“Lock, Stock, and Barrel” for MVAG special category, “Junque”

Last year Barb Haynie and I created a body of work for our traveling show, “High Point.”  Along with our paintings, we also created several found objects/”junk metal”/mixed media sculptures.  One of the pieces I created was a horse from a lock and key, which I called “Key to My Heart.”  Instead of selling that small horse, I developed a larger sculpture piece around it for this year’s Montrose Visual Artists Guild special category, “Junque.”

“Lock, Stock, & Barrel” mixed media sculpture, copyright Cheri Isgreen, 2015, $200

After searching the antique stores for old locks, I was able to find five more, but only three had keys.  The other two took some work to open, using a drill, a hammer, and ingenuity.  (A big thank you to my patient husband, whose muscle power and tool shop helped me get them open.)  The next step was to develop each horse’s personality with wirework and beads.  I arranged the legless horses in groups around the base of an old wine barrel, using the Fibonacci sequence of 1-2-3.  After drilling the oak of the wine barrel, I was able to attach each horse to its legs, which resulted in the small herd coming to life.

“Lock, Stock, & Barrel” (detail of grouping- 2 brass lock horses), mixed media sculpture, copyright Cheri Isgreen, 2015, $200

This work can be viewed at Camelot Gardens during the Montrose Visual Arts Guild 24th Annual Exhibition and Sale showing Oct. 8-11.  The show opens with a reception Thursday night from 6-8 PM.  It ends on Sunday at 3 PM.  Come out, view the show, and cast your ballot for People’s Choice.

“Lock, Stock, & Barrel” detail of wine barrel- (Meridian Vineyards) and original key & lock horse as inspiration for this mixed media sculpture,  copyright Cheri Isgreen 2015, $200