Brick Sculpture

Brick Sculptor, Brick Sculpture, Brick Artist, Brick Art, Paula Collins, Paula Blincoe Collins, Denton, Texas, TX

Title: "Holy Family"

dimensions:10' x 6.5'

location:St Joseph Cemetery, Evangeline. LA

description:Figures of Mary, Joseph and infant Jesus project life size from the wall using deep bed depth utility brick units. Stalks of wheat to the left and grape vine to the right symbolize the Eucharist. Roses are the clients' favorites. Entire entrance wall was designed by the artist to create a fitting entry to the newly established cemetery interring the clients' son.

installed:2002

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "Holy Family" detail

dimensions:10' x 6.5'

location:Joseph Cemetery, Evangeline. LA

description:Detail of above---note the head of the infant Jesus was created as a single unit. Various clays and oxides were applied as engobes prior to firing. This gives the figures their skin tones and takes the work a step beyond sculpture into painting.

installed:2002

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "Mountain Sunrise"

dimensions:6' 5" x 4' 2"

location:Flower Mound, Texas

description:Created for residential fireplace. Stone surrounded the carved brick. Client wanted an understated mountain scene to grace his living room.

installed:1999

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "Fort Worth's African American History: 1865-1876"

dimensions:5' X 7'

location:Intermodal Transportation Center, Fort Worth, Texas

description:This first of five panels featuring the first recorded African American businessman after the close of the Civil War---John Pratt blacksmith. There were no photographs of this man, but the artist located an African American blacksmith, Wardell Whitley, who agreed to pose for the historic man. At this time the town of Fort Worth was still mostly beautiful prairie and beginning to carve itself out of the flora and fauna, so most of the panel indicates this time. Churches were established. Everyone gardened and toiled to survive. Little boys were hired to chase the wild hogs out of their gardens. Sunflowers grew 10' tall all through town. Some of the freed men lived in tents until homes could be built. The first African American vote was held in 1868 and was protected by Union soldiers.

installed:2002

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "Fort Worth's African American History: 1876-1900"

dimensions:5' X 7'

location:Intermodal Transportation Center, Fort Worth, Texas

description:Second of 5 panels dedicated to the thriving African American community in downtown Fort Worth. The arrival of the train to Fort Worth leads to a real explosion of opportunities and changes. Hells half acre was a direct result of the influx of new people needing diversions. Rows of cribs (brothels) and gaming parlors were common. African Americans had their first school Horse drawn trolleys first appeared during this era. Gooseneck Mc Donald organized the first "Colored State Fair." Open markets of fruit and wild meat hanging on display led to an abundance of black flies! Casey Swasey general store offered products for the growing urban population. Texas brewery offered employment for many and supplied Hells Half Acre. Water was delivered to the residents by horse drawn wagon. Street gunfights were common during this wild and wooly time. Yet businesses grew-Binyon O'Keefe Storage, Anchor Mills and Acme Brick began producing needed products for streets and homes.

installed:2002

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "Fort Worth's African American History: 1900-1920"

dimensions:5' X 7'

location:Intermodal Transportation Center, Fort Worth, Texas

description:er shops, the Axtell windmill Company and lots more became part of the bustling community.

installed:2002

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "Fort Worth's African American History: 1900-1920" detail-telephone ca 1920

dimensions:8" x 8" section of one 5' x 7' panel

location:Intermodal Transportation Center, Fort Worth, Texas

description:At the bottom of each of the five panels, the artist has placed icons of the times at "child height" The telephone was really a sign of the time and really had a great sculptural quality. Above each of the blocks is the name of the item or flora or fauna in Braille. The artist created her own clay stamp Braille alphabet for this project. The hope was to include a greater audience into the art and education value of the historical project.

installed:2002

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "Fort Worth's African American History 1920- 1930"

dimensions:5' X 7'

location:Intermodal Transportation Center, Fort Worth, Texas

description:The fourth of 5 panels of African American history showing the highlights of the era including the building of the first mansion built by the area first African American millionaire, William Madison McDonald. It was due to the generosity of Mr. McDonald that the YMCA was constructed as well as the Masonic lodge. Many residents lived in the Rock Island Bottoms during this time. Terrell high school was active with a drama club and successful sport teams. Montgomery Wards, The Ritz Theater and the Farmers market warehouse were part of the successful community.

installed:2002

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "Fort Worth's African American History 1930- 1940s"

dimensions:5' X 7'

location:Intermodal Transportation Center, Fort Worth, Texas

description:This is the fifth of 5 panels chronicling the final era of vigorous growth in the area. There are references to the hopping nightlife of musical performers and dance. There were a wide variety of businesses and professional African Americans that thrived including print shops, beauty shops, cab companies, churches, even a professional baseball team. At the unveiling of the work there were many folks who recognized family members and favorite haunts of their youth---or their Grandparents.

