Co- ....together / with

2016, solo show at eye lounge contemporary art space, in downtown Phoenix, AZ

Through sculpture, I explore how “together” can be conveyed through concept and structure.

Structurally, these pieces are products of my first real efforts in combining stone with steel; the steel being an integral part of the sculpture, rather than just a fixture on which to display a stone sculpture. 

The inclusion of steel allowed for larger pieces than what I had produced in the past, forcing me to consider weight and mobility, as they relate to my ability to handle and transport each sculpture; for example, adding hidden wheels in the base, or creating the steel element to function as a dolly.

Conceptually this show is a reflection of who I am being in the world, together with my partner, together with my family, together with my community.

Companions, Coexisting together in peace and distress, Complementing each other to create wholeness.

Wire Sculptures…….. In keeping with the show's theme, together / with, I combined two materials. Though they are both steel, the tubing is a fixed geometrical shape, while the wire is malleable and can take on fluid, organic forms.

photos by Wendy Spooner

This 2015, solo show at eye lounge in Phoenix, AZ, is about self-identity, and the fluid nature of gender, expressed through stone and steel wire sculpture.

Each piece conceptually and physically represents both the soft and smooth female, and the hard and rough male. Each piece is fluid and dynamic, yet in contrast, it hangs in its frame, in suspended self-expression.

Producing these pieces set in motion, my full expression as a gender-fluid person, out in the world.

 all photos by Bill Timmerman

In the year 2000, I got for myself, that I would be a stone sculptor. I had always been a fine artist, but had never really considered sculpture as a possibility; having only had one basic sculpture class in college.

This occurred for me when I was visiting an art gallery in Colorado with my mom. As we were looking at a stone piece, she said - "You could do that", and I knew at that moment, she was right, and that's what I was going to do...and be.

I got home, and within a few days, bought some basic tools at Home Depot, of course, sat on the ground with a rock between my feet, and began chipping away with a hammer and chisel. It was like I had known how to do it all of my life! I quickly set up space for myself, did a little research, built a stand, and began to increase my repertiore of tools.

This body of work, displayed at the Paulina Miller Gallery, in Phoenix AZ, in 2002, is the result of those first efforts... and trust in myself.

all photos by Bill Timmerman

Selected sculptures created over the years, that were created as gifts, or created for a particular show, client, or intention.

Introspection was created and exhibited in 2020 for The Carmody Foundation’s 4th Annual Grand Recipient Exhibition - Art for Good Project, in which selected artists receive a grant to produce a piece which will go to participating charity organizations to auction off to raise money for their causes.

Heart Open was exhibited in 2010, and won "Best of Show" in the "Art by Architects" juried exhibition, hosted by AIA of Arizona. I am not an architect, but belonged to AIA through the environmental graphic design firm for which I worked. Our firm designed identity and wayfinding signage for new and existing public buildings, and therefore worked within the architectural community.

The following images are a select sampling of the graphic design and environmental graphic design work I’ve designed over the years. To clarify…graphic design is considered 2 dimensional work, such as logos, package design, and page layout for such things as magazines, brochures, and posters; while environmental graphic design is more 3 dimensional or design for the built environment. This would include work such as identity and wayfinding signage, and anything that would communicate information through a 3D element, space or building.

I designed all four signage projects, along with the Lawrence Dunham project and a few of the selected logos, while working at Thinking Caps Design, a top design firm in Phoenix, Arizona who is known for environmental graphic design as well as graphic design services.

Lawrence Dunham Vineyards - logo and label design A vineyard in Cochise County, Arizona. I worked closely with the client to design a logo for their vineyard which would then be the driving force in the design of their wine labels. This was an interesting project because labels had to comply with the government alcohol labeling regulations, therefore all labels had to be approved prior to printing.

Selected Logo Design For the design of a logo, I work closely with the client to achieve a mark that reflects their wants and needs, while directing them through experience towards a final design that looks and functions professionally.

