Brian Jensen Part 1: Metalworks

by Kathleen Huebener in Art Inspires Art
     
The ability to visualize beauty in raw materials is evident in the artwork of this “Arts Inspires Art” guest artist. Brian Jensen, ranking high in the art field, capitalizes on his God-given ability to convey the essence of beauty of each material through his artwork. Although it is a change for us from the two-dimensional artwork that has been previously exhibited,
Brian’s artwork warrants our attention, because it is true art.

In the following weeks, I have the honor of presenting a few of
Brian Jensen’s artwork in “Art Inspires Art.”

  • Brian’s Artwork Part 1 includes this introduction and metalwork: ten metal pieces that would fitly garnish any establishment or home.
  • Brian’s Artwork Part 2 will feature metalwork: jewelry and unique cutlery.
  • Clay artworks are included in Brian’s Artwork Part 3.
  • Sculpture, Paintings, Etc are included in Brian’s Artwork Part 4.

 

Tamara and Brian Jensen are dear friends. It is a blessing to know these two artists. It is refreshing to see a husband and wife support each other totally in their art endeavors. I call Brian “Bro” for he is like a brother, in that we enjoy sharing the excitement and thrills of viewing art at art events, especially those art pieces of his wife Tamara.

Enjoy.
Featured Artist: Brian Jensen

Drinking Vessel

Forged and joined base with raised bowl

Copper, brass
*******

  Letter Opener

Forged Damascus steel blade
Hot wrapped copper
*******

Coin Holder

Forged brass
*******
  Elephant Box
Formed, soldered hollow shape
Copper, oxidation coloring
*******
  Art Object
Solid cast brass
Lost wax process
*******
  Pipe Knife and Pick Set
0-1 tool steel, antler, brass,
Agate set cabochon
*******
  Perfume Bottle
Copper, walnut base
*******
  Mantis Form Holding Raised Cup
Forged copper, brass
Raised brass cup
*******
  Sunlit view of the curvilinear
Mantis Form Holding Raised Cup
*******
  Candle Holder
Copper, brass, stainless steel
Upset, forged, and riveted
*******

Be sure to view “Brian’s Artwork Part 2” next Friday.

Beautiful handcrafted jewelry and cutlery awaits your viewing.

Brian Jensen

Brian enjoys the sensory attributes of the materials he works with. The warmth of forged metal, the cool feel of clay, or the fragrance of freshly carved walnut are what enhance the experience of creating. Brian has always been interested in many forms of art, yet he had very little formal training in art until college. While in college Brian did not train for a career in art, rather he followed a scientific curriculum, yet found time to include
undergraduate and graduate classes in metal, clay, and sculpture.
Form is paramount to Brian. He tends toward the organic rather than the mechanistic in his work, which can be seen most clearly in the metalwork he creates. He believes himself to have been the fortunate student of some of the finest professors in those fields.
Professors Chuck Evans and Phillip Allen provided extremely well equipped studios
with clear but open teaching styles and emphasis on striving for perfection of form and technique. Professor Paul Shao taught Brian the fundamentals of sculpture, emphasizing the refinement of form. Brian was given the opportunity to assist Professor Shao
in casting some of the professor’s metal sculpture
and finishing some of the professor’s wood sculpture for display.
Other major influences include:
the works of Henry Moore, with massive, iconic minimalist sculpture,
Alexander Calder showing how steel can move and respond to even the slightest wind,
and Heikki Seppa, whose mastery of hollow ware and refined forms
remains unmatched today.
These individuals, both alive and dead, have shaped Brian’s understanding of how art can make people feel and what it can convey. They have collectively given him a foundation of technical knowledge and an appreciation of the aesthetic that vision and hard work can achieve. They have shown Brian that his interest lies primarily in three-dimensional work, although some of his favorite works to study are paintings in the impressionist style,
just because he likes them.
Finally, Brian maintains that mistakes are part of the process
and vital to the creative outcome.
He will say that most of his work, especially the works he likes the best
come from a concerted effort to fix what he technically phrases as ‘a screw up’.
“We all have them; it is how you deal with them that matters.”
A former art and science instructor in the Illinois Public School System,
Brian Jensen has had work exhibited in several venues,
 including the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum in Mason City, Iowa.
He works in various media, including stoneware, both hand built and thrown, metalwork,
and knives incorporating traditional techniques of raising, forging, and pattern welding.
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