Meet Manny. Another friend of mine who’s from Back East. A sort of tough guy on the outside but really a good guy where it counts.

He’s been through a lot in his life and although he might come on a little strong, he just wants to be one of the group and have a good time.

He’ll not give up the chance to give his two cents worth and he’s pretty funny too when he does. His voice is deep and he talks out of the side of his mouth. Reminds me of some of the “wise guys” I grew up with in Jersey. Buy him a drink and he’ll talk your ear off all night long.

He’s one of my friends who’s been with me the longest and I know you would pay anything to bring him home with you, but he’s not on the “for sale” list. (well, let’s face it, most everything, except our kids, has it’s price, so if you must have him…)

It’s about two feet across with 2 layers of plasma cut steel that’s textured, painted and clear coated to protect it from that humid Florida air. Note the red hot “grill” behind the letters. Get your ribs here!

This piece I made also from cold-rolled steel, using my plasma cutter to cut out the shape and letters. I found this font after searching and searching (as is the case much of the time) and really like how it looks cut in the metal. It’s hard to see but the underlying metal is painted dark red with splattered black on top of it. Looks very rich and lends itself nicely to the overall look (not bragging, just happy with how it turned out).

My friend Elchanan is quite a rare individual, another like him you will never meet. If ever you want to know anything about anything, he can provide in-depth details as if he personally wrote the book on the subject. And he’s not one of those stuffy smart types. Always he keeps an attitude of levity and good nature, even if his jokes sometimes border on the outskirts of corny.

He has been a true Godsend to me and my family and we’re lucky to be able to call upon him for guidance and clarity whenever we find ourselves stuck in the mire of habitual thinking. Though a very busy fellow, he will find the time to lend an ear and patiently guide us through our present challenge.

It is 2 layers of steel, with the top layer cut with a plasma torch then textured with a grinding machine and a dual-action sander. The bottom layer is painted green with black spatter. They are secured together with a little air space in between. The back is painted as well and the whole thing is clear coated for long term protection and to add a little sheen to it. It is about 18″ wide and 13″ high. The lower spacer on the back is to allow it to hang parallel to the wall.

Like a coup,

Sudden and unwanted

Thoughts put in place without permission

Noticed too late,

the damage has begun

And I’m lost in illusions

that seem so real

I make them that way

This is the power I have

and I’m sad because I know it

and could have chosen differently

Energy, precious,

is wasted

Friends and lovers are concerned for me

They are affected as well

I am lucky to be loved

But during the fight,

I use that love as a weapon

to continue the takeover,

And allow my mind

to think it is me

Greg Duncan

I made this for him out of steel. It is 3 layers with the top and second layers having different textures created by using assorted grinding/polishing mac

hines and the third, bottom layer being painted in a gray textured/wrinkle finish. It is coated with a clear, glossy finish. All wall-hanging pieces are designed to hang perfectly parallel to the wall. I think they look much better that way.

As I was making it I went with the energy I was feeling as I thought about who he is. I find it fascinating and fun when I can create in this way, as if I were a channel for Divine expression. This happens all the time, especially when making a piece for an individual or family.

Here’s something inspirational I got a few days ago. I was waiting for my friend David to come up to the dock gate where his boat is moored to let me in. I was standing on a suspended walkway that was about 12 feet above the water which connects from the land down to the docks. The water was pretty clear and just slightly course from a mild breeze. I did as most boys would do when looking down at a body of water from an elevated distance, and spit. Not a big spit. A very small bit that I sent forth with a quick push of my tongue. I watched it sail down to pierce the surface and create a perfect ring that started small and pushed effortlessly outward, growing smoothly and increasingly larger and larger. I watched it grow and was amazed at how big it got and how it was actually a small wave. A circular wave that began as a single ring then turned into 2 smaller rings then 3 even smaller rings as it expanded.

I thought about how I’ve heard that energy can’t be destroyed, only change form and I saw it right there. It was a powerful amount of energy to be able to be so easily visible and to grow so large. It was the smallest bit of spit! I watched for what seemed like a long while but was perhaps just 30 or 40 seconds. I kept looking along the whole diameter of the ring till I could no longer capture it all in my sight, even as I scanned around in all directions.

It was a message for me and I felt it within as I stood there alone in that early morning mid-winter sun with the gentle ocean air steadily cooling my face. Even though at times I think I am just a tiny speck of spit, I posses limitless power. I need only tap into it, to allow it to flow through me with intention. To be as a conduit. Not creating the energy, not taking from the principal of all that is.

Based on what I witnessed with that tiny bit of energy I knew I had everything I desire and need within me. What other beings can say that? To flow energy? To direct it consciously? Are we not lucky? Are we not blessed?

At times I am embarrassed to know I have this power and have used it like I’ve pulled the trigger on a machine gun and I now spin around out of control and off balance and doing all I can do to slow myself down enough to regain control and release the trigger. And when I finally do I look about I see the not entirely positive effect I have brought upon my world.

I hope to do better. To wield my energy (make choices) with less fear, more trust and greater control. See, the little boy in me is leading me to freedom.

Greg Duncan

TODD

Let me introduce you to Todd, one of my newer creations. His head is one end of an old Electrolux canister vacuum. When I first saw it I knew there was a creature hiding inside, so after a few weeks in the studio, out he came!. When I showed it to my son, Zander (3 and a half), I asked him what I should name him. Without hesitation he blurted out “Todd”. I’m sure he had never heard the word before, so it came as quite a start when I heard him say it. And it seemed so perfect too.

The canvas he’s poking through had been sitting in the studio too for a while, as I had promised myself I would one day put it to use. My first thought was to have a try at painting, as I had never attempted that before and seemed like it would be fun. But when I saw Todd’s face I knew I had to see him breaking through that canvas like an alien burning his way into the atmosphere on his entry into our world (I’ve tried doing things “within the box”, I really have. I just can’t seem to do it).

He looks especially cool when the lights go down, as his nose and mouth are illuminated red (there’s a switch underneath). I think you’ll agree he has quite the personality.

As much as I love him, I need to make room for new pieces so if you must have him, please let me know.

Gallery price: $2500

Direct cash price:  $1500

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