ARTIST'S STATEMENT 

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I'm intrigued about what makes a place or thing magical, and I'm learning to identify and use different elements of this hidden domain. I work in three dimensions and a variety of styles, the scales ranging from smaller wall pieces and sculptures to the architectural. Whether I'm creating a wall hanging or a waterfall, I'm intuitively drawn to the same motifs and inspired by the same sources. 

 

I live in a pantheistic, pan-cultural world in which things have a life of their own - they express deeper meaning and are not simply what they seem. Places I've lived - Spain, Morocco, Turkey, England, Venezuela, the Texas Hill Country - have profoundly influenced me (some at a preverbal level), their cultural biases intermingling freely inside me. 

 

Nature provides more springboards: textures, color gradations, cloudscapes, layered panoramas, smoke, waterways, the more colorful animals and their surface patterns (tropical fish and butterflies are favorites), stone, stalactites, flowers, bones. 

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I use a variety of mutually supporting techniques to impact the viewer or user: the cumulative layering of elements that requires one to shift one's viewpoint and "fill in" to complete the image; the favoring of additive, incremental media (mosaics, beads, stone, stained glass); pointillistic color blending; the relating and interplaying of metallic, flat opaque, translucent, and shimmering mirror colors; hints of exotic times and places; the employment of humor and childish playfulness; the use of biomorphic forms and sensual curves; the application of rich textures and aggressive color mixes; the sculpting of stratified spaces; the planning of unexpected discoveries and juxtapositions. The end result is an accessibility, an opulence, and a high level of engagement that has both an immediate and a time-release effect. 

 

This discovery over time is paramount. I am challenged to keep each sculpture and each installation open-ended, ephemeral, ever-changing. Isucceed as an artist to the degree that the viewer or user is wonder-struck, transported to other realms, or finds that something has more going on - more uses, more dimensions, more delight - than was first suspected. Always more... 

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Joy.  Delight. Reverence. Awe. Although often elusive in our daily lives, these are modes of being inherent in each of us.  You’ve felt them all, particularly when you were a child.  They’re magic lenses through which you can perceive and transform the world.  And if, in the presence of my work you’re able to to embody any of these states, then I will have succeeded as an artist, no matter what media, intentions, or techniques I happened to have used.

 

My art is the outgrowth of exploring unusual combinations of materials and methodologies.  Some of them are time-honored--glass seed beads, wrought iron, stained glass; some are modern--heat-treated Plexiglas mirror, clear casting resin, LEDs.  Occasionally I’ll appropriate found objects if I think their architecture can be quietly submerged into an assemblage.

 

I use a variety of mutually supporting means to gain and hold your attention: the manipulation of rich textures, aggressive chromatic combinations, pointilism, and brilliance;  hints of the exotic and the ancient;  the favoring of additive, incremental, time-intensive media;  the interplay of metallic, translucent, shimmering, and flat opaque colors;  the influences of sacred iconography and archetypal imagery;  the use of biomorphic forms and sensual curves;  the employment of juxtaposed materials and unexpected discoveries;  the distillation of elements from my wildly multicultural childhood;  and the cumulative layering of elements that requires you to shift your viewpoint and “fill in” to complete an image. 

 

The end result is visceral, opulent, and unexpected.  You’re getting a body/soul vibration rather than an intellectual concept. There’s an accessibility and high level of physical engagement which have both an immediate and a time-release effect.

 

These are not so much exotic flowers to seduce you as they are stepping stones, jumping-off places into the mystery and sacred beauty of this immense universe.  References, even, to your own inner magnificence. The Sufi poet Hafiz spoke the truth when he said “art is the conversation between lovers”.

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SKILLS, CAPABILITIES, AND EXPERIENCE

Since 1973 Talbot has owned and operated various incarnations of Neverland Designs, with three overlapping focus areas: fine art in 3-D, mixing media such as ferrocement, mosaics, glass, metals, beads, plastics, and ceramics; the design and construction of children's environments; and exterior design, including decorative masonry and waterscapes. 

 

A hands-on artist/designer/builder, Talbot is at home with small and large-scale media, in both public and private domains. He understands the workings of a business, and has worked closely with architects, artists, landscapers, media specialists, educators, and contractors. He's run work crews ranging from paid craftsmen to unskilled volunteers, sometimes in groups of over 100. He's fluent in Spanish, computer-literate, and proficient in the handling of construction equipment. He's been involved in personal growth work since 1985. Raised military, Talbot had lived on five continents by the time he reached college, and to date has lived in or visited 33 countries, and as many states in the U.S. 

