Boone's Hooks: DesignShell.com

Boone's Hooks: DesignShell.com

DesignShell.com

Here is a nice Interior Design web resource that I just found. The site contains helpful photos, ideas, blogs and resources. Please check it out...


DesignShell.Com is a free online home design resource, here you will find tips and tricks on everything you need to know about home design: interior design, furniture, bedroom, architecture, decor, living room, house, kitchen, bathroom.

http://www.designshell.com/

Cheers,

Smyth Boone

Design Style Guide

I would like to introduce a new website called Design Style Guide.
http://www.designstyleguide.net/


The site is a collection of amazing hand made art from artists that specialize in interior design. The site is a brilliant one stop resource for a growing number of artists and professionals in the home decorating industry.

A couple of my favorite things about the site is that it is simply a networking tool to get prospective buyers to individual artists websites and highlights so many great artists and buyers can see a ton of wonderful art all in one stop.

Design Style Guide is very easy to navigate, features treasuries, and only carries high caliber artwork that meets rigorous standards. The editors make sure every posting qualifies to their specific standards.

Here is the description on the Design Style Guide homepage:

If you are an interior designer, decorator, or home stager, this website is designed to help you quickly find that perfect accent to help you sell to your clients. You can search for items by style, color, room, or material, to help you work more efficiently and use less of your valuable time wading through the mountains of things available online.

Please check it out... http://www.designstyleguide.net/

Cheers,

Smyth Boone

Interview on ETSY

Here is a very nice interview on me and Boone's Hooks that is being featured on ETSY.com.

ETSY is a huge website/network/store featuring exclusively hand made products. It is like the size of "google" for artists. Please check it out, leave a comment etc...

Here is the link http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/spotlight/article/fresh-shops-booneshooks/2615/

Cheers,
Smyth

Boone's Hooks in Gaiam/Real Goods catalog

I am proud to announce that the Boone's Hooks hand forged home accessories line has been picked up by the Gaiam/Real Goods Living 2008 Fall Holiday Catalog.

Gaiam is the leading provider for green and ecologically friendly products on the planet. As you know Boone's Hooks are made of 100% recycled steel, the most recycled product on the globe.

Please sign up and get a catalog mailed to you or check it out on the internet. Here is the link to the web page featuring Boone's Hooks...

http://www.gaiam.com/product/eco-home-outdoor/living-space/decor/hand-forged+recycled+steel+leaf+towel+bar.do

Here is a word about Gaiam:

Gaiam invites you to live the life of intention you've envisioned. From yoga & fitness DVDs to non-toxic cleaners, we give you the green shopping options and healthy living products to help you live your best life. Discover health & wellness tools, sustainable living solutions and green products from our online catalogs.

and here is the link to Gaiam...
http://www.gaiam.com/

I am glad to participate in the green revolution! Thank you for your support.

Cheers,
Smyth Boone

Earthdance!

I am headed to Northern California to unite with people from all over the globe and celebrate the Earth and peace via dancing, visiting, and listening to great music! I will be gone until September 16th.
Please visit http://www.earthdancelive.com/ for more information. I hope to see you there.
Cheers,
Smyth Boone

Creating Motion...

As a 3-dimensional artist, the artist/blacksmith has the ability to easily create movement and motion with their forgings.
For example...

This sculpture a Smyth Boone original from 2005 is called "Surfing..." (15" x 9" by 18" tall) Owned by the Mueller Collection.

The title, "Surfing..." is a verb because the sculpture shows suggested motion and movement. In the next photo, the viewer can see the balance, visual stress, strength of the medium, and some fun. The waves are forged steel scrolls which give the impression of waves and moving water. The blacksmith is an impressionist(more on this topic in a later discussion). Here is a closer view of the action...In the photo above, check out how far out the surfer is from the base waves. He is joined by two small rivets that go through the surf board and a wave. I extended the surf board as far out as I could to really highlight the strength of the steel; although, it grabs the viewers' attention because it is so far out there that it would appear to be unstable or actually moving. This is referred to as stress or tension in a design. Stress and tension is a very common and strong device to use as an artist because it attracts the viewer.
Notice the body movement of the Surfer. He is twisted in a very natural and possible position. This is very important when using the human form. The human form needs to be in a possible and conceivable position for the viewer to believe the sculpture.
The extension of the arms is another way to direct the viewers eye and create a larger form for the sculpture, once again creating motion and direction. Balance is the double entendre' here. The sculpture is balanced and the surfer is balancing!
Also in the above photo... check out the waves. They are all separate and have a unique flow. This suggests movement to the viewer because each one is a different position which creates action. The waves are not static, they are visually moving. The scrolls forming the waves are compound curves(curves going in more than one direction simultaneously) which is one of the unique properties gained by forging steel.


The photo above demonstrates the "riders" hair flowing, his arms and hands keeping balance while they convince the viewer that he is moving. Also check out how far the surf board is extended beyond the waves.

Now see the details of the riveted connection, the wave details, and the position of the surfer. His back foot is naturally leaning forward and his toes are on the board while his heel is raised.

The final view, below, shows the motion from a side angle. Check out the suggested movement of the waves, the surfer, and the entire piece together.

One of my favorite things about using steel as a medium is it's physical strength. Not only is it the perfect material for railings, fire pokers and building structures, it also lends itself to beautiful sculpture.

Cheers,
Smyth Boone