At present, I have shined and coated each mobile with a nautical based sealant, designed to improve durability and shine. However, I have not tested my mobiles as of now to withstand the elements. Eventually, even with the maximum protection of the sealant I use, I would assume they will rust (as all metals will do) if exposed to rainwater for an extended period of time.

They are all meant to handle a vibrant breeze and love the sun.

How big do you want them?! I will have measurements posted on every mobile, with a height, and radius of reach (x2 for necessary diameter.) I can make them as large as a space will allow, and can cover a ceiling with slowly orbiting mobiles in an array. I also make small desktop-type ones too.

Will they fit your space? Measure from the ceiling to the top of your reach with a measuring tape. If my listed height is less, you’re good to go. Check the diameter too: measure across the width of your space and make sure my mobiles aren’t bumping your walls.

No. not even in a constant breeze, or mounted on a mechanical spinner. I guess if you use a shoddy hook or crappy string, that is a possibility.

They are built to not tangle and the glass circles will not “hit” into each other. If one of the steel wires does happen to cross over another and overlap, it most likely will revert to it’s intended form with the next breeze.

You can play with them too.

They are not good at soccer, but have survived the brunt of a few errant kicks. I have a son.

Usually my mobiles can be (gently) collapsed closer together, and I use rubber coated garden wire to gently hold them firmly in place. I’ll supply you some. They can be tied so they don’t move much, and when you untie them at home, they should gently cascade open. If you are buying one on site at a gallery, and I am nearby, I’ll be happy to get it ready for you. If you live nearby, I may be available to hang it for you too… you might need to supply the ladder!

Carefully! Gently tied in a couple places with rubber coated wire to keep them from rattling about, then nested in a box with lots of bubble wrap. You should be able to just untwist the rubber ties and it will be ready to hang up!

Typically I need to clean anything that can gather dust around the house, so yes, every once in a while. Window cleaner works just fine. A leaf blower is not advised.

This is where placement is key. A small breeze will set them in motion in the way they are intended to flow. If there is no breeze at all, I have used a disco ball motor, as well as an intermittent battery powered motor.

In my personal opinion, the disco ball motor, powered by an outlet, keeps them in motion, but only in one direction. The intermittent motors I have found are battery powered and weak, but they allowed the short strand of braided steel wire I use to “ wind up,” and then they start to twirl back in the opposite direction, creating more drama.

Ideally, they would be mounted with an electric powered motor that is on an intermittent timer, and thus I would get the best of both worlds. These motors could be hidden inside the ceiling, with only a small hole to allow the wire through.

I have thought about using small oscillating fans and such on intermittent timers as well, but honestly an air conditioning vent has done the same thing.

Don’t overthink it. a breeze will do better than any motor or fan could hope to achieve.

Yes. Please check out my Installations Page to read more. If you want specific color schemes and such, we can always talk.

A few career artists AND collectors have explained to me that if I undervalue my work, the prospective buyer will undervalue it too, and deem it unworthy of their home. And that’s true.

Do I think they are original and special enough? Do I know that art lovers will never find a piece of sculpture quite like it, and will regret not buying it? Does it merit adding an extra zero to the price? sure.

Do I think I would take a zero off the price for someone who can’t afford one but has fallen in love with a piece and is obsessed. sure. I like making people happy.

Let’s face reality. Ideally, it would look like this:

Someone making 50k, below the livable wage in Naples, might be able to spare $500 on a piece of art, but it would be quite a stretch for them. It is 1% of their income. I made less than $50k as a teacher for most of my 20+ years teaching. I still make less than that. $5000 dollars is something to celebrate. $50,000? It’s what they should sell for, and also something that would make my whole family cry in joy.

Someone making $500k could easily drop $5000. That’s the equivalent of a cartful of groceries at Publix for someone like me, and I could never justify buying a cartload of groceries for $500! I mean, off topic, but come on Publix! Seriously, seven dollars for cereal?!

Someone has a billion dollars? If you do the math, $500,000 is the cost of a pizza to someone like me.

So, I don’t know what they’re worth to you. I do know that a single sale at the highest bracket would allow me to quit my job, set up a studio and make these for the rest of my life. I know I would be eternally grateful and humbled beyond my comprehension. I know I would never stop thanking them for launching my art career into the stratosphere, and facilitate the grand works that I only dream of making: a massive Phoenix, a thousand circles spinning in perfect mathematical precision, an awe inspiring sea of color filling a massive atrium… all can be brought to life.

An angel investor who believes in my work. A corporate designer who wants one in every lobby. They’re a dream sculpture for every real estate agent that wants to wow their prospective clients with thrilling art to make that void of a grand ceiling flow and dance.. They’re the feature installation at a new aquarium, or children’s museum, or entrance to a grand theatre.

But feel free to contact me. With criticism if you feel the need to. If you feel I am undermining my work by being truthful about money, tell me how wrong I am. I can handle it. I know my mobiles are, at the very least, original.

bearleaman@gmail.com