installed:2002

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "African Elephant"

dimensions:3' x 7'

location:Residence, Flower Mound Texas

description:African elephants forming a protective barrier and the Bull elephant charging the intruder. His tusks are also formed from the brick clay and extend into the room about 16". This was to be the centerpiece of the client's trophy room.

installed:1999

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "The Story of Booker T Washington"

dimensions:6' x 16'

location:T. Washington High School North entrance, Tulsa, OK

description:Collage depicting the story of Booker T from the early years when he worked in a salt mine up through his establishment of the great African American College at Tuskegee. His hard work and determination are to be an inspiration to all. He loved hard labor and education and felt that a combination of them would lead to a good life. He was as demanding of himself as he was of his students and colleagues. He was the first African American invited to the White House to have lunch with the president.

installed:2003

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "Mineral Wells Airport"

dimensions:16' x 6'

location:Mineral Wells Airport, Mineral Wells, Texas

description:Entrance sign carved in king size brick with extra bed depth for the Piper Cub and the Hiller helicopter. The artist gave the Piper Cub a cast bronze propeller . The surface of both aircraft have fired on glaze. Shown with the artist is grandson Dezi Antonelli.

installed:Note of interest---this is the second time the artist created this sign. The first one was completed in 1999---then a drunk driver drove through the wall. This is the redo completed in 2002. A guardrail has now been installed.

photographer:Billie Jean Antonelli (billiejean@k-a-studio.com)

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "The Story of Vermilion Parish" detail

dimensions:14' x 10' this shows about 30" x 40"

location:Abbeville Library entrance Abbeville Louisiana

description:This image shows the installed work before the artist applied stains to the mortar joints to make the artwork pull together better. A mortar color was selected to match as closely as possible the brick body color. This becomes distracting when it goes through the fired on white of the egret.

installed:2003

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "The Story of Vermilion Parish" detail

dimensions:14' x 10' this shows about a 2' x 3' section

location:Abbeville Library entrance Abbeville, Louisiana

description:Mother reads to child from the book of "the Story of Vermilion Parish." Artist used her daughter, Billie Jean and her grandson, Dezi as models for this tableau. The story spills out of the book and surrounds them in a collage filled with as much of the history and flora and fauna as could be included in the space. These two faces were built up to life size relief and have fired on engobes to create the skin tones and clothing details.

installed:2003

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "The Grand Prairie"

dimensions:7' x 7'

location:Prairie Paws Adoption Center, (lobby) Grand Prairie, Texas

description:Filled with the flora and fauna of the pre-civilized Grand Prairie. Local 4th graders voted on the animals they wished to see included. The artist created a "border" of many of the animals so that a portion of the center would have some of the prairie feel---in other word not too crowded---just filled with the texture of the riotous flora. There are over 40 different animals and a large assortment of grasses and wildflowers included. The color was achieved by fired on engobes using naturally occurring clays oxides and some commercial stains. The artist also did some touch up staining on the mortar to pull the sculpture together.

installed:2003

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "The Grand Prairie" sign/plaque

dimensions:8" x 16"

location:Prairie Paws Adoption Center, lobby Grand Prairie, Texas

description:Plaque was created by the artist to identify the artwork and reflect the content as well. It was carved from the same brick as the large sculpture and is inset in the drywall nearby the sculpture.

installed:2003

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "The Grand Prairie" detail

dimensions:7'4" x 6'8"

location:Prairie Paws Adoption Center, Grand Prairie, Texas

description:Frog, Texas Horned Lizard set amidst native Texas flora. Naturally occurring oxides and clays as well as commercial stains were applied and fired on to enhance the carved 8' x 8' solid brick units used for the sculpture.

installed:2003

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "The Grand Prairie" detail ---upper right corner

dimensions:About 20" x 20" of the full 5' x 7' sculpture

location:Paws Adoption Center, (lobby) Grand Prairie, Texas.

description:Soaring red tail hawk, sandhill crane and giant June bug are included in a collage of flora and fauna that were a part of the grand prairie before the area became Grand Prairie Texas. Area fourth graders were asked to vote on which animals they wanted to have included in this historical nature sculpture. Over forty animals were included.

installed:2003

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "The Grand Prairie" detail

dimensions:About 12" x 12" of the full 7' x 7' sculpture

location:Prairie Paws Adoption Center, (lobby) Grand Prairie, Texas.

description:Burrowing owl was one of the over 40 animals selected by area 4th graders to be included in the historical nature sculpture as a part of the grand prairie before the area became Grand Prairie Texas. Wild grapes were abundant in the area as well.

installed:2003

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "The Grand Prairie" detail

dimensions:Approximately 2' x 3' section of panel

location:Prairie Paws Adoption Center, (lobby) Grand Prairie, Texas

description:A Pronghorn Antelope stands in the prairie before the stand of mesquite and Osage Orange in the pre- civilized Grand Prairie area. A setting sun graces the horizon. All colors were achieved by the application of engobes prior to firing.

