Dale Rogers Studio

Angel Sculpture

2010-02-08T10:07:00.017-05:00

Heading down to Sarasota, Florida last December, my mind was wandering to ideas for a new sculpture. I sketched out a few designs for a new piece and I was pretty happy with the finished product. To me it represented a piece I felt could bring joy and peace to a lot of people.

While I was at the show, a couple approached me and after conversing with them for a short time, they inquired about an Angel sculpture. They liked the look of my work and the materials I used, but really wanted something in the shape of an Angel.

I couldn't believe my ears, and pulled out the sketch I had been working on that morning....it was an Angel that I had been thinking about for the last few days. I showed it to them and they felt it was almost exactly what they were hoping for. I'm returning to Florida in a few weeks and will be delivering the piece to them.

You can see the video of the finished piece here...

Something was aligned correctly to bring this couple into my booth at this art show.

Thanks for following....

Ciao,
Dale

We Love that Corporations are Providing Public Art

2009-12-01T09:56:00.013-05:00

We were honored to have Avon Marketplace in Connecticut turn to Dale Rogers Studio for inspiration when they decided to include some art into their already beautiful shopping plaza.

We were more than happy to work with them and as a result, made this 8 foot sculpture for their shopping center.

Public Art, such as sculptures can really help to define a community and set a tone for a creative surrounding. We applaud Avon Marketplace for giving back to their surrounding town in this way !

Dale feels strongly that "public displays of art inspire people of all ages to think about the world differently. Young people are influenced daily by their surroundings and art can be integral part of their creative development. Public Art evokes an emotional response from all who view it"

I think shopping (and most everything else) is always more fun when there is beauty, insspiration and craftmanship like this to appreciate.
-Allisa, Dale Rogers Studio

Re-introduction of Dale Rogers Studio

2009-08-14T16:06:00.005-04:00

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the blog of Dale Rogers Studio. Please accept our apologies for being negligent in our blogging ! It has been 1 month since our last blog !

Going forward, we hope to blog at least a couple of times a week, keeping everyone up to date on our events and happenings. We are very blessed to have a lot going on for the next few months and we are looking forward to sharing it with you.

So....let me catch you up to speed on Dale Rogers Studio and introduce ourselves to any new readers we have.

Dale Rogers (the captain of our ship) is an award winning metal sculptor from Massachusetts. He has been creating metal sculptures for many years, selling his pieces to private collectors as well as municipalities.

His most iconic and recognized work is the 16 foot tall American Dog Sculpture located at Exit 48 on 495 South in Massachusetts.

Working with Dale is Gregg, our CWO (Chief Welding Officer) and myself, Allisa. We also have the pleasure of working with James, a local high school student who has helped Dale over the summer.

Snaps!

2009-07-15T11:37:00.008-04:00

I was interested to find the following photos that appeared on the Eagle Snaps! section of the Eagle Tribune web-site.

The link below contains photos taken by Eagle Tribune photographer Tim Jean when he and Reporter Mike LaBella visited the studio last week. A couple are from the article (see previous blog below) and some are new. Enjoy!

(Click 'next' to see all photos.)

http://photos.northofboston.com/gallery/8757119_Z5hsC/1/585651612_DcpVj/Medium

The Big Dog Show... coming to a park near you... summer 2009. www.thebigdogshow.com.

Thanks for checking out the Dale Rogers Studio blog. Ciao!

The Big Dog Show is Creating Some Buzz

2009-07-10T23:06:00.008-04:00

It's less than a month until we launch The Big Dog Show in my hometown of Haverhill, MA. Each day that draws the event closer brings us more inquiries from those who can't wait to see it, are glad to finally know who's behind the dog on 495 as well as locations asking to become it's next stop.

It was a pleasure to host my local paper, The Eagle Tribune, this week and explain what the event is all about. I enjoyed sharing the history of the dog, my dream of creating New England's Largest Solo Sculpture Exhibition and my hope of where it will go from here.

A month from now I hope people of all ages are saying they found enjoyment from seeing my twenty large dogs and that they leave smiling.

