1,000 Ideas For Creative Reuse

Goodness gracious, I'm happy. Happy I found out that two pieces of my artwork have been chosen to appear in Garth Johnson's new book, 1,000 Ideas For Creative Reuse soon to be published by Rockport Publishers/Quarry Books.

This will be the first time my art has been published and I can't tell you how encouraging that is.

Makes me want to try to get into another book. I think I will.

New Video

I worked on a new video last night. This one features my latest assemblage, "This One Wants To Be a Blues Guitar." The soundtrack is the second take of "Crossroads Blues" recorded by blues legend, Robert Johnson. Hope you enjoy

My Artist Statement

Thanks to the help of my lovely daughter, Jessica...who is a polisher of words, extraordinaire, I now have my artist's statement:

Breathing life into odd bits and pieces that others have cast off and thrown aside is the key to the formation of my assemblage artwork.

My passion for creating this kind of art reaches back into a childhood that was rich with the vision and imagination that is naturally found in my home state of Texas.

And much like the storytellers and characters that have created a state that is larger than life, I take pieces of everyday existence and craft them into something a little more fantastic and a little more exotic than they were originally meant to be.

Laying the foundation

Even though I've been a graphic artist for Lord knows how long now (33 years?!) it's been a challenge to get into a fine artist head space. I need an artist statement. Good grief. I don't have the foggiest idea of what I'm going to say. I know it won't be stuffy or too high headed.

I've got my website up and a handful of assemblage pieces on it. I've got to expand on the art and stick to more of a series of pieces than the hodge podge I've got on it right now. Focus, Randy, focus! More guitars? More UFO and freaky baby machines? Or should I go more into the realm of the "Sanctuary" piece I created a while back?

The Katrina Collection

I came across this website by accident. I think it's well worth your time to look at some very cool artwork and a film about the art of Lori Gordon. Lori was living in Louisiana near the coast during hurricane Katrina's violent visit in 2005. Lori has created some really nice pieces of assemblage using found objects that she collected after the hurricane devastated her neighborhood. Visit Lori's site here.

Step by Step: This One Wants to be a Blues Guitar

I've finally finished my blues guitar assemblage, "This One Wants To Be A Blues Guitar." You can read the story about it here. Here are some photos I took during the creation process that will give you an idea of what went into the project.

#1) The guitar. I got this from a guy on Craig's list who sold it to me for $10 because the back had a huge crack in it. It was the perfect shape and basis for my blues guitar assemblage.


#2) The pieces. I went through my collection of "treasures" and picked out some things I thought might work for this theme. Not everything would work into the finished piece.


#3) I start positioning and gluing the pieces that I think work. First I add some tin molds that I got from a second hand shop. They remind me of something that would be on an old guitar back in the 20s and 30s. Maybe I'll put something inside them. At this point, I can't decide, but I glue them on anyway.

#4) The dice I found work perfect. They are different sizes which after they are arranged, give the neck a cool perspective. I turn all the dice to the number 1 side and position them on the dots on the neck. They all add up to the number 7. I recall the lyrics to an old blues song about being the "seventh son of a seventh son." That works for me!


#5) I hand letter some random lyrics from a collection of Robert Johnson songs in blue acrylic paint and then outline them in very light blue.


#6) The finished product. I've added some Monopoly cards, painted and glued the wooden cross, added sequins, a framed photo of Robert Johnson, some angels...and I'm done. The dream is now a reality.

Monkey Shines

I've always been hugely inspired by Michael Demeng's assemblage work. This is one of my favorites that he recently completed. Way cool. Read about it here.