| Custom Dongo Toys on Ebay! |
[26 Mar 2007|09:52am] |
The experimenting is over and i've finished the first few Custom Dongo Toys...
They are currently for sale on ebay
here
here
and here
or, if you like, you can just search for "dongo toys" or "simon boses"
Let me know what you think!
-simon
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| Some more new stuff... |
[12 Dec 2006|07:16pm] |
I've been playing some more with firing forms then painting them. I really like the result. I'm enjoying painting again. I have 16 new pieces in the works ranging in size from 3" to 12". Below are images of 2 of the ones that are done. I'll be revamping DongoToys.com to sell these guys too. They will all be "one of a kind" so i'll probably start out selling them via ebay. (i had a hard time finding the javascript that would allow me to setup a shopping cart that would sell items that i only had one of...so ebay it is.).
Here they are...i'll update with better pictures when i get the chance.
Tree Prince
Dealer
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[07 Dec 2006|08:21pm] |
okay...so there's no title for this yet...it’s an experiment really….but i've been thinking for a while about doing "custom style" pieces.
Those of you who are familiar with designer toys will recognize the technique. I'm making the figure of clay and firing it, but then painting it. A bit different process from that of sculpting figures…or of buying a blank toy and painting it. I’m thinking that I will change DongoToys.com to just a “customs” site (where each sculpture would be one of a kind). These are quite a bit of work, but I really like painting them.
In school my professors often suggested I change my major to illustration because I was stronger in 2-D than 3-D so it’s nice to have an outlet for doing some 2-D work again.
Let me know what you think. It’s important to me to hear what the reaction will be to work like this…it’s always risky as an artist to change things up (not that I would stop doing work the way that I have been. But I would do less of it).
-simon
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[16 Nov 2006|06:38pm] |
well i finished up the turtle...and it went to the arts center (of st. pete) for their holiday show. Now i'm shooting pictures of 7 new psycons that i'm sending to a gallery in San Jose, CA. (also for a holiday sale). Here is the turtle done:
I'll post pics of the new psycons after i've sent them out tomorrow.
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| new work for November... |
[03 Nov 2006|11:23pm] |
as promised i'm continuting to update this blog regularly.
I've been working like crazy in the studio.
Something new and fun...
thats for size...and because sarah is a goof when i give her the camera...
this is for different views...
I'm getting sick...so i'm going to go sleep...but soon i will tell you about my new lovebird...and maybe even show some pictures.
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| A new day... |
[27 Oct 2006|08:38am] |
I turned 32 the other day.
And, I started to make a list of things that I would like to change. On that list (nowhere near the top) was trying to post at least a few times a week on my blog. Now, as I said above it was nowhere near the top of the list, however, it was one of the easiest changes to make. Now here I am making my first blog entry as a 32 year old. (I have to practice saying that I’m 32 because it’s really awkward when you can’t remember how old you are and there’s a long pause when someone asks you).
Work…really that’s what you’re here for isn’t it…
I sometimes think it’s bad luck to show things that aren’t finished. I have a bad history with things blowing up after I’ve taken pictures of them…but I like to tempt fate…so, here are a few things I’m working on…
New Psycons...
It’s been over a year since I made new ones and I thought I would go back to the drawing board with them. I’ve decided to change the shape of the lower half and to add a base. They will look something like this:
So far I like them, but they are a work in progress...
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| what's a JIRA? |
[07 Dec 2005|09:16am] |
( want to see more? )
I’ve been working on something completely new.
They are inspired by “art toys”
I call them Jira. (Swahili for Seed)
They are small sculptures that i made a mold of and have been casting in clay.
Each has to be sculpted some after coming out of the mold and is then hand painted- so no two are exactly alike. They have a small hole cut in the back so that they can easily hang on a hook or nail in the wall.
The image above are the color combos i've come up with so far. (still working out more)
The first set has already been sent to a gallery in Galveston.
You can contact them through the info on my gallery page.
I’ve decided to start taking orders for these.
However, if you want them before xmas you’d better let me know soon.
