Local Sculptor, Whitmore Boogaerts, of WB Sculpture Studios was generous enough to give some of our Gilbert Stuart students a tour of his studio, and a welding demonstration in his workshop. He explained how a proffesional artist "wears two hats". The hat of an imaginative, creative person, and the hat of a businessman. The students had many questions for this artist and he readily answered them.  

   Where do you get the inspiration for your artwork?

I get inspiration from a lot of places,  nature, other artwork, the materials that I work with.

  What materials do you use?

Steel, stainless steel, sometimes stained glass. He also explained how he used an arc welder, compressed air, and a sander.

How long does it take you to make a sculpture?

The most efficient way to work is to do multiple artworks at the same time, so it is hard to say exactly.

How do you find the center of gravity in your kinetic sculptures?

Mr. Boogaerts went on to demonstrate how he tack welds the top piece to the spring base, and lets it settle into place before welding it completely.

  Back at school we discussed some of the art elements, and principles that the students noted in Whitmore Boogaerts sculptures. The students expressed that space, shape, form, and movement (both actual and implied) were present in his artwork. They were then asked to create some abstract sketches inspired by this artists work.