Award-winning illustrator and graphic designer Cindy Shake was drawn to metal sculpture by the physical challenges inherent in metalworking. Today, the full-time artist works from her studio in Anchorage, Alaska.
“When I see a fluid shape in nature,” says Shake, “I am often inspired to interpret the form dimensionally through sculpture. I think continually about the structure, size, balance, and finish until I am able to reflect the figure in my current medium of choice.”
Most of the artist’s sculptures start with a hand-drawn design, first in her sketchpad, then on steel sheet metal. Shake cuts each piece from the metal using a plasma torch and welds and shapes the work by hand. It’s not unusual for her to work on several sculptures at once, in several mediums, all in various phases of design, cutting, welding, finishing, patina, painting, or installation. Inspired by friends, family and pets, her fiber art and pattern designs have an illustrative and whimsical quality that she finds extremely satisfying while "working happy."
Shake’s work is featured in private collections across the United states and Europe and featured in the national publication of The Artful Home as well as Alaska Home magazine. Most recently the artist was selected to create a outdoor public sculpture in Mountain View titled “Bicycle Bloom” and was invited to participate in a juried, North Carolina Clay Show. Her popular children's book "The Alaska Animal Alphabet" is in it's 4th printing and is currently available throughout Alaska. Limited editions of Raven-themed fabric and hand crafted Art Cloth, designed by Cindy is available through the Quilted Raven in Anchorage. You can follow works in progress and see images of completed sculptures and artwork on her Blog, Art Making in the North.
