<![CDATA[Jay McDougall

<![CDATA[Jay McDougall - Blog]]>Sun, 27 May 2012 00:06:04 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Fort Worth School Visit]]>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:08:11 -0800http://www.jaymcdougall.com/1/post/2012/04/fort-worth-school-visit.htmlTrimble Tech HS - Fort Worth, TX. Ms. Lopez and Mr. Gerardy's classrooms.

Cindy and I had an opportunity to participate in an "Artist in the Schools" visit this morning while in town for the Main Street Fort Worth Arts Fest. Cindy is my wife and also a professional artist. We often tag team when given the chance to visit art classes.

We believe it's important for students to be exposed to people like us who have chosen a career path in the arts. Whether they end up being artists, musicians, accountants or mechanics, the exposure to the arts in school will make them a more valuable commodity in their chosen field. The most difficult challenges are usually solved by approaching them from a unique direction. This requires a very fit right side of the brain, and strength is only gained through consistent exercise. I think of creating things as push-ups for the right brain.

We all got to work on some 3D exercises this morning. This group of AP students are working on drawing this term and many will be moving on to sculpture next year so our timing was great. After a brief presentation about us, our work, and what is involved in being a professional in any field, we were able to use the bulk of the class time carving up space. Initially we let them cut and fold a piece of paper as many times as they wanted as long as they utilized all of the cut parts. This represented additive sculpture.

We then moved on to the task of creating a free standing piece using only one cut and one fold. This represents something much more akin to reductive sculpture in that if you make a mistake your only correction is to make the piece smaller. We loved the results and the students had the joy of coming up with some terrific solutions to the challenge. Good job Trimble Tech - Go Bulldogs! And thank you to Main Street Fort Worth for encouraging Art in the Schools.

]]><![CDATA[Sketches]]>Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:48:06 -0800http://www.jaymcdougall.com/1/post/2012/04/sketches.html

Boxelder and Sugar Maple (left rear). 5" - 8" tall; $100 - $115/vase

I started carving vases a few years ago as a means of getting some more color into my display at shows and exhibitions. Fresh flowers bring a lot to the party and are a fabulous compliment to my natural forms. It was a perfect solution to carve vases to serve this display need and an equally great solution to find a use for some of the beautiful wood cut-offs that were really too beautiful to throw away. Since then I have begun to use the process of creating these small pieces of sculpture as a warm-up exercise for my larger pieces. Much like sketching this is a means of exploring line and form while getting my head in the place it needs to be for carving my larger scale work. So here's a peek at some things from my latest sketch book.

Boxelder Vase, 7" tall - Sold $120

Sugar Maple and Black Willow logs - ready to carve!

And now that I'm in the groove it's time to move on to the big dogs.

]]><![CDATA[Where's Jay]]>Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:00:01 -0800http://www.jaymcdougall.com/1/post/2012/03/wheres-jay4.htmlAnd the winner is Al Hoopes of Leadville, CO
Congratulations Al!
Stay tuned, I have many trails to travel this year and will surely be doing this again. My itinerary is continually being updated. You may keep abreast of my travel plans via my Exhibition Schedule . I hope to see you down the road.
]]><![CDATA[Where's Jay]]>Thu, 22 Mar 2012 06:27:16 -0800http://www.jaymcdougall.com/1/post/2012/03/wheres-jay3.htmlGame Over! Congratulations to Al H., Nancy G., Marnie K., Scott W., and Hank O'B. I'll draw the winner later today. For the rest of you:

So where was Jay?

"Standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona."

]]><![CDATA[Where's Jay]]>Thu, 22 Mar 2012 05:36:25 -0800http://www.jaymcdougall.com/1/post/2012/03/wheres-jay2.html3rd and probably final Clue:

I'm looking for one more correct answer before awarding the prize, this one should do it so think fast!

Kinda looks like a Flat Bed Ford, hmmm.....

