Tartuffe's Folly

Anecdotes, Reminiscences, and the Unexpected Artistic Finds That Stir My Loins

    • Edit
    • Delete
    • Tags
    • Autopost

    Fraser Smith: the Sculpt of Hyper-Realism

    In his basswood sculptures, American artist Fraser Smith deftly captures the nostalgic textures of resurrected cottons, the patchwork of brilliant colors, and the painstaking detail of an American folk art. At initial glance, one might dismiss such a gallery of exemplary craftsmanship as simply a fine collection of artful throws, coverlets, and wall-hangings. However, upon scrutiny, it becomes delightfully apparent that each quilt is indeed carved from wood, and then stained and painted with water-based pigments. The results at once appeal to our modern appreciation of both the traditions of trompe l'oeil and the techniques of photorealism.

    Originally focusing on sculpted clothing, such as coats and jackets, Smith now creates replicas of keepsakes, mementos, or items that speak to our love for nostalgic. Such subjects are generally cherished, preserved, and can usually evoke immediate response from the viewer. Of course, it is indeed his wooden “quilts” that have created his branded niche. Ultimately, however, each becomes a large, arduous task, not unlike the process involved with its inspirational fabric counterpart, except that at inception, the requisite piece of basswood may weigh in excess of two-hundred pounds.

    Smith (b.1958) hails from Arkansas, now resides in Tampa, and is currently represented by galleries in Palm Beach, San Francisco, and New York. His work is on permanent exhibit at: The National Quilt Museum, Tampa Museum of Art, and the Vero Beach Center for the Arts.

    Thank you to my friend Delores who is an aficionado of heartfelt prose, the odd find, and the beauty of the world that surrounds us. It is she who first introduced me to Smith's engaging portfolio. Within moments, I was hooked.

    “Blessed be the piecemaker!”

    • 23 May 2011
    • Views
    • Permalink
    • Tweet
    • 0 responses
    • Like
    • Comment
  • Mark Dylan Sieber's Space

    The sandbox is always open, my friends, for those that want to share eclectic musings, surrealist images, and aural delights.
    I detect the melody of the written word and can visualize the beat in the song. That's perhaps why I think in ringtones and post in sound-bites.
    But, most of all, I celebrate the moments and the small splendors that enrich our soul.
    The sandbox here at Marklewood is flanked in the corners by large bronze urns of yellow peonies & azure-blue lobelia. Behind it is a meandering creek lined with ancient willows.
    And if we run scarce of provisions, there is always the bait shop down the dirt road.

    My spirit navigates freely from that of Pied Piper to bookworm to Lord Fauntleroy to that of a Bohemian crusader. You best pour a healthy cup of coffee or glass of pinot noir.

    I am a disengaged designer, scribe, and recidivist currently living in the hinterlands of Raleigh, North Carolina. I strive to be kind and I seek out those moments of hope that indeed refuel my soul. Often, the most potent of inspiration is found in random human connections, unexpected art finds, and the magic that cloaks our world.

    And, yes, we have pets here at Marklewood: a dozen at most recent census. I refer to them fondly as the Twelve Noble & Apostolic Pusses, but they are much more than any label or moniker would suggest. All are indeed rescues or their progeny, with five having been elevated to "indoor" status. The other seven serve sentry here in the stillness of an ancient pine woods.
    Alas, poor Tartuffe has been missing since May of '10. Legend has it that he has embarked on some grand theatrical adventure, perhaps in New York. But I like to think that his spirit hovers over head.

    "I have stretched ropes from steeple to steeple; garlands from window to window; golden chains from star to star, and I dance.” -- Arthur Rimbaud

  • About Mark Dylan Sieber

    The sandbox is always open, my friends, for those that want to share eclectic musings, surrealist images, and aural delights.
    I detect the melody of the written word and can visualize the beat in the song. That's perhaps why I think in ringtones and post in sound-bites.
    But, most of all, I celebrate the moments and the small splendors that enrich our soul.
    The sandbox here at Marklewood is flanked in the corners by large bronze urns of yellow peonies & azure-blue lobelia. Behind it is a meandering creek lined with ancient willows.
    And if we run scarce of provisions, there is always the bait shop down the dirt road.

    My spirit navigates freely from that of Pied Piper to bookworm to Lord Fauntleroy to that of a Bohemian crusader. You best pour a healthy cup of coffee or glass of pinot noir.

    I am a disengaged designer, scribe, and recidivist currently living in the hinterlands of Raleigh, North Carolina. I strive to be kind and I seek out those moments of hope that indeed refuel my soul. Often, the most potent of inspiration is found in random human connections, unexpected art finds, and the magic that cloaks our world.

    And, yes, we have pets here at Marklewood: a dozen at most recent census. I refer to them fondly as the Twelve Noble & Apostolic Pusses, but they are much more than any label or moniker would suggest. All are indeed rescues or their progeny, with five having been elevated to "indoor" status. The other seven serve sentry here in the stillness of an ancient pine woods.
    Alas, poor Tartuffe has been missing since May of '10. Legend has it that he has embarked on some grand theatrical adventure, perhaps in New York. But I like to think that his spirit hovers over head.

    "I have stretched ropes from steeple to steeple; garlands from window to window; golden chains from star to star, and I dance.” -- Arthur Rimbaud

  • Subscribe via RSS

    Archive

    2012 (88)
    May (12)
    April (22)
    March (23)
    February (13)
    January (18)
    2011 (398)
    December (17)
    November (14)
    October (21)
    September (13)
    August (32)
    July (37)
    June (45)
    May (31)
    April (33)
    March (41)
    February (60)
    January (54)
    2010 (589)
    December (34)
    November (35)
    October (37)
    September (29)
    August (34)
    July (54)
    June (30)
    May (62)
    April (38)
    March (31)
    February (205)
  • Frequent & Rousing Reads

    • Mucksnipe
    • BibliOdyssey
    • the pandorian
    • 50 Watts
    • THE BLUE LANTERN
    • Art Blog By Bob
    • { feuilleton }
    • Bearded Blokes of the Belle Epoque
    • The Aesthete Cooks
    • Swell & Dandy
    • (auto)portraits d'artistes
    • Male Beauty in Art
    • Graphic Arts

    Follow Me

      Facebook

Theme created for Posterous by Obox