Cartuna

SteveWirtz
Upper Michigan

  • Art › sculpture

Discovered art at an early age and never recovered. Considered self-taught, but is anyone REALLY self-taught? Currently engrossed in wire and laminated paper sculptures.

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A look back at 2021

January 5, 2022, 5:56 pm

Hey Scratchbangers! Wait, can I call you Scratchbangers? Uh, you're right. 'Probably shouldn't. Anyway, it's been too long since I've posted anything, so let's take a look at a few of the sculptures that I made in 2021. Most of these were by request, but of few are available.  Thank you for stopping in. I hope your 2022 treats you well. 

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Baseball 2021

May 12, 2021, 11:41 pm

This is "The Slide"

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Baseball 2021

May 12, 2021, 11:39 pm

This is "The Swing"

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Baseball 2021

May 12, 2021, 11:38 pm

This is "The Catch"

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Baseball 2021

May 12, 2021, 11:36 pm

A series of four sculptures. My newest "bronze, not bronze" offerings. This one is "The Pitch"

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Highlights from my recent online exhibit "Love at First Sighthound"

February 23, 2021, 4:29 pm

What is a sighthound you may ask? Well, they are the group of dogs that have been bred to hunt by sight (as opposed to hunting by scent). These are the fastest breeds of dogs on the planet; greyhound, deerhound, whippet, saluki, etc... As an artist working in 3-D, I have always loved the sculptural aspects of these athletes. After I was introduced to the community of people who care for these dogs, I have learned about the fun and silly side of these breeds as well. That means I get to play with humorous compostions and situations that depict these beautiful hounds. My thanks goes out to all of the sighthound owners around the planet who continue to collect my art. You are the best! 

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Another commission photo

February 21, 2021, 4:33 pm

Here's a photo of Max and his "mini-me"

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Another commission pic

February 2, 2021, 4:42 pm

It's fun to get these photos from customers. Here's Ginger reclining on her bed with her "Mini-me".

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Lula the Catahoula

January 28, 2021, 5:28 pm

-recent commission. Laminated paper (paper mache') and wire. 

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Happy New Year

January 10, 2021, 3:28 am

Hey Folks! It's been too long. How're you all doing? I'm getting into the 'winter groove' up here in the northwoods. Here are some of the Christmas 2020 pieces I did for people.  Have a great 2021, will ya?

 

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REWARD FOR SAFE RETURN

July 18, 2020, 2:14 am

One of my chicken wire chickens has run off. "Lily" was last seen outside a restaurant in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. If encountered, DO NOT CHASE. Please contact me here. Thank you. 

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Eleven Years Ago...

July 9, 2020, 10:45 am

...I was finishing an artist in residence project and briefly held the dream of starting my own Vegas-style animal act. 

As I always say: Follow your dreams, unless they're really, really stupid. 

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Artist-in-residence from 2009

July 6, 2020, 5:03 pm

Hey Folks, I was cleaning up some old photo files on my computer when I came across these shots from 2009. These pieces were done by elementary grade students in Milwaukee under the guidance of yours truly. They're not quite at the finished stage here, but I thought it would be fun to share with you. Thanks for stopping by!   -Steve

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Did you paint a fiberglass dog?

June 27, 2020, 7:28 am

Yeah, I've never done one of these fiberglass animal-things. Then I was contacted by a kind woman named Cheryl with Friends of the Shelter, a group that works with the Franklin County Dog Shelter in Columbus, Ohio. I've donated some of my paper mache' sculptures for their auctions in the past, and Cheryl asked if I would consider painting one of their pre-made dog forms for another fund-raiser. 

I've been in kind of a monarch butterfly kick lately (more on that in a future post I'm sure) so that's the theme I went with. 

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Bovid - 19

June 27, 2020, 7:16 am
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Recent stuff 

June 27, 2020, 7:13 am
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Dang, it's about time I get some new stuff posted.

June 29, 2018, 8:54 pm
Custom Pup
Nevermind, I'll Walk Myself
Git Off Yer High Horse
Coffee Now If YouWant to Live
Up a Creek?
No Collusion
Next Time, Fetch Your OWN Damn Slippers
He's Dead, Jim
Brain the Size of a Walnut

-Just some stuff coming out of the studio recently. A few of these pieces can be seen at Hatch Art House in Madison, WI, in case any of you are in the area. 

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Greyhounds

November 18, 2015, 1:13 pm

"Look Mom, I Found a Kitty Outside" and "Fast Food" are two examples of greyhound subject matter I have created this year. Each are about 10 inches tall.

Hi Steve— Happy New Year! I hope to see you the next time you're at Hatch or nearby. Thanks for all the great artwork!
Posted By: carl
2879 days 5 hrs 17 mins 29 secs ago