|
————————————————————————————————-
Here’s news from Kevin
Caron. Feel free to forward this email newsletter to your
friends and other art lovers.
 What’s
New?
What’s
That?
What Are Your
Dreams?
————————————————————————————————-
WHAT’S NEW?
In this issue, we
share news about the Contemporary Forum auction and studio visit, some new features on the Web site, and what’s going on
at the studio. We also show one way Kevin is a real cutup. Read on!
|
| Contemporary Forum auction preview at the Phoenix Art Museum |
Contemporary Forum Auction and Studio Visit Attract New Interest in Kevin’s Work
The Contemporary Forum 2009 auction in February and a visit by members to Kevin’s studio in March helped make spring especially exciting at Kevin Caron Studio.
When Kevin attended the preview for the Contemporary Forum’s annual auction at the Phoenix Art Museum to meet with prospective buyers on February 21, “My heart skipped a beat seeing one of my sculptures in a museum,” he admitted.
On display was Wild Swiss, but it wasn’t there for long. The sculpture sold at the top end of its price range, one of thefew pieces that did so at the auction. The event drew 432 contemporary art enthusiasts in an annual event that raises money to purchase contemporary art for the Phoenix Art Museum. When Wild Swiss sold to one of the museum’s top supporters, Kevin’s dinner table companions burst into cheers. “It was a huge thrill,” Kevin says.
On March 16, about 45 members of the Contemporary Forum visited Kevin’s studio to learn more about how he approaches his work. “People were so interested in what I do and how I do it,” Kevin observed. He talked and answered questions about how he conceives and creates his work and the tools and processes he uses, as well as several of the pieces he displayed at the studio for the event.
Delectable desserts from Just Great Food and wine from Pillsbury Wine Company, which makes and sells 100% Arizona wine, helped make the evening especially festive.
Learn more about the Contemporary Forum, a special interest group of the Phoenix Art Museum, and its many events at http://www.contemporaryforum.org
Other Sculptures Heading Home
|
| Mohawk, a hair-raising sculpture by Kevin Caron |
Several pieces found homes this spring after people saw them at Pearson & Company, where Kevin’s work is shown in Scottsdale, Arizona, and on the Web.
Among those that sold at Pearson & Company were an ocotillo and a Shitake Agave that headed to Nebraska, as well as Mohawk. That noble fellow went to the home of a patron who also owns Guppy and Brontosaur. “She had originally seen Mohawk at the ‘Kid at Heart’ show and couldn’t resist,” Kevin explains. The three sculptures look fantastic in her Scottsdale, Arizona, back yard.
Also finding new homes were the fountain Spiral Eddy and Calyx, both of which now reside at the home of a well-known sports hero who lives in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
At the Studio: Branching Out
Most of Kevin’s focus lately has been on Hands On, the public commission for the city of Avondale, Arizona, but he’s also had time to work on a new piece that lets him exercise his fascination with structure.
|
|
| Hands On, in process, with a few “hand” leaves before powder coating |
Hands On has really blossomed this spring with its trunk and branches taking shape and its 200 hands cut out, smoothed, shaped and drilled for hanging. The hands, which were created from outlines made by Avondale citizens, are currently at the powder coater to get their golden color. “Before long, we’ll be preparing to install the piece,” Kevin says. “That’ll be fun – we’ll need a crane!”
You can see each step of the process of creating this 14-foot-tall tree with its 14-foot-wide crown in Kevin’s new Photo Gallery on the Web site as well in some of the recent videos.
The other new piece Kevin has started doesn’t have a name yet. It’s another sculpture that has crept out of his imagination and now is working its way through his hands into the world.
Visit the In the Works section on the Web site to watch it develop.
On the Web: New Visuals and Insights
The Hands On Photo Gallery is part of a new Photo Gallery section. The section has two other galleries, including one that gives you a look at Kevin’s studio. “You’ll be seeing more photo galleries as we set up other photos as galleries and as new projects develop,” says Webmaster Mary Westheimer. “People like to see what goes into a project, and this is a great way to show that.” Just click on “photos” in the site navigation at the top and bottom, or click here.
