2012
Mixed Media
45" x 22" x 8"
This icon is a tribute to Tom Waits. It is made of a variety of materials and found objects, such as wood, paper, glass, rhinestones & gilded pasta. It contains 2 secret compartments. The first is a small diorama hidden inside a cigar box--a display of objects which reference a few specific Tom Waits songs. The second secret compartment is a pull-out drawer. It reveals a framed letter, written by a Hobo named Box Car Shorty. It was written in 1928 at a Hobo convention in Chicago--quite an exciting artifact! Making this was an intense experience. It took 14 months! Keep scrolling for some details views...
Detail view, showing Cigar Box Diorama, open
This is a close-up view of the inside of the cigar box diorama. For those of you who are Tom Waits fans, you'll see references to several songs, including "A Soldier's Things", "Chocolate Jesus" and "Jitterbug Boy".
This is a side view, showing the Tramp Art Pyramids, and a bit of the pull-out drawer. The drawer is held closed by magnets.
Close-up of the Tramp Art Pyramids. Traditionally, these are made by whittling, but mine were cut on a laser cutter. I have no whittling skills. Tramp Art is a fascinating art form. You can see more of it here... http://trampart.wix.com/trampart
This view shows the pull-out drawer. It was quite a challenge to think about this piece in 3-dimensions. I had to design it with a hollow interior cavity,for example. It all worked out great, though. Everything fits together nicely.
Detail view, showing Hobo Letter, front. An amazing document.
Detail view, showing Hobo Letter, back
This is the back of St Tom. A matchstick cross. I made it in 1 morning in a flurry of activity. The background is a collage of adds taken from a racing program from a county fair horse race night in Ohio, during WWII.
I often decorate the back side of my work. This is not uncommon in Outsider Art--it's a little secret, a mystery--up against the wall--no one can see it, but it's there anyway. I like the idea that every surface of this piece is decorated.
I often decorate the back side of my work. This is not uncommon in Outsider Art--it's a little secret, a mystery--up against the wall--no one can see it, but it's there anyway. I like the idea that every surface of this piece is decorated.
