Politics is an odd game. It’s rife with scheming, special interests and spin resulting in a vacuum where the truth finds it difficult to exist. Although I might not like some politicians, I do respect them for the challenges they have to face within their profession and the sheer willpower and energy it must take for a person to ascend to the presidency.
“Cedar Spark” , “Winds of Spring”, “Cedar Hill”.
It’s been a wet and cloudy spring for the most part. Last year’s fallen leaves from a Japanese Maple along with the springs from some cedar trees provide me with the inspiration and materials for a exploring a couple of new techniques.
“Dust & Denim” - Weathered and rusted steel - 25″ x 35″. By Danno, 2006.
This piece is finally finished after corroding the spring rains of 2006. For awhile it was overcast and no rain was falling. Then mother nature came through and brought frequent showers which fell on Dust & Denim, my tribute to those of us with the tenacity to learn such a challenging instrument.
“Power”
Weathered and rusted steel - 25″ x 35″
By Danno, 2006
Having grown up in a large city, my contact with horses was minimal. It wasn’t until a boyhood Scout camp that I finally came to see one up close and get a chance to sit in the saddle. Our Scout troop had booked a day with a riding farm. You pay your fee and they lead you around a predetermined path on the back of some very bored looking horses who know the trails off by heart. That old memory got me thinking about horses.
Apple Tree Zero
Weathered and rusted steel - 22″ x 34″
By Danno, 2006
For weeks during late fall and early winter, the leaves from an apple tree and pine needles from a fir tree near by fall on this steel panel. The rain and snow slowly rust an imprint of life at ground zero underneath an apple tree into steel. Bugs, mice, birds also contributed to this piece as they scurried across it’s surface to get to the fallen apples near by. Check out the slide show to see how it the piece took shape.
A Hard Days Work
Weathered and rusted steel - 30″ x 40″
By Danno, 2006
Naramata Gold.
Weathered and rusted steel - 42″ x 60″
By Danno, 2006
This large steel panel has been aged in the snow and rain of this unseasonally warm winter of 2005-2006. Matured under a pine tree this piece saw many things fall on it, including pine cones, pine needles, bugs, and even a couple of bird poops. One day I woke to see that the piece had been covered in a light dusting of snow during the night. There were what looked like mouse tracks across the snow - with a larger set of cat paws right next to them.
Naramata Gold is named for the current boom of all things wine here in Naramata. Of which, quite a few bottles were enjoyed during the making of this piece. Special thanks to my neighbors and friends, Derek and Yanti, both of whom have tried on a occasion to take my understanding of wine to a new level.
Evening Delight.
Weathered and rusted steel - 30″ x 22″
By Danno, 2006
The first piece for the winter of 2005-2006. Aged in the snow under the stars and corroded to maturity. Evening Delight.
Viva la Vino
Weathered and rusted steel - 25″x19″
By Danno, 2005
I wanted to make the line work on this a little tighter and wrap it around the edges of the panel. After three months of rusting in the summer sun and warm rains of the Okanagan Valley I felt she was ready.
Considering that rust has a life of it’s own, I was pleasantly surprised at how the smaller and tighter lines held up. I feel like the wrap around to the side of the panel gives the piece more presence when it is unframed and will be a technique I’ll be experimenting with more and more.
Danno is a British Columbia based artist primarily working with rust on steel. His works are created with snow, rain, metal and anything else he can get his hands on. He describes himself as chronically curious about everything. He loves guitars and sucks at playing them.
