About

Greetings:

I began woodcarving as a teenager and took a couple of sculpture classes at the Ontario College of Art in Toronto in the late 80’s.  I discovered the joy of painting in a 1991 night class taught by Owen Sound high school art teacher and artist Dick Gleiser. I am fascinated by depth and perspective and enjoy the challenge of trying to represent three dimensions on a two-dimensional surface. 

Now retired, I have returned to woodcarving in the creation of automata. I find making automata to be a very compelling experience, requiring a combination of art and science that I find particularly appealing. Each new automata is not just a project but a learning experience, and I am always happiest when I am learning something. I am pleased to be able to share the results of my life-long learning experience with you. 

Thanks for being here.

Chris

On a late winter hike to one of our local waterfalls. 

Lots to see and do in the Owen Sound area.

Curricula Vitae:

  • Starting whittling as a teen in Toronto, Ontario.
  • Began more sophisticated carvings in Bancroft, Ontario after graduating in as a Forest Technician.
  • Participated in the Ontario Wood Carvers Association shows at the Canadian National Exhibition in 1984 and 1985.
  • Participated in the September 1986 Nature in Art show at the Newmarket Public Library in Newmarket Ontario.
  • Took two night courses in Life Sculpture at the Ontario College of Art in Toronto, Ontario in 1988-89. Accepted as a continuing student after a portfolio review.
  • Moved from Toronto to Owen Sound in October 1989 which ended the opportunity to take more courses at OCA due to the distances involved.
  • Began oil painting during a 1991 night course by Richard Gleiser at the Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute in Owen Sound.
  • Switched from oil to acrylics in 1993.
  • Six paintings selected for the annual juried Art Banner program in Owen Sound from 2016 to 2021.
  • Painting Kayaking at Killbear selected for the 2017 Grey Bruce Health Services ‘Momentos’ project in honour of the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation. Momentos book published.
  • Began exploring automata in 2019.
  • Photo of Morning Walk automaton accepted for 2022 Art Banner project.
  • Photos of Knights Battle, Morning Walk and The Kayaker appear in Automata Magazine Gallery feature in March and November 2022
  • Article on The Swordsman automaton appears in Automata Magazine in July 2022.
  • Article on the Knights Battle automaton appears in Automata Magazine in September 2023.
  • Guest Artist at Artist’s Co-op in Owen Sound for the month of November 2023. Exhibit includes three motorized automata, three paintings and three wood sculptures.
  • Article on motorizing Happy Trails automaton appears in Automata Magazine in May 2024

Writing

Articles about making automata. Reprinted courtesy of Automata Magazine http://automatamagazine.com/

A discussion of the design and construction of the grooved cam used in The Swordsman:

AutomataMag_v4-iss4-chris-hughesDownload

Problems and solutions encountered during the making of Knights Battle:

AutomataMag_v5-iss5-chris-hughesDownload

A description of how I motorized some of my automata for public display:

Chris Hughes AutomataMag_v6-iss3_may-jun24Download