by Bella Erakko
When we think of artists, we usually assume they are highly visual—they see things at a deeper level than perhaps we do. They translate that onto canvas or paper, creating a realistic image or an abstraction. Wes David, the featured 2nd Saturday guest artist for the Alliance Art Gallery approaches his creativity from a purely tactile perspective.
He found his niche while at the University of Central Missouri. Initially thinking he would major in computer animation, he quickly realized it just didn’t suit him, so he switched to the art department, focusing on illustration. But he needed an elective and opted for sculpture. “I realized that’s where my brain works best.” That became his major. “My first project was paper mache over chicken wire. I built a cave with octopus tentacles coming out of it.” But in the end, wood captivated him. “There was a full wood shop with every tool I would need. I found different forms of wood sculpture in the King Arthur Tool Catalog.” He also learned, really well, the art of laminating plywood, his preferred medium.
From small jewelry boxes to nearly six-foot abstractions, Wes rarely sketches a preliminary design. He just goes by feel. “I build as I go, using my intuition to create balance.” There are patterns in the wood that attract him. He likes the effects he can get from wood burning. “It brings out layers.” But it’s never finished until his hand runs, splinter-free, over the entire piece. Then and only then is it ready for final finishing.
College gave Wes the ideal work environment. Tons of tools and plenty of hours to explore his creativity. “I’d work late at night. I like working alone. It’s good for me.”
His mother, who passed away last year, was his biggest fan from the time he was little, doodling all the time. Taking care of her, and working locally, he took a hiatus from sculpturing. But once he buys a few essential tools, creating his own wood shop, his hands will surely slip back into sculpture, feeling each piece evolve until … it’s done.
An opening reception will be held on Saturday, August 13 from 4 until 7:00 with an artist's talk at 6:00
