ARCADE — As a professional caricature and carving artist, Eric Jones has experience with carving picturesque images using pumpkins, sand, snow, stumps, ice, and more.
And his latest is turning heads at Automotive Alley on Route 98.
Jones has been making remarkable formations for years for fun, but this is his first year creating for fundraising or major attractions. His impeccable skills had already paved the way for him to debut on the show “Halloween Wars,” this past autumn on the Food Network, as a pumpkin carving artist.
Embracing the abundance of snow that continues to fall this winter, Jones, of West Clarksville in Allegany County, recently started creating snow sculptures.
His first sculptures were during the Buffalo Bills NFL playoff season as the Bills gained momentum. Most recently, he created at 10-foot tribute in Arcade to men and women serving in the military by carving into a 10-foot wall of snow, which he titled “Tribute to WNY Heroes.”
“…It depends on the purpose,” Jones said when asked how he chooses his next sculpture idea. “Some are commission jobs, logos, characters, Some are fundraisers, whatever creates a draw.”
Excited to be able to help give back to the community, Jones is welcoming the wintry weather this year. An artist, who co-owns a large retail caricature site on the web — giveacaracature.com — Jones finds time in his busy schedule to create such stunning pieces of art for the community to enjoy together.
“If it’s for a charity I agree with, I make time,” Jones said. “It’s my gift, I need to share it. It’s a new business and/or philanthropic effort, still growing, learning, and developing.”
Once he chooses the sculpture he plans to create Jones begins by packing snow forms.
“I mold blocks of snow,” he said. “I don’t build up the sculpture, I carve it out. I fill forms with tightly packed snow, then cut away the negative space, then paint with food coloring and spray paint.”
He receives a little assistance with packing forms from friends, but he creates all the carvings himself. The sculpturing process can take Jones anywhere from two to three hours to even two days to complete.
Many sculptures created by Jones this season have been associated with a local charity. So far, with the support of the community and commuters from surrounding areas, donations have been made to the Patricia Allen Fund at Oishei Children’s Hospital, Kaely’s Kindness Foundation, WNY Heroes, Inc., and Make-A-Wish WNY.
Donations can be made on site when you stop by to see his sculptures or by visiting Jones’ business Facebook page at Eric Jones Caricatures and Carvings for additional links to donate to any of the above-mentioned charities and more.
Jones plans to create a life-size NASCAR next with proceeds going to Make-A-Wish of WNY.
“During these difficult times, it’s important to remember that in our struggles, charities are struggling even more,” he said. “They do not have the resources to help like they have in the past. I am using my gifts to make people smile in exchange for a donation to a hurting charity.
“Keep helping, I will keep creating,” he said. “We use the tools God has given us, I entertain through artistic creation.”
The most recent sculpture can be viewed at 11931 Route 98, at Automotive Alley, day or night. Weather conditions will determine how long it will remain intact.
For more information, follow Jones on Facebook, or Instagram @EricsCaracaturesAndCarvings, or visit his website at ericjonescaricatures.com.
"artist" - Google News
February 23, 2021 at 12:15PM
https://ift.tt/3kd4Ys5
Carving for a cause: Artist creates snow sculptures to support charities - The Daily News Online
"artist" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2FwLdIu
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Carving for a cause: Artist creates snow sculptures to support charities - The Daily News Online"
Post a Comment