Last year, I was honored to be contacted by Ken Marquis, founder of the "LandfillArt Project".
This is a project encompassing all corners of the world, inspiring creativity in claiming a piece of rusted metal garbage (hub caps) and create fine art. This is a landmark global artist initiative and by far the Largest undertaking of its kind.
The "Inspirational Story" told below is essential in understanding why I used the brass hubcap as the sun in the mouth of the head piece. My inspiration to create "A Raven Totem" was two fold, starting with my attraction to Ravens and their lore.
Raven Legend . . . . . . .
Many legends tell of "Raven", the light bringer. A wicked king stole the sun and hid it away, but the king has a daughter. The "Raven", being cunning, watched the daughter go for a drink at the stream. This very cunning "Raven" turned itself into a tiny twig in the water and was swallowed by the girl.
When inside her, it became a growing child and in nine months she delivered a "Raven" that looked like a baby. The king liked the baby so much that he let the baby play with the sun! As soon as the "Raven" had the ball of light, it turned back in to a bird and flew away ~ returning the Sun to the Sky.
Standing Close to 9 feet tall, weighing close to 700 lb's.
Along side was a second inspiration brewing while I spent time supporting my daughter's recovery from a brain injury. Thus reiterating my belief that, Inspirations . . . . Born from pleasure . . . . Born from pain . . . . As gifts they come . . . One and the same.
Like people, the more damaged by age and wear an element has, the deeper the connection and inspiration I am able to find.
I have a need to first thank my husband, Mike, for supporting me with the obsessive mind and hours he endured. His plumb and square talents and ability to muscle what I could not was invaluable to me.
The Journey of my Creation began in finding all the elements and is always my favorite part. B&T Auto Salvage, 22443 Old Highway 30, Caldwell, ID, was soon to become a new hunting ground for me.
After many visits digging through piles of hubcaps and tires, a relationship of interest in what I was doing was established with the owners. Along with more then fair prices, Darrell donated the hood ornament for the headpiece from his private collection!
I often came home to find piles of springs, gears, etc., that friends or businesses had left for me, with the thought that I may be able to use one of these precious finds.
I started with a pole made from a commercial garage door spring. The main base is a heavy equipment flange with ball bearings welded on it.
In creating the head, I used an old running light for the top beak and an old truck fender for the bottom. Much of the other elements were donated from Aaron & Larry at CAT.
Near completion, the piece felt too short, so I was back at B&T searching for the right wheels to elevate with a stand. I found a set of old "International Wheels" with tires still on.
I drug them home, to find that I could not get the tires off. Once again, I am back on the road, this time to Les Schwab, where Chris spent over (2) hours getting the tires off the wheel hubs.
And last but not least, the shipping. Our friends at Poole & Sons have a business that involves building crates and often ship very heavy pieces across the country. Aaron Poole, created a piece of art in it's own right. A Crate for shipping something this massive, safely and secured.
It often takes an entire community to bring a vision into a reality. I feel like my eyes and hands are just a tool and a part of many of my creations. I am so very thankful to everyone for their contributions and to be part of the opportunity to share in these pieces visual stories.
