For one night only this piece debuted to a small group of locals in a private viewing at Hidden Mosaic Studio in Rockwall County on Monday, September 16, 2019. Days later this 1,020 lb sculpture was forklifted and transported to the 2019 State Fair of Texas in Dallas.
The Artist cleverly designed this Longhorn with a variety of agricultural related items to form the shape. Along with items that you can visualize around Texas cities. He incorporated a song, “Deep in the Heart of Texas” as a hunt to find the object hidden on the body as well as interacting with it. Swish the tail, knock or ring the bell. This hunk is one the Artist put a lot of Texas spirit and pure joy in.
Making Cool Stuff Out of Junk
Artist Curtis Dybala, a Spring, Texas resident shared, Lefty’s Story. He wanted a creative challenge to build a sculpture in his style that represents an iconic Texas symbol. When it was possible he utilized pieces that reflect or came from major influences in Texas. Such as farming, ranching, oil & gas, Texas cities, cowboys, wildlife, and of course Texas pride.
One of his favorite songs is, “Pancho and Lefty” by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard believe that it seemed to fit in naming his masterpiece. Pancho is his cowbird sidekick who hangs out on his left horn and is made form cutlery.
From nose to tail it is 10 feet and just shy of 6 feet. The horn distance is about 7 feet and the total horn length is 11 feet. Approximately 1139 pieces are incorporated into Lefty the Longhorn & Pancho.
This project took place over a year with over 300 hours of labor time. The ears are poseable, his teeth move, the tail swings and hidden tickle spot rings the bell. Also featuring a surprise of the cow’s rear. You must lift the tail and take a look inside.
The most common used parts was 95 drill bits. There are over 20 animals hidden in Lefty.
After recording and listening to the Artist in sharing his work. I was intrigued by the talent this young man has. He truly has a gift with welding and to artistically capture what makes up our beautiful state. From the wildlife to the memories of why we call this land our home. There is so much to see that each time I looked into Lefty there was more to find.
Artist Curtis Dybala features an online gallery of metal work and is available for commission to make a new life out of second hand items that is considered junk, scraps and any clutter. He follows the footsteps of his artist mother, Barbara Dybala. Through inspiration from her work he branched off to find his artistic style and storytelling. I think he found it!
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Facebook Live Recorded By Adrienne Balkum
Czech Republican Guest Artist Presentation
Later another presentation was made by a Czech Republican Artist Renáta Fučíková. She is from Prague the national capitol of the Czech Republic. She spoke in English and shared her award-winning illustrations that were published in a variety of books. Mostly her works illustrated fairy tales and folklore. Some of the imagery you may recognize that it was inspired from the Bible and other classics. Her work had a type of pen and ink styling that worked with the story dialogue. She captured music using art of Czech composer and conductor Antonín Dvořák. She worked with a number of writers in illustrating biographies of Czech legends or historical influencers. She was involved in longterm projects that represented the everyday European lives of the extraordinary to the ordinary figures in history. Creating multiple-dimensions of details, timelines and information packed illustrations that gives the reader so much to view.
Much of her work was thought-provoking. Captivating the reader or the viewer to be immersed in the story along with the beauty of the drawing details. From the colors to just what is conveyed on the page.
Her latest book, Bohemian Stories, Renáta presented a graphic journey of immigrants and tells the history of Czechs in the United States. She creatively captures the bonds between our two countries through their lived experience in the barren prairies of the Midwest. In the Czech Republic, Renata was awarded the Most Beautiful Book of the Year in 2014.
To learn more about Renata visit her website and view her published works.
