Marie WheelerMy art adventure began in January of this year, and started simply enough. I wanted to create abstract pieces and have fun.
I veered slightly after going to the Athens Arts Fest in May. A.D. had participated in the Arts Fest for the two prior years, but due to his schedule at The Arcanum, he elected not to attend, but instead to support.
I love walking around the arts festivals and naturally joined him. That is when I remembered what I had forgotten. Bozzo Art.
Each year, an artist named Paul Bozzo sets up his booth and has a ‘hands-on’ section where you can see how he makes his artworks with joint compound, water and fun shapes. It is messy and interactive and interesting as hell. Every year I had walked by, played in the plaster, and thought how fun it would be to create works like his.
Now, we have remodeled the inside of our home to an extent and we have a lot of joint compound with no immediate purpose. I didn’t have the masonite panels, but it was easy enough to get a sheet at the local big box home store and cut it myself. I had gesso, gloss medium and varnish, brushes and acrylic paints. I was on my way.
I watched Bozzo’s YouTube channel with all pertinent videos until I thought I had it down. Then I tried it for myself.
It worked. Though A.D. noted that I hadn’t used joint compound for my first run. I had used thinset mortar. Derp.
I went back to the basement storage and found the right container, you know, the one with joint compound in it and tried again. Success! The planted seed took root and I created more and more of the art, having a ton of fun with the layering of the colors and addition of things like buttons and puzzle pieces.
I was seriously entertained for a couple of months. I wanted to buy a piece of Bozzo Art to support the artist who had given his knowledge to me so freely, but couldn’t find a link to buy his work online.
Saturday morning I was on Market Street in Corning, NY and was walking around with a newly purchased cuppa Joe and saw an open door at Gustin’s Gallery. I saw lots of large acrylic abstracts, but it was dark inside. I called in whether or not they were open and the lights were quickly turned on for me. I perused the shop, a blend of several art forms, acrylic, jewelry and Bozzo Art!!! Whaaat!
Excited and nervous, I asked the owner, Gordon, how much the Bozzo piece cost. One of the other artists, Dave, asked if I knew Paul and I shared the story of how much Bozzo’s work had inspired me to create. It was a lovely conversation, though I’m sure I super-dorked out about everything.
I bought the piece. I am happy.
Now where to hang it?
