Aztec Bird-Fish

Creating The Aztec Bird-Fish

Above:

Title: Aztec Bird-Fish Terry Kreiter, 2010
Dims: 25 x 7 x 5 inches
Medium: Unique cast and fabricated bronze with stone base
Cast by the artist.

Above: Mayan glyph, pour stone, Michael Goard


The spark that inspired me to make this sculpture came from a gift from Michael Gourd; his contemporary version of a Mayan glyph.



Above: Open face epoxy mold with a bronze element.

I made some open faced molds from the glyph surfaces to make wax patterns in order to produce the bronze elements. These surfaces are used in the sculpture composition.

Above: Detail

Above: Drawing from book "The Aztecs: Rise and Fall of an Empire"


My method for creating sculpture is to take advantage of the inspirational spark by immediately recording the essence into my sketchbook, no matter how vague or how absurd; now it can't get away. If you are not careful the idea will leave just like the memory of a dream. I block out a few pages in my sketchbook and spend some time developing the idea by gathering up information from books, internet and conversation. I give little reverence to this information. I just want it to fuel a stream of thought and allow me to develop the ideas subconsciously with no struggle, no censoring.

Above: Working drawings on studio floor.

Above: Detail, Aztec Bird-Fish

Above: Drawing from " The Aztecs: Rise and Fall of an Empire"

Above: Detail, Aztec Bird-Fish

Above: Drawing from "The Aztecs: Rise and Fall of an Empire"

Artist Note: The above drawing turns out to be a kind of coda of the sculpture.

Above: One of the three wax patterns ready for the casting process.

Above: Wax pattern ready for investing and casting.

Terry Kreiter Website

NEW SCULPTURE_______ Title: Retreat

New Years Eve, 2009-2010 Jennifer, Diane, and Terry



Bronze, ready to pour at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit




Cast elements

The New Sculpture

Title: Retreat 17 x 12 x5 inches
Unique cast bronze on travertine stone





Title: Infinity Plow 12 x 15 x 7 inches
Unique cast and fabricated bronze




All drawings are from Sketchbook #25 - 2009
First conceptual drawing was created in sketchbook on August, 2009.
The drawings came from the premise that an ancient hero retreated, leaving his battle equipment behind.

First drawing: Retreat

Drawing made to establish some crude proportions, (crude because I never intended this sculpture to have any accuracy, and I suspect that it is not based on reality).

Drawings for the "strap on wings", boots and helmet

Wax patterns: wings, armor, boots and helmet

Drawing: Searching for a composition or an arrangement.

Wax pattern details

Wax patterns

I'm working to finish all wax patterns in time to cast and finish, making this sculpture my last for 2009.

The 10th International Shoebox Sculpture Exhibition, A traveling exhibition organized by the University of Hawaii Art Gallery

University of Hawaii, Art Gallery

Honolulu Magazine, March 2009


Sculpturesite Gallery, San Francisco, California

Abstract Sculpture, completed April, 2009 Boris on Parade

Title: Boris On Parade 2009
Dimensions: 21 x 16 x 3 inches
Medium: Unique cast and fabricated bronze with marble base
Currently exhibited at San Francisco Museum of Art (SFMOMA) Artist Gallery

Margaret Michel reference:

Artist: Margaret Michel Medium: Unique cast and fabricated bronze with a resin encased bee hive.

Margaret Michel Website

Two sculptures I'm currently working on, in addition to a recent sculpture, titled Boris Wheel, incorporate a reaching arm with an attached wheel. These sculptures all reflect a reference to the sculpture made by my sculptor friend, Margaret Michel, who now works in France. Above is pictured a sculpture by Margaret Michel.