Its all about the process…
I get happily lost in the Zen of creation. The process of creating new works is what feeds me. My work is the result of joyful collaboration with a number of key artists who contribute elements to most if not all my designs. I honor their contributions and celebrate their talents. Master woodworker Don Scott builds my custom wooden bases and frames; Artist Russ Carter custom welds metal elements; Ricardo Duarte bends and pumps my glass designs. Artist Christina McCarthy assists with soft sculpture and fabric designs. I enjoy collaborating with visual artists Chris Gocong (@chrisgocong) and George V Wolf (@georgevwolf). I am generously mentored by art historian/critic Benji Alexander. Below are samples of works in progress…
building "Primordial Spirit I and II" with steel balls on wooden bases
"Explorer" found a home in the office of artist and UCSB Faculty member Christina McCarthy
experimenting with shapes of scrap wood to create "Sculpture Garden"
wire master for a neon rose for the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura, CA - in honor of my friend and amazing singer/songwriter/actress Amanda McBroom
another flame tool key to bending neon glass tubes
One of the key flame elements in the glass bending shop
wire master for one of the bell neon pieces in the second version of "Sondheim's Sunday" built on a vintage French horn. "Iris" and "Klaus !" in the background - in process
one of the set of wings for the series of "Time Flies" being charged in the shop as the mercury slowly travels the distance of the glass, illuminating the neon to its brightest state of super turquoise
A commissioned work for a family in Santa Barbara. They surprised their husband/Dad with this HOOSKERS sign - the name of a food and beer venue he dreamed of opening one day
experimenting with the crankshaft of a vintage 12 cylindar Jaguar crankshaft - later to become a neon sculpture inspired by Hilma Af Klint
primed layered wood elements of "Trade Winds"
paint choices for the base unit of "Trade Winds"
deconstructed cello that Don Scott helped me cut on a ban saw.
creating wire masters for wavy strings for "Funky Eddie"
beginnings of a new abstract design using glass from my "boneyard"
abstract piece roughly laid out and experimenting with paint and placement of additional square and round wood elements
My first layout of raised abstract wood pieces
wood pieces primed in white - ready for colors
my first four solo Spirit Totems
three different pieces on my work table partially done. I wish I had more space!
finishing touches on Spirit Totem Trio - my first in a series of totem pieces
early progression of design of "Caddywampus II"
a triangular piece I have never shown - but love the concept of Breathe
Blue beaded piece sold to a collector in Santa Barbara
welded stand for commissioned work for New York client
Klaus Nomi - singer and iconic performer - inspired our sculptures of Klaus - collaboration with George V Wolf
foam layering on soft sculpture hair piece for Klaus 1
wood bases for hair piece, head, raised eyes and mouth for Klaus 1
Performer and fashion icon Joey Arias - this character design inspired our three dimensional sculptures of Joey
wood base for headdress soft sculpture for Joey 1 and 2
One of the many Lips pieces with neon - collaboration with Chris Gocong
Soft sculpture headdress for Joey I sculpture - collaboration with George V Wolf
wire master for neon glass for "Trip The Light Fantastic" built on a vintage trumpet
Chris Gocong and I at CommenUnity in Santa Barbara when we had completed "Bowie" and "Memento Mori"
wire master for the neon piece in the bell of "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" built on a pocket trumpet
The back of "Memento Mori" - cabling connecting all the electrodes of the neon pieces, and two transformers to power this large work
designs for neon glass for my original version of "Sondheim's Sunday"
“Funky Eddie” In Progress
Creating wire masters for wavy strings for “Funky Eddie”
Videos about the Process…
This is a series of videos exploring the process and philosophy of creating my LIghtWorks designs.
Art Show
Kate Oh Gallery New York City
Madison Ave & 72nd New York, NY - Solo Show 2022
I was honored to have a show at the beautiful Kate Oh Gallery, curated by Benji Alexander in the Fall of 2022. To be in the middle of the Upper East Side of NYC at Madison Avenue at 72nd Street was an unforgettable experience. I loved spending time in the gallery over a three week period visiting with art lovers and collectors and having engaging conversations about art. I was honored to deliver many of my works to collectors in that neighborhood. I enjoyed exhibiting with Chris Gocong and George V Wolf and working closely with them to make this show a reality.