The following link is from The Eagle Tribune, July 9, 2009. Or, read the story below.

http://www.eagletribune.com/punewshh/local_story_189223124.html/resources_etp_mobile_story

Haverhill artist to haul 10,000 pounds of works around region

A 10,000-pound dog pack

By Mike LaBella
mlabella@eagletribune.com
Published: July 9, 2009

HAVERHILL — When most artists take their works on the road for an exhibit, it involves little more than packing up paintings or pottery and loading the trunks of their cars.

But Haverhill sculptor Dale Rogers is preparing a traveling exhibit that will require him to use a 26-foot trailer capable of carrying 8,000 pounds, and a smaller trailer that can haul 2,000 pounds.

Rogers, 36, creates huge dogs and other contemporary sculptures out of costly long-lasting sheets of steel. You may have seen one of his most popular pieces along the highway.

His 16-foot-tall "American Dog" has been attracting attention ever since he placed it on his family's farmland near the off-ramp of Interstate 495 at the Ward Hill Connector three years ago.

The award-winning artist plans to take his popular American Dog sculptures on a traveling public art exhibit that will begin Aug. 6, with a weeklong show at Bradford Common in Haverhill, before moving on to Portsmouth, N.H.; Ogunquit, Maine; Newburyport; Beverly; and finally Lowell in September.

"It's kind of a big pack of dogs," Rogers joked while explaining his plans to display 20 smaller versions of his American Dog instead of a variety of different sculptures. "I think they make the best statement in groupings of single sculptures."

Rogers said he makes a good living at his craft, selling many of his pieces at high-end art exhibitions across the country as well as to private collectors, businesses and municipalities as private and public art. He will tell you that adding sculptures to the public landscape, such as the pieces he created for Newburyport, can inspire people of all ages to think differently about the world.

"It creates a response. It invokes a thought," he said of his art.

And that drove him to develop and plan "The Big Dog Show." The collection of 8-foot-tall and 10-foot-long dogs weighing 500 pounds each is intended to inspire and entertain all who see it.

"This is a free public art exhibition and the dogs will not be for sale," Rogers said. "But if someone wanted one they can contact my studio."

Calling it New England's largest sculpture exhibit by one artist, Rogers said it has taken two years of planning and creation and that he is solely funding the show with an investment of more than $200,000.

His hope is to attract the kind of national attention that could lead to partnering with a corporate sponsor for a national show.

"My vision is to present 100 dogs in a traveling exhibition in eight major U.S. cities," he said. "But to do an event like that, we'd need to partner with a nonprofit and a corporate sponsor."

He said he chose to feature his American Dog in his traveling exhibition after numerous encounters with strangers at juried art shows who told him they remember seeing the dog on the highway.

"No matter where I go people recognize the American Dog sculpture," he said. "Whether it is in Chicago, St. Louis or Nashville, they know they saw it in Massachusetts."

But for some strange reason, some of the people he's met at shows in Connecticut seem to remember seeing his big dog sculpture in Maine.

"It's where many people from Connecticut vacation," he said.

When Rogers ponders some of the greatest sculptures in history, those of Easter Island jump to the top of the list. They inspired him to create steel images of the huge, famous stone faces on the island.

As for his 16-foot-tall metal dog, he's planning to sell it for around $40,000.

"What we're hoping to do is replace it with a bigger dog," Rogers said.

Paul Prue, who is organizing the second annual Bradford Common Out-Door Music Series beginning July 17, called Rogers a "true artist" who wants to bring his work to the public and share the experience.

"It's not about money," said Prue, whose music series will be promoted by a giant sculpture of a guitar that will soon be on display on Bradford Common. "I think the big dog show will be a beautiful thing. You'll be able to go up to the dogs and pat them and no one will yell at you."

"The man is amazing," Prue, a local stained-glass artist and blues musician, said of Rogers. "He has found his niche, and every time I drive by that I-495 dog it puts a big smile on my face and I'm sure on everyone else that drives by it."

Taking the metal dogs on the road

20 metal sculptures of dogs, called "The American Dog''

Each weigh 500 pounds and are 8 or 10 feet tall

Will be hauled by a 26-foot trailer and a smaller trailer

The Big Dog Show

Aug. 6-11: Bradford Common

Aug. 13-18: Pierce Island, Portsmouth, N.H.