Downtown Chandler - logo and wayfinding signage design The City of Chandler, Arizona, in an effort to celebrate and draw people to their historic downtown district, hired Thinking Caps to design a logo identifying the district which would then be used on the new custom wayfinding and identity signage, we were asked to design as well. Typically, 2 or 3 designers would work to provide the client with 3 of their best options. When one was selected, that designer would complete the project. On this project, I designed the logo and wayfinding signs, while Lisa Ranzenburger designed the large entry statement for the district (not shown).

My contribution/scope of work: logo design, wayfinding signage design, fabrication drawings. Lisa and I programmed/planned the locations and messages of wayfinding signs.

Florence Crittenton - donor recognition program Florence Crittenton is a national organization that provides services and programs to empower children, young adults and young families to thrive and build productive lives. Thinking Caps was asked by the Phoenix chapter to design a donor recognition program that was reflective of their values and mission. Our scope included design of a lobby display, and design of named space recognition signage for areas such as classrooms, courtyards, gardens, and the cafeteria. My boss at the time, designed the concept for the lobby display, and I developed her concept through completion, as well as came up with the design of the named space recognition signage.

My contribution/scope of work: develop design concept of the lobby display, design of the named space recognition, programming of signage and lobby donor display, fabrication drawings

PVCC - identity and wayfinding signage design Paradise Valley Community College needed interior and exterior identity and wayfinding signage for a new building, as part of their campus expansion program. The signage design would then expand into future new buildings and gradually replace old existing signage throughout the campus. While working at Thinking Caps Design, I designed and developed the interior and exterior sign program for the Q Building, the first building in this expansion program.

My contribution/scope of work: designed interior and exterior identity and wayfinding signage, including ADA room signs, directory signs, building identity, monument identity, monument directional signs, as well as interior glass wall graphics. I did the programming, and the fabrication drawings as well.

Stonebrae - Community and Country Club Stonebrae is a master planned country club community located in the hills of Hayward, California, north of San Fransisco. When the client came to Thinking Caps requesting services, the new community was just breaking ground, with models being built and roads being mapped out. This project required two signage programs to be designed, fabricated and installed: a temporary welcome identity and builder program, and a permanent, more extensive community program. temporary identity and builder signage - Stonebrae is a high end community, therefore temporary signage needed to be substantial and impressive, yet easily removed for permanent signage to take its place. Temporary signs are constructed of gabion columns, powdercoated steel framing, and changeable banners, that welcomed visitors, identified key destinations and directed to builder models. permanent community signage - The scope of community signage included a large stone and steel identity entry monument, an identity monument identifying the community’s own elementary school, clubhouse identity, custom street signs and traffic control signs, and gulf course signage. Signs were constructed of substantial elements of powdercoated steel, large dimensional letters, rustic square wood posts, and custom decorative details.

My contribution/scope of work: design of all signage elements for both temporary and permanent programs, programming, fabrication drawings

Fountain Frolic This is a project on which Kristine Kollasch of Fine Art and Creative Environments, invited me to join her. She was asked by Morning Star to provide a sculpture for the interior open courtyard at their Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility in Fountain Hills, Arizona.

Together we designed three options, that resulted in this 16 foot tall steel, glass, and tile, free-flowing sculpture with a water feature. It was the first time we had worked together on a project of this size, and we quickly realized that we were a great team - each having our own strengths contributing to the overall success of the project.

My contribution: co-design, fabrication and footing drawings, production of cut files, welding, installation

Flower Power was a privately funded public art project created as a focal point for the walking path at the new Mountain Park Health clinic in Tempe, AZ. Kristine Kollasch, who designed and implemented this commissioned project, hired me to assist with the creation and installation of 7 flowers, ranging from 4’ tall to 11’ tall, with diameters ranging from 24”-36” in diameter. The two lowest flowers included face holes for photo opportunities.

