Biography

Wesley Elefritz

Artistic Bio

Biography

Wes Elefritz has always been interested in art and exploring his creative side. His earliest exposure to hands-on art production that he remembers is in middle school where he explored mediums such as pencil, acrylic paint, ceramics, and copper. In high school, he furthered his art education and was exposed to graphic design. Elefritz's independent projects consist heavily of three dimensional construction. He is drawn to methods of creating works in which he can utilize numerous areas of expertise such as digital three dimensional design and construction. He blends the physical world and the digital and aims to create certain works that would otherwise be exclusive to the digital world. In addition, he often works with digital editing and production of both photos and videos. He is very passionate about his projects and always aims to create them works where his inspiration is evident and hopes to inspire others with his creations. At this time, Elefritz is currently studying visual communications ay Umpqua Community College in pursuit of his AAS degree. When not working or studying, he likes to learn more about and practice with the numerous computer programs he uses in his creative works. He aims to expand his knowledge and increase his capabilities in the creative world.

Design Statement

WES ELEFRITZ

-Design Statement, 2014

I am passionate about making creative works- in whatever form they take. It is my goal to create works that captivate, ensnare, mystify, and inspire creativity in others. My artistic works are widely varied in that they cover multiple types of media ranging from two-dimensional pieces to three-dimensional within multiple disciplines both physical and digital. In my artwork and design, I am driven to create with such a passion that I hope will affect the viewer and inspire such creative initiatives in them as well. I also like to create works that can be recognized and appreciated either for their resemblance or embracing of a well known ideological theme. When there is an understood criteria in place, I aim to not only meet it, but go beyond and solve any and all challenges while fusing my own creative intellect into them. My process is usually quite varied, sometimes it can be be relaxing, other times being whimsical, stressful, or even highly technical and tedious. I’ve been told that perhaps I work best under pressure. I am often able to effectively produce works with strict deadlines, as it encourages completion in a timely fashion, but I still have a powerful initiative to create art and works on my own, investing time and effort all the same. Ultimately, my process is driven by a powerful creative passion that always manages to manifest in some form or another and make itself evident in my projects.

Collected

Title of Work: Collected

Dimensions: 8 X 6"

Media: Digital

 

Collected was another project created during the Monster-a-day project in illustration for designers class. It was one of the runners up to solace that was to be put on a t-shirt as the final product. Collected earned its title by the expression worn by the tortoise. I am partial to desert animals, as I was raised in the Southwest and owned two desert tortoises myself. I enjoyed the process very much.

The Lift Log

Title of Work: The Lift Log
Dimensions: 11 X 17
Media: Digital

 

Lift log was part of a project for my Illustration for designers class. The project entailed creating an illustration that was inspired from a moment in a book we read. The book of my choice was The Edge Chronicles. The scene I referenced was one in which a fictional type of wood that becomes airborne when lit on fire is used as a makeshift jet to fire the main protagonist through the sky. The picture was created using numerous digital techniques; most notably composite photographs and utilizing a three-dimensional posing program to pose the character used in the image. I enjoyed creating the piece and was pleased with the way it turned out which was much better than I expected. I find the piece to be comical and pleasing with or without knowing the background information.

Warhammer Helmet

Title of work: Space Marine Helmet
Media: Card Stock, Elmer's Glue, Super Glue, Fiberglass Resin, Fiberglass Cloth, hot glue, Foam Cushion, Polarized Welding Mask, Corrugated Appliance Tubing, Automotive Body Filler, Spot Putty, Spray Paint, Metal Mesh Screen, Felt

This piece is a full-scale replica of a Space Marine helmet from the popular tabletop miniature game Warhammer. The pieces used in the game only stand about two inches tall with minuscule features, yet this helmet is full-scale and completely wearable. Though the shape of the helmet is simple and heavily geometric in design, it is still a powerful piece that bears its own expression, with the triangular ridge resembling somewhat of a furrowed brow and the mouthpiece an open mouth bearing its teeth.

In the lore of the game, the helmets are worn by the game's protagonist space marines. Though helmets are traditionally worn to hide the face of whoever wears them, this one still bears an expression of its own, representing the ferocity of its wearer and instilling fear in his opponents.

The helmet itself is constructed of fiberglass, with sections cut out to install ornamental pieces such as tubing along the jawline and grated vents in the mouth and forehead.

Olvidar

Title of work: Olvidar
Media: Layered Scratch paper
Dimensions: 2" X 2"

Olvidar was created using a piece of paper which could be scratched off in order to reveal the white beneath it. It was a very simple project at the time, but the more I looked at it over time, the more of a symbol it became. As the name suggests, it was looked at often during a period of time in which I often tried to forget. Although it was not originally created for any such reason, its somber look is appropriate for what it evolved to.

Solace

Title of Work: Solace
Media: Illustration paper, black India ink, toothbrush, Pilot .7mm Ballpoint Pen.

  

 

Solace was created as part of a monster-a-day project in an Illustration class. The project encouraged creating a monster a day using various methods. Solace was made using a toothbrush to spread the black ink on paper. In place of a straw, I took apart a pen and used the small hole in the end to blow the ink in various directions. After creating the arbitrary design with ink, I then added the skeletal elements using a ballpoint pen.

