DWMERKEY Sculpture - Blog

Musings on art, beauty, culture, aesthetics, and the spiritual life by wood wall sculptor Douglas W. Merkey.

Artistic relaunch!

Well, it's been about ten years since I've produced any substantial works of art and pursued any public exhibition of my artwork. I guess my time was taken up largely in launching a national ministry. As wonderful as that has been, I've been able to tell what not creating art does to me. It's like the lights are turned down across my life. Parts of my heart and mind seem to go into a state of semi-hibernation. It's not good.

So, around March, 2015, I made a few deliberate decisions. First, I decided to buy some new tools for my studio. Second, I decided I was going to begin exploring color - taking much of my inspiration from the sea.

As an artist, my palette up to 2015 was mainly all-natural. Basic patinas on my bronze figures, simple washes on clay, and clear poly on wood. If you walked into my house before 2015, you'd be inundated with a wide variety of one color: beige. This is partly because I'm not a formally trained artist. So, color has always held some mystery for me. Perhaps a bit of fear, too. So, to start exploring color has been like exploring a new world. 

For the last 16 months I've been working away: making mistakes, revising things, messing up, and occasionally creating something magnificent. Sculptures like The Deep Blue Sea, North Lido Beach, and Emerald Shallows were delightful adventures in the world of color and new forms.

I'm looking forward to continuing this journey. Thanks for walking with me for a while on my new website. 

 

Doug MerkeyComment