Sharing My Heart

One of the questions that comes up a lot is “how do you do what you do”. When I first started out, I’d share my welding background or stories about a robot that was on display – but I wasn’t sure exactly how to answer that question.

Now as I’ve been exploring and creating more over the past year, I think I have a more concrete answer to that. I build what makes me happy, what speaks to me at the specific moment. I put my energy and all my heart into what I do.image

When Rachel at the Elusie Gallery/Big Red Frame in Easthampton Ma. asked me about a piece for an upcoming show I knew just what to share – my heart. When the exhibition is over, the piece is going to the person who will always have my heart – my amazing wife Kimberly.

 

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Robot Profiles : Shinda

Shinda is named for Shindaiwa, a global company that makes outdoor power equipment (leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, edgers etc.) that started in 1955 in Japan with a chain saw.Shinda

I got this weed whacker at a tag sale from a fellow tinkerer, he had customized it into a boat trolling motor…prop and all! Now this weed whacker has been reinvented 2x since its original form.trimmer

The head is from the motor, the muffler makes up the body and one arm is the piston. I made the legs from the motor shafts. I wanted to make a piece mostly out of one item I had, so other than 3 pieces (the door lock arm, wrench for a hand and the bobbin eyes) – it’s all the Shindaiwa trimmer.

If the people that made this could see the many transformations their work has had and what is has now become, I’m sure they would be happy. I know I am.

 

Artists for Artists

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Created this custom stand for my killer postcards made by Ross Stauss. He’s a graphic artist from Portland, Oregon who brought the gritty, industrial but whimsical nature of my Shopbots to life with his design.

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I love supporting other artists and couldn’t wait to get these out at my shows. That way you can take 5 robots home with you while you are trying to decide which actual one speaks to you and needs to be yours. Or perhaps even think about a custom one with special items from your life.

What would you create with the objects around you?