Hope can't float with a hole in the boat"

Dewey Binns is the former MC of 8Bit Cynics, and here is what he had to say...

Illustrate Song Lyric #1

2012-01-27T14:14:00.000-08:00

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis "Vipassana"

"Delve into self until my heart becomes my paintbrush"

Here's what Macklemore says...

King Tut inspired Sphynx

2012-01-03T13:42:00.000-08:00

For Christmas I like to bring new life into old things with a fresh coat of paint and a little inspiration.

This Sphynx cat was a lucky find at our local ARC store. My brother has three of these cats, live ones, not ceramic, so it was destined to be gold.

The Screamin' Peach Charms

2012-01-03T13:11:00.001-08:00

To close out 2011 I had the opportunity to work with a few great clients and produce 4 custom charms.

The Pin-up style girl and banner belong to The Screamin' Peach in Fort Collins, CO.

The "Maiden" charm is a commemorative piece for a group of women that coin themselves the Ice Maidens. These ladies take a yearly trip to the mountains for snow and good times.

The fourth piece is a 'Save the Date' wineglass charm for a lovely couple getting married this up coming July. Congrats to you both!

Dragon Yogi

2011-12-13T13:30:00.000-08:00

Picture tour of Winter, Spring, and Summer projects

2011-08-30T15:52:00.000-07:00

With all the exciting things going on in my life I have not had the chance to post any of the great projects I have been a part of over this year. From December to August (and a Captain America shield from Oct).

Lunar Opus

2011-08-30T14:29:00.000-07:00

The blog for our cast jewelry is (and has been) up and running for 8 months now!!! Time for the Grand Opening, I guess? The site is www.lunaropus.com and our Etsy shop address is http://www.etsy.com/people/LunarOpus

I have also taken advantage of a Big Cartel Store at http://lunaropus.bigcartel.com/

We are excited to be working closely with www.highconcepts.com to cast our pieces. These pendants are cast with 100% Lead Free Pewter. The necklaces are strung with a natural black leather cord, joined with sterling silver findings and lobster clasps.

Take a look and comment or email feedback!

Our Line

2011-01-09T14:12:00.000-08:00

This is a new year and time for a new adventure. Stefanie and I are excited to introduce some of the first pieces in our line of jewelry.

These bronze cast prototypes will be reproduced in lead free pewter and hung on a variety of chains. Our recycled chains come from many different places, and each piece will be unique. We will also offer a standard chain for a lower price. Once we get these into production and set up our online store, the links will be available here.

From lower left we have the Claddagh, usually worn as a ring but stylized and made for a necklace. The Claddagh distinctive design features two hands clasping a heart, and usually surmounted by a crown. The elements of this symbol are often said to correspond to the qualities of love (the heart), friendship (the hands), and loyalty (the crown).

Above the Claddagh is the Sacred Heart. The Sacred Heart (also known as Sacred Heart of Jesus) is one of the most famous religious devotions to Jesus' physical heart as the representation of His divine love for Humanity.
To the right of the Sacred Heart is the Japanese Blue Demon Oni Mask. Above to the left is the Sparrow, and the Heart/ Hand Grenade.

We have also been working on ancient Japanese motif designs like this one shown in wax. This is a water crane, and will hang from the top water curl.
Here we go in 2011!

Inspired by....work?

2010-11-19T15:04:00.000-08:00

While I have been doing my freelance work for Anatomology I can't help but be inspired to come up with my own designs. This is a take off of the line that I had cast in bronze for the prototype.
My grandmother buys loads of old costume jewelry and sends it to my mom by the bag full. Stefanie and I are going to be recylcing this old treasure and using my new pendants to create a fun line of jewelry. This is a project that we can both work on together, so I know I am super excited.
With a little inspiration, encouragement, and some advice from people who know where to go, we may just be able to start something that could last. More to come!

Choker

2010-11-19T14:48:00.000-08:00

As time goes on, these jewelry projects keep getting more fun!
This is a new piece never before seen in Google. I sculpted the bones 'in the round' and decided to flatten out the back to reduce the weight. Once this piece is in metal, the phalanges should be able to be opened up to give a larger strangle hold. The hard part of having this in solid wax is the brittleness when it cools. The middle fingers are hinged with a jumpring and then an adjustable chain links the thumbs on back of the neck. The skeleton hand choker is a definite conversation piece, guaranteed to hold on all night.

This piece will also be available at www.anatomology.com in the near future.......

Time is on my side, and Rattle them bones.

2010-11-03T20:30:00.000-07:00

My most recent work with www.Anatomology.com

An hourglass that tells a story about mind, heart, and time. Also an eye catching piece that pulls you in by the neck!

Anatomology

2010-10-07T15:28:00.000-07:00

The jewelry I have been sculpting in conjunction with Amy Sweetman is now cast and ready for purchase.
The website is www.anatomology.com
Each piece turned out awesome, I am really excited and inspired to be a part of this line.
Buy a handful!

