Artist Statement
Artist – Shamus Il of my life I have been creating art. On the advice of a fellow artist, I decided to become culptor. Working with a 220 stick arc welder and repurposed found objects, I soon realized n strength as an artist was in three dimensional design. One of my favorite quotes, by Thomas Edison, is “to create you need a good imagination and a large pile of junk”. The “junk” I procure inspires me not by what is was, but what it can be. The piece tells me what it wants. I might have an idea as I start, but it often changes. Being open to this magic is part of my creative process. I often employ a sense of humor, resulting in whimsical imagery. It brings me joy to make people smile.
Artist Bio
BIo – Shamus grew up in a small Wisconsin mill town, unaware that his rural roots would one day set him on a path to become a renowned Laguna Beach artist. As an 8-year-old child, some of his first forays into found object art involved pulling his red wagon to the town dump to discover discarded treasures that he could later repurpose. At the tender age of twelve, his artistic intuition and eye were piqued and inspired by Pablo Picasso’s Bull Head sculpture. Picasso’s sculpture was influential in the artistic path that Shamus came to settle on. Shamus received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. In 1983, Shamus relocated to Laguna Beach after discovering the magic of the Sawdust Festival and knowing he wanted to be a part of it. Shamus has been a Sawdust exhibitor since 1997. Using a 220 stick arc welder, found object hunks of rust foraged from his native state of Wisconsin, and industrial waste, he creates unique works of art. Shamus’ well-honed sense of design and ability to visualize the composition and juxtaposition of the media he works with results in his own distinctive art