That means a lot... especially coming from you!
No, no need to be in a funk. Life's too short. The slump was a lack of ideas. The hardest part about this whole metal art thing is the time in between projects. Don't have the slightest idea what to do next. I know this sounds odd, but I put such an investment into each piece, that I don't want to squander the time. Like I said... life's too short.

Frank,

I agree, this is my best so far... can't wait to put the finishing touches on it. Maybe I'll get some feedback on it's weak points (remember, I'm still a newbie).

Thanks, J.R.

Good job J.R. - and thanks for the compliment

If you're in need of a new idea - you know the road to get here.
I'm starting another piece - I think it will be a grape-vine trellis. Something I can hammer the snot out of.
pam

nice, strong, fluid, moving, lots of things I like here. More ?
Brad

Thanks Brad.

More? Absolutely. "We've only just begun... we start off walking, and learn to run." - Carpenters

Hi JR,

Well, your back and with a vengance!!! What a great piece! So much for beginners? When you don't know what to do next just go to the studio and weld scraps of things and your ideas will develop on there own. I was just part of a small arts group who were given the opportunity to show small work at a local "upscale" bed and breakfast. Since I don't usually work small, I submitted some studio "doodles".
Things I made from scraps,but a wonderful way to just work without thinking. I sold two pieces!!! Nice to have you back and congradulations on a truely beautiful piece. Janet

Janet, I was going to send you an email, to give you a personal thanks, but on your profile it says you're not accepting emails. I've been fortunate enough to receive very candid "up close and personal" comments from members via direct email. -J.R.

JR,
Excellent flow of the body and motion. I think you have got it going. I like it very much.

Yeah and then there are those time outs and where time slowly goes by and it seems like it takes so much time and you don't have the time and when get busy what happen to the time.

warren

Warren, and everyone else who's responded,

Your positive comments have overwhelmed me. You have no idea how important your input is to me. It makes the difference between considering this activity to be just a weekend hobby, or whether I may evolve into a true artist... and attempting to make this a vocation. Cop, turned metal sculptor, is quite a transition.

I've been thinking about finishing "Dancer," then attempting to sell her, i.e. galleries, ebay... any marketing ideas? Price? I'll be in southern California next week... does anyone have any gallery connections out west?

Thanks again! -J.R.

Hi JR and All My Art Metal Buddies,

My e-mail and web site are no secret, feel free to contact me whenever. I've been much better with the internet because of Art Metal. And also my past show prompted my new web site, etc. JR don't jump on selling your work ( unless you have to ) Why not put together a few related pieces and try to get in a show. Anyway, love the new piece. Janet
bfdstudios@earthlink.net
www.bfdfirehousestudios.us

Janet,

Actually, this morning I decided to keep "Dancer," and for my next peice I'm going to create "Dancer II," in another, very dramatic dance pose. I'm considering attaching her to a rock, but I'm not sure if that will effect the continuity of a "Dancer Series." What do you think?

In the mean time, I wouldn't mind having her hang out in a gallery, just to get some exposure (although, you know, I got some pretty damn good exposure here at artmetal!).

J.R.

PS: I really like your photo on your website, you've got the gothic thing going on... really can't make you out on the one posted on armetal. No guys, not trying to pick her up, just paying Janet a compliment...

J.R.
By all means keep this piece. Use it as your muse. Study it understand what makes it work. Follow Janet's lead and quietly build a body of work. A body of work can be merchandised (packaged to sell) One piece is not an inventory. To succeed at this you need an inventory, of available for sale pcs. Make more and you'll make more per item. "You gotta know when to hold Em, know when to fold em,
know when to walk away, know when to run" Kenny Rogers
Hold
Brad

J.R.
I'm in complete agreement with Brad and Janet. Glad your keepin it. IT will inspire and motivate you and I see the start of another great series. The "Dancer series", I'm looking forward to seeing it Grow as well as the Torso Series.
Nothing succeeds like success.

I could even see this "first one" being a Study, for a larger version.
Bill

Jon, from the Land Down Under,

Thank you so much for your comments. I'll have to use them when I eventually market my pieces. Yep, 90% done... just needed to shape the feet, and clean up the base and transition to the feet. It looks much cleaner now. I'm going to take it to Los Angeles and have my brother photograph it. Hopefully, I'll hook up with Alice in Welderland and her LA metal buddie's too!

Thanks again, J.R.

Cassandra,

I'm glad you love my Dancer. She means the world to me. My dance background was that I was a competition disco dancer in the late 70s... a la Saturday Night Fever! Probably not the kind of dance you do... at least I hope not. Actually, I did dance a little jazz, flamenco, modern, and touch dancing... and it does give me a sense of prospective and passion for a "Dancer" series. Can't wait to get at it!

Thanks again, J.R.

You are right about that, I was there for that era but only old enough to rollerskate in the 70's. My dance background was in modern, some jazz, lots of ethnic such as West African and a little Japanese and Oriental, lots of interpretive improv and taught some classes in the latter. I miss it, but the pay was about as lucrative as being a mime or poet. But still using rhythm for inspiration, and music to enhance the creative process.

Thank you Don... that is exactly what I'm going to do; after I make a metal and bronze cross, imbedded in a rock, for a church fundraiser.

Much thanks, J.R.

Wow, when I inspire you guys, I get overwhelmed... and also more inspired myself!

Thank Paula, J.R.

Cassandra, Don and Paul, that was me, and not a visitor, when I responded you your comments... I was having a hard time logging on before. J.R.

Would it be too presumptuous to ask what you used to make this art piece???

Paula

Hi Paula, no, it would not be presumptuous at all... especially considering how much I learn from you and the other folks on artmetal.

I made a stick armature using 1/4" rod, then started MIGing and shaping from the feet, up. I don't like to grind much, so I try to get the beads to shape as body parts, as well as possible. The torso is actually shaped 18 gauge w/MIGed detail. I clean it up using a disk sander.

Hope that answers your question, J.R.

Don, I took my Dancer to a gallery in Houston (thanks Pam), and the Brewers Art Colony in Los Angeles (thanks Alex!), and everyone suggested the same thing... make a series.

I can't wait to start the next dancer!

Thanks, J.R.