Cast Anatomical Jewelry

2010-08-24T09:17:00.000-07:00

The anatomical jewelry seen in wax form in earlier posts is now being cast and assembled. These are a few pictures courtesy of Amy Sweetman. Amy has instructed me on the concept design. Her ideas are always interesting, aesthetic and a lot of fun to execute . They all turned out great, and I am eager to see them available for purchase online soon.

All in a day's work

2010-08-23T12:27:00.000-07:00

I have created a Picasa web album with images of the sculptures I have completed while working as a full time sculptor for Designs by Ricker. They are in no particular order and I will be adding to the album as more work is finished. It is nice to get all these images into one place, and being able to say......"All in a day's work". Click the link or go here: http://picasaweb.google.com/clintonyaws/SculptedByClintonYaws?feat=directlink

Mind in the...Garden?

2010-06-05T17:28:00.000-07:00

Here's a recent illustration done in watercolor and pen.

Phineas Gage Skull Key Charm

2010-05-27T08:46:00.000-07:00

Here is part of the third round of work for Amy Sweetman. This is the Phineas Gage key charm measuring at 1.5"
I am enjoying the revisit to anatomy class...this time in 3D.

Taken from Wiki
Phineas P. Gage (July 9?, 1823 – May 21, 1860)^{[n 2]} was an American railroad construction foreman now remembered for his incredible survival of an accident in which a large iron rod was driven completely through his head, destroying much of his brain's left frontal lobe, and for that injury's reported effects on his personality and behavior—effects so profound that friends saw him as "no longer Gage."
Long called "the American Crowbar Case"—once termed "the case which more than all others is calculated to excite our wonder, impair the value of prognosis, and even to subvert our physiological doctrines"^[1]—Phineas Gage influenced 19th-century discussion about the brain, particularly debate on cerebral localization,^[2] and was perhaps the first case suggesting that damage to specific regions of the brain might affect personality and behavior.

Mr. Bojangles....well, parts of him.

2010-05-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

Here is the second round of jewelry that I sculpted for Amy Sweetman of Dopamine Jewelry. These will be featured on ScienceJewelry.com in the near future. The size of these sculptures is the real treat. The pelvis measures at 3/4"tall, the ribcage at 1.5" and the spinal column at 2.5".

Sweetman Jewelry

2010-04-16T13:23:00.000-07:00

Recently I had the opportunity to collaborate with Amy Sweetman, creator of Dopamine Jewelry. Shown here are the wax prototype sculptures of two designs. These are pendants and will be cast in precious and semi-precious metals. I have always enjoyed anatomy, and incorporating the heart into an aesthetic design is a real treat for me. The stylized female mandrake form was inspired by the illustrations I reviewed while reading up on the history of the root.

These designs and a few others are in pre-production stages now, and I look forward to seeing them online for purchase in the near future.

"Memories in the Making" Palette Auction

2010-03-25T07:42:00.000-07:00

It is time again for the 10th annual "Memories in the Making" Art Auction. The Alzheimer's Association holds this event every year to raise money. This is the palette I painted as one of the 40 artists from Northern Colorado to donate to the auction.

"Memories in the Making" are watercolor painting groups held at many care facilities throughout Colorado. Facilitators assist people with varying stages of Alzheimer's and dementia in painting from still life, pictures, and memory. Once a year all the paintings are gathered from each facility, and with the families permission, are auctioned off to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association. In my experience as a facilitator the stories that go along with the paintings are the real gift.
"This year more than 1,600 pieces of Alzheimer’s artwork was submitted in Northern Colorado. That is over 1,600 hours where an Alzheimer’s patient was socializing with others and actively engaging their brain and often times memories. A jury of four art professionals had the tedious task of choosing the 53 pieces that would be framed and auctioned on the night of May 20. The show is a unique mix of artwork chosen from many different stages within Alzheimer’s disease."

Chinaco Tequilla Pewter Plate

2010-03-12T15:27:00.000-08:00

This is a casting of the "Chinaco Tequilla" pewter plate that I recently sculpted for Designs by Ricker.
"La Gonzaleña’s tequila was called Chinaco, named after the legendary defenders of Mexico during the Guerra de Reforma (War of Reform) in the 1850s. Chinaco tequila was born out of struggle, and has fought ever since to survive as the only tequila produced in Tamaulipas.

Chinaco tequila was introduced to the United States in 1983 by Robert Denton and Company. Denton marketed the tequila like a fine cognac, and demanded the highest prices of any tequila on the market. The rich, elegant Chinaco Añejo lived up to the
promises, and almost single handedly created the North American market for upscale tequila.

The distillery closed in the late 1980s, and the remaining supply of Chinaco was quickly exhausted. Happily, under the guidance of Gonzalez’s four sons, La Gonzaleña distillery was reborn, and Chinaco reappeared for sale in the United States in 1994. Currently Chinaco is available in three styles. The Blanco is bottled without any wood aging. The Reposado is aged in barrel for up to a year. The Añejo ages in oak barrels for up to four years."
Lance Cutler, author of the Tequila Lover’s Guide To Mexico.

