How do you plan your pieces and how do you decide when they’re finished?
My planning is done on walks in nature. Whenever I can sneak away for 20 minutes or so, I let my eyes and mind drift through the treetops, or interesting bits of flowers and seed pods. I find natural forms that might work with the wood processes that are a part of my practice. I take a lot of photographs and then let those images combine with the colors and textures of the objects I’ve collected in my studio and then things just sort happen.
Who were your mentors? What resources did you use to learn your medium?
One big influence on my work was Doctor Evermore, or Tom Every. I brought many student groups through his Forevertron site. The pure joy of discovery is what really got me “powered up”. I loved how he created a myth around his work, and that is developing for me as well. I like to imagine a future in which the robots try to figure out why humans made Art and try to create things that express “the robot condition”, which is sort of an extension of the human condition, but becomes it’s own thing.
What challenges does your medium or process present and how do you adjust for or react to those challenges as they arise?
I’m always breaking things. Especially band saw blades and rotary tool bits. Because I’m combining many different materials I’m always making my tools do things they maybe shouldn’t. I have to figure out the best way to connect pieces. I’ve experimented with all kinds of adhesives, soldering, and more mechanical ways of sticking things together. I’m kind of proud of my “super glue” collection!
What result can a finished piece or your process yield that makes you feel rewarded or proud?
When the character of the sculpture appears to me and then the rest of the piece just sort of arrives, that’s what is really exciting to me. Sometimes it’s a piece of wood, sometimes a weird piece of hardware that just shows me what it wants to be.
Where is your practice now, what is your focus, where is it growing?
I work sort of slowly because I teach Art full time. Most days I spend between 30-60 minutes working in my studio. After a hard day in my classroom, sometimes I just sit and look at things for a bit, and sometimes I just work on legs, or heads. It all comes together because I’m not in a hurry. I usually have 5-10 pieces that I’m working on at the same time and they all come together in their own way.
I am always looking to expand the kinds of animals that I create. I’m currently working on some bird forms that I’m excited about.
Do you have any upcoming events?
My next event is the Aldo Leopold Nature Center’s Holiday Market on December 8th.
How do community art spaces like Art Hub enhance your ability to make, distribute, and celebrate art?
Having a physical place that my Art exists with the work of other incredible artists allows it a context. The Art Hub’s collection is an amazing grouping of what’s going on in our part of the creative world. When you walk through the gallery you can see ideas that came from this place. I absolutely love how they have connected artists with the community in so many creative ways.
You can keep up with Josh on Instagram at @JoshuaLudke, and visit his incredible sculptures in person at Art Hub!
Commentaires