installed:2003

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "St. Joseph Cemetery"

dimensions:50' x 14'

location:Evangeline Louisiana

description:Entrance gate to St Joseph Cemetery. Monuments and arch designed by artist. "Risen Christ" on the left and "Holy Family" on the right create a passage of spritual quality to the newly created cemetery. The patrons who commissioned the monument asked that it be created in the memory of their son who was the first interred in St. Joseph.

installed:2002

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "The Story of Vermilion Parish" detail

dimensions:14' x 10' about a 30" x 40" section

location:Abbeville Library entrance Abbeville, Louisiana

description:This shows the egret described above after the application of stain to the mortar joint.

installed:2003

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "The Story of Vermilion Parish"

dimensions:14' x 10'

location:Abbeville Library entrance Abbeville, Louisiana

description:This sculpture is a collage to emote the flavor of the area. Flora, fauna and events of special note are included. From battling hurricanes and Jean Lafitte's adventures. Mardi Gras, rice farming, hogs, sugar cane and beautiful historic buildings set this Parish apart as a unique experience. Swamps, bayous alligators, crawfish, music and floods...then there are cattle and cowboys horses and bears. Fourth of July. The George Grieg Oak that continues to survive the hurricanes. Ducks and fish and riverboats...A very special addition is the cat named Jackie after the librarian who spear headed the inclusion of this sculpture in the library. The mother reading to the child is the artist's daughter and grandson.

installed:2003

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "The Story of Vermilion Parish" detail

dimensions:14' x 10' this shows about a 2' x 3' section

location:Abbeville Library entrance Abbeville, Louisiana

description:This sculpture is a collage to emote the flavor of the area. Flora, fauna and events of special note are included. From battling hurricanes and Jean Lafitte's adventures, a wide swath of Vermilion Parish's history is depicted. Mardi Gras, rice farming, hogs, sugar cane and beautiful historic buildings set this Parish apart as a unique experience. Swamps, bayous alligators, crawfish, music and floods...then there are cattle and cowboys horses and bears. Fourth of July. The George Grieg Oak that continues to survive the hurricanes. Ducks and fish and riverboats...a very special addition is the cat named Jackie after the librarian who spear headed the inclusion of this sculpture in the library. The mother reading to the child are the artist's daughter and grandson.

installed:2003

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: Acme Brick Company

dimensions:6' X 6' 8"

location:The Northern Little Rock Sales Office

description:

installed:

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "The Children"

dimensions:30' X 6'

location:Kellogg Foundation Headquarters, Battle Creek, MI

description:W.K. Kellogg, uncomfortable with his wealth from hi successful cereal company, established the Kellogg Foundation; It's goal: to help the children of the world through education, health, and agriculture. This piece honors those children.

installed:

photographer:Kellogg Courtesy Photo

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "The Children" - Detail

dimensions:30' X 6'

location:Kellogg Foundation Headquarters, Battle Creek, MI

description:W.K. Kellogg, uncomfortable with his wealth from hi successful cereal company, established the Kellogg Foundation; It's goal: to help the children of the world through education, health, and agriculture. This piece honors those children.

installed:

photographer:Kellogg Courtesy Photo

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "Olympic Soccer/UGA Football"

dimensions:30' X 6'

location:University of Georgia

description:The left half of the wall glorifies both male and female soccer players, while the right half is dedicated to the Georgia Bulldog Football team. Presiding over the work is the goddess Athena holding the U.S. flag and a shield bearing the Olympic logo.

installed:

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "Tiger"

dimensions:6' X 6' X 34"

location:Eastern Central University, Ada, OK

description:Installed in the Student Center lobby.

installed:

photographer:Paula Blincoe Collins

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "Resurrection"

dimensions:10' X 20' x 18"

location:Sugar Land, TX

description:1 of 2 panals carved for the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Architects: Ray and Hollington, Houston, TX

installed:

photographer:Phil Hollenbeck

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "Resurrection" - Detail

dimensions:10' X 20' x 18"

location:Sugar Land, TX

description:1 of 2 panals carved for the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Architects: Ray and Hollington, Houston, TX

installed:

photographer:Phil Hollenbeck

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "Quantum House II"

dimensions:1 of 3 8'X 2' panels

location:Memphis, TN

description:Part of a curved wall for a resident swinng pool in Memphis, TN.

installed:

photographer:Phil Hollenbeck

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture

Title: "Falcon"

dimensions:8' X 8'

location:Lake Dallas High School, Lake Dallas, Texas

description:Architect: Stephan Darrow, Ft. Worth, TX.

installed:

photographer:Phil Mayfield (taken with a fish eye lense in the studio)

Paula Collins, Brick Sculpture