Traditional Art: Interview with JShapeShifter

While back I got pointed to this amazing sculptor , who spends months at a time creating amazing works from clay, dragons, wizards, mythological creatures… He patiently never omits a single detail, even crafting every hair, every scale, … I look at him and I see a hero, who is true inspiration, who manages to overcome obstacles of  Post Polio through his art, as well as managed to stand up tall when life got him down. I could not even begin to express my admiration in such strength in a man, and how much push he has given me to try to better myself.

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Can you please tell me a bit about yourself and your amazing sculptures?

I was born in Erie, Pa.in 1952 (yes, I am a Chinese astrological Dragon and old as dirt, but actually, what  I'm often told is that I'm 18 years old with 37 years experience)  At the age of about 3 years old, I became obsessed with the drums. I would beat on everything in the house. From there I received my first set of drums at age 4. At age 15, my family moved here to Tucson, Az. I drummed for about 25 years, all through school and in my own rock bands up until 1980, when I retired. All through my youth I loved to play with the old glycerin type of clay, making weird faces and strange creatures, this continued for quite a while. I used to create a scary face and leave it on the coffee table to try to scare everyone (they really weren't very scary). I also was very fond of drawing and painting , especially with water colors.When I became an adult, I went to college as a music theory and composition major and commercial art minor. I dropped out to play music. I did that for a while and then, I owned my own businesses and spent all my time working them. During  those years, I missed my art, and my music, so in 1977 or so, I gave up my business and went "on the road" as a drummer. A few years later I became a flood and fire restoration specialist. After restoring about 3500 homes and businesses, I became aware of certain weakness and pain that ended up being Post Polio Syndrome from the polio I had when I was a toddler. It came back with a vengeance.  I was in denial for some years up until March of 1996 and then as my legs and arms stopped working properly , I realized ,with many doctors' advice, that I had to stop any physical work and deal with my physical challenges. It was so difficult, not just for me , but for my whole family.

Why did you chose medium you have? What has attracted you the most towards it?

In 1997 my wife and best friend, Cindy, asked me what I wanted for my birthday and , for some reason I said "clay". She bought me my first box of polymer clay that I had never heard of. When I realized I could sit and sculpt for a short while, I knew that there was something therapeutic about it. I became aware of the the color polymer clay. I found out I could could "bridge" (or mix) 40 colors into more than 3000 colors and shades. That's when I got totally into it. The awesome creative spirit that was in my music, was now helping me with my sculpting. I went through many pounds of clay and many, many hours of practicing and learning the mechanics of this material. It became one of my most important of times of each day, just sitting and sculpting, getting more and more technical with each piece I created. I refused to just sit and be "physically challenged". I could feel the importance of it, both physically and emotionally. The importance of it is not just for me, but for all artists who use this medium. It's time that the art world recognize it as a very viable and complicated source of beautiful creations. From what I am told, most art critics do not think that way. Therefore I feel very strongly that this concept they have, is in dire need of change.............I intend to "assist" them in making this transition.




How did you get started on DeviantArt?

One day I went on the computer, and just for the fun of it, typed in 'Dragons'. Well, The first thing that popped up was DA's Adnama Silverstone"s website. I got to talking with Amanda and she was the one that told me about the DA and how I should be a part of it. I agreed and she, literally, placed all the photos that I had of my work on my gallery. I was surprised to see the results and to meet people immediately that were sending such great compliments and comments from all over the world. At that time, the only people who knew of my art were family members and a few good friends here in Tucson, Az. It was so amazing and fulfilling to know that other people from around the whole world , liked my work. (still only a few people here in Tucson know of my art)  



To a lot of artists the art is about process of creation, and it is apparent from your work that it is same for you... can you please tell us a little bit about the process of making your sculptures and why you chose to use coloured clay instead of colouring the final product?

The process of creating my sculptures has gone through many transitions. I went from simple pieces to more and more advanced pieces as I practiced. I have been through the heart break of having pieces I had spent months on, develope stress fractures, and other problems due to the fact that I didnt learn the importance of structural integrity. I've since educated myself in the technique of using stainless steel armatures that I basically "blacksmith" together by hammering, bending, and wiring various sizes of steel tubing, and then drill them, bolt them and epoxying them together creating the true sculpture frame base itself, before putting any clay what so ever into the pieces. Strong armatures are everything !!  For the bases for my work, I have discovered that motorcycle, ATV, and bicycle sprockets work great. I get used and damaged sprockets from my son's friends or from repair shops, anywhere I see a sprocket lying around, I try to get it. As far as the color clay goes, I could paint them and be done quicker and easier, but I find the use of the color clay itself "bridged" into my own image I "see" of a particular piece, works in a more spectacular way  in the realm of detail, shading, and it is an integral part of who and what I am as a sculptor. The color clay is what stands out, attracting the attention of those who view it. When someone asks if I can create a certain type of sculpture, I always tell them to wait until I "dream on it". (I practice creative dreaming, scrying, and even some Shamanistic spell casting. Strange, but very true and very helpful)  It usually takes anywhere from one night to 4 or 5 nights for me to actually "see" the pieces totally completed in my mind. I, then, reverse engineer the whole piece, stage by stage back to where I only have a pile steel and clay lying in front of me (subconsciously) Then, the true fun begins. I reassemble the entire piece, stage by stage, and bring it into reality, and Voila!  the shapes of these materials have been shifted into something that makes people's brain recognize them as something familiar. I love sculpting esoteric pieces, but I also love to do natural things too. Such as birds, animals, reptiles, and even have done a few people.