Aug. 20-25: Littlefield Park, Ogunquit, Maine

Aug. 27 to Sept. 1: Bartlett Mall, Newburyport

Sept. 3-8: Beverly Common, Beverly, Mass.

Sept. 10-15: Jack Kerouac Park, Lowell

Details: www.thebigdogshow.com

Photos

Tim Jean/Staff Photographer

Thanks for checking out the Dale Rogers Studio blog. Ciao!

Ogunquit is in!

2009-06-11T14:53:00.008-04:00

One of Maine's most-beautiful and art-inspired seaside towns, Ogunquit, has chosen to team with The Big Dog Show this August 20th - 25th. Littlefield Park on Ledge Road off Shore Road will be home to my twenty dogs for the week.

It's a quiet park that is truly a hidden gem in town. It'll be a pleasure to spend the week there-- just a short walk from the Marginal Way. Our hats go off to the people of Ogunquit for making art a priority in their town and for making this event happen so easily.

Thanks for checking out the Dale Rogers Studio blog. Ciao!

Launch of The Big Dog Show Web-Site

2009-06-03T13:42:00.005-04:00

The site has finally been launched. People can get specific information on the purpose for the exhibition, schedule (it starts on August 5th) and see photos including a gallery called 'the making of the American Dog' as well as promotional photos taken for the event.

We're working on finalizing a 6th city. It'll be quite exciting that this tour, originally intended to stop in four cities, will have expanded to six locations and, possibly three states. The demand is greater than we planned for and this is a good thing.

We're ready to launch a national press campaign with a focus on arts and entertainment, pet periodicals and companies as well as corporations and individuals with an interest in socially responsible activities and events.

The photo above was taken as the big dogs were being arranged for the promotional photo shoot. It really shows how 'larger than life' these dogs are.

I hope you'll be able to witness the event in person. To learn more about how you can become involved, click 'get involved' on the web-site.

Thanks for checking out the Dale Rogers Studio blog. Ciao.

Retro Trees

2009-05-13T15:11:00.007-04:00

Expanding on the concept of the 3 Cubes piece I first created in 2007, is my newest design, Retro Trees. I consider this work a sister piece to Olive Branch. It combines both the geometric shapes that I love and the sophisticated, whimsical look that has been growing in popularity.

The thematic inspiration behind it is the spring-- the time of year the piece was designed. It’s built on the idea of natural elements which I’m finding is a re-occuring theme for me and often my design inspiration.

This piece is turning out to be quite difficult to create. I'd love to know what you think.

Thanks for checking out the Dale Rogers Studio blog. Ciao!

South San Francisco Here I Come!

2009-05-08T15:23:00.001-04:00

That is the 10’ foot American Dog speaking, of course!

I’m thrilled that the 10-foot American Dog left Haverhill this morning bound for South San Francisco, CA just in time for the unveiling of the dog park on Centennial Way next Saturday, the 16th.

I admire these folks for spending time and money to do it right. This is going to be such a pleasant spot for dogs and their owners to roam freely.

Enjoy, four-legged friends!

As always, thanks for checking out the Dale Rogers Studio blog. Ciao!

A Symbol of Form and Function

2009-05-01T16:27:00.010-04:00

I’m pleased that my work gained some unexpected coverage once again. Rob and Sandy fell in love with a piece they insisted was perfect for their new, soon-to-be completed weekend retreat. Shortly after the purchase there was talk of a possible feature article of their property that my work would help to decorate.

A beautiful 4-page spread on the owners’ refuge did in fact appear in the March issue of Nashville Home and Garden. The home, a combination of modern and rustic, the likes of which you might see on the pages of Dwell magazine, blends the couple’s styles.

I love the way the owners chose to position my stainless steel Ball Tower sculpture in the garden area just across from the stone fire pit and visible from the outdoor dining space. It’s an honor for my work to be featured in such a beautiful space built and filled with carefully chosen details and objects. The piece along with other exterior design elements helps to connect the building to the property and, I believe, set the tone for the stunning interior of the home.

Enjoy your sculpture and your sanctuary, Rob and Sandy.

Thanks for checking out the Dale Rogers Studio blog. Ciao!

