T.R. Reed

I make what I like to call ‘creachters' – 21st century tabletop incarnations of 19th century ‘whimsies' or ‘whirligigs' – kinetic sculptures that move or interact by means of an outside power source such as wind, electricity, or the observer's intervention. All of my creachters are original creations designed by and executed by me and myself alone. Here is basically how I design, build, and paint my sculptures. First, I choose a theme, sketch it out on wood boards, and cut out the figures and shapes with a scroll or band saw. Next, I sand and shape the parts. Then, I assemble them, utilizing various glues, nails, metal rods, wires, pipes, and wooden dowels. Lastly, I brush paint them with bright acrylic colors, giving them the cartoon caricature kinetic effect I prefer.