Ivy Stockwell Stallions Book Signing

2010-03-05T20:10:00.000-08:00

Illustration for the "Copper Pots & Chicken Poppycosh" by Jason Hooker book signing at Ivy Stockwell Elementary in Berthoud, CO. 3/6/10.
Their mascot is the Stallion, and Jason is a 5th grade teacher there.
I wanted to commemorate the event with a donated piece for the school. Congratulations to Jason and myself for a wonderful book.

Hippos in Canada

2010-02-24T18:50:00.000-08:00

Submission for Hippos.com reunion T-shirt design.

Copper Pots & Chicken Poppycosh Official Website

2010-02-01T09:20:00.000-08:00

The official website for Copper Pots & Chicken Poppycosh, by Jason Hooker is now live at http://www.copperpotsandchickenpoppycosh.com/
You can schedule a book signing through the website by emailing Jason directly. Links for where to buy are available there as well.

The website was created by Ryan McWilliams. Get in touch with Ryan to have a custom website built to fit your needs.

Gone Fishing

2010-01-28T11:14:00.000-08:00

Conan O'brien week at Art Jumble.

Motorcycle Helmet Ornaments...

2010-01-26T07:48:00.000-08:00

Here's a new project I have been working on with Designs By Ricker for the American Fender Art line. The Winged Heart is resin cast, automotive chrome painted, and is mounted into a novelty helmet using a stainless screw. To purchase go here and call.

Copper Pots & Chicken Poppycosh

2009-12-23T22:23:00.000-08:00

The 12 Illustrations, and cover art were delivered on Sunday the 20th of Dec. Here are a few more of my favorite illustrations from the book written by Jason Hooker. Mirror Publishing will be handling the printing and release of the book in about 5 weeks. I am pleased with how all the illustrations turned out.

Copper Pots and Color Comps

2009-12-07T21:36:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of the color comps I have done for "Copper Pots and Chicken Poppycosh" By Jason Hooker. The elements from each illustration are working well and they unify great alongside one another. The POV for the garden illustration is a lot of fun...Look for more to come!

Call Me the Breeze

2009-12-01T09:32:00.000-08:00

Post for ArtJumble
"If superheores had beards" week.

Patch Together Toy Design

2009-11-22T13:57:00.000-08:00

I have submitted a few designs to patchtogether.com that could become part of the production line there with your help....If you go to the links for each design, sign up, and vote, there is a good chance that these designs could become toys.

The Pig Flu Zombie is a humorous concept that I came up with for Artjumble "Zombie" week. It was around the time all the pigs were slaughtered because of the Swine Flu name. This would make an awesome vinyl or resin casting...and has been commented on as a "creepy plush".

The Snowmass Murderer is a fun and spooky snowman with an icicle sickle.....It would be so cool in a crystal clear resin cast, and a blood stained eyeball buttons.

Help me get these designs out there.....Also seen on Plastic and Plush

ARRRRrrrr...

2009-11-13T13:42:00.000-08:00

New sculpt that I did for American Fender Art. He will be cast in resin, eventually chrome plated. and available for purchase at the AFA link above. Just workin' the plank...

Plastic and Plush

2009-11-13T13:36:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Brian at Plastic and Plush for the write up on this Friday the 13th.....

Pencil Comps and Poppycosh

2009-11-11T10:56:00.000-08:00

At the end of October I answered an ad for a children's book illustrator and had the pleasure to be selected as the artist for "Copper Pots and Chicken Poppycosh" by Jason Hooker. The story is about a young boy and his Grandfather making "Pop Pop's" signature dish, Chicken Poppycosh. Here are a few of my favorite pencil compositions that will be done in watercolor and brush tip pen.
These are the first drafts so some may change. I am happy with the way they turned out, and am excited to move forward.

Hip Hop in Wax...

2009-10-28T08:05:00.000-07:00

I have been listening to a lot of Hip Hop lately, good stories and good beats. There's a real good free download from 8bit Cynics on FRESHERTHAN , I am an Okie, so it's nice to hear what's going on down there.

Also, having fed Saint Teresa the praying mantis so many grasshoppers this fall, I have been inspired. This is my second piece to be resin cast.

This is the stylized grasshopper in wax. Thank you Sharpie for your smooth tubular grasshopper leg shapes. I am going to have a lot of fun with the paint job on this guy.

My Little Mona Lisa

2009-10-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

Post for ArtJumble
"Your Mona Lisa" week. Samantha Yaws.

YAWS

2009-09-22T13:13:00.000-07:00

Also posted on ArtJumble
for Animals of the Alphabet week.

F for Flamingo

2009-09-22T08:43:00.000-07:00

Post for Art Jumble
Animals of the Alphabet.

Blank to Doodled...