The price is 40.00 each and shipping will need to be calculated based on where you live (they are extremely light - so that they can hang, and shouldn't cost very much to ship).
Please email all orders to me asap. I can take payment via paypal right away. If you don’t have paypal we’ll work out some other form of payment.
Back to the studio now!
Thanks!
simon
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| "Face First"...one man show |
[03 Oct 2005|09:58pm] |
I've been working crazy hard to finish everything for my first one man
show here in St. Pete. It will be at a beautiful little cafe down town
called Cafe Alma (their website). The opening will be the evening of Saturday Oct. 15th at 8PM.
Here is a digital look at the postcard:
If you'd like a copy of it please email me your address and i'll get it out to you right away.
I'll be posting images of the work and the opening in the future.
Hope to see some of you there!
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[20 Jul 2005|08:37pm] |
This is something new for me...
I wanted to create some work that could hang on the wall, and cost less than one of my sculptures. Here it is...
(sorry the image isn't great...i'll update it as soon as i can shoot another) It’s a relief carved image that has been cast (in clay)...ie. it’s hollow (like a hollow tile). It measures 13" x 9.25" and can easily hang on the wall with a small hook (weighs in at approx 2 lbs). I am limiting the edition to 30 of these...after that i break the mold and no others will be made. Each is cast then carved a bit and hand painted by me.
This one is being shown at Vitale Gallery in St. Pete at their show “Hot and Bothered”.
You can see Vitale here: Vitale Gallery. You can contact them for purchase price and shipping information. As i mentioned before the edition is limited to 30, so if you’re interested in purchasing one of these then contact them asap.
Side Note: The piece in the show will be marked AP (for Artist’s Proof- the one i chose as the “perfect” one that all others in the edition should be measured by). The first buyer will get the AP, all others will be marked by the order they were created (just like prints...ie, 1/30, 2/30 up to 30/30).
Shoot me an email if you’d like more pics (it’s hard to see the dimension of the piece here- looks kind of flat).
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| The scoop for 06.21.05 |
[21 Jun 2005|06:01pm] |
Lots of exciting things going on here....
I had my first real “homeowner” experience this week when they turned off my power. Apparently they do that if you don’t give them money (who knew?).
On a more positive note, I finished the two commissioned pieces that i mentioned below. The new owners are very happy with the results (as am i). The whole process went so well that i’m thinking that i might take some more commission work.
I updated my site a bit and added a couple of things. A links page will bring you to information about other artists and venues that i’m involved with and an “upcoming shows” list on my galleries and resume pages will keep you up to date on where i will be showing.
A peek at that list would reveal that in the next 4 months i will be in 4 shows. In July it’s the “Marks and Metaphors” show at the St. Pete Arts Center as well as the “Hot and Bothered” show at the Vitale Gallery. Then in August i will have some work in the “Snowball in Hell” show at Garde Rail Gallery in Seattle. And lastly i will be having a small one man show at Cafe Alma in beautiful down town St. Petersburg.
I plan on making appearances at all these openings so if you’re interested in visiting with me (or just having a really great dinner in the case of Cafe Alma) then mark them on your calendar.
Shhhhh....come here. Closer. Closerrrr. Okay, so between you and me (and i’m afraid to even mention it because i don’t want to curse myself) I may have an opportunity to show 3 pieces in Santa Fe. All i can say right now is that i’m really excited and i will make sure to post pictures of the work as it progresses.
Lastly, I want to invite you all to join me in the forum. I’ve been making a focused effort to visit it daily and post some information about the pieces i’m working on. I’ve started a “works in progress” thread where i hope to post images of the pieces i’m working on. I’m starting a couple of fun (and possibly wacky) projects that will be described in the forum as I manage to get them started. Registration is free and all are welcome.
Thanks for visiting.