A possible 6th location for The Big Dog Show?

2009-04-27T15:02:00.005-04:00

I just received a tip about another location hoping to bring The Big Dog Show to their seaside town for the enjoyment of their residents and visitors. Due to scheduling, there's a gap in the line-up and filling it with another location sounds very appealing.

This location would be the 6th stop in a tour of twenty, 8-foot metal American Dogs. As mentioned in an earlier blog, the exhibit will visit each location for a week at a time from August through mid-September and is funded by me and free to the public.

This latest possible location is attractive since it's visible from a high-trafficked route in the one of the most picturesque places in New England.

Stay tuned... hope to make an announcement soon.

Who knows where they go from here...

Thank you for checking out the Dale Rogers Studio blog. Ciao!

Bea Girl... my latest

2009-04-17T17:24:00.004-04:00

My newest creation, Bea Girl (photo right) inspired by an older sculpture called Distant Beauty (photo, left), contains new elements that I haven’t attempted before. Using new techniques, I designed flowers in stainless steel with a flip-flop finish that give this piece a more three-dimensional look.

Like Distant Beauty, Bea features a woman’s face in stainless overlay on the cor-ten but with an updated whimsical hair style. This piece has cleaner lines than Distant Beauty that features a ‘softer face.’

This sculpture is making its premiere at the Four Bridges Art Festival in Chattanooga, TN this weekend.

Would love to hear your thoughts….

As always, thanks for checking out the Dale Rogers Studio blog. Ciao!

To receive an email when my blog is updated, go to www.google.com/alerts and enter keywords: “dale rogers” and “blog.”

Portsmouth is a go!

2009-04-08T14:09:00.003-04:00

On April 6th, the Portsmouth City Council unanimously approved The Big Dog Show-- a sculpture exhibit of twenty of my 8-foot metal dogs on scenic Peirce Island from August 12th - 19th, 2009. Across the bridge from Prescott Park and Strawberry Banke, Peirce Island (see photo), a beautiful spot visited by residents and visitors alike, is home to a public swimming pool, trails, playground, picnic facilities, boat launch and a breathtaking view. It's an honor to be welcomed by this community. And, it's a great place for my dogs to hang out this August.

Who knows where they go from here…

Thanks for checking out the Dale Rogers Studio blog. Ciao!

Unexpected Press… how often does that happen?

2009-04-03T14:35:00.011-04:00

Well, I was fortunate this month to receive some press in two major regional magazines—Baltimore Magazine and Boston Magazine. Thanks to friends who pointed them out.

Each featured a location where my work was prominently displayed. Is it possible that both were featured because of my art?

Baltimore Magazine published a feature article called, “Gone Fishin'” about a beautiful backyard filled with a water garden and, of course, Dale Rogers sculptures—the American Dog and Rise (see photo).

Boston Magazine displayed an ad from Glory Restaurant (one of my favorites) in Andover where an early work is featured on a wall in the lounge.

Free, effortless promotion—you gotta love it!

Thanks for checking out the Dale Rogers Studio blog. Ciao!

The Shark

2009-04-02T13:26:00.003-04:00

It’s cool when designs come to you instead of you having to go to them. The Shark has been in my mind for some time. Since the early years of traveling the fine art show circuit in Florida, I knew I just had to do one… it was just a matter of time.

I knew it had to be a piece that was fully three-dimensional. My work has finally evolved into those capabilities.

The Shark made from stainless steel (almost like the color of a real shark) is folded similar to the Easter Island Head I designed in 2008. Its intricate fold design allows me to give it detail and dimension while the smooth steel and finely welded edges keep it looking sleek. The Shark rests upon a slightly curved base giving it some height and the illusion that it’s swimming.
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I’m anxious to see how my clients in Florida like it and curious to get feedback from others around the country.

As you can see, it's not quite finished. I'll post a photo of the piece when it's complete. Let me know what you think...

Thanks for checking out the Dale Rogers Studio blog. Ciao!

Lowell, MA and The Big Dog Show

2009-03-30T10:28:00.001-04:00

I'm looking forward to meeting the folks in Lowell on Wednesday to talk about the plan for the show and seek out the perfect park location. They really get the importance of art and culture in their community. It’ll be a pleasure to bring the exhibition there.