You must submit your answer by emailing me at:                                                  jay@jaymcdougall.com

Follow me on FaceBook for notification of upcoming "Where's    Jay" contests and clues:
                         Jay McDougall - Wood Sculptor

]]><![CDATA[Where's Jay]]>Wed, 21 Mar 2012 05:22:49 -0800http://www.jaymcdougall.com/1/post/2012/03/wheres-jay1.htmlClue #2

Clue two: the picture was taken somewhere along Route 66 on 3/6/2012. I'm still after four more correct answers prior to declaring a winner. So take it easy, tomorrow I'll be posting another visual clue that should be a lot of help to most of you. See the previous post if you need a refresher on the first clue.

                                                   You must submit your answer by emailing me at:
                                                                       jay@jaymcdougall.com

            Follow me on FaceBook for notification of upcoming "Where's Jay" contests and clues:
                                                            Jay McDougall - Wood Sculptor
]]><![CDATA[Where's Jay?]]>Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:09:54 -0800http://www.jaymcdougall.com/1/post/2012/03/wheres-jay.htmlWhere's Jay?

Time for a little interactive fun. This is the first installment of what I'm hoping will be an ongoing activity. I will be posting a picture of me somewhere along the way of my many travels. The challenge is to be among the first to identify that location.

So here we go! This first one may be a bit tricky. I'm looking for an exact phrase as to where I am: "_________ __ ___ ______ __ _______ _______"

This is a seven word phrase. If needed I will provide additional clues as the week progresses. The winner will be announced on Monday, March 26th.

You must submit your answer by emailing me at:                            jay@jaymcdougall.com

Follow me on FaceBook for notification of upcoming                         "Where's Jay" contests:
            Jay McDougall - Wood Sculptor

(Pay no attention to the man under my thumb, that's just one of those unfortunate photography 101 composition errors.)

The Prize:

You will be playing for this tasty little Boxelder bud vase. It measures about 5" tall; features a textured top surface; includes a vase tube (shown).

]]><![CDATA[The making of a wooden vessel.]]>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:10:54 -0800http://www.jaymcdougall.com/1/post/2012/02/the-making-of-a-wooden-vessel.htmlHere's a photo journal of some steps involved in the creation of a wooden vessel. I will use few words and many pictures.
The first step is acquiring a log from a locally fallen tree. In this instance it's a Boxelder log that I located at the Fergus Falls' landfill's wood pile (more on that later).

Rip the log down the middle.

Trim the edges.

Begin carving the vessel's containment area.

Top side/containment area complete.

Remove excess mass from underside and mark feet locations.

Carving completed.

Fast forward through drying; final sanding and shaping; dying of the underside; applying oil; waxing;and...Ta Da, finished piece!

]]><![CDATA[Cottonwood Movements complete!]]>Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:40:03 -0800http://www.jaymcdougall.com/1/post/2012/01/cottonwood-movements-complete.htmlAll done. I got the steel backs finished and applied a great patina. The patina is relatively unpredictable so it's a great thing when it comes out as nice as this did. The set is waxed, wrapped and packed. Tuesday morning they're off to Florida with me.

]]><![CDATA[Cottonwood Movements]]>Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:19:44 -0800http://www.jaymcdougall.com/1/post/2012/01/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit.htmlI've been wanting to carve another "Cottonwood Movements" triptych since I joyfully parted with my last set in Memphis last October. Cottonwood is one of my favorite woods to carve for several reasons: it is native to my region, it grows quite large, and it has terrific color and grain characteristics. I usually have easy access to cottonwood but this year it's been pretty tough for me to come by. So, it was great news when I heard from my friend Doc Bob that he had the remnants of a cottonwood that fell last summer for me to inspect. On a cold and breezy day a couple of weeks ago I loaded my saw and headed for rural Battle Lake. After a meandering tour of his farm we eventually arrived at the object of my interest. It really wasn't much to look at but there was enough to hold my attention.

With some help from Doc Bob I managed to get a couple of sections crosscut and readied for ripping. Take note of the choppers and stocking cap Bob's wearing....they are mine. The temp was in the single digits fahrenheit so not too cold there however the wind was blowing out of the NW at about 25mph so it was a bit nippy.

I was moving pretty quickly to stay warm. Not long before I had my blanks field dressed and ready to go.

I've already carved the set and they are in my drying chamber. I was fortunate to get three sound blanks out of this trip as there was already a lot of dry rot and fungal activity taking its toll. Stay tuned, it shouldn't be much longer before I have a finished "Cottonwood Movements" to share with you.

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