-simon
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| Working out the kinks... |
[17 May 2005|10:55am] |
Sometimes life throws you a curve ball and you have to make lemonade. I've never been great when it comes to those sayings. In any case i've experienced quite a few changes in the last few months. I decided to move to St. Pete, Florida at the end of January. The real estate market here is great for someone like me, so i purchased a house (a fixer-uper of course). I managed to find a house that belonged to a cabinet maker. Why does that matter? Well, he had a studio out back. It's not as large as the studio i had in Houston, but it belongs to me and that counts for a lot. It needs a lot of work. I donned my DIY super suit and have been working on it for the last couple of months. Unfortunately it's taken quite a bit more time than i thought it would. I haven't been able to make anything and it's been driving me crazy.
A few days ago i went and checked out the St. Pete Clay Company (www.stpeteclay.com). I joined immediately. It's a wonderful place full of really great ceramicists. I've been in the studio every day since. Just in time too! Asher Gallery called and ordered another 12 pieces - so if you're a Houstonite and you've been looking to purchase some of my work keep an eye out at the Asher Gallery. They will be getting my newest pieces in 2-3 weeks.
On another note i've recently accepted 2 commissions. For some time now i've turned down commission work. Bad experiences with them in the past left a bad taste in my mouth. But, these two have gone so well that i've decided to consider doing them again. I'll post some pictures of the complete pieces.
That's all the news here. If you happen to be in St. Pete (visiting or living) send me an email and we'll set up a time for you to come visit St. Pete Clay. It's well worth your time.
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| firing stress... |
[19 Jan 2005|04:58pm] |
well, the set of new small pieces are in the kiln right now. I’m racing against the clock to have them finished and down to Galveston by Friday afternoon.
About 10 minutes ago i heard a very ominous pop some from the kiln.
This kills me. There are another 3 hours or so left to go before the firing is done and then several hours of cooling before i can open the kiln. So, now it’s all about sweating and waiting. This will not be a relaxing evening.
In any case, people have already contacted the gallery about 2 of the pieces to say that they wanted to purchase them. Hope they didn’t pop...heh.
Some new pics soon.
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| sneak peek at the new stuff... |
[07 Jan 2005|02:11pm] |
I’ve been working on a new series of pieces that are similar to Psycons, but more simplified. The idea was to make something that was as fulfilling to sculpt as a Psycon is, but less complicated so that i could offer it at a lower price.
So far they’ve been well received.
I delivered the first 13 of them to the Asher Gallery last month. Eight of them have already sold.
I’ve decided that i will call this new series "Psydols."
“Psycons”, are my version of Icons and “Psydols” are simon-ize Idols.
I’ve sculpted another group, but haven’t finished them.
If you’re interested in a sneak peek take a look at these images..
None of these really have titles...so the titles are just my sort of "thinking out loud titles"
click:( New Psydols )
I've also been working on this new Tile Piece...it's supposed to be in the same series as the "No Laughing Matter" piece i made a while back (for those of you who saw it).
( more pictures... )
The pieces are just drying now...soon they will be in the hands of the kiln gods.
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| A great ending... |
[04 Jan 2005|09:33am] |
Well, yesterday i received the sales slips for December from the galleries in Houston and Galveston. I was floored.
In December i sold a total of 13 pieces making it my best month ever. Included in those sales was the "S is for Seramics" piece. It’s now the most expensive piece i’ve ever sold. I'm sad to see it go, but glad someone liked it enough to buy it.
I’ve been working on a new set of Psycons for the Galveston Arts Center which i will deliver later this month. Also, yesterday i finished sculpting a new flat work in the series that "No Laughing Matter" was in (for those of you who have seen it- if you haven’t look here: link or link ). I will post some "previews" of that soon.
If you’re one of the folks who bought a piece in December i just want to say thanks for making 2004 go out with a bang!
( click for pictures... )
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| My first ebay pieces... |
[17 Dec 2004|11:26am] |
For some time now i’ve been thinking about posting some pieces on ebay. I designed 2 pieces that i thought would do well in a “shipping” situation. I’m just about to post both of them to ebay. I thought i would leave a link here, as well as send out an email to my mailing list. At only five days these are pretty fast auctions, but i’m going to visit family for xmas soon and wanted to get them sold before i left town.
