Alchemist Artist · Tampa Bay, pirate mischief and reclaimed treasures
The Gasparilla Project
The Gasparilla Project carries the spirit of Tampa Bay’s pirate celebration into mixed media art. Found objects, reclaimed materials and a little theatrical mischief become pieces with stories that continue long after the parade.
This collection begins with the possibility in what gets left behind. Items found after the parade become part of another adventure, taking on new roles through copper, resin and reclaimed materials. The celebration becomes a starting point for making something that lasts.
From parade finds to pirate art
I like the idea that treasure can begin as something overlooked. A discarded object can suggest a detail, a character or the beginning of an entire piece. Bringing those elements together lets me carry the energy of Gasparilla into a different setting.
Captain Wolf and the Treasure Chest approach that idea in different ways. One becomes a character you can hang on a wall. The other transforms a vintage trunk into an object with its own strange world across the surface.
Captain Wolf
45 × 34 inches · Mixed media wall hanging
Captain Wolf brings the project’s pirate personality into a large wall hanging. The full view shows how the details come together, while the close photographs give you time to study the face, side and hat pin.
His glow adds another appearance after dark. Switch between the photographs below to see the strung gems and face in changing light.
Building the character
The process photographs show Captain Wolf taking shape. The mask and bones appear as separate stages before the completed face brings those parts into a more recognizable character.
Treasure Chest
42 × 24 × 20 inches · Mixed media restored vintage trunk
The Treasure Chest brings my interest in shoggoth imagery and steampunk into the project. A restored vintage trunk becomes a place to combine those influences with the collection’s sense of adventure.
These photographs document the trunk during its development. The original project notes described it as mostly complete, with more work still to do. The top, back and side views let you explore the different surfaces at that stage.
The adventure continues in the details
The Gasparilla Project gives found materials another story to tell. The pleasure is in looking closely, discovering how the pieces fit together and seeing a familiar object take on an unexpected identity.
Spend time with Captain Wolf’s details, compare his light and glow views, and explore the Treasure Chest from every side. There is more than one kind of treasure here.