Where do you find inspiration for your work?

What inspires me comes from so many areas, that I probably cannot list them all. It may be someone's comments, maybe a piece art, or emotional feelings such as  love, sometimes anger or frustration that forces me to experiment until I get it right, or maybe something as simple as seeing a bird take flight, or hearing a certain sound. Being a former classically trained musician, music is probably my main source. I listen to everything from Bach, to ACDC to Be Bop Deluxe, Emerson, Lake ,and Palmer, or YES.  Even the New Age music affects me, such as R Carlos Nakai, or Windham Hill Chill. My most favorite is, of course, being a drummer, RUSH! And sometimes my own ego,(yes, all artists have one) when I see something I've created, fit the piece I'm working on perfectly, can be quite uplifting. My awesome wife, Cindy, and all of my family and friends and their remarks and expressions can keep me going, keeping me strong and in tune with the vibe I am holding on to. I can literally collect strength from a thought or comment from many miles away that can be turned into a magnetic frequency value that gives me what I need to do just a little more, enough to help me relax when I am done for the day.
Another gift I seem to have to inspire me, is the gift of looking at a 2D piece of art, a photo, drawing, painting, or even written words. I am able to mentally change from a 2D paradigm to a 3D paradigm. Some artists' work jumps off my screen and I can "see" it in 3D right on my desk in front of me. I've told this to a few of my DA friends whose work is awesome. I, also receive many comments from mostly younger artists that praise me on my patience. I tell them that if you acknowledge what you have acomplished already, instead of dwelling on how much work is left to do, patience becomes a moot point. It's a difficult task to learn, but it is totally necessary and once you learn that, inspiration is everywhere!!



Which one is your favourite work of yours and why?

My favorite so far is the piece I'm working on right now. It hasnt been seen yet, so my most favorite piece that is completed would probably be Dragon Azul. This piece took me many months of practice , experimenting, and learning about structure and translucent coloring of it's wings. Also, giving each spike, horn, tooth, etc, their own coloring. I do , however, critcize several things on all of my work. I am my own worst critic. (as is nearly every artist is.)

Which are your favourite traditional artworks on DA?
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You said that art is your true painkiller in one of comments can you please explain?

Well, I know the term I'm about to use has become a cliche, but when I am in my "zone", My extreme pain does not exist nearly as much. My art takes over my consciousness, and helps eliminate the pain. I can only stay in my "zone" for a short while at a time, then I need to distract myself or shift my paradigm elsewhere and the pain returns. In essence, as one of my favorite doctors says, I can actually turn pain into beauty, this is very encouraging to me, but try as I might, I still need to come back and join the world consciously.

In one of comments you say that you have Post Polio? How does this affect your work? Do you use your artwork for healing?

Having been afflicted with the polio virus somewhere around 1954 or so, I couldnt' learn walk properly and had to have surgery to help the correct the atrophies. There are hundreds ot thousands of PPS (Post Polio Syndrome) people living and struggling right now as I type this. Polio attacks brain neurons, and either kills them or damages them severely They then grow back and seem to work normally for about 40 years or so, and depending on how you have lived your life. If you lived your life with an excess of physical strain and stress, the neurons start to die again resulting, as in my case, in extreme weaknesses and pain, plus the problem of manuevering through the world.. There is a PPS creed that us PPS survivors absolutely must adhere to. It's "conserve to preserve". I am forced to live that way because I will never get better and I will only get worse, especially if I try to do too much physically. I need braces and crutches, sometimes my wheelchair to ambulate. The reason the polio comes back is because certain people just plain work too hard and too long and are perfectionists.. That describes how my life was, exactly. As far as the PPS affecting my art work goes, I must take things very slowly. I have a lot if trouble just writing my name legibly and cannot walk very far, or do the regular things people my age do with ease. It takes about 10 times the energy to get up and shower and get dressed for the day, than it does a normal person......we wear down very quickly and must stop and take rest breaks often.....
But, we (PPS people) cannot sit around and do nothing. Even though my hands don't cooperate, I still can sculpt! I don't know why I have been given this great gift, but I am truly thankful for it, and for my doctors who help me. One doctor actually has some of my work. he has become a great friend, not just a doctor. That alone, encourages me to continue. Without the PPS there would be NO art! Sculpting doesn't heal me physically, but it gives me more of  a purpose to live. It helps keep me going in such a way, that I can still feel useful and needed as a human being. So, in that respect, it does "heal" me. ART is HEART and HEART is ART. I am able to put my heart into every single piece I create, and that is why I am able to collect very important energies from all the sculptures that I have created. Each piece I do, has it's own form and image, but in the reality of this Universe, it is actually more of "me". It keeps me strong enough to do what I do. This is why my family, my friends, and in it's own very special way , the DA, is saving my life, literally. Sculpture and love is a straw to a drowning man.
Thank you to everyone,
Jack Weidler aka jshapeshifter


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Thank you so much for taking the time to answer few questions and give us insight into your work and yourself.