SpiritStone

Celebrating 25 Years of Exhibiting in Santa Fe

Howdy! The 2014 Collection is almost done. The new sculptures will start their journey soon. A private Collector's Preview will kick it off before the pieces travel my 2014 Season Line-Up of Shows. I've been showing in Santa Fe galleries for 25 years so this collection is called SpiritStone. It's all about my connection with the Southwest Spirit, my travels there, the rocks I've discovered along the way and bringing that Spirit back into my Alexander Valley studio. Check out the stones I've chiseled into - Utah Picasso Marble, Utah Calcite, Mexican Fluorite, New Mexico Alabaster and Nevada Zebra Marble. 

#1 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

Sander & Clara are supervising the set-up for "The Year Of The Mobius". I've been displaying my work by sections of the yard. All Mobius and Trefoil sculptures have their own designated area. Then there's the Gallery, Sculpture Gardens and the Bronze area. There is plenty to do today. Lori just made me title tags and Melinda just picked up the Chinese Beer and Rentals. Ok, I gotta get back to my list...the countdown ticks away...24 hours 'til the event!

#3 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

MOIRAE, Carrara Marble  T BARNY 1982

My 'signature form' - The MOBIUS. When I look back through the years, I realized that the first one came about just 2 years after I graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design. MOIRAE (pictured above) was the first true mobius that I had made in 1982. THISBE was also carved in 1982 and later became the first bronze casting. THISBE is a classic Mobius and I feel it represents a classic 'T Barny' for 30+ years now. Melinda has another video for you tomorrow of my journey of amazing Mobius sculptures. Come to The Year Of The Mobius on Saturday to see the latest and greatest Mobius and Trefoils.

#11 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

Melinda did it again! Here's her 4th video showing the steps of how I do what I do. The true Celtic Knot and my logo shape are known as a TREFOIL. My curvilinear sculptures are designed to be a MOBIUS. The Year Of The Mobius will be educational and entertaining! We are receiving all of our "Museum Store" items: T30 Books, Portfolio Books, T Shirts, Earrings and Pet Bowls. You are going to be blown away with how clever we've gotten this year. Lori, Melinda & I are doing another walk through this afternoon to make sure we have everything in place. It's all happening in 11 Days!

#12 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

8-18-2012 Open for Tattoos!!

I like to open my studio to the public. I like to keep it fun. I love what I do and I'm excited to see people react to my sculptures and have a great time. Lori, Melinda & I brainstorm up ideas typically 10 months in advance for these themed annual events. One of my ideas this year is to have Tattoos. Of course, they are temporary but colorful and FUN. On Saturday, August 18, come get your tattoo on!

#21 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

Making a Trefoil  I love making the trefoil sculptures. But, they require every ounce of my creativity, skill and concentration!!! The moment when I carve out the final struts holding the trefoil in place is breathtaking. Suddenly this sculpture that I have given birth to is almost floating in space. I always feel as if I have created something truly unique and magical. If I am feeling up to it, I usually make one trefoil a year. Typically these pieces are only available by commission and they require a 14-16 month advance notice to fit in around my shows. When the theme for this year's show came up, I really wanted to make several trefoils. But, I had to consider the impact on me physically. Making these pieces for "The Year Of The Mobius" is a true challenge. Sometimes I wonder how many more I have left in me to make!!!

#23 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

CATENA, 'Chain of Connected Ideas'

Mobius vs. Trefoil Some of you may be wondering about the difference between a Mobius and a Trefoil. I use to call all of my one edge/one side sculptures "Mobius" but my true signature pieces with three loops and one edge are really called "Trefoils". The trefoil knot is named after the three leaf clover or trefoil plant. The trefoil knot is impossible to 'untie' in three dimensions without cutting it. It is also invertible; there's no distinction between a counter clockwise-oriented trefoil and a clockwise-oriented trefoil. Just the words make your head spin. The "Mobius Strip" is an object with only one side and one edge. My Mobius Sculptures often appear to have several sides and edges because of the openings I carve into them. Trust me though, if you follow the edge you would come back to where you began.

#30 of 30 Countdown to 8-18-2012

Some of the many Stone Blocks in my yard.

Back in January, my wife Melinda and I were walking around our property. She asked, "What do you want to do this year?" I pointed out that I see Mobius Sculptures in all of my stone blocks. We then discussed that these are very physically demanding on me and could I create a whole show centered around the MOBIUS. Is this my year for such a challenge? Watch as we countdown to 8-18-2012.

Rock and Roll in 2010

T BARNY SCULPTURE NEWS
Each year, we put together a private Collector's Event. This year the theme is Rock & Roll. I will be creating musical instruments out of stone. I listen to Rock & Roll everyday in my studio. It has a beat; a cadence that helps with the motion of the tools and the dance of the stone. I have explored form, texture and integrity of rock but not the sound. I am excited to create "Stone Sculptures That Sing" in 2010.

Last night, I previewed the band that will be playing during our event. It's called the Linda Ferro Band. They rocked playing classic Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn. It was great energy and will be perfect for the event. The band is excited to interact with the collectors and play my stone musical instruments. Rock On!