2009-09-09T19:45:00.000-07:00

The first few castings of the Hippocustomus are in and being experimented on. This series of 25 castings will all be one of a kind. My first paint job is inspired by the "Doodled- on" blanks seen on various vinyl blogs and sites.
The black hand painted designs seen here as a work in progress will cover the form of the Hippo completely... More to come soon!
Email me for blank purchases or to request a custom paint job...

Praying Mantis

2009-08-31T20:43:00.001-07:00

The very first sculpture I made to cast in bronze in 2002 was of a Praying Mantis. I have always enjoyed the Mantis for its alien- like form, and have come to learn a whole lot more about the species after raising a couple in our kitchen this summer.

I ordered 3 egg casings online earlier this year, but they did not hatch after weeks of anticipation. To my surprise, I found one on the brick wall at work one day. The female named Saint Teresa, came into our house in the middle of July. She molted twice, tripling in size, and got her wings after the second molt in captivity.

The quest for a male suitor started and ended with a post on Craigslist. I did not get any good response to my ad, so I thought St. Teresa may just stay a virgin in her life time. Until...I was coming in the front door at work and found a little brown fellow carrying the name of St. Francis (aka Whirly Gig).
Francis has mated with Teresa twice. She didn't eat him, and actually took a cricket out of my fingers while mating.

On Monday 7/31/09, I found another male, he was green, and didn't receive a name...I took him home, and got him acquainted with St. Teresa by placing a container over the lid to her cage. I put them together and he did mate with her, but by morning all that was left were four scattered wings in the bottom of the cage.
So, Teresa will lay an egg casing or two this fall, and the babies will hatch in the Spring. Stefanie would like the top of the microwave back, so I am going to have to find a place for my bugs in the mean time.
I have read some interesting things about the Mantis that continue to inspire and question my being. Like if a small child is lost, and comes across a Praying Manits on their path, the child can ask which direction to go, and the Manits will truthfully answer by pointing with its front legs.
They also have a strong relationship with the Divine, and are the keepers of the night while protecting you from bad dreams by praying for you all night long.

Hippocustomus

2009-07-04T19:26:00.000-07:00

Here is the wax prototype sculpture for my first custom resin designer toy. While keeping up with Argonaut Resin blog posts, I could not help but be inspired to sculpt my own custom designer toy.
This is my Hippocustomus, showing off a little "Walk to Slide". He will be molded and cast in resin. Each casting will be handpainted, some may even be hand painted to order... I especially enjoy this team effort of Robbie Busch and Eric Nocella Diaz.
Keep your eye out for the first cast and painted pieces...

Hollywood Hug

2009-06-26T11:45:00.000-07:00

Post for ArtJumble "Hug" week.

RAD

2009-06-10T09:58:00.000-07:00

Post for ArtJumble "Childhood Dreams"

My older brothers and I spent at least 4 solid summers watching this movie. We would watch it in the morning, and ride the rest of the day. Once we got the soundtrack, it was blastin' on the boombox in the driveway.

The power to move you...

2009-06-01T07:55:00.000-07:00

Recently I had the opportunity to be part of an amazing story. Many family and friends have followed the posts on CaringBridge made by two incredibly brave parents, Shawn and Alyssa Johnston, about a tough and equally brave young man Kolton.

Honey, Dad, Artist, Cigarette Guy

2009-05-22T11:19:00.001-07:00

Post for ArtJumble "Self Portrait".

Pig Flu Undead

2009-05-11T19:09:00.000-07:00

Post for Art Jumble "Zombie Animals"...caption reads, "With so many freshly dead, there has to be a few that pop up."

Old Friends

2009-04-30T11:06:00.000-07:00

During my time at Bonell Good Samaritan Center as an Art Therapist, I was fortunate enough to spend some quality time with the folks there. Some of the residents were confined to wheelchairs, others were just eager to talk to someone who would listen... I thought the families of the residents might enjoy having a drawing of their loved ones, and residents could tell me about their lives, and I could do some life drawing...it was a win for everyone.
The drawings here are scanned photocopies, the original went to the residents and families. These were done in 2004, graphite on bristol vellum. There are many more drawings floating around, some I didn't get photocopies of at the time, but these are some of my favorite.

Cowgirl

2009-04-28T13:58:00.000-07:00

Post for ArtJumble

Eye of the Beholder

2009-04-15T11:37:00.000-07:00

Post for ArtJumble "1960's TV shows."

Love

2009-04-03T09:32:00.000-07:00

Post for ArtJumble

Toot, Toot,...

2009-03-21T20:39:00.000-07:00

Thanks John Struan for the mention!!

Super Cooper Revisited

2009-03-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

Here's a resin cast, freshly painted, ready for adventures, action packed boy. More of the story Here

Gandalf the wax...?

2009-03-17T09:06:00.000-07:00

Post for ArtJumble "Lord of the Rings" topic. Gandalf stands about 5" tall, made from pouring wax...

It's all about how you look at it...

2009-02-23T15:09:00.000-08:00

Post for ArtJumble "Huge Monster" theme.

Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Professor X

2009-02-09T14:59:00.001-08:00

For Art Ju mble

Jerry's Tree

2009-02-04T07:37:00.000-08:00

I worked as an Art Therapist for Bonell Good
Samaritan Center in Greeley, Colorado after I graduated from UNC. Bonell is a long-term care facility providing care for the elderly in the final stages of life. During my stay there, I facilitated three groups called "Memories in the Making" for the Alzheimer's Association on three different secured units in Bonell.
The residents in the groups all had different stages of dementia, and Alzheimers. Sometimes our groups would be as large as ten, or as few as three residents. Using watercolor, the residents would paint pictures of different objects, from photos, and from memory.....Painting from memory can bring out incredible results, especially when your losing, or lost the memory you once had.
There was one particular resident, Jerry, who was the most friendly wandering soul. I could approach him and ask him to come paint and he would reply."Paint..., Well I don't paint". I would tell him "Sure you do, you painted with me last week." And to that he would say, "Well..., Alright then."
I learned a lot as a person and artist from working with all the special residents I spent time with. It was a great experience that I will hold dear for the rest of my life.
Recently, I painted a palette for the Memories in the Making Art Auction, and wanted to remember Jerry.
My inspiration reads...Jerry, an artist from the MIM at Bonell in Greeley during 2004 sessions. A brilliant man who showed me how to forget what I used to know about painting.
The watercolor above is Jerry's, and below is the inspired palette.

Bettie Page

2009-02-02T09:33:00.000-08:00

Post for ArtJumble

Put the Sun in the Sky

2009-01-21T08:30:00.000-08:00

Ballpoint Pen, Shower curtain inspired Raven.
In popular western literature, they symbolize darkness, depression, and death (popularized in Edgar Allan Poe's poem, 'The Raven'). In medieval times they stood for virility. Among native cultures, Raven is the 'trickster' spirit, a popular totem, and the creator of man, who placed the Sun in the sky.
Two very different views, I like to think the latter.

Michelle "Wonder Woman" Obama

2009-01-19T21:54:00.000-08:00

Post for ArtJumble

Ganesha

2009-01-14T07:48:00.000-08:00

Much success in 2009...

I didn't paint that...

2008-12-30T14:04:00.000-08:00

On Saturday mornings I take a drive to Cheyenne, WY for an inventory auditing job with Fox Research. 52 weeks out of the year, same day, same route, and the most beautiful scenery. If I think about grabbing my camera on the way out the door it usually sits on the car seat....On this morning I was thinking about how a sunrise could be considered an event worthy enough to be captured by camera, and how petty that frame of mind is.
I have seen some of the most odd and spectacular landscapes and atmospheric effects the drive has to offer, and decided......You should stop for a few minutes and take a picture.

Making Smoke...

2008-12-29T15:08:00.000-08:00

Post for Art Jumble,
"New Years Resolution" theme.....Which is to keep running from the cigarette. I always made the excuse that my left hand needed to be doing something while I drew with my right. I wanted to quit before I had smoked for half of my life, and this January I turn into an Adult Adult....30. This time it seems to be much easier.
With the new addition of our baby Sam, and Cooper becoming evermore aware of everything around him, I want to be able to tell them smoking is not okay, and be able to stand behind my words.

I have also enjoyed getting into posting with Art Jumble, and seeing a new style develop within the past few months....I love drawing, and drawing quickly.

Scaling the Dragon

2008-12-26T15:16:00.000-08:00

In October of 2007, I set out on a small journey through the lens of my Kodak......I wanted to do one of the cool time lapse videos of a creation in progress and came to this. The dragon is part of a pewter sculpture available at Designs by Ricker of Saint George and the Dragon.
After I completed the dragon in red wax, I used a lighter tan wax for a little contrast. Enjoy.

Tiny Tim Pimpin'

2008-12-22T14:14:00.001-08:00

A post for Art Jumble, "Christmas Carol" theme.

Frosty the Snowmass Murderer

2008-12-16T10:36:00.000-08:00

A post on Art Jumble for the "Snow Monster" theme.

Fender Ornaments

2008-12-12T09:01:00.000-08:00

For the past few months I have been working on a project for Designs By Ricker of motorcycle fender ornaments. Here are a few of the most recently completed designs. They will be molded and cast with resin and chrome plated. The designs will eventually be for sale through the Ricker website.

Paris After Titian

2008-11-24T11:26:00.001-08:00

A post for A rtJumble

Red Balloon Rex

2008-11-17T12:53:00.001-08:00

post for ArtJumble

Sunshine Secret...