If you guys like the idea of being able to purchase my work online let me know. I’m always trying to find new and convenient ways to get my work to the public.
ebay links:
Unfit Shelter
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| new work for the holidays... |
[22 Nov 2004|06:33pm] |
I just finished updating my website with the pieces that i delivered to Asher Gallery yesterday. There are 9 new pieces. I will be delivering 6 more to Asher at the end of this week (possibly beginning of the next week). This set of 15 pieces will likely be the only new work of mine that will be available this holiday season. Asher has informed me that they are happy to ship, so if you’re interested in any of the pieces give them a call (their info is on my website).
Oh, and this set of new pieces include several slightly simpler pieces that i’ve been able to offer at a lower price. So, if you’ve been waiting for some work under $100.00 here it is.
Thanks, and enjoy!
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| something new....and fun? |
[08 Nov 2004|06:10pm] |
For the last couple of months i’ve been working on a new project, and it’s very close to done. I’ve told very few people about it, but i’m so excited that i’ve decided to post a little “sneak preview” of it.
My entire life i’ve been fascinated by toys (especially action figures). I tried making some ceramic toys in college, but they weren’t well received by my peers or my advisor. A few months ago i was pointed toward a site about “Designer Toys.” I was ecstatic. I decided that i would resurrect my toy project.
I’ve started with some simple figures. I have some design issues to work out before i can make “action figures.” I’m really happy with the results so far. I’m using molds to make the basic forms then sculpting the faces and body patterns. They are incredibly fun to make, and i’m hoping that you guys like them (because i would like to keep making them).
I found the swahili word “Dongo” which means “made of clay.” I went ahead and purchased www.dongotoys.com Don’t try to go to the site now, it’s not up yet, but it will be soon.
I’m hoping that dongo toys will be an inexpensive and shippable option for people who would like to purchase my work. Okay, enough words, take a look at these:
these guys are about 3.5 inches high
these guys are about 2.5 inches high
These are all really just prototypes. If all goes well the first ones will be up for sale at the “The Store” show here in houston (email me for information about the show).
Dongotoys.com will be up and running shortly after that and i will start shipping. I have a really great idea for packaging, but i’m going to make sure it will work before i describe it. Something to look forward to...
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| wishing for 29 again |
[21 Oct 2004|09:17am] |
Well, it turns out that 30 is a horrible birthday.
But not for the reasons that i thought it would be.
I opened my kiln this morning to find that one piece had exploded (something that hasn’t happened to me in a decade). It would be unfortunate to have lost a single piece. However, on this particular day that single piece managed to shatter everything else in the kiln. everything. 2 ½ months of work....gone.
You know that feeling you get when your computer crashes and everything you did for the last 3 hours is gone, and there’s no way to get it back? Multiply that by, i don’t know, a whole bunch, and you’re where i’m at right now. This is a good thing to take into consideration next time you’re thinking that the life of an artist is somehow romantic.
Two of the pieces that were ruined were larger ones. I was really proud of both, but felt that one was probably the best thing i’d ever sculpted. I didn’t even take pictures of anything before they went in the kiln. That was stupid.
All i can think is that there’s got to be a better way than this.
welcome to 30.
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| a little help from the audience... |
[20 Oct 2004|10:43am] |
The surface technique i use on my pieces requires them to be fired several times. The result is that many of my pieces crack at some point. (the more you fire something the more likely it is to crack). The reality is that it really only effects about 10% of my work, but when it’s a piece i really like it breaks my heart.
This has led me to explore other surface options. The one i’m most pleased with is this image:
I was wondering if you guys would comment on it. What do you think of it? I tried to keep it similar to my usual surface. Do you think it’s as effective? Do you like it less/more? Thanks.
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| chocolate bunny? |
[24 Sep 2004|08:45am] |
A couple of months ago i created a set of 3 bunny figures. I intended to bring them to a foundry and have bronzes made of them. That idea went through several stages and ended up becoming a bronze casting class that i am currently taking. I pulled my first wax from a mold last night. It didn’t photograph well, but here’s the result anyway...
 
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