Art by Ramon Matheu

Crab or Crabinator?

2011-01-27T18:47:00.000-08:00

I recently discovered the joy of metal sculpture while working in a friends welding shop a couple of weeks ago. I took to the art of welding fairly quickly, but I wouldn't make it as a professional welder. I'll save my new learned skills for the arts, and can certainly see myself having a lot of fun with this. I am now practiced at cutting steel and welding it back together to create an endless amount of new artistic, 3D possibilities.

It really is an amazing feeling to be able to cut through 5/16 inch steel like it was melted butter. I think it took me about a minute to draw this crab and the same to cut it out. Guys that work with metal would think nothing of this process, but for me it really is unbelievable and addictive too!

This photo displays my first hand cut and welded art sculpture. It measures 9"w x 6.5" h x 3" d and weights about 4-5 pounds. It may require a little more polishing, but I do think its pretty finished for my first piece. Be on the look out for more steel works from me in the very near future. I have a lot of neat ideas to get working on, and will predict that they'll be getting much larger too.

Scintillating Sweetness

2011-01-27T18:16:00.000-08:00

I have just completed a new digital art piece that I've titled "Scintillating Sweetness", which was completely inspired by the giant Domino Sugar sign located at Locust Point, in Baltimore, MD. The sign first appeared on April 25, 1951, and has remained a vintage icon in the Baltimore skyline for 60 years. The sign measures a whopping 120-by-70 feet and rests atop the infamous Domino refinery.

I hope that I successfully captured the brilliance of the 650 neon tubes as well as the 760-amps-per-hour used to light up the giant billboard. The poster size is 18 x 24 inches and will fit in a standard size frame. It is printed on Epson Photo Paper and uses pigment inks which will last for many, many years.

Current economical times are hitting hard for everyone, and I understand that the D.S. sign has been turned off at times to save on power bills. I'm sure its very expensive and I really can't blame them for doing so. Rest assured that a few people have told me that you can give the factory guys a nice phone request and they'll actually turn it on for you should you want to impress that out of town guest.

Crabs or apples?

2011-01-11T19:02:00.000-08:00

If you've ever wondered where Blue Crabs come from, I can honestly tell you that they don't grow on trees but, apples do. So why the name Crabapple Tree anyway?

Well, I did a little research and discovered that Crabapples are actually differentiated from apples based on fruit size. If fruit is two inches in diameter or less, it is termed a crabapple. If the fruit is larger than two inches, it is classified as an apple. Bet you didn't know that. I've also learned that Crabapple Trees have such a great reputation for being so vibrant and colorful, that many artist have given them the nickname of "jewels of the landscape."

I certainly agree with the nickname, but I selected the Crabapple Tree as my newest inspiration because it has a funny name, and I could have fun with it.

I would like to take this time to introduce my first artistic piece of the new year, simply named "Crab Tree". It's an easy play on words, but I also think its a little more Maryland. A tree like this would certainly make crabbing a whole lot easier, but I wouldn't want to sit under one no matter how sunny and hot it was.

Please check my online store in the next few days for availability of the "Crab Tree" print.