2008-11-12T19:55:00.000-08:00

This is my favorite piece of all time...In early spring 2002, before I graduated from college, I was taking a cigarette break during a painting class. The sun was warm but the concrete cold. There was a pile of bees early from their winter slumber slowly crawling around on the steps in front of Crabbe Hall at UNC. The metallic golden stripes of their backs absorbed the warm sun, and most of them lie still. I wrapped up one in the cellophane from the package of cigarettes, and placed it in my paint case...When I got back to my house I put the bee in the window near a plant bowl, and it rested paying homage to the sun...This piece was made using two part mix for clear resin, a light bulb carefully cut open, and sculpey forming a sunflower. The bee rests on the glass fuse enclosure of the bulb, and the bulb was filled with the resin, and then glued into the center of the flower.

Smart and Super Size

2008-11-12T11:59:00.000-08:00

Post for Art Jumble, a modern day story of David and Goliath.

D.C.......What, Whaattt.....

2008-11-04T10:06:00.000-08:00

Some Election Day spirit, also my first post to Art Jumble.

Happy Halloween Bun Bun....

2008-10-27T19:20:00.000-07:00

After seeing a video series on youtube by John Angevine ,
I could not help but be really excited to get to the pumpkin patch and fill up the car...
Stef, Cooper, and I took a trip to our favorite spot north of Eaton, Colorado. All the big pumpkins are $2, so we always get enough to spread across the front of the house. I'm sure the neighbors think we're a little wacky, but we enjoy ourselves enough so our end of the street does not feel left out.

What Would Clint Do???

2008-09-22T20:06:00.000-07:00

For a while now, I've been busy sculpting for Designs by Ricker during the day, and working on commissioned pieces after hours in my studio at home. I have been asking myself the question over and over....What would you do?.....What would you do if you had an opportunity to make something that was what you had in mind, not influenced by anyone else opinion? I had the opportunity recently while waiting for paint to dry.
There is great satisfaction in creating something beautiful, and finding out the meaning when the time is right....This is one of those pieces, a stream of conscious doodle.
This is a wax sculpture of an elephant head with butterfly-esque ears, and abdomen. The trunk forms a right arm, balanced on the index, and middle finger. The base is a bird/dinosaur like claw....It is a strange combination, but flows and balances perfectly. I am happy to show what I would do.

NYC

2008-08-27T08:26:00.000-07:00

In May, I took a trip to New York City with my Mother-in-Law, Sheri for the SURTEX 2008 show.
This was my first trip to the Big Apple, and I was in complete awe at everything I saw.
The SURTEX show is a Licensing show for artists who want to see their work applied to surfaces and textiles, such as: gift wrap, stationary, cards, wall hangings, etc. It is held at the Javits Center. The first day we attended the show and viewed so much artwork, it was head-spinning. It was self validating as an artist to see the range of talents that are producing art and what age they are. We also attended seminars on licensing agreements, copyright, and trends.
After the show our first day, Sheri and I took a walk into the city, no real direction, just wandering. All along the way I was taking photos and trying to take in this incredible place. Just as we were walking, things started to look strangely familiar... Times Square, I have seen this before, but now I was in the middle of it!
The feeling was electric, there was an unexplainable buzz of energy from all the people, lights, images, and size.
Day 2 of the show we viewed the Stationary portion of the show, then afterward we took a shuttle bus partway toward the financial district. The people in New York that provide public service are very helpful, they will tell you as many different combination of ways to get to where you want to go as possible. Sheri and I found that if you overshoot or undershoot a destination, your best bet is to walk. So, we walked into the financial district and to Ground Zero of the World Trade Center disaster. We timed our trip perfectly, as we walked into a flood of people getting off work and heading toward the subway station. That experience alone was breathtaking.
Day 3 was our last day. We decided to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Getting there was a trip, and we learned about the subway! The Met was having a Super-Hero Fashion and Fantasy show. It was really impressive seeing the costumes like SpiderMan, Wonder-Woman, Batman, but the coolest was a high polished silver IronMan. The eyes were so bright, like xenon headlights, almost hard to look at. They also had the Mystique body suit on a life like casting worn by Rebecca Romijn-Stamos in the X-Men movie...WOW.
After we viewed that exhibit, we saw sculpture, painting, ancient artifact, a lot of gold, but my favorite was the painting by Salvidor Dali of the Crucifixion (Hypercubic Body). Being able to stand in front of this painting was a complete dream. The folds of skin, and fluidity of markings are awesome. The edges are not as picture perfect as a small reproduction would suggest, this is really a painting, and there is a painterly quality that is lost when viewed from afar.
After leaving the Museum, we walked down a few blocks and took the subway back toward the south end of the city. Being underground really screws with your sense of direction, and we went on a fun filled adventure through the tunnels of New York and landed safely back on the streets.
A trip I will always remember, a wonderful experience filled with art, sites, and exercise. Thank you Sheri.

The Baigelman Bull

2008-07-03T08:15:00.000-07:00

52 days from start to shipping. I am thrilled to have this completed. Presenting "The Baigelman Bull".

Fresh Patina

2008-07-02T11:21:00.000-07:00

On July 1st Debbie Bakel, patineur brought the bull to life. The warm rich earthy tones she applied has certainly given the bull a complete soul. I gave Deb the freedom to work her magic, and she did a wonderful job.
The walnut oval base will be put on next, it measures 9"x12"...

