We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jeff Glode Wise a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jeff Glode, appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
My mother actively brought art into our lives as children, taking us to museums, free concerts in the park, and always having art supplies in the house. My father was a commercial pilot and was frequently gone, but he got us out into the woods and involved us in building projects around the house. They sponsored 3 international students from Howard University who were frequent guests in our home, Terry and Carmen from Trinidad and Audrey from Jamaica. The melodic quality of their voices and stories, and their exotic background had a profound affect on me.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have been a compulsive maker of objects my entire life, starting with mobiles made from clothes hanger wire and origami paper folding when I was around 10. I then taught myself silversmithing and had a lively business in junior high school, making peace symbol rings for $3 and roach clips for $8. I am a child of the 60’s. Together my wife Susan and I had an international career making art jewelry, with our work in the permanent collection of several prominent museum. Susan now spends most of her time doing abstract painting while my creative energy is focused on sculpture ranging up to 18′ high for both gallery exhibition and public art commissions. I wanted to focus my conversation on how I make artwork that is personally satisfying and generates a liveable income. I have always found low tech, affordable solutions for making my work. Resourcefulness and ingenuity is far more important than a snazzy studio full of equipment. I had a big well equipped studiobut when the economic collapse of 2008 hit, our income dropped 90% virtually overnight and we had to convert the studio building into a rental house. Since then I have worked in a single car garage in the winter and move outside under a tent in the summer. I produce large welded sculptures with a basic MIG wire feed welder and electric hand tools. I break pieces into manageable components and limit my techniques to processes that don’t require large machinery. Most of my sculpture’s are weblike forms of steel rod which I bend using simple hand made jigs and basic blacksmithing and forging techniques. I erect simple wood tripods rigged with rope block and tackle to lift pieces. If I need work done that requires other techniques that aren’t available in my shop I work with other craftspeople and technicians. We often barter and exchange labor and knowledge in place of money, creating a community of artists. I work at mentoring younger artists and hire them when I need assistance so that I can pass on my knowledge and green money energy out into the art tribe. In return I receive their energy, enthusiasm and knowledge of new ways.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
People see artists as possessing some unattainable mystic knowledge, which to some degree is true, not everyone has has an inexhaustible well of imagination and vision to sustain them. But I believe that curiosity, creativity and courage are qualities that can be exercised and developed. Talk less about yourself and ask questions about others. Observe the world, participate aggressively in life. A quicky mart store is a galaxy of color, human drama and visual complexity; just look at the candy display…breathtaking.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I am so much more fulfilled as an artist once I came to terms with the statistical reality of fame being an unlikely outcome. There are so many spectacular talents that will never be known or discovered by the larger world. New York, L.A. or London were not places that I gravitated too, I never went to college. Instead I lived, seeking adventure, studying the art of those who came before, interacting with the people around me. Being present and real. Recently I poured my creative juice into a bicycle rack for a local physical therapy clinic. I made some money, had a blast and contributed to my community aesthetics. Next month I’ll make a trellis for a friends garden. This month I’m completing a large public sculpture commission. the first success outside of my own community after having entered over 120 competitions. That process developed my writing skills, understanding of my own work, while building my resume which may lead to other opportunities. I am happy, fulfilled, challenged, frustrated and thrilled with the ability to live a rich, complex life
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: JeffWiseArt
Image Credits
all photos by Jeff Glode Wise