Natures Amazing Art

 In June of 2015 wile hiking with a friend in remote desert region of Oregon know as the Malheur River Country; we came across this little gem. He is a Mojave Black-collard Lizard (Crotaphytus Bicinctores) According to Oregon Fish and Game a somewhat common lizard in areas with large outcroppings of rock and boulders located on steep slopes. And that's exactly were we met up. I have taken artistic liberty's with my digital image of Mr. Blackcollar as I wanted to emphasize how impressive his colorful suit was. He was in perfect color harmony with the surrounding landscape and exhibited a most curious personality. He was as interested in us as we were with him. I have seen many types of lizards from all across the Western U.S. but never enjoyed the pleasure of seeing this one. Truly another great example of  Natures Amazing Art.

 

Len Sodenkamp www.sodenkampart.com



Digitally enhanced by me from my original image

 



Chipping stone,

The ancient practice of chipping stone also know as flint knapping has been a life long curiosity and eventually I became somewhat skilled in its art form. 58 years ago I procured a stone arrowhead from a curio shop in West Yellowstone Montana; I was eight and I still have it. In my early thirties I began experimenting with obsidian (volcanic glass) making my first crud arrowheads. Back in those days there were lots of cuts, choice words and sore fingers.

This past month I decided to give my paint brush a rest and revisit this lost art form. The inspiration came from a visitor to our home. My lovely wife Elaine informed me that her also lovely sister Wanda would be coming to visit us. Wanda informed us ahead of time that she was planning to do a lot of hiking wile in Idaho and asked if we would take her out for a day of rock hounding and of course we agreed. We enjoyed a gorgeous spring day together. It reminded me how fortunate I am to live in the Desert Northwest. An hour out of Boise and you can be immersed in the most beautiful remote landscapes.

The images attached depict new works created from local flints and jaspers. Shed deer antler has been incorporated and some designs are adorned with various types of interesting stones. The intent was to re-create wearable objects that reflect our human prehistoric history. For contact information visit www.sodenkampart.com

 

Green obsidian crescent, shed deer antler inlayed with green turquois  

Red jasper, shed deer antler and inlayed turquoise nugget 





Various designs



Len Sodenkamp Art: How long did it take?

Len Sodenkamp Art: How long did it take?: One of the most common questions folks ask is HOW LONG DID IT TAKE. I think what they are really asking is how much$$. They don't now i...

How long did it take?

One of the most common questions folks ask is HOW LONG DID IT TAKE. I think what they are really asking is how much$$. They don't now if I am joking or serious when I say it depends on how big a brush I use. This seams perhaps an arrogant reply however it is for the most part very true. Using large brushes and lots of pigment allows for those happy accidents to just happen. Spontaneous passages and shapes that appear with a single stoke. The trick is recognizing them before with the next stoke you paint them away. Just because a painting happens quickly does not mean it is in some way substandard or invalid. The need to place time into the creation of art is just a condition known as tick-tock sickness. We live by the clock--- tick-tock. All our lives we get compensated hourly or yearly but art doesn't happen that way. Art is that amazing thing that humans do were time really isn't a factor. Admittedly I let tick-tock sickness creep in at times and get caught up with the incorrect notion that time has a relationship to art value. Paintings that happen fast without seemingly any effort are always in my personal opinion the best. I do from time to time catch myself placing an hourly value on them. I look around my studio at the stacks of paintings and wonder why I do it and then I paint another and another. I am a landscape painter and I cant think of anything I would rather do. Years ago a painter friend ask me who my favorite painter was, I rattled off several names and he said no; you are. Its true, I must paint because the next painting will be my best or certainly the one after that. I suppose that sounds O.C.D. Anyway perhaps it is but the more important question one might ask is how did you paint that. My reply will most certainly be; with a large brush just for you. It should be in your home not my studio. Its just in the way, I am trying to paint my best one and I need the room.

This painting was done with a three inch brush and took approximately 3 hours.

oil on panel 48 inches x 24 inches (250.00) unframed + shipping

www.sodenkampart.com 



The word work

The word work means something slightly different to just about any one you talk to. For the most part however work is a place we go and a thing we do. We go there to do what needs to be done and we get paid to do it. Sometimes we do work like mow the lawn or clean the house usually for ourselves but occasionally for others and we don't get paid to do it. Monday comes and we think wow I have to work all week. Friday comes and we think great I have some time off. You hear terms like got-a-work or work-is-work. For most people work doesn't seem to be a word that brings great joy and happiness to mind. Most certainly however your blessed to have work to go and do.

A painter often refers lovingly to a painting as their work. People look at the painters work and say that is beautiful work. You can feel the happiness of it. You can hear the joy of it. The painter went to work in the studio with tools and a plan of execution. He or see did the work and labored over it. It was work but yet it became something more.

Why are the two sonorous so different?

The work below was completed for a client last month and was painted on a bedroom wall for an expectant mothers new nursery. The mural is acrylic 6 feet across and  includes a STARSCAPES FX night sky over the entire celling above it. The mural was over painted to tie into the ceiling cosmos when viewed in the dark.

www.sodenkampart.com