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GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2024       AVAA New Works Show, Austin Art Space Studio & Gallery, Austin TX.

2019        Fortlandia, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (People’s Choice Award), Austin TX.

                Materials: Hard & Soft, international juried exhibition w/ catalogue, Greater Denton Arts Council, Denton TX.

                Magic of Life, Art Emporium, Austin TX.

2018        AVAA New Works Show, Austin Art Space Studio & Gallery, Austin TX..

2017        AVAA 12BUY12 Show, Austin Art Space Studio & Gallery, Austin TX.

2013        People’s Gallery, invitational exhibition at Austin City Hall, Austin TX.

2012        Material Appeal, invitational exhibition at The Gallery at MUSEO, Austin TX.

2011         For The Love Of Art, invitational exhibition at the Austin Art Space Gallery, Austin TX.

                Big As Texas, invitational exhibition at the Mexican American Cultural Center by Texas Museum of

                                    Fiber Arts (3rd Place), Austin TX.

2009       Big As Texas, invitational exhibition at the Texas State Capitol by Texas Museum of Fiber Arts

                                    (2nd Place), Austin TX.

                 Texas Biennial, invitational exhibition at Women and Their Works Gallery, Austin TX.       

2008        Bedazzled, an invitational exhibition at Lux Center for the Arts, Lincoln NE.

2007        2nd Annual Bead Invitational, invitational exhibition at the PISMO Gallery, Denver CO.

                  Elemental, invitational exhibition at the Kane Marie Galleries, Virginia Beach, VA.

2006        Un.Bead.lievable, invitational exhibition at Barnstone Gallery, Philadelphia PA.

2005        Represented by Shidoni Gallery, Santa Fe NM.

                  Materials: Hard & Soft, international juried exhibition w/ catalogue, Greater Denton Arts Council, Denton TX.

2002        Bead International 2002, invitational international juried exhibition w/ catalogue, Southeastern Ohio

                                    Cultural Arts Center, Athens OH.

                  The Audacious Bead, invitational exhibition at The Bead Museum, Washington DC.

2001         The Austin Art Scene, invitational exhibition by the Austin Coalition of Artists, Austin TX.

                  Real Art for Real People, invitational exhibition by Texas Society of Sculptors, Austin TX.

2000         Bead International 2000, Southeastern Ohio Cultural Arts Center (Juror’s Award), Athens OH.

                  Time Capsule, invitational exhibition by Artists’ Coalition of Austin, Austin TX.

1999          The Nature of Things, invitational exhibit by The Creative Arts Society (People’s Choice & Best of Show), Austin TX.                           

1997          The Beaded Object, invitational international juried exhibition w/ catalogue, Southern Highland Craft Guild, Ashville NC.

1994          Architectural Artisans: Craft in Building, invitational exhibition, University of Texas Architecture Dept., Austin TX.

1980          Texas Designer/Craftsmen Exhibition, SW Craftsman Gallery, San Antonio TX.

1977           Alumni Art Exhibition, Rice University (People’s Choice Award), Houston TX.

PUBLIC ART

1979-2021   Casa Neverlandia, art house, studio, and gallery (work in progress), Austin TX.

2022            Magic Portal, 9’ x 20’ x 11’ interactive ferrocement sculptures in Stacy Park, Austin TX.

2021             Fairy Pavilion, 14’ x 60’ x 23’ interactive children’s play structure, Walnut Creek Park, Austin TX.    

2019             Fortlandia, play structure at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (People’s Choice Award), Austin TX.

2015             Children’s Playscape, 16’ x 42’ x 77’, Isla Morada FL.

2012             CanCan Nebula, three 8’ x 3’ mosaic exterior panels for Bouldin Café, Austin TX.

2011              Your Essential Magnificence, 7’ x 14’ x 5’ mosaic-clad sculpture for the City of Austin, Austin TX.

2006            Transition, four 2’ x 66’ mosaic panels, Austin Bergstrom International Airport, Austin TX.

2004            Mosaic-clad ferrocement Sculpture, 9’ x 3’ x 2’, Nicholas Dawson Park, Austin TX.

                     Children’s Play Castle, 26’ x 57’ x 57,’ Memorial City Mall, Houston TX.

