2024, MAY- JACK PEZZE

 

 

What material(s) do you use in your sculptures?
“I use steel and aluminum wire. I also occasionally use glass beads.“

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is your primary forming method?
“All of my sculptures are made with my hands and a few tools as needed. I solder the steel wire together to make the frame then I wrap that frame in colored aluminum wire.”

What is your favorite surface treatment?
“I use polyurethane on each finished sculpture to seal it and for aesthetic value. “

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are your favorite Tools?
“Ergonomically designed  needle nose pliers.”

Describe your studio environment.
“My wife, Barbara and I have dedicated a spare room in our home as our studio. Barbara is a pencil drawing artist. The studio is well lit and comfortably accommodates both of our needs.  “

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How/Where do you market and sell your artwork?
“I have not put the effort forward to sell my art. I like to think that time is coming though. My work is not well known yet.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What sparks your creativity? What drives you to create?
“My inspiration comes from particular memories of my life. For example, a giraffe at the zoo, a moose encountered on a camping trip, perhaps a particular tree or bridge I’ve seen are just a few. All of my sculptures mean something special to me because they bring me to a good place in my mind.”

Did you come to sculpture from a different career? Tell us about your journey to becoming a sculptor.
“I have always been artistic. I started my adult life as a Steamfitter/welder. I looked at that type of work as art, trying to create the perfect weld – clean and uniform. It was fulfilling.  I started sculpting in 2019 after losing my parents within 3 months of each other.  It helped me work through the grief.  After retirement, covid afforded me the time to explore and develop personally as an artist. My type of art is a bit unique and there isn’t much art out there to compare to. I have been blessed to have this vision and to create works I am proud of.

Art is therapy for me and I suspect it is for all members of this organization. Everything around us is beautiful if it moves you, regardless of what it is. I am the kind of person who recognizes that beauty and then is moved to create something reflective of that through sculpting. I believe that every person has some level of artistic ability. Finding your niche is the difficult part.“

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How have you have taken your experience as a well-established maker in the field and passed that knowledge along to other artists?
“I happen to live in an area rich with artistic people. We critique each other’s work and support each other. Since the medium I use is nontraditional, I don’t get many opportunities to share my abilities. I would like to though.“

What’s the best advice you’ve been given by a fellow maker, mentor, or teacher?
“Art is right in front of you if you look for it.“

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TSOS Member Profile:  John Pezze

Bio:

My name is Jack Pezze. I grew up in southern Wisconsin near Milwaukee.  I have always loved and appreciated art in all forms.  I began my career as a welder/pipefitter and worked in the field for 18 years.  I enjoyed welding and always considered that my art and tried to create the perfect welds – clean and uniform.  It was very fulfilling.  I finished my career as the Training Director for young apprentices.  Upon retiring, my wife and I moved to Pflugerville, Texas near Austin – a place rich in the arts.  I began twisting wire following the loss of both parents in 2019 within months of each other.  It was very therapeutic and provided me with purpose. I began creating wire sculptures inspired by special memories throughout my life.  Covid provided me the time and opportunity to explore and develop personally as an artist. It’s rewarding to turn simple materials, like wire, into something that is appreciated by my peers.  I still reside in Pflugerville, Texas with my wife, Barbara, and our dog, Pfred.