74th International Contest of Visual Arts in Valdepeñas

Nostalgia, Motacilla alba

Bronze on old plough and wood, 89x120x70 cm.

Inscription: ' To my father, heir of a culture which is almos lost-'

Nostalgia, Motacilla alba (Detail)

This sculpture is the result of my second casting. It has been selected for the 74th International Contest of Visual Arts in Valdepeñas.. If you remember, last edition, I was also selected by my work Alba.  

Cover of the catalogue

Page of the catalogue where the selected work appears 

Pictures of the opening

From left to right: D. Manuel López Rodríguez, Deputy Mayor and responsible for Culture, Commerce and Tourism Area of Valdepeñas Town Hall; Dª. Tania Blanco, Gold Medal of the Exhibition; D. Dis Berlín, guest artist and member of the jury in  the present edition; D. Felipe Garín Llombart, Art History Professor and museographer, ex-director of El Prado Museum and Spain Academy in Rome, and current Director of the Museum Consortium in Valencian Community and the Arts Institute El Carmen and member of the jury and D. Jesús Martin Rodríguez-Caro, Mayor of Valdepeñas, during the opening  ceremony of the exhibition. 

Images of the opening 

My little daughter, Andrea Gaia, and me next to the work 

Third casting

Casting wax:  From left to right:my father, my brother-in-law, me and José 'Picanio'.

During these summer weeks and with a trip to Lisbon in-between, I have melt by myself for the third time. My mates Ándres and Lolita couldn't come this time, so I felt like facing final  exams. I have been alone during the whole process; well, that's not really the truth as my brother-in-law, my father and  José 'Picanio'have been there giving me a hand when it was needed.

Removing casting wax

All the moulds after casting wax 

I've recorded some videos of the melting but they're not high-quality.

All the pieces after melting 

This time I've melted eleven micros (direct technique with crucible of ceramics shell incorporated). Three of them will be part of a new work and the rest are proofs and part of pieces which didn't turn out well in previous castings and which I'll use to repair them.

Here is my new work: 'PRIVATE HUNTING PRESERVE, Athene noctua - Smerinthus ocellatus'.

Sketches and studies of the work 

Wax model of Athene noctua

Wax model of Smerinthus ocellatus

I'd also like to show you the casting tree of the main piece (the little owl). I've divided it in two micros in order to facilitate the casting process.

The Living River II, Alcedo atthis

The Living River II, Alcedo atthis
Bronze, Iron and wood, 95x61x61 cm.

Details

The Living River II, Alcedo atthis
Bronze, Iron and wood, 95x61x61 cm.

First of all, I have to apologize... I haven´t much time to create and spread my sculptures. Despite that, I´ve been working a little...
Description of the process of creation:

 After making the main piece in bronze and preparing the wood which will be part of the structure of the work, I prepare a model in cardboard.

 After that, I cut the pieces of iron sheet, I smooth down the edges, weld and assemble all the pieces and colour the main piece.

I´d like to thank my neighbour and master in everything which has to do with iron and welding, Manolito `Perú´, who lends me his workshop every time I go to Rociana. Thank you, my friend!

Project Landscape

I want to show you the other project I´m running. This one belongs to the category of paintings.
 If you click on the above picture, you´ll be lead to the website of the project. This same image is placed on the column at the right.
 I´m looking forward to reading your comments.

Wetlands' Day

Female Black-necked Grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
Wax model, real size

In this post, I want you to see the wax models which will be part of an sculptural ensemble in process of creation. Last August, my friends Ándres Naranjo, Lolita Paz, Luis Cordero and me prepared the models of, among others, these works. We haven´t  melt them yet.
The sculptural ensemble is based on a scene I saw at the Navaseca Lagoon, near the National Park of Las Tablas de Daimiel.
Today, Wetlands' Day, I´d like to congratulate all those people who make an effort to save lakes and lagoons and their immense biologic diversity. I also congratulate those who enjoy watching these places, including me.

Male Black-necked Grebe, Podiceps nigricollis

Wax model, real size

 Black-necked Grebe chick, Podiceps nigricollis
Wax model, real size

Male and chick of Black-necked Grebe, Podiceps nigricollis

Sketch. Graphite pencil on paper, 25 x 50 cm.

Female Black-necked Grebe, Podiceps nigricollis

Sketch. Graphite pencil on paper, 25 x 50 cm.

Project Nostalgia

Lately I´ve been a bit tied up with being a father and my creative side is being ignored... in all its facets. My 'blogger I' was demanding attention...
With the beginning of 2013, I show you the webpage of one of the expositive projects I have in process.
If you click on the above picture, you´ll be lead to the website of the project. This same image is placed on the column at the right.
I´m looking forward to reading your comments.
I would also like to wish you a Happy New Year.