Peter on the Rocks

Opus 147 is SOLD!

2011-05-17T11:24:00.000-07:00

Opus 147 - Orange Translucent Alabaster has sold ... and we're thrilled that it is with people who love it as much as we do!

Opus 153

2011-05-10T13:56:00.000-07:00

Opus 153 - Orange Translucent Alabaster from Utah. It started out as 49 lbs of rock and in a month became Opus 153. To see a slide show of it from raw rock through to finished piece go here: www.classic.kodakgallery.com/peterontherocks

Opus 152 Italian Crystal Alabaster

2011-03-13T14:56:00.000-07:00

Opus 152 - Italian Crystal Alabaster
14"x12"x8" This is a light, translucent piece mounted on a black, marble base.

Opus 151 - New Mexico Alabaster

2011-02-02T14:32:00.000-08:00

This is a short video of Opus 151 - New Mexico Alabaster. Enjoy!

Opus 150!

2010-12-10T16:31:00.000-08:00

This

Opus 149 - New Mexico Alabaster

2010-11-17T12:00:00.000-08:00

The newest sculpture is done!

UPCOMING EVENT at Austin Presence Galleries

2010-09-24T14:10:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, October 5, 2010 Austin Presence Galleries, the gallery that shows my sculpture, is having a Grand Opening of their new location at :

3300 Bee Cave Road Suite 700

Austin, TX 78746

(Bee Cave Rd and Walsh Tarlton - Westbank Market/Randalls Center)

Phone: 512-363-2938

An Artists Reception will be held from 5 to 8pm that evening.

Come if you can! See you there!

www.austinpresence.com (note: the new address may not be updated there yet)

Opus 148 - Italian Crystal Alabaster

2010-09-02T06:41:00.000-07:00

Opus 146 Italian Crystal Alabaster

2010-07-23T12:53:00.000-07:00

A short video of Opus 146 - Italian Crystal Alabaster ... enjoy!

Opus 147 - Orange Translucent Alabaster

2010-07-21T10:55:00.000-07:00

Opus 147 in rotation! Orange Translucent Alabaster ... take a look!

Opus 146 Italian Crystal Alabaster

2010-07-03T08:39:00.000-07:00

This is a 30 second video of Opus 146 in rotation. It started out as a 73 lb block of stone but after a month of work with hammer & chisel, rasps, rifflers and sandpaper, it is an exquisite, graceful expression of that stone's inner beauty - not to mention the sculptor's!

2010-02-24T09:45:00.000-08:00

Opus 143
SOLD!
The latest sculpture is the first post back surgery sculpture and it's a beauty! 19"x8"x6" and mounted on a wood base Opus 143 is currently at home with us. It can be seen in full rotation at www.peterontherocks.net - just click on the photo on the Currently Available Sculpture page.

2010-02-12T11:13:00.000-08:00

Opus 142 - Japanese Translucent Alabaster is included in this year's People's Gallery Exhibition at Austin City Hall. Opening Reception is next Friday (Feb 19, 2010) from 5:30 - 7:30. Peter's sculpture is one of 100 artworks by local artists to be on display at City Hall for the next year. His sculpture is in the Mayor's Ceremonial Conference Room. Come if you can; it's a fun time!

The People's Gallery 2010

2010-01-24T17:40:00.000-08:00

Opus 142 has been chosen to be included in this year’s Austin City Hall “People’s Gallery Exhibition!”
Austin City Hall is a wonderful place to visit ...
You are invited to come to the opening reception for this year’s show.
It is scheduled to be held on Friday, February 19th from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Mark your calendars!
Please join us for the gala celebration with refreshments to be provided by Whole Foods Market!
Invite friends; it’s a fun event!

Back in the studio!

2009-09-15T12:54:00.000-07:00

This 64 pound Japanese Translucent Alabaster is on the table and work has begun!

The sounds of hammer against chisel once again float up from the studio.

Hooray!

Updates

2009-07-27T12:11:00.000-07:00

It's been a good long while since anything's been posted and things need updating.
First, all the sculptures that were at Kiowa gallery have been brought home and are now spread throughout the house.
Anyone who is interested in seeing them is welcome to get in touch to arrange a time to come by. Send me an email (peterb@grandecom.net)

I haven't been in the studio for some weeks now ... between the energy sapping heat we've been having and some health issues, I am laying low for a bit. The heat will pass (at least it always has) and the health concerns are being addressed. An upcoming short trip to the cooler climes of North Carolina - and a visit with family there - is certain to be refreshing.