It looks like they’ll be the last spot of the 2009 tour… just after the U Mass Lowell students settle in for the year and who I hope will find the exhibit amusing.

Who know where the dogs will go from here…

Thanks for checking out the Dale Rogers Studio blog. Ciao!

South San Francisco and the American Dog

2009-03-26T12:24:00.002-04:00

I am thrilled to announce that I just signed a deal with the City of South San Francisco, CA to place a 10-foot American Dog at their dog park on Centennial Way.

I submitted a response to an RFP for the city back in the spring of 2008 and they fell in love with the dog and found the perfect place for it. You never know where your connections will lead you.

I’m designing this 10-foot version now and hope to have it in place sometime this May.

I hope the people of South San Francisco, their visitors and, of course, their dogs enjoy many years of happiness in the company of the “American Dog.”

Thanks for checking out the Dale Rogers Studio blog. Ciao!

More public art

2009-03-25T14:10:00.001-04:00

One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is to share it with residents and visitors in public spaces. That’s why I was thrilled to hear recently that I was selected as the artist to create a sculpture for Central Park in San Ramon, CA.

What interested me most when I heard about this opportunity was the varied community use of the park as well as the description by the Parks & Community Services Department that the work should "portray the sense of fun and family that San Ramon is known for." I enjoy designing work that is accessible and enjoyed by people of all ages.

As with most commissioned art pieces I’ve done, the process is lengthy. I’ve found that the most important thing I can do as the chosen artist is to listen, collaborate and compromise. This is the community’s art and should represent the quality of their community not only to residents but also to visitors.

I look forward to a trip to San Ramon, less than an hour east of San Francisco, in a couple of weeks to meet with their planning committee where we’ll discuss possible designs and direction on the first day and refine them on day 2. It is expected that the piece will be installed in late fall 2009.

I’m honored to have another piece of public art on the west coast.

Thank you for checking out the Dale Rogers Studio blog. Ciao!

The Big Dog Show

2009-03-11T17:59:00.004-04:00

This is the first official announcement to kick-off “The Big Dog Show”—a five-city tour of twenty of my 8-foot, cor-ten steel dog sculptures (see photo) this summer.

This project has been in the works since January 2008. I’m happy to have all five cities on board and excited. The dogs are in the process of being created. And, we’re moving full speed ahead to start promoting the event.

Who knows where they go from here…

Become a follower of this blog to receive the latest on The Big Dog Show. Thanks for checking out the Dale Rogers Studio blog.

Florida Art Shows 2009

2009-01-16T15:04:00.003-05:00

Today was our last day of a few shows in Florida, and it was a bit cool. I found an activity to keep the kids entertained. The shows have been great so far in 2009, as I was handing out business cards on the beach, what happened next cannot be described in words, only this video clip does it justice.

First Blog

2008-12-04T17:14:00.005-05:00

Hey Everyone. Hope you have been able to check out my newly updated web site and welcome to my first (of many, hopefully) blog. A lot has been happening.

I’m happy to say, and thanks to many of you, that I’m wrapping up my best year to date. My work continues to expand as I’m becoming fascinated with fresh designs as well as new technology that’s making these innovative, complex designs possible. I’m excited about my newest piece, Easter Island Head (see photo) that is created by complex metal folding. It has created quite a buzz and I’ve already received two commissions.

I have my Florida shows coming up in January - March. I’m excited that the whole family will once again join me for part of the trip.

I’m happy to announce that I’ve gotten approval from two cities for large scale solo exhibitions for the summer of ‘09. I’m excited to further my career with these events that feature twenty 8-foot dogs with a new design. These dogs are limited edition and numbered. We are currently working to sign on two additional cities. I hope to expand from being solely a gallery represented artist to a large-scale exhibition caliber artist. Stay tuned… this could be exciting.

If you’d like to be notified by email when my blog updates, you can easily set up a ‘google alert’ by clicking here: www.google.com/alert. Enter ‘Dale Rogers Studio blog’ in ‘search terms.’

Thanks for checking out the new Dale Rogers Studio blog. Ciao.