My contribution: fabrication, development of detailed digital renderings, fabrication drawings, production of cut files, installation

Succulent Spirit A 13 ft. tall sculpture for Morning Star Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility in Glendale, AZ. Kristine Kollasch asked me to partner with her again, after our first piece for this client was so successful. This was her concept/design, that I was happy to help her bring to life.

My contribution: fabrication, production of cut files, installation

SCNM Donor Recognition Kristine Kollasch of Fine Art and Creative Environments was hired regarding environmental graphics and enhancements for the new classroom buildings at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, in Tempe, AZ. She, given my 18 years of environmental graphic design experience, asked me to assist her specifically with the donor recognition portion of the project; an overall donor recognition wall and named space recognition plaques for individual rooms.

My contribution: design, detailed renderings for presentation and approval, fabrication drawings, production of print and cut files

City of Glendale, AZ - Construction Banners Kristine Kollasch of Fine Art and Creative Environments was selected to complete a two-part project for the City of Glendale, with the end product being six 12 ft x 5 1/2 ft banners placed around construction sites during downtown renovation. Kris invited the community to participate by coloring drawings that she created; drawings representing the branches of the City of Glendale government; sahuaro, ocotillo, cholla, yucca, cactus and barrel cactus. She then came up with a basic design concept for the banners, which included the colored drawings from community participants, and asked me to design six banners, one for each branch of government.

My contribution: final design, detailed renderings for presentation and approval, production of print files

Custom Fence with Self-Closing Gate I was hired by local architect, Scott Roeder of Studio Roeder, who designed the remodel of this existing mid-century home, to brainstorm with him for a new exterior fence design, which would not only create privacy, but would also act as a safety barrier for the courtyard pool. I was then asked to create detailed fabrication drawings, and team up with Luke Muthart for the actual fabrication and installation. Installation was also assisted by 180 Degrees Design Build. The job consisted of 21 linear feet of fencing, left raw to rust, and included a self-closing pedestrian gate with deadbolt and door bell.

My contribution: co-design, fabrication drawings, co-fabrication and installation

This project was a first for me, and a welcome challenge. I had never fabricated a stair railing, or anything that would be quite the focus that this railing would be, in such a luxurious home. As I newly approached this type of project, the challenges were - - perfecting the angle of the rise while keeping the vertical elements plumb, designing and fabricating the railing in sections that made sense for transport and installation, as well as designing to comply with ADA regulations for the safety and security of the client’s grandchildren, that would no doubt, be running and climbing up and down the staircase. Ultimately, the goal was to create a stair railing that solely reflected the beauty of it’s environment , rather than the challenges that come along with a first time project.

scope of work: design, fabrication, installation (the client’s son-in-law, Levi, assisted me with installation)

all photos by Wendy Spooner

I was hired by local architect, Scott Roeder of Studio Roeder, who designed the remodel of this existing ranch home, to brainstorm with him and come up with new exterior fence design options to fit with the updated look of the house. I also asked to create detailed drawings, and was given the opportunity to fabricate this 6 ft. tall, powder coated steel fence, which included a 12' long electronic rolling gate and two pedestrian gates with custom latches.

scope of work: co-design, detailed fabrication drawings, fabrication, installation (installation was assisted by Scott Roeder, Mark McCulloch, and the client, John Armstrong)

all photos by Wendy Spooner

This client called requesting a steel cladded fireplace wall, and steel fireplace insert, to give her great room a new modern look to match the remodel, in process, of her 4000 sq ft home. Sleek and simple in its design, this update provided a bold look through the pure beauty of the material alone. The cladded wall was left raw with a wax finish, while the insert was matte black, ceramic coated steel.

