Allard's Enchanted Eyeview
Artist: Dale Ann Watne
Artwork: Dreams of O’Keefe
Dimensions: 10x12
Price: $250.00
Medium: Bone, wood, paper, wire and lace.
Subject: Animal skull
Description: a white drawer with paper background, holds a small skull of a found
animal, perhaps a dog or coyote. The skull is white and covered in lace on the front of it is a small colourful brooch made of shells along the bottom is a twisted piece of barbed wire adding further dimension.
I have been an admirer of Dale‘s work for quite some time. It was a wonderful
opportunity to chat with them and learn more about their process, their work and a little
more of who they are.
This particular piece caught our attention because we really enjoy the colours and the 3-
D work that Dale accomplishes.
The words “dreams of O’Keefe” were not immediately in my awareness when I saw the
artwork and I thought that was really eye catching placement because I had to get close
up and really see the intricacies of the lace around the bone of the skull in order to see
the words. The addition of a colourful shell brooch is a beautiful bringing together of the
whole piece. The title was inspired from the thought that the dog is dreaming of being
one of artist O’Keefe skulls. All of that was brought together by an Attractive paper in
the background lining the drawer.
It feels as though the words being 3-D (scrabble pieces) were obscured in a way that
had to draw you in. Adding the large piece of old barbed wire really does add that
western feel with a sense of elegance tied in by the brooch.
Unique, that is what I would describe it as, extremely unique and beautiful.
Dale is a self-described maker, always being one creating seems to be in their DNA.
One of the first pieces that they described creating was from a car muffler owned by one
of their kids. They turned it into an assemblage around the time of the golf war. Along
the muffler, they lined up plastic soldiers with words of varied meaning. The title of the
piece was “Exhausted soldiers” , which seems to have been a turning point to continue
working in 3-D assembly.
While talking to Dale, I mentioned how I could see their work being on sets in the
theatre or film. That's when I found out that they really enjoyed that type of presentation
and it seemed to be something that they may want to do in the future. Including
costumes.
Dale uses found objects and items they discover in thrift stores, garage sales and
sometimes in alleyways. One of their favourite finds was an ice tong. The kind used to
pick up ice blocks back in the early 1900s, what a pretty cool find.
Dale has been showing their work at the Denver Arts Society for approximately three
year, and can be contacted at Daleann49@gmail.com.
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