Also new on the site is a Frequently Asked Questions page that answers many of the queries Kevin gets asked. If you’ve ever wondered where he gets his inspiration or why he works in metal, you’ll find out – and get lots of other interesting insights. Click here to read it now.
Of course, there are new videos, too. In the latest video, described by one of his YouTube subscribers as his best yet, Kevin shows the process of cleaning up the hands for Hands On. Click here to watch it now.
WHAT’S THAT?
So often, people
see something in Kevin’s arsenal and say – well, you know.
“What’s That?” focuses on a subject that is dear to many
peoples’ hearts: tools. This issue’s focus isn’t a tool as such, but it’s close ….
On the Cutting Edge
One of the great improvements at Kevin’s studio isn’t the biggest or most visible one, but it’s had a real impact on Kevin’s work.
 |
| Kevin Caron’s cut-off table (for a larger image, visit the Studio Photo Gallery by clicking on the photo) |
The cut-off table is a simple metal frame with built-in rollers upon which Kevin’s chop saw (also called a “cut off saw”) is mounted. In the photo, the chop saw is in the middle with the yellow guard on its top.
BCT (that’s “Before Cut-off Table”), Kevin had to bring out the chop saw and clamp it to the work table each time he wanted to use it. Then he’d bring his metal in from its outside storage area and lug it to the work table in the middle of the studio. (Visit the Studio Photo Gallery to see a close up of the cutting table and the rest of the studio.)
Kevin took into consideration where he stores his metal and built the cut-off table there. Now he can slide stock in from the outside storage area, through the tall slot in the wall, right onto the cutting table and into the chop saw. “It’s so convenient,” Kevin says. “I’ve been wanting to add this for awhile, and using it confirms why!”
One refinement is a backstop that helps Kevin cut off pieces consistently every time. That’s important for sculptures like the one he is working on now, because if one section of it is a millimeter off, it can skew the entire sculpture. This piece alone will require hundreds of cuts.
Kevin also has a ready mount for the shear, another cutting tool, allowing it to be easily and firmly snug-fit onto the cutting table. “As you can imagine, it’s important that these cutting tools stay rock-solid-still when cutting,” Kevin points out. And that’s just one of the valuable things his new addition does.
If you’d like to
know more about a specific tool, let us know – we might have
an answer. Email us at info@kevincaron.com
WHAT
ARE YOUR DREAMS?
Looking
for a way to make life more joyful and peaceful for
yourself or a friend who seems to have everything? A
sculpture, fountain or garden bell might just be the answer.
Besides, you have an “in” – you know the artist! And it’s
easy: just email us at info@kevincaron.com or
call 602-952-8767.
Kevin is glad to
provide a free consultation at your site or, if you prefer,
you are welcome to visit his Phoenix studio. Just email
info@kevincaron.com
or call 602-952-8767 – we’d love to see you!
————————————————————————————————-
For more frequent
news, sights and sounds, keep an eye on Kevin’s Web site at www.kevincaron.com, which
we update often.
————————————————————————————————-
If you enjoyed this
issue of MUSeINGS, or you know someone who is looking for a
special piece for home, work or as a gift for that person who
has everything, please forward it to your lucky
friend!
UNSUBSCRIBE
If you’re really sure you
don’t want to receive MUSeINGS anymore, we’ll miss you, but we
only want to send it to people who really want it. To
unsubscribe, just hit reply or email mary@kevincaron.com with
the subject “Unsubscribe MUSeINGS” with the email address to
be unsubscribed either in the header or in the body of the
email. Kevin’s lovely assistant will gladly fulfill your every
wish (OK, just this one, but that’s one, anyway!).
————————————————————————————————-
CONTACT US: Kevin Caron – 5831 N. 46th Pl. –
Phoenix AZ 85018-1236 – 602-952-8767 – info@kevincaron.com –
www.kevincaron.com
——————————————————–
“Inspired sculpture for public & private
spaces”
——————————————————–
Having trouble viewing this newsletter? Click here.
|