A substrate wall had to be constructed to move the wall out a bit, giving it some dimension. I created detailed plans for the construction of the substrate wall, so that I would know exact size and where connection points would be for the finished panels and fireplace insert. The substrate wall was built to plans by a subcontractor.

scope of work: design, fabrication drawings, fabrication, installation (installation was assisted by the subcontractor who built the substrate wall)

I was brought on to this project by Katie Coates of PaloOco Design, a landscape design company in Phoenix, AZ, to contribute to the enhancements of this historic downtown Phoenix backyard remodel, by adding custom gates and landscape fence panels. A desert themed wall mural by Kris Kollasch of Fine Art and Creative Environments, was also part of this all female remodel for female clients.

scope of work: design, fabrication, and installation of two sections of gates, and eight landscape panels. Kris Kollasch assisted with the installation of the gates.

Backyard Gate This project, located in the Biltmore Colony within the complex of the famous Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona, was my first project for combining wood and steel. There were two sections, both included a gate and a section of fixed fence. The challenge for me, given my inexperience with the combination of wood and steel, was that the steel had to be powdercoated and installed before the wood could be added. Usually, when working with just steel, everything is welded together, powdercoated, and in its finished state prior to installation. This project required a lot of pre-drilling holes into steel brackets (over 400), and mechanical fasteners, to add the wood after installation of the steel framework. Fabrication and installation took a lot longer than I estimated, but I’m very proud of how it turned out!

scope of work: design, fabrication, installation

Courtyard Gate This was a unique project for me, in that I once lived in this community, consisting of 4 freestanding condos, and I understood the challenges of living in a downtown Phoenix neighborhood, which drove the need for a security gate for the complex. The courtyard was a place for common gathering and for playing with grandchildren, and was a beautiful representation of the community, that begged to be seen, and yet, needed to be kept secure for the residents’ use and enjoyment. I designed the entry gate to be open to reveal the beauty of the courtyard, but secure, with a double-side keyless lock, so that residents could have peace of mind, as well as enter and exit with convenience.

scope of work: design, fabrication, installation (Kris Kollasch assisted me with installation)

Driveway Gate This project was done for a woman who was the proud new owner of an Airstream Travel Trailer. Living in a cute little historic neighborhood in central Phoenix, she needed bit of security for her prized new toy. The house was a 1940/1950’s ranch style, so I designed the gate to tie in well with the architecture of the house. The gate was left raw, allowing it to rust over time.

scope of work: design, fabrication, installation

Accent Wall with Steel Sliding Door I designed this masonry wall with a steel sliding door for our condo we remodeled in central Phoenix, Arizona, to replace the existing wood frame and drywall wall leading into the master bedroom from the main living area. We had the masonry done according to plan, and then I fabricated and installed the steel door, complete with a locking mechanism and rollers, to keep the door in place as it slides open and close.

Bathroom Vanity and Cabinet Also designed and fabricated for our Phoenix condo remodel, this vanity is constructed of steel, with a ceramic sink/counter, and drawer and cabinet faces to match the kitchen cabinets, keeping the design consistent throughout the condo. The photo shows the single sink guest bathroom, while the master bath includes a matching double sink vanity.

Laundry Room Sliding Door Our laundry room door could be seen from the main living space in our Phoenix condo, so we wanted to do something fun and unique with it. We took an old antique glass door, painted it a bright color, added some steel to go with the rest of the items in the decor of the condo, and made it a slider to work with the limited space in the hallway. Once the door is slid open, the space can be opened even further with a small pivot door, exposing both the washer and the dryer

Corrugated Steel Fence with Gate In 2003, I bought a house in central Phoenix that needed a complete remodel. This house is where I learned and practiced my remodeling skills. One of my projects was building a metal fence on the back of the property that could not be climbed! The design was directed by the size of scrap pieces that were left over from a friend’s roofing project. I created a custom latch that could be operated from both sides of the gate, and locked from the inside.

Sliding Steel Garage Door This was my first welding project after learning to weld. While the welds are a bit rough, the design, which includes a custom latching mechanism, is what I’m proud of. I really love to design!