The Black Orchid Studio & Gallery

In the Studio

photo by Cris Yarborough

Artist's Statement

As the work of art continues to move through necessary and innovative arenas of thought and consequence, the object (finding its place somewhere between total abstraction and representation) has remained for me a powerful vehicle for reflecting on what has been and the contemplation of what may be. The substance of my meditation is the experience of life: spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical. If I have indeed found any wisdom, it is certainly embodied in these sculptures.

Sculpture is the means by which I am able to combine what is real with that which is imagined. In a world where order is merely an illusion, the work of my art becomes the ability to negotiate the churning of many tides. Ultimately, I emerge with a better sense of self manifested in a work of art.

The ability to establish a critical and equal balance of the hands, eyes and mind in the development of my sculpture is, for me, of great value. Critical in the sense that no one element of the three can be relied upon more than another. A result of achieving such a balance in the pursuit of one's work is the lack of tolerance for random, unrelated ideas. No one piece of sculpture is completely separate from another. Instead, they are individual pieces of work, or 'works of art,' connected by a common thread; they become part of a much larger picture, ...my art.

From The Black Brick To The Black Orchid

Goodbye to The Black Brick. Eight Years And A Few Memories.

In 1994, when I moved into the very crude, old industrial space that I would eventually turn into The Black Brick Studio and Gallery, I knew the space was going to be great. And Great it was! As a sculpture studio, it provided all of the characteristics and resources that I required to produce my work with room to grow. It also became a stimulating creative center, an 'art womb' as one musician called it. A four year series of monthly music, poetry, and guest artists was enormously successful and will remain blazon in the memories of all of the folks that joined me to make it a reality. Individual instruction and organized figure sculpture classes helped fulfill the urge I feel to pass it on. Seminars and lectures for various groups including the docents of local museums and gifted students from surrounding schools all became part of the mix at The Black Brick. For a brief period, it was even a temporary home where Laura and I first courted and quickly decided to marry.

After eight years of sculpture, etc. at The Black Brick and five years together with Laura in rented apartments, we decided to find a home of our own complete with Studio and Gallery.

27 McClintock (The Black Orchid) and the Neighborhood Lore

Long story short, we found the perfect property at home in New Britain, CT. What we now call 'The Black Orchid' at 27 McClintock Street is the core property of what was a homestead and an orch id farm. The main house and property is 150 years old with one family owning and operating it for the last century. The neighborhood folklore has it that a monk (actually he was a priest) did a lot of experimenting with plants and even developed the black orchid in the green houses which have since been torn down. The flower store still stands and has now become my gallery where I also have my drawing and small maquette studio. The barn (appears to be a split level four bay garage) also remains and has become my sculpture studio. The property is just over an acre providing us with plenty of room for gardens, outdoor exhibition space and working areas. We are thrilled to have found our 'place' and we welcome your visit. Please call to make sure we are here to greet you.

Form arises from the forces exerted on metal.

Contact info and directions to The Black Orchid Studio & Gallery in New Britain.