 



 

This was the first project I had done which involved scanning the physical image to the computer for the purpose of digital alterations and embellishments. I digitally removed the paper background and also filled the subject with a solid black color. I was very impressed with the capabilities I had pm the computer and was pleased with the result.

Mark Six Spartan Helmet

Title of Work: Spartan Mk VI Helmet

Media: Card Stock, Elmer's Glue, Super Glue, Fiberglass Resin, Fiberglass Cloth, Room Temperature Vulcanizing Sealant, Foam Cushion, Polarized Motorcycle Visor, Vacuum Cleaner Tube, Automotive Body Filler, Spot Putty, Spray Paint

I am quite fond of the process of creating replicas. The method I use blends technical digital skills and physical, hand-made craftsmanship.

Pieces such as this begin in the digital phase where they are represented as a three-dimensional object. The computer handles flattening the 3-D shape into separate groups of polygons. The "flattened" shape is then printed onto heavyweight card stock. (Card stock is used for both increased structural integrity in the piece's initial phase and then later for shape retention and to prevent warping when fiberglass resin and other chemicals are applied for strengthening.) Polygons are printed with corresponding numbers so that their edges may be aligned and attached with printed tabs. Polygon edges are often "scored" (cut lightly with an exacto knife to make folding easier and cleaner) 

After cutting out the shape's polygons, scoring and folding them, and aligning and attaching edges, the first form of the project is complete. The piece is made entirely of card stock and is still in its most initial, skeletal phase. After the frame is assembled, the process of strengthening begins. The piece is coated with 1-2 layers of fiberglass resin. Once it dries, the piece is sturdier but still quite brittle. Adding fiberglass cloth to the inside of the piece increases its strength exponentially.

After strengthening, the process of detailing begins. This is my personal favorite phase, as it allows for creative input and adding your own touch. The first step is applying automotive body filler to the exterior surface of the piece. After letting it dry, the piece is then sanded down thoroughly. This smooths out all of the hard edges created by the initial polygonal frame. The amount of effort put in to the detailing phase greatly reflects in the final product. This is another reason why this is my favorite phase. When the piece has been sanded adequately, spot putty is then used in the same process. This removes all hairline scratches and pinholes.

Once the piece reaches the desired level of detail, it's time for the final phase. Perhaps just as good if not better than detailing is painting. To ensure the chosen color shows through the best, a coat of flat black primer is applied to the piece. During this time, any required masking can be done with tape or similar materials. After painting the piece the desired color, the piece is then "weathered". This is done by spraying flat black in the piece's deep grooves and indentations. In the seconds following the application, the paint is wiped of with a cloth. The remnant paint in the deepest part of the grooves accentuates them and gives it an overall worn look. For added measure, and to create the illusion of metal, a coat of silver paint is "Dry-brushed" on to the edges of the piece. This involves spraying the paint directly onto a paint brush and painting along the edges to create a weathered metal effect.

After the piece is painted and detailed, it's then fitted with any ornamental or auxiliary elements. This particular piece includes a polarized motorcycle visor that was cut to shape and fitted with a Dremel tool. It's interior is also fitted with foam to make it a wearable piece.

To Grandma's

Title: To Grandma's

Media: Copy Paper, Black India Ink, European Paper

Dimensions: 20" x 26"

The Process

Title of Work: The Process
Media: Copy Paper Collage on Photo Paper
Dimensions: 20" x 26"

The Process quite simply is an illustration of what I believe to be my wildly erratic work patterns, focusing strictly on what I consider one of my greatest flaws- procrastination. The piece was created by copying images selected and cut out from various magazines. I settled upon the image of this man due to the fact that most of his extremities were outstretched and  could be manipulated into different positions to represent increased stress under the great weight of the increasing burden. Using an elderly man to represent myself hints at the potential strain on both physical and mental well-being that adhering to such a work pattern can cause. I am fond of the composition, because without explanation, the piece is open to interpretation in different ways. For example, given only the title "The Process" would those viewing associate this clue with the process of time, death, and the mortality of the elderly man? or something entirely different? In addition, despite the pieces seemingly morbid message, there is a certain comical appeal to the composition.

The symbol of the skull carries with it an inherent morbidity and is often associated with death; however, it is used in this piece to represent strict deadlines and those associated consequences for potentially missing them.

Stairwell

Title of Work: Stairwell
Artist: Wes E
Created: Winter 2013
Media: Ink on European Paper
Dimensions: 20"x26"
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           Stairwell was inspired by a photograph taken by one of my closest friends. It is made evident that he managed to capture a seemingly somber moment despite the photo having been taken on a bright, positive day which I still remember fondly. Despite this, it still appears that I am wearing a deep, brooding expression which although misleading, I believe adds to the overall drama of the piece and helps to captivate those who view it. The piece was created by referencing said photograph and creating a scaled-up outline in pencil, within which I would use my created stamp to apply the ink which makes up the many marks the piece is comprised of. The stamp was created by using an Xacto knife to carve out a design in the end of Pentel HI-POLYMER eraser. The stamp was made into the shape of numerous small squares, evident in the detail shot below.

 

           The piece is made up of hundreds of individual stamps. I enjoyed creating the piece, as it was both a new media and process for me and I was very glad that I was able to capture and recreate the expression in the photograph.

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Wes' Obituary