This drawing is entitled, "A Little Stroll With Stars," and is currently being shown at Pensacola Museum of Art Member's Show through August 22, 2015. It's 5"x7" as are most of my new drawings. I thoroughly enjoy the intimacy of drawings this size; most everything I produce, with rare exception begins on a similar scale.  Ideas and concepts for larger reliefs and free-standing pieces have their origins on this scale.

I continue to return to my 2011 essay, "Sculpture is Always Real," when I evaluate these drawings. (The essay is contained in this blog.)  Remove the paper from these drawings and a sculpture, (an object) remains. I personally have no desire to "fuss" with the surface of the paper, however many artists are quite skilled at just that.  If what I draw can't exist outside the confines of the paper, I don't have much use for it.

I've included a few more drawings in this post as well...

"A Little Stroll With Stars," 2015; 5"x7";  Pencil

 "Fan Dancer," 2015; 5"x7";  Pencil

"Holier Than Thou," 2015; 5"x7"; Pencil 

I have been trying to stay abreast of my drawing.  It seems as though I always fall back on developing compositions on paper when I'm not trying to lacerate myself with power tools! Virtually every image I produce begins with drawing, even though the drawings usually evolve into some other media. There is such a purity in allowing a composition to fully develop on paper rather than needing to transform it into metal, stone or whatever.  I still envision the creative process to be the same, whatever material is used.

These things are quite small, 5"x7" or thereabouts.  There is an intimacy to that size that I really respond to; they seem to be on the other end of the spectrum from some of my recent work.  It's like exercising a different portion of my art making desires, maybe in an attempt to stay centered in some way.

                                             "Phrygian Game," 2015; 6"x8"; Pencil

                                               "Budding Out," 2015; 5"x7"; Pencil

"Wiener Wear"

Michael Boles, Wiener Wear, 2013.

Wiener Wear is one of many ink jet prints I currently have in progress. I find that I continue to have difficulty with the spelling of "wiener," even though the "i before e" rule from grammar school still rattles around in my head! It is pure coincidence that someone by the name of Anthony Weiner is currently in the national spotlight, and this piece bares little resemblance to him, if any.

"Wardrobe Emergency"

Michael Boles, Wardrobe Emergency, 2012.

This is another one of my archival ink jet prints currently on view at the Pensacola Museum of Art. The Members Show is up until August 3. Check it out!

PMA Members' Show

Michael Boles, Sister, 2012. Archival ink jet print.

Three of my archival ink jet prints were juried into the annual Pensacola Museum of Art Members' Show. Sister is one of them... visit the exhibition to see the other two!

The opening reception is Thursday, June 27 from 5:30-7:30. The show runs until August 3.

"Amphitrite" is Going for Bronze!

The studio feels empty without Amphitrite. She is off to the foundry to be cast in bronze.

But there is still plenty to work on... Rugga is back and I've started welding him. Daphne was on hold for a bit, but I've returned to working on her in the metal shop (she's seen in the background below.)

Carving of "Amphitrite" nearly complete!

The carving of Amphitrite is nearly complete! She is a bit over seven feet tall and will be cast in bronze. She will be placed in a fountain at the Tanglewood Legacy Estate Garden, home of Mr. Fred Levin. The gardens will be beautiful and extensive, designed by Mr. James Martin of Gulfside Landscaping.