The flyer for the NYC Show at Kate Oh Gallery
Chris Gocong and I having finished loading the van leaving from Santa Barbara to NYC
The fully loaded van about to head to New York City from Santa Barbara
Chris Gocong, Anthony Edwards and I at Kate Oh Gallery in NYC
Kate Oh - owner of Kate Oh Gallery NYC
Rod, Joey Arias and George V Wolf at NYC show opening reception
Joey Arias after his performance at the Catalina Club in Los Angeles in Fall 2022
Rod, Joey Arias and George V Wolf NYC
Rod and collaborator George V Wolf NYC
Rod and entrepreneur/model Garrett Swan - Kate Oh Gallery Opening
Unloading the van at Kate Oh Gallery - Madison Ave and 72nd Street NYC
Chris Gocong, Catherine Remak, Rod and Gary Fruin - on the Gary and Catherine Show, October 2022 - Santa Barbara. Gary and Catherine have been hugely supportive of my work for over 25 years
Rod with writer/journalist Joan Tapper at Kate Oh Gallery Opening
Jeannie Sprecher, Greg Lee and Lila Fox at Kate Oh Gallery Opening
Rod at the Kate Oh Gallery NYC
"Memento Mori" by Chris Gocong and Rod at Kate Oh Gallery NYC
Rod and Access Theatre patron Rhiannon Howell - Kate Oh Gallery NYC
Rod with actress/author Kate Mulgrew at Kate Oh Gallery NYC
Rod and Grammy Award winner Melissa Manchester - friends since 1989
Singer/composer (The Voice) Mendeleyev and Rod at Kate Oh Gallery NYC (I produced a solo concert of Lev's at The Marjorie Luke Theatre)
Collector Heidi Winston Jenson with one of the works she bought - Kate Oh Gallery NYC
Composer Brad Fidel, Rod and actress Ann Dussenberry visited from Santa Barbara - Kate Oh Gallery - NYC
Broadway star Howard McGillan (long time friend and native Santa Barbaran) Kate Oh Gallery NYC
Howard McGillan and Rod - in front of "More Light" - a tribute to Steven Sondheim painted by Chris Gocong - neon by Rod - Kate Oh Gallery NYC
Rod with dancer/choregrapher Kim Jones (we worked together at Access Theatre) NYC
Collector Rod Hare and Rod - Kate Oh Gallery NYC
Rod with filmmaker Laura Bialis - NYC
"Time Flies" at home with Anthony Edwards and Mare Winningham in their NYC apartment
Brad Hall and Julia Louis-Dreyfus at an event I produced at The Marjorie Luke Theatre, Santa Barbara
Old friend and Honorary Board Member of Access Theatre - Academy Award winning actor Michael Douglas and Rod - NYC
Rod and Broadway star Clarke Thorell at the opening of Harvey Fiersteen's "Bella, Bella" NYC
Geoffrey Canada of Harlem's Children's Zone in NYC
More images of LightWorks
I love seeing where my works end up living across the USA. Visiting homes of collectors is an honor and a treat. Here are some photos of LightWorks collected and in galleries…
"Saxoflow" was acquired by Fredda Meisel who has now left it to her family. RIP Fredda - you are missed!
"Jubilation..." made its debut at Isaac Gonzales' CommenUnity in Santa Barbara
"Clarinade II" was acquired by a collector and it has this view from her apartment window in the Upper East Side of NYC
"Ode To Modernism II" lives in the beautiful condo of Greg and Miguel Lee-Leon in Palm Desert, California.
"Peaceful Planet" lives in the stunning Spanish Colonial Revival loft next to the historic Arlington Theatre on State Street in Santa Barbara, California.
A collection of images by George V Wolf - based on our collaboration on "Joey"
"Time Flies" lives happily in the 5th Ave apartment of actors Anthony Edwards and Mare Winningham
"Primordial Spirit" in actress Kate Mulgrew's Upper West Side apartment - NYC
"The Mother Ship" at home with "Sleepless In Seattle author Jeff Arch in Montecito, California