Each year, people talk about the few new words that are added in our dictionaries. How about removing some of them ?

Today’s post is about one of those details that I think make a big difference in your mindset. One of those details we don’t usually reveal about ourselves.. “if I talk about it, people will judge me”, and all sorts of related selfconcious issues.

I personally chose to bust loose from the “what will they think” mindset a long time ago. Creativity basically is about coming up with a new idea that will make the old idea obsolete. The idea of innovation is rarely well received, it is the actual innovation that people like, once you’ve taken the step of action and making your idea real.

But back to our topic. Today I’ve chosen to share an intimate detail of my life with you. When we talk about results, we talk about attitudes, and what is “shaping” your attitudes ? The words you use when you talk to yourself. Obviously if you tell yourself “I am not creative”, there is no way you are going to be creative.

The great thing about words, is that you can change them as soon as you decide it. It’s not a long process. Once you have the desire to be your best self, the switch in attitude from “I can’t” to “I can”, is an immediate action and gift you decide to offer to yourself. Try it. NOW.

One of the techniques I used (and still do) is to make some specific words taboo. What a better way than removing these words from your environment ? Some will scream as I take my scissors and open the dictionary… my answer is, get rid of your limitations. Impossible ( by the way please, don’t ask me to use this word, