In this piece otherwise known as "Henry Matisse Alive and Well," I selected my favorite paintings by Matisse and created this three room/sided diorama-like sculpture, using the sum of all the parts of this work and then integrating the pieces as one whole. Some pieces are movable parts that you can arrange yourself to add your own energy to this creation. While I was creating this piece I thought that if Matisse was able to take his last major body of work, (that of his colorful and fragile paper cut outs) into a more permanent material, such as steel, would they also create a similar feeling in their construction, allowing them to further exist in three dimensional space. I use Matisse-like colors – intense primaries with a pastel feeling. The paint is mixed media with lacquer.
This is an overview of the technique I use: The steel is first cleaned through metal preparations; grinded and/or sand blasted. I then draw my images with limestone which resists heat. I hand cut out the drawing with an oxyacetylene torch. I then weld a re-enforcing bead of metal in strategically placed areas to re-enforce the sculpture. I clean the sculpture again, and then I prime it and use an undercoat before hand painting it. Finally, I seal the work with a clear lacquer.
The piece measures approximately 12" x 19" x 14½" and weights approximately 25 lbs.
Handcrafted in California by artist Zak Zaikine.
