An exciting opportunity arose to create a piece for the special "Naked in New Hope" gallery show at New Hope Arts. This exhibit is a revival of a popular show from the 1980s, known for pushing artistic boundaries. With my background in computer art, specifically 3D design, I knew I wanted to develop something that challenged traditional perceptions and truly blurred the lines between sculpture and a classic drawing. This project became an exploration of how digital fabrication could elevate a fundamental artistic medium.

I knew I wanted to leverage my laser cutter for this piece, combining its precision with the organic flow of a life drawing sketch I had recently completed. My initial idea involved layering clear etched acrylics. I experimented with various engraving techniques and even explored embedding acrylic paint directly into the clear material. While the results were intriguing, they didn't quite capture the visual depth I envisioned.

I then shifted to wood, knowing I wanted to layer pieces in a way that truly explored space and depth. My aim was to create an optical effect that would shift and change as viewers walked around the piece. This artwork is as much a feat of engineering as it is an artistic expression. Each individual piece is meticulously designed to fit securely into the sides of the frame while intentionally overhanging, creating a cascading depth that provides both structure and stability.

Unlike the standard finger-jointed boxes often seen at craft shows, I deliberately steered clear of conventional assembly. There are no finger joints whatsoever. Instead, besides the precise notching of individual pieces into the sides, the top and bottom of the frame are secured using a unique notching technique. This technique incorporates a special Morse code pattern that spells out "Ckrox," a subtle nod to my brand and a personal touch.

Some in-progress images in no particular order of completion:

I am incredibly honored and thrilled that my laser-cut wood art piece, "Depth of a Sketch 1," received an Honorable Mention in the "Naked in New Hope" exhibit at the New Hope Arts Center! It's truly amazing to be part of a show featuring 90 incredible works of art, all expertly juried by Paul Murphy. I'm so grateful for this recognition and the opportunity to share my work among such diverse and talented artists.

You can still experience the exhibit and the incredible talent on display during weekends through June 15th here in beautiful New Hope, PA. Don't miss it!

The success of "Depth of a Sketch 1" has inspired me to expand on this concept. I have two more ideas to evolve this piece into a full series, which I'm excited to begin exploring in the near future. Stay tuned for more innovations that continue to blend drawing, sculpture, and digital fabrication!

Ultimately, "Depth of a Sketch 1" is a unique harmony of laser precision and the raw beauty of a hand-drawn sketch, meticulously brought to life through layers of depth. This creative process has been a great learning experience, reinforcing my passion for pushing artistic and technical boundaries.