Naked Bronze

2008-06-24T19:19:00.000-07:00

I dropped off the wax at Dragon Castings Bronze Foundry in Eaton, Colorado on Monday June 9th. I worked at the foundry after graduating college. It was here that I learned about lost wax casting, spruing, dipping, burning out, knocking shell, sandblasting, welding, and chasing. I had the pleasure of developing life long friends like Gary Pitcher, Dale Hill, and Sharon Winter.
Sharon had the piece sprued by the next morning. Spruing is the application of a wax gate system to feed the molten bronze to the different parts of the sculpture. Some of the remains of the sprue bars are visible in the photos; the bull had one feeder on each foot, one on the chin of the bull, one on the chin of the snake, vents off the horns, ears, and a vent off the tail. There was a core hole placed in the back of the bull's head to let the slurry and silica sand drain easily while dipping to build up the shell, and of coarse the belly plug that was sculpted separate.
By Tuesday the 17th of June the bull was poured....amazing by any standards. On a typical foundry schedule a sculpture can spend an average of 4-6 weeks being prepared and poured. I called just to check on things with Sharon and she told me the bull was done. One small scare with the tail was corrected, it broke at the rump, but was fixed easily.
With no mold, everybody was holding their breath around the bull. Many things can happen with all the handling that needs to be done to prepare for a casting. Dale always relies on Murphy's Law, but fortunately these guys all know what they are doing.
So, I took a trip to the foundry on Monday the 23rd to weld and chase the bull. The bull weighs in at 24 lbs. Very thick, and sturdy. After a day of welding and grinding, I can see the end is near. From here, I'll will take the piece to have two of the feet drilled a tapped to mount the base.

Round-Up

2008-06-06T08:40:00.000-07:00

It's Thursday night, June 5th, I have been working steadily throughout 23 days. The original clock design with roman numerals floating on the side of the bull was not working to my likings. I decided to make the clock look more like an ornate watch. After tightening things up there, I worked the vines that break up open space, placed spines on the cacti, claws in the cat foot, added the tail, and stamped the families initials into the leaves of the tree...
I have spoken with my Foundry, and plan to take the bull to them on Monday. Over the weekend I will look for anything squished from handling and tighten lines, or smooth any rough areas. Once the bronze is poured, I will weld and chase the sculpture. Trying to coordinate the patina, base, and crating within a few days of each other will be my next hill to climb. This has certainly been the most enjoyable project I have worked on for some time and I am pleased to be at this point....AND ahead of schedule!!

Combing with Details

2008-05-30T08:22:00.000-07:00

On Thursday night, May 29th, only 20 hours into sculpting, all the elements are in place, and I can begin the details. Subconsciously I decide to start with the most difficult part of the sculpture which is the cheeks, neck, and breast area. This area of the bull combines two rabbits on the cheeks and neck,and a condor on the breast with the numbers 55 on the wings, and the letter "B" in the talons. To my delight, the sculpture starts to come life....

The next portion I work by Saturday, is the Family Tree on the left front leg. The leaves will contain initials of the family members and the roots from the trunk wrap down over the hoof. I am pleased with the way the roots turned out, it looks very good. The hollow in the trunk is a great addition, placed over the knee area.
On the right leg I begin to work the cacti and the apple with the "NY". For the cacti spines I am going to use a wax thickener that is hard so they will not smash down when handled during the sculpting. At this point, I have also straightened up the 7/14/48 birthdate, and will clean up the clock soon.

By Monday and Tuesday, I have tuned the cat stretching across the back, and the Rod of Asclepius that is the left rear leg. From here, I will work the clock, add the claws to the cat foot, spines on the cactus, and finally the tail...

Taking the Bull by the Horns

2008-05-28T15:01:00.000-07:00

On May 13th, 2008, I responded to a request for an artist to produce a 'Custom Bull Sculpture'. I was contacted after my client reviewed my portfolio and was awarded the commission. I started the concept sketches the same day.
The sculpture is being made for the 60th birthday of a gentleman in the Boston area. The gentleman is a bull collector and his son wanted to have a bull made that would incorporate aspects of his fathers life into the form of a bull.
This project has been a milestone for me as an artist. I feel as though this project has re-lit the desire I have to create. To this point in my artistic career I have worked as an interpretor for many clients. It hasn't been since college that I painted freely expressing myself in the individual manner that I enjoy. Granted, I am producing a vision of a client again, but this project fits my hand so well I can't help but feel like it was meant to be.
The photos along this post are of the concept sketches, and the rough-in of the bull from, the addition and progression of elements. There is no mold being made for this sculpture. It is a one-of-a-kind. From this point, I will now finish up with the placement of the birthday 7/14/48, and two birds on the rump of the bull, the number 55 on the neck, and the letter "B" in the claws of a condor that wrap around the neck. Then details......

