Artist Kurt Wedgley creates “shaped canvas” art using paint, canvas, wood and steel. Visit his website to see more of his fascinating work.
!["Epsilon" Acrylic on Shaped Canvas, 72" x 36" x 2" by artist Kurt Wedgley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Epsilon-72x36x2-shaped-canvas-acrylic.jpg)
“Epsilon” Acrylic on Shaped Canvas, 72″ x 36″ x 2″
I’ve been an artist from since I was about five years old. There was a kid in my neighborhood that drew a picture of a spaceship and showed it to me. I couldn’t believe it! Not the idea of a spaceship with strange pilots in it, but the idea that you could actually draw such a thing—that you could take some crazy idea in your head and put it on paper. And make it look good!
!["Roundabout Way" Acrylic on Shaped Canvas, 63.5" x 41.5" x 2" by artist Kurt Wedgley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Roundabout-Way-63.5-x41.5-x2-shaped-canvas-acrylic.jpg)
“Roundabout Way” Acrylic on Shaped Canvas, 63.5″ x 41.5″ x 2″
I began drawing and painting soon after that experience.
!["Loose Cube" Acrylic on Shaped Canvas, 60" x 48" x 2.5" by artist Kurt Wedgley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Loose-Cube-60x48x2.5shaped-canvas-acrylic.jpg)
“Loose Cube” Acrylic on Shaped Canvas, 60″ x 48″ x 2.5″
Through the years I dabbled in a number of different art mediums. I entered some contests and won some and lost some. Although I’m a self-taught artist, I remember one of my high school art teachers telling me that I had taught him more than he taught me.
!["Time In" Acrylic, Shaped Canvas and Steel, 45" x 45" x 1.5" by artist Kurt Wedgley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Time-In-shaped-canvas-and-steel-45x45x1.5-500px.jpg)
“Time In” Acrylic, Shaped Canvas and Steel, 45″ x 45″ x 1.5″
I went to a total of five high schools. We moved a lot! After I finished high school, I thought I would work towards becoming a science fiction book cover artist or album cover artist. Although I took some night classes at a junior college, I never reached my goal.
!["Breakout" Acrylic on Canvas, 48" x 42" x 4" by artist Kurt Wedgley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Breakout-42x48x4-canvas-.jpg)
“Breakout” Acrylic on Canvas, 48″ x 42″ x 4″
I entered the working world and became really good at working on houses. I could do just about everything—plumbing, electrical, carpentry, you name it. Once in a while I would get a creative job where I got to sculpt or paint something. One job led to building props and sets for television. I did that for a while and was happy with doing that work until the owner got rid of the studio.
!["Breakout" Detail of Wooden Structure Before Canvas by artist Kurt Wedgley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Breakout-wooden-structure-before-canvas.jpg)
“Breakout” Detail of Wooden Structure Before Canvas
Through the years I have worked with just about every material and technique, building all kinds of crazy things out of my head.
!["Pueblo Errante" Shaped Canvas and Steel, 69" x 44" x 5" by artist Kurt Wedgley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Pueblo-Errante-69x44x5-shaped-canvas-with-steel-.jpg)
“Pueblo Errante” Shaped Canvas and Steel, 69″ x 44″ x 5″
Art and science are my greatest interests. I am inspired by the innovation and creativity all around me and the beauty and simplicity of nature versus the complicated world of man’s creations. Today, I take all that I have learned in the past and combine that with the new things I learn daily.
!["Pueblo Errante" Detail of Steel Pegs by artist Kurt Wedgley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Pueblo-Errante-Steel-covered-pegs.jpg)
“Pueblo Errante” Detail of Steel Pegs
The shaped canvas art that I do now was inspired by a trip to a Frank Stella exhibit. He just blew me away! Before I went on that trip, I was thinking of making shaped canvases because I was bored making square ones. I didn’t know that other artists were doing already doing this. Stella’s work was an epiphany for me.
!["Way Station" Acrylic on Shaped Canvas, 60" x 48" x 2.5" by artist Kurt Wedgley. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Way-Station-60-x-48-x2.5-shaped-canvas-acrylic-.jpg)
“Way Station” Acrylic on Shaped Canvas, 60″ x 48″ x 2.5″
Now, I not only shape canvases anyway I desire, but I add other media to them. I have so many ideas! I really like the idea of adding metal to them. I love the contrast between the delicate canvas and the solid steel and how they seem to work together harmoniously.
![Artist Kurt Wedgley in his studio cutting pieces on a custom jigsaw. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Kurt-Wedgley-cutting-pieces-on-custom-jig-.jpg)
Artist Kurt Wedgley in his studio cutting pieces on a custom jigsaw
I am just beginning this new style but I see a long road ahead of creating these canvases until I can’t anymore. I’m good with that.
Artist Kurt Wedgley invites you to follow him on Instagram and Pinterest.
This work is amazing! I’ve never seen anything like it.