Next weekend—Saturday, July 16th and Sunday, July 17th, 2022
I’m looking forward to presenting new work, as well as the spruced up and re-vamped studio space. Please call or email me with questions, or if you’d like to make an appointment to visit on a different date.
joan@JoanWaters.com
602-565-1358
We experience the world through our five senses—taste, touch, smell, hearing and sight.
This sculpture asks us to examine what happens when we limit our perception to only one sensory lens—the visual. This is essentially what cameras do when they record patterns of light with a mechanical or digital ‘eye.’
When we interpret and accept the camera’s images as reality, do we sometimes trust these superficial surrogates more than direct experience?
As we find ourselves mindlessly caught up in converting our days into a stream of mediated images, do we lose track of the main event: to be fully alive?
The public is invited to the opening reception on October 20, 2-4 pm. As we walk around the campus we will visit each sculpture, and each artist will give a brief introduction to their work. PCC East is located at 8181 E. Irvington Rd, Tucson, AZ 85709-4000.
Special thanks to Mike Stack, Department Chair, Arts & Humanities, for the energy and vision behind the Sculpture on Campus exhibition which began in 2005. Thanks to Mike, the campus community is actively engaged in selecting, viewing, writing about and appreciating the wide range of sculptures that are installed on concrete pads located around the campus. Many classes use the sculptures as departure points for their learning and discussions. It’s a great example of building a community that appreciates and is enriched by art. I know I’ve had the idea for my latest piece for several years, and this opportunity gave me the impetus to finally build the work.
Some snapshots of new work being installed for Saturday’s Open Studio (April 23rd). Demonstrations with patinas and heat coloring at 10, 1 and 4. To celebrate National Poetry Month, bring a poem for my studio wall—it’ll be a fun day, lots to talk about and see.
FireDance No. 3, welded steel with patinas, heat coloring, enamel and clear powder coating
37 x 48 x 8 in., private residence, ©Joan Waters 2016
On the Reef, welded steel with patinas and clear powder coating, private commission, ©Joan Waters 2016
Desert Seasons, welded steel with patinas and clear powder coating, 44 x 96 x 4 in., corporate law office, ©Joan Waters 2016
ultimate reality show installed at Shemer Art Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Special thanks to Hector Ortega, who has several works exhibited on the Shemer grounds, for his time and efforts pouring the slab and applying his hammer-drilling expertise, and Shonna James, Interim Executive Director, for coordinating the final installation. The sculpture is part of the recently installed Arizona Sculpture Showcase, juried by Mary Bates Neubauer, and will be on-site for two years.
Hector Ortega watches as the Craters and Freighters crew unloads the sculpture
Enjoy a stroll around the grounds, and the many new works recently added to the outdoor sculpture exhibition.
“ultimate reality show” at the Grand Rapids Public Museum during ArtPrize 2012
66″h x 48″w x 20″d, welded steel with patinas
About the work: An over-sized welded steel television set creates a viewfinder and invites the public to observe daily life—the “ultimate reality show.” One of the questions the sculpture asks us to consider is how our perceptions of life are created or altered by viewing two-dimensional images on TV and all the other electronic screens we rely on.
Link to sculpture http://www.artprize.org/joan-waters/2012/ultimate-reality-show
ArtPrize is the world’s largest art competition. The top prize is determined solely by public vote. In 2012, its 4th year, 1517 artist entries will be on display at 161 venues throughout Grand Rapids, Michigan. The sculpture I submitted was selected by the Grand Rapids Public Museum to be installed outside their main entrance. ArtPrize dates are September 19 – October 7, 2012. http://www.artprize.org
Friday, July 27, 11 am–6pm and
Saturday, July 28, 9am–4pm
2141 E. Cedar St, #1, Tempe, Az 85281
Preview new work, including outdoor hummingbird flight sculptures, clay tile tables, garden totems and more in this working welding studio—with air conditioning.
Refreshments • free and open to the public • wheelchair accessible • dogs welcome!
New sculpture at the MN Collection
Music for a Naked Picnic was recently installed at the MN Collection. The 70″h x 24″w x 24″d sculpture hangs outside the entry, and is suitable for indoor or outdoor placement. Check back on this blog to view images of other new works soon.
The MN Collection is located in the Scottsdale Design District next to Costello Childs Contemporary. 2724 North 68th Street, Suite 2, Scottsdale, AZ 85257
http://www.theMNcollection.com
Saturday, April 28, 2012, 9am–5pm
2141 E. Cedar St, #1, Tempe, Az 85281
New works in the studio, featuring powdercoated red sculptures and hybrid paintings, handmade tile tables, unique gifts and art for garden spaces.
Plus, meet guest artist Jodi Pinkert, exhibiting her mixed media series “Clay Tapestries.”
Refreshments • free and open to the public • wheelchair accessible • dogs welcome!
Saturday, March 17 at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
“Birdie” is a lucky puppy who was found on a golf course and rescued. His best friend is a little green bird who follows him everywhere, riding on his tail. Birdie will be part of the 2012 Petcasso Auction at the Compassion with Fashion gala event. Metal sculpture by artist Misty Mulleneaux, embellished by Joan Waters.
Tickets and more info at: www.azhumane.org/cwf/2012
Sneak Peek of new work to be shown at Saturday, Feb. 11th Open Studio~Many, many layers of lacquer are applied to the tiles after they are welded free-form (hand-drawn with the welder), ground, patinaed, and polished. Shown are 4 x 4-inch and 8 x 8-inch sizes.
Schiffer Publishing will release Ironwork Today 3, Inside & Out this fall. I just received word that my work will be included in this edition by Jeffrey B. Snyder. A wide range of iron artwork, created by 82 of today’s artist-blacksmiths, will be highlighted. Over 450 color photos, 256 pp.
My work was also published in the first Ironwork Today, and Ironwork Today: Dynamic Details, both by Dona Z. Meilach.
“Dogs Days of Summer” Open Studio
Friday, July 22 from 11am–6pm and Saturday, July 23 from 8am–4pm
2141 E. Cedar St., #1, Tempe, AZ 85281
Preview new works–large and small, with special pricing, refreshments, and air conditioning (for dogs!)
My second submission for the Hidden in the Hills Directory cover. I used “Tidepool Mambo”, rotated 90 degrees from its normal hanging position. This sculpture incorporates layers of steel with rust, patinas and some spray enamels, introducing some new, vibrant colors. Much as the studio tour invites visitors to explore the art and the area, the layers of steel create a sense of mystery which also invite the viewer in. (This was not selected for this year’s cover.)
Each year the Sonoran Arts League has a call for art for the Directory cover. It’s been a few years since I’ve submitted. This year, I created a sculpture with this in mind—inspired by the mystery and light of the desert near Cave Creek. “Desert Light Shift” is layers of steel, hand cut and shaped, with patinas and heat coloring. (The work was not selected for the cover.)
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