About My Art
I have always found petroglyphs fascinating and I think they are, as Carl Jung would say, part of our collective unconscious. I have also always been fascinated with outdoor art and works that have some scale to them. In 2009 I had the opportunity to combine these elements and create original, yet familiar, cast iron sculptures. It also didn’t hurt that I had been retired from my day job as part of a merger and had plenty of time on my hands! Combine interest, inspiration, time and a little red wine and you never know what might happen.
Prior to 2009 I had never worked with metal in any form and certainly not cast iron. I became interested in cast iron after a chance meeting with a fellow who was very knowledgeable about metal and casting. Over a quick dinner, he set my interest in motion. Over the next three months I went from not being able to spell “kast iron”, to still not being able to spell it, but able to create works in it! This has less to do with my abilities, and more to do with being at the right place to take advantage of a unique opportunity.
Most of what I do is just because it feels right. I simply set my sights on what I want to create, and then forget about it, and let my hands reveal the work. I know it’s right when I don’t have to think about the work too much and just sit back and let it happen.
I like to use natural elements and techniques. I like to incorporate rocks into my petroglyph sculptures. Since they were originally carved in rock, it makes sense to me to use rock in the works. I also use very simple patina techniques. Most of the color comes from nature’s finest: rust. Nature wants iron to rust. So instead of fighting nature, I work with it to my advantage. To accelerate the rusting process I coat each piece with pickle juice; which is a mild acid, and a tasty one at that! Then to give the works color and depth I use a baked linseed oil technique. I don’t use any harsh or caustic chemicals in any phase of my works. Again, things seem to work out best when I get out of the way and just let nature do most of the work.
I don’t want to create art that is somber, dark or negative. For that you can just watch the evening news. I want to create works that are simple, approachable, organic, and welcoming. To me, these works convey a feeling of familiarity, happiness, energy and fun.
That’s my statement, and I’m stickin’ to it.
William Lofgren working with Lucy
Baked linseed oil with rust