Two for the Trail
For many years friends and fans had been suggesting that the Bike Scribble form would make a great outdoor sculpture. But I am not a metalsmith and creating a 7.5′ x 7.5′ steel sculpture without somewhere to put it was not something one does “on spec”. As a renter who moves around the country about every 2-3 years to produce public art, I couldn’t very well install it in any of my landlords’ yards.
After the Greenville Track Club and Visit Greenville so graciously agreed to back “The Runner” sculpture along the Swamp Rabbit Trail the dream of a Bike Scribble sculpture inched closer to plausibility.
That ‘Chalking the Street’ thing
As things seem to happen in an artist’s life the opportunity nearly ran me over one day when it was least expected. Back in April of 2016 I was chalking the street as I often do at the start/finish line of a bike race. This start/finish line belonged to the Volkswagon USA Cycling Pro Criterium National Championships in Greenville SC.
After dodging the various pre-race activities in the middle of the street to finish my chalk Scribble I gathered up my stuff, slipped through the barricades and headed toward my friends’ viewing spot along the rail. Suddenly, a older gentleman, Russ (obviously a cycling nut with the telltale ripped and shaved calves), ran up to me. “Miss! Excuse me! ( I stopped, like, ‘who? me?’) Are you the artist who created “The Runner” on the Swamp Rabbit Trail? Why yes, yes I am. “We would like you to do a bike sculpture for our home.”
Russ inspecting the base of the sculpture to make sure it is level.
It turned out that this cyclist and his cycling wife – a cycling couple! – had recently retired to Greenville County from Chicago and were just beginning to customize their woodsy property. The gentleman turned out to have been an art librarian for major university libraries for over thirty years. When it comes to art appreciation an artist couldn’t dream for more.
It always starts with a drawing.
I went to see the site for the piece, which was, frankly ideal. A backdrop of enormous trees and garden areas lovingly landscaped and tended which hosted enormous butterflies would be a beautiful setting. We chatted about the clients’ interests and some options. I went home and drew up the design. They were thrilled. That doesn’t always happen on the first draft!
Plasma cutter, wielded by David Butts, cuts out The Runner.
I contacted the plasma cutter David Butts and consulted with Ryan Calloway of Creative Ironworks and set the project in motion. Four months later “Two for the Trail” was installed to forever ride past the trees, flowers, butterflies and hummingbirds on Russ and his wife’s lawn, situated purposely in front of their breakfast nook. We all couldn’t be happier or more proud with how well this all turned out!
All cut out on the floor of Creative Ironworks.
The “body” section is primed
Painting the wheels
Masking tape mountain
All done!
If you are interested in a custom Bike Scribble sculpture ( Bike Scribbl3D ) of your very own – any size from many feet outdoors to 18” on your desktop – please feel free to contact me: Bikescribble@gmail.com or call 970-403-4527
