Broken Strings and Natural Things

On display at Prime 93 Restaurant-  4315 Manchester Rd, Akron, OH 44319

A musical instrument's purpose in life is to create art with sound. After a long life of songs and expression, the loving wear and tear of the instrument gives way to an old, worn out guitar whose sound is silenced. Its life as a musical instrument is over, but it can be given new life and new purpose as it becomes visual artwork.

The intention for "Broken Strings and Natural Things" is to represent the blending of one form of art into another as life fades and nature runs its course unrestrained

The base for the piece was created using an old, naturally fallen tree root system. The vines and flowers are sculpted, by hand, from vinyl records which were also at the end of their musical life. Each of the natural elements were airbrushed with a blend of colors to bring them to life. The cracked flower design on the face of the guitar is all etched by hand as well. The guitar was very generously donated to me by Rob Rabb Productions and has been through many owners and friends.

My process in making a piece such as this is to approach it with an idea, but absolutely no expectations of the finished product. This gives me the freedom to create freely and to create from a place of fun and enjoyment. It gives me freedom from mistakes because I don't allow myself to make "mistakes." As an artist, I try to always live by the words of one of my most influential art teachers, who said, "When you make a mistake, make it into a pleasant surprise." I find that more often than not, these "mistakes" turn into the most beautiful, creative parts of my pieces. One of the happiest aspects of being artistic is watching a piece to come together, as I like to say, completely by accident but on purpose.

On display at Prime 93 Restaurant-  4315 Manchester Rd, Akron, OH 44319

This piece was created for the Akron Symphony Orchestra's signature annual fundraiser. The project was called "Instruments as Art." Old unusable instruments were donated and then given to artist to turn them in to a piece of artwork to be auctioned off. This piece started as a trombone. It was then transformed in to this piece I call "Sam" due to the name etched in to the bell of the Trombone. The base is sculpted from a mountain laurel and the vines and flowers are made from vinyl records! This piece was the first of many instrument pieces for me and the beginning of something special. The piece is already sold.

This piece was created for the Akron Symphony Orchestra's signature annual fundraiser. The project was called "Instruments as Art." Old unusable instruments were donated and then given to artist to turn them in to a piece of artwork to be auctioned off. This piece started as a trombone. It was then transformed in to this piece I call "Sam" due to the name etched in to the bell of the Trombone. The base is sculpted from a mountain laurel and the vines and flowers are made from vinyl records! This piece was the first of many instrument pieces for me and the beginning of something special. The piece is already sold.

This piece was created for the Akron Symphony Orchestra's signature annual fundraiser. The project was called "Instruments as Art." Old unusable instruments were donated and then given to artist to turn them in to a piece of artwork to be auctioned off. This piece started as a trombone. It was then transformed in to this piece I call "Sam" due to the name etched in to the bell of the Trombone. The base is sculpted from a mountain laurel and the vines and flowers are made from vinyl records! This piece was the first of many instrument pieces for me and the beginning of something special. The piece is already sold.

This piece was created for the Akron Symphony Orchestra's signature annual fundraiser. The project was called "Instruments as Art." Old unusable instruments were donated and then given to artist to turn them in to a piece of artwork to be auctioned off. This piece started as a trombone. It was then transformed in to this piece I call "Sam" due to the name etched in to the bell of the Trombone. The base is sculpted from a mountain laurel and the vines and flowers are made from vinyl records! This piece was the first of many instrument pieces for me and the beginning of something special. The piece is already sold.