Carl B Johnson – CBJ Art dot com
Nothing quiet on the Western Front
I comb the desert and local washes, especially after monsoon when the floods bring new treasures, and collect detritus, trash and anything that looks interesting for a sculptural clock.
Sawblade Clock
$50
It has been over a month since I have had time to revisit the site. Every weekend has been scheduled full with events. Winter, in Arizona, is everyone else’s summer. March is winding down, and the snowbirds are migrating back home. Continue reading “Superstition Sawblade Clocks”
Souls of Forgotten Objects
Sedona Arts Center
I have three Desert Detritus Clocks in this exhibit. There is still time before Christmas to see this amazing exhibit.
The Souls of Forgotten Objects
Juried exhibition, Sedona Arts Center, 15 Art Barn Road
Sedona, Arizona 86336
The exhibit will run from December 1, 2021 to December 23, 2021.
I am excited to have been accepted into a juried exhibition, The Souls of Forgotten Objects, at the Sedona Arts Center. I have weathered a drought the last couple years, and am now exhibiting throughout the state at various venues.
I will be exhibiting three of my Desert Detritus Clocks – all found object assemblages crafted from debris and detritus collected in the Superstition wilderness. Cholla roots, rusted cans and metal and automotive parts, bones – all will find a way onto my constructions. With form not exactly meeting function, these pieces are all working clocks.
Don’t worry, the rusted metal parts have all been treated with a fixative, you have no fear of tetanus.
Hey, if you are looking for a unique Christmas gift, why not give someone you love the time of day? Check out the exhibit, it promises to be a show of truly creative people.
Today marked the official opening reception of the Take Five Artists exhibit at Gallery One-Oh-One in Mesa, AZ.
Take Five is comprised of six artists; Liz Nicklus, Susan H. Paige, Sharon Peterson, Nancy Nowak Utech, Rosalie Trulli Vaccaro, and of course myself.
We all have differing styles and different strengths. I am the late-comer to the group. All of the artists have an extensive portfolio.
This exhibit will be up until the end of January 2021. We will be open every weekend.
Desert Detritus Clock
$250.00
Who says art cannot be functional? My Desert Detritus clocks are crafted from debris collected from the Sonora Desert
The back is driftwood found on the shores of Canyon Lake. My guess is that it is a chunk of ironwood. Hand rubbed with a finish of linseed oil.
The jawbone is likely from a coyote. I cleaned the jawbone with a mild detergent, being careful to retain the toning created by the Arizona desert sun. A precision clock work ensures accurate time.
Friday, May 3, 2019. The opening reception for Drunkards and Defectors, a two-person show featuring Liz Nicklus and myself.
Twenty-two pieces sold, out of maybe 60 pieces total. And we have the rest of the month. Continue reading “Drunkards and Defectors”
Desert Detritus Clock
The desert is harsh and unforgiving. Sort of like my ex-wife.
This jawbone was likely from a cow, long since expired. The base is a valve from some ancient motor vehicle. The face of the clock is the top of an oil can.
My good friend Lance saw it, and bought it after I made a few changes to the initial design.
I cannot for the life of me locate my original photographs of it. Lance was kind enough to send me pics that he took of its new home. The bastard even made me increase my asking price when he purchased it.
For my upcoming exhibit I will be incorporating more animal bones in my new clocks. Stay tuned, because you see them here first!
This clock is cholla root mounted on a duct grate and a block of wood.
Simplicity is key, the cholla root provides the complex lines and curves.
It amazes me how much trash people dump in the desert. Much of the rusted iron I find if years old. Oil can lids abound… when was the last time you saw an actual oil can?
Here I am putting other people’s garbage to good use.
This clock was made from a chunk of cholla root I found in a wash after monsoon. Polished by the sun and wind and rains in the desert, it had a very sculptural feel to it.
The base was a wood base most likely from an old lamp. The lid to an old oil can (remember those?) fit over the base.
It took a little bit of work with the Dremel to hollow out the back so that the clock works would fit. The only finish is a few coats of linseed oil to keep the wood fresh.