The Photo Challenge this week is to look at a subject from different angles. I’ve chosen a Horse sculpture that stands in Plaza Fountainside, Fountain Hills, Arizona.
This horse, a mare, is called Maytag Maltilda. She weighs 5,000 lbs, stands 9 feet tall and is 11 feet long. The fabrication artist is Dixie Jewett. In her workshop in Dayton, Oregon, Dixie pieces together bits of metal and garage sale finds to create one of a kind masterpieces.
To see Maytag Matilda at her best, click on one of the photos to open a slideshow. To close the slideshow, press your ES-Ca-pay button (or the tiny ‘X’ on the top left of the screen).
People respond to her work, Jewett feels, not only because the sculptures look so amazingly lifelike and animated, but also because “they can identify with all the little bits. They’ve got stuff like that at home.” She vividly remembers the reactions of one couple. “The wife was amazed by how realistic and alive the horse looked. Meanwhile, her husband was up close to it and said, ‘Wow! A ’57 Chevy headlight!’”
– Norman Kolpas, Dixie Jewett – Horse Sense, Southwest Art –
The story of Dixie Jewett’s life is interesting, though difficult to piece together. The Southwest Art story referenced above is the most complete rendition of this remarkable woman’s life, but is a scant one page. I hope someone writes a more complete biography some day, because it isn’t often that an Alaskan Bush Pilot/renowned welding artist is a woman!
This week’s WordPress Photo Challenge: From Every Angle
How clever! Maytag Matilda looks fabulous.
LikeLike
Yes, she is fabulous! Next time I see her, I’m going to spend more time taking photos of her components.
LikeLike
That will make a fabulous set of photos.
LikeLike
I keep thinking it would be so much fun to make one of these, but I’m sure mine would turn out with 3 legs, swayback, and and cock-eyed ears. Great details in these photos. You’re so good at this.
LikeLike
I’m trying to get my husband to buy a welder and then try to make a less complicated animal – perhaps like Malen Pierson’s ‘Goat Ate My Junk’. I think I would be good at gathering the junk, and figuring out where to put it, but I’m not so sure welding is something I want to try to add to my skillset…
LikeLike
The close-ups are so abstract, I’d never know what they were of–but the other photos tell the tale (or tail) perfectly. What a magnificent statue. You did it justice!
LikeLike
These types of sculptures are so much fun to investigate – such a clever use of discarded material!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent lighting!!! Great pictures?
LikeLike
Thanks! One thing about Arizona – there is hardly a day where the light is bad!
LikeLike
Ω .. very Kewl 🙂
LikeLike
… very Cool, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
yeppurZZZZ 🙂
LikeLike
What an incredible talent.
LikeLike
Isn’t she remarkable – both an artist and a craftsman!
LikeLike