2000            International Herb Garden Sculpture, 10’ x 26’ x 6’, Austin Green Classroom, Austin TX.

1981              Folk Toy interactive 2-story toy store entrance, masonry exterior, pond, & landscape, Austin TX.

 

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2024        ICOSA Gallery, "Window Dressing", Austin TX.

2007        Dell Jewish Community Center, Austin TX.

2005        Houston Contemporary Crafts Center’s Asher Gallery, Houston TX.

2004        Origins, Santa Fe, NM.

2003        Driskill Hotel, Austin, TX.

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HONORS AND AWARDS

2019         People’s Choice, Fortlandia, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin TX.

2018         1st Place, Art In Public Places commission for Stacy Park Project, Austin TX

2012         One of 50 nation-wide awards, Americans for the Arts Public Art Network Year in Review, Washington DC.

2011          3rd Place, Texas Museum of Fiber Arts Juried Exhibition, Austin TX.

2010         2nd Place, Texas Museum of Fiber Arts Juried Exhibition, Austin TX.

2009        3rd Place, Natural Home Magazine’s “House of the Decade”, Loveland CO.

2006        2nd Place, Art In Public Places artist, Twin Oaks Library Project, Austin TX.

2005        1st  Place, Art In Public Places artist, Bergstrom International Airport Pedestrian Bridges Project, Austin TX.

2004         People’s Choice, Austin Visual Arts Association Membership Show, Austin TX.

                  People’s Choice, Best of Show, The Nature of Things, Creative Arts Society, Austin.

2000        Juror’s Award, Bead International 2000, Southeastern Ohio Cultural Arts Center, Athens OH.

1997          1st Place, Art In Public Places artist, Millennium Center Sculpture Competition, Austin TX.

1977          People’s Choice Award Rice Alumni Art Exhibition, Rice University, Houston.

 

WORKSHOPS, CLASSES, TOURS, AND MEDIA PRESENTATIONS

2019        Taught hands-on ferrocement sculpture classes at Neverland Design Studios, Austin.

2018        Casa Neverlandia part of Austin Weird Homes Tour.

2016        “Magic In Our Environments”, PPt lecture for Creative Mornings, Austin.

                 Casa Neverlandia one of four featured destinations, West Tour, Austin.

2015        Hands-on ferrocement sculpture class, Blue Moon Glassworks, Austin.

                 Casa Neverlandia featured VIP House, Austin Weird Homes Tour.

2013         Lecture with PPt. presentation & art display, Texas Museum of Fiber Arts, Austin.

2012        “Overview of the Last 25 Years”, PPt lecture, The People’s Gallery, Austin City Hall.

2011          Casa Neverlandia hosts Austin Mosaic Guild tour.

2008        Casa Neverlandia hosts Houston’s The Orange Show Foundation tour, Austin.

2005        Artist’s home/studio complex, Casa Neverlandia included on Americans for the Arts National

                        Conference Art Homes Tour, Austin.

2004        “Magical Places, Magical Things”, PPt show/lecture at  LAMP, Univ. of Texas, Austin.

                  Casa Neverlandia part of Texas Council for the Arts “Keep Austin Weird” Tour.

                  “Magical Places”, slide show/lecture at American Institute of Architects ongoing education

                         symposium, Austin.

2000        Casa Neverlandia part of Austin Museum of Fine Arts Bohemian Homes Tour.

                  Casa Neverlandia hosts Austin Friends of Folk Art tour & mosaics demonstration.

                  Hands-on 6-week Art & Creativity Class at Neverland Designs Studio, Austin.

1997         “Magical Places for Children” slide presentation at IPA Conference, San Antonio TX.

1995          Keynote Speaker and Frank King Memorial Lecturer, International Play and Education Conference,

                         Wolverhampton, England.

                  “Magic in Children’s Environments” hands-on workshop, Putting Play First Conference, Belfast, N Ireland.

1994          “Beading Techniques and Recent Works” hands-on workshop, Austin Bead Society.

 

EDUCATION

2002-08  Studied metal sculpture and ceramics, Austin Community College, Austin TX.

1983          Studied play design under Dr. Joe Frost, head of the Early Childhood Education Department, University

                           of Texas at Austin and president of the Association for Childhood Education International.

1979          Studied jewelry making, Austin Community College, Austin TX.

1972          Apprenticed in the taller of Josep Grau-Garriga, “grandfather of modern tapestry”, Barcelona, Spain.

1971           Received BA in Architecture, with minor in Fine Arts, Rice University, Houston TX.