This creative project identifies major conceptual and practical considerations inherent in the production of bronze figurative sculpture. What is considered and how, those considerations are weighted will vary among individuals. Many of these considerations affected my selection of subjects for the studio portion of the project. The paper touches upon considerations which both inhibit and advance a career in art, and have affected both aesthetic and procedural choices.A brief account of foundry procedures is presented. The studio portion of the creative project consists of four sculpted female dancers. The paper addresses a historical context with which each piece may be associated. Two figures exhibit the strong influence of Greek sculpture of the Classical period. The third figure is Impressionist in style. The forth figure has a Cubist influence. / Department of Art

The objective of this creative project is the creation of sculptures and paintings that make statements concerning judgment and its subsets, fault, blame, martyrdom, self-sacrifice, and absolution. The group of pieces shown at the Thesis Exhibition explores recurring themes and iconography within a historical context, while addressing issues in a contemporary social framework. Repetitive elements and images such as self-portraits, the pointing finger, and the heart, are set in the present, but layered with the iconography and history of Saint Sebastian. The techniques used to achieve these works are metal casting and fabrication, casting using a variety of materials, woodworking, and oil painting. These techniques, along with materials such as wood, steel, plaster, wax, and branches congeal to form a body of work that is conceptually harmonious. / Department of Art

This creative project was a study of combining large-scale ceramics and polymer resin (Brandname: Bondo) vessels. This project came out of an earlier experiment combining metals and resin, and therefore the interest in combining clay and resin was a natural transition for me, since ceramics was my major focus. I had a definite interest in the challenge of marrying two very different materials; clay and resin, and by using this combination I would make vessels that were visually successful and engaged the viewer.The technical basis for all of the ceramic elements of the vessels is wheel throwing. The molds made for the resin parts of the piece were wheel thrown as well. This project was very unique and there was little documented technical information for me to rely on other than personal experimentation and ceramic knowledge.The visual elements of clay with its opaqueness, and resin with its translucent qualities offered great visual contrast. The use of color contrast between warm and cool colors became an important element of the pieces.From an expressive standpoint, I feel the form of the vessels is viewed as solid and confrontational, yet very compelling. The smooth surfaces and the lush vibrant colors compel the viewer to examine the forms. The pieces are commanding in size and strength, so the viewer is somewhat hesitant to view for too long. There is a visual push/pull, a contrast between these simple yet over-scaled layered forms that evokes an emotional push/pull as well. / Department of Art

Thesis (M.F.A.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 24). / vi, 24 leaves, bound ill. (some col.), map 29 cm

Thesis (M.F.A.)--Georgia State University, 2008. / Title from file title page. Mark Burleson, committee chair; Ruth Stanford, Michael Murrell, committee members. Electronic text (29 p. : col. ill.) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed June 5, 2008. Includes bibliographical references (p. 29).

Thesis (M.F.A.)--Washington State University, May 2010. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on May 14, 2010). "Department of Fine Arts."

Thesis -- Departmental honors in Studio Art. / Bibliography: ℓ. 48.

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on March 10, 2010). The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Thesis advisor: James Calvin. Includes bibliographical references.

The first objective of this creative project was to create seven Non-figurative, abstract, multi-media (wood, metals, clay, concrete, glass) sculptures that attempted to express some of the feelings experienced during transitions in life. The second objective was to explore the continuum of abstract sculptural art: from art being simply aesthetically stimulating compositions to art that emphasizes meaning or purpose first, and being aesthetically pleasing or stimulating second. / Department of Art

Thesis (M.F.A.)--Georgia State University, 2009. / Title from file title page. Mark Burleson, committee chair; Susan Richmond, Constance Thalken, committee members. Description based on contents viewed June 12, 2009. Includes bibliographical references.