Zaf622

2008-05-27T12:44:00.000-07:00

While skimming through craigslist over a year ago, I came across a post for the most recent issue of Zaf622. It is a webzine for and about local artist in the Ft. Collins area written by Daryle Dickens. I am fortunate to be interview #16 and it can be seen here.
Thank you to Daryle for bringing positive exposure to happenings and art in Northern Colorado.

Super Cooper

2008-05-27T11:58:00.000-07:00

My son Cooper loves his Marvel Super Squad super-heroes. Since he was an infant, Cooper has been influenced by super powers. Stefanie and I would give him different colored sweat bands and called them "Powerbands". Each different color was a super-hero, like red for Spiderman, yellow for Wolverine, light blue for Arch Angel, Black for Black Spiderman, Green for Hulk, and royal blue for Captain America. He would wear them all the time, and believed that they held some kind of super power......As he has gotten a little older his imagination runs wild.

Cooper is 2 years, 6 months old. He knows the names of all comic heroes that we have collected. The first Super Squad duo to come home with us was Electra and Daredevil. We took a trip to our local Megamart, and of coarse, to the toy isle. I tried to talk him into a Spiderman combo, and he accepted. For the rest of the ride through the store, Cooper studied the back of the package and found the Electra & Daredevil duo. His next words were "I want her", "I want her","I want her". So naturally, I went back to the toy isle and fulfilled my son's wishes.

After I read a blog called toycutter, I was inspired to make "Super Cooper". Shown here in wax, Super Cooper comes equipped with a rocket-pack, directional dorsal fin on the back of his head, Spidermanesque eyes, Daredevil mask, and hand blasters. The sculpture is created after the Super Squad characters, and is the size of the Hulk. I have had a mold made courtesy of Dave Howe , and plan to cast resin copies.

Sailing the Seas

2008-03-03T15:21:00.000-08:00

On St. Patrick's Day 2007, I had my first meeting with Dave and Linda Howe. I bid on a project through an internet service to do some "coffee cup size candles". Come to find out Dave and Linda had another idea in mind.
Ice cream Sculptures...Dave explained that they wanted to develop a novelty ice cream sculptures with as many fun ideas as he could come up with.
Frozart is the name of the company, and you can find the molds available for purchase at www.frozart.com
I am pleased to be a part of this innovative product. The sculptures have evolved from small popsicle sculptures and large single serve dish characters, to cakes, and even a large chef's hat for Holland America Cruise Lines.
Show here are the "Brain Freeze" (in frozen food-colored yogurt) and The Holland America Chef Rudi signature Chef Hat (in wax).

Young at Art

2008-02-18T10:30:00.001-08:00

This is a drawing I did when I was in the 2nd grade, so about 8 years old. It is of eagles flying over the ocean. There is a dolphin jumping out of the water, and whales blowing water up through their blow holes.
It is important for me to have this drawing because it is stone on my path.
Stefanie and I packed up my art work in my drawing room this weekend. Looking back is always humbling for me. The learning process is evident in the work I did at a young age. I can remember the image I wanted to describe, yet unable to without the right skills.
I flipped through a newsprint pad from a life drawing class at Rocky Mtn College of Art and Design, and found a red conte drawing that was beautiful. There are smooth lines, great highlights defining muscles, and simple time spent...I'm wondering how I got away from that, and wish to return soon.

2008-02-07T10:01:00.001-08:00

CY Designs Sunrise

2008-02-06T14:48:00.000-08:00

My name is Clinton Yaws,
I am an artist.
My earliest recollection of drawing comes to mind while my mom left me in the family Oldsmobile when she went into a store. We lived in Austin, Texas, I was between 2 and 3 years old. I know mom must have hurried, but back in those days kids could lay in the rear window if they wanted, and it was safe.
I remember the warm sun, finding a pink ink pen, and it flowed smoothly onto the tan vinyl. I know I was trying to draw happy faces, and experimented on the rest of the dashboard that I could reach.
I remember mom coming back out to the car, and the excitement in her face as she saw what I had created...Actually, She licked her finger and tried to scrub the priceless marks off the center console.
To this day, I love the feeling of being in a parked car, quiet, with the windows up and the warm sun bleeding in slowly. Those are the best naps...

I am making this blog in the hopes that one day my son Cooper, will read it and understand some of the things that his Dad was trying to explain. Also, to help myself sort out every thing I have stacked up in my own head about this 'artist' I have become.
I asked my wife Stefanie, "What should I put in there, are they like journals?" She explained, "You can put anything you want. Maybe you should start with how you became an artist, and that will help you write about where you are now." So, that is what I will try to do.

This is a painting I did while attending the University of Northern Colorado, in Greeley.
It is inspired by Dali's "Christ of St. John of the Cross".

The cross made from the pink pearl and pencil symbolize fundamental drawing skills. The 3 on the pencil symbolizes myself as the 3rd born son. The figure on the cross represents myself.

This painting is my favorite so I choose to start with it.

More of my work can be seen here
My wife Stefanie
My son Cooper