Meanwhile, remember to look at the new website - www.peterontherocks.net - and to pass it on to others who may enjoy seeing it too.
Thanks!

ANNOUNCING ....

2009-06-11T16:05:00.000-07:00

We've been playing with iWeb for what feels like ever and have just launched our little effort as www.peterontherocks.net

Go visit ... see what you think and let us know if you encounter any difficulties.
Learning a bit about using iWeb was more fun than frustrating but, boy, launching it required time on the phone with Apple Support (a million thanks to Mike).
Hope you enjoy it ....

Austin Montessori Adolescent Community Sculpture Show

2009-05-23T16:57:00.000-07:00

What a pleasure it was to spend some time at the Austin Montessori Adolescent Community this past Thursday evening to see the stone sculptures that the students made. Some were started last school year coming to completion this year ... that's perseverance (true grit)!
Years ago our friend Veronique became interested in trying her hand at sculpture and later introduced it to her students at AMAC.

Their work is always so impressive and their written 'reflections' always so thoughtful.
There is nothing more satisfying for me than to see the work I love being embraced by these students - some of whom continue on with sculpting even after the school year ends.
Kudos to the students! and to Veronique, who not only sculpts but also teaches it (an art in itself)!
Congratulations on a great show!

DG magazine

2009-05-13T14:08:00.000-07:00

As I was glancing through the DG (Design Guide) magazine that was delivered throughout our neighborhood recently, and thinking that a sculpture would look great in some of the rooms pictured ... surprise! … there was Opus 98 sitting pretty in a room designed by Julie Evans of JEIDesign (www.julieevans.net)! It also appears in the slide show (2nd picture) that greets you on her homepage.
The sculpture had been purchased from AustinPresence Galleries (www.austinpresence.com) so we didn't know where it was … it's nice to know it has a good home.

Opus 138 - Kim's Birthday Gift

2009-05-03T18:52:00.000-07:00

Where's Opus 138?
This Canadian Soapstone was carved as a gift for Peter's daughter for her 50th birthday. This short slide show shows the piece in full rotation. We can hardly wait to deliver it to her this summer when we visit.

aargh! an unexpected break!

2009-03-03T14:13:00.000-08:00

I am often asked "does a piece ever break off?" and "what do you do if it does?"
Well, opus 137 broke.
After yelling out, I set it aside for a day and came back to it with new eyes and a new direction.
It's never easy but after many such experiences I know it's another path opening up, leading ... who knows where!?

The Turning Pins

2009-02-15T14:32:00.000-08:00

Here's a photo of the parts of a turning pin; the flange (and the brass piece, upper left, it was made from), the pin, and the pin's sleeve.
We are fortunate to have a machinist (friend) who is a perfectionist, because perfection is what it takes to secure the sculpture onto its base and allow rotation for full viewing.
The pins come from Milani Utensili in Italy.
The photo is a bit less than perfect, but it gives the idea.

Springtime in Austin

2009-02-13T11:51:00.000-08:00

It's time for spring cleaning! With temps in the mid 70's, and the honeysuckle and jasmine bushes blooming, we decided to wash windows! The Canadian Limestone that has been frustrating to work with was left while we brought a sparkle to some of the more important windows in the house. That done, the decision that was nagging was finally made ... the limestone would be set aside for another day.
The studio was made ready (read more spring cleaning) for the new - a 115lb piece of Japanese Wonderstone. With "Butch" (see picture) at the ready, the stone was lifted to the table. Work will start tomorrow- which is Valentine's Day and the 30th anniversary of my arrival in Austin!

Opus 135 is SOLD!

2009-01-26T19:03:00.000-08:00

We're happy to announce that Opus 135 has sold and is currently residing in its new home.

Hooray ... Art rocks!

A few chisel marks

2009-01-12T12:15:00.000-08:00

Opus 136 is in process ... the stone is a Canadian Chlorite and started out as a straight edged block, rather than as a boulder. It's got some curves in it now! This photo is just a little taste of the chiseling from a few days ago. It's a hard stone to carve but it's coming along. Maybe I'll post another shot as we move along the process - I haven't done that before but it's so easy (new computer and updated program) that I may not be able to resist! Let us know what you think.

2009! Happy New Year

2009-01-07T17:11:00.000-08:00

Well, here we are in 2009 and the first piece of the new year is done.
Next up - the plan is to start on a piece of Canadian black chlorite. With thoughts of positive and negative spaces in mind, I expect the piece will develop its positive aspect from the negative spaces I plan to cut into the stone.
Should be interesting....

Kiowa Gallery in Alpine and Austin Presence in Austin

2008-12-21T18:33:00.000-08:00

There are currently 5 sculptures available through Kiowa Gallery in Alpine, TX.
If you'd like to make contact, email Keri at: kiowagallery@sbcglobal.net.
or call the gallery at: 432 837 3067

There are another 5 sculptures available through Austin Presence Galleries here in Austin.
www.austinpresence.com

Alpine Gallery Nights

2008-11-30T11:40:00.000-08:00

November 21 and 22 were Gallery Nights in Alpine Texas. We were there, showing work at Weathers Electric on Murphy Street along with watercolorist Bryn Moore (http://leapinlizardterlingua.com) some of Lisa's drawings, and paintings by local painter JR Smith.
It was a nice weekend. The long drive out from Austin is a slow (even while driving fast) transition to a completely different terrain and climate. One can't help but get a sense of the world as Nature's sculpture ...
Back in Austin, we shifted our focus to cooking and hosting a really nice Thanksgiving gathering. Next up, an Open House to show sculpture here on 12/14.

Meanwhile, opus 134 got started yesterday: we'll see what happens next!

Opus 133 - Finished today!

2008-11-15T13:53:00.000-08:00

This piece is SO smooth and beautifully polished! The stone, Japanese Pyrophyllite (aka Wonderstone) comes in many colors; the tones in this piece look like wood.
One recent visitor sees a flower opening from one angle. It's always of interest to hear what different people see.
The next stone (opus 134!) is a green soapstone ... First up, the trip to Alpine and Thanksgiving.
The link to the slide show of opus 133 from start to finish has been added to the list.
Thanks for looking!

Opus 133 begins today!

2008-10-25T20:17:00.001-07:00

Opus 133 will come from this 90 lb piece of Japanese Pyrophyllite. It looks like it's going to have some red in it; we'll see as things develop.
This will be the last piece before showing work at Gallery Night (http://alpinegallerynight.com/) in Alpine TX 11/21-22.
With luck 25 days will be enough!

Opus 132 - Canadian Green Soapstone

2008-10-24T13:37:00.000-07:00

Wow! Two sculptures finished in the same month! After working on alabasters for the last few sculptures, this soapstone (a softer, easier stone to carve) just flew off my table!
In the darker area in the stone I believe there is some type of metal embedded in the stone. It glints with a copper color, as you can see in the last photo of the slide show.

the photographs

2008-10-15T13:20:00.000-07:00

Many of the photos - the best ones - were taken by Eric Beggs, friend and photographer. The others were taken by us .. doing our best, but falling a bit short in our attempts, to imitate Eric's expertise.
We acknowledge and, with deep appreciation, thank Eric for his work. With luck we'll have another Eric session soon. I've added photo credits to the captions in the archive.
Of the photos of currently available sculptures 85, 86, 96, 106, 111, 122. 124 and 128 are Eric's.

132 begins!

2008-10-12T14:53:00.000-07:00

Opus 131 was finished yesterday and 132 got started today. It is a Canadian Green Soapstone of about 75 pounds. At the moment it looks like just another rock you might trip over on a hike ... We'll see what happens next!

SOLD!

2008-10-09T11:17:00.000-07:00

Ted, from Austin Presence Galleries just called with the news that Opus 127 just sold!
We're delighted, of course, and especially pleased that the buyer already owns another of Peter's sculptures. It's very complimentary and is appreciated.

And now to update the blog! The picture of 127 will be moved to the archive slide show.

Blog Followers Welcome!

2008-09-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome Edouard, our first blog "follower!" We were so excited to see our very first follower listed, and look forward to many more!
Invite others; the more the merrier!
Thank you.

My first blog!

2008-09-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

I have been sculpting in stone for 15 years and am fortunate to have an ideal workspace in my home.
Each piece is identified only by an opus # so that viewers have the opportunity to see what they see without the influence of a name.
We've often been surprised by what others see!
I am showing only currently available sculptures here - some are in my home and some are at Austin Presence Galleries.
I'll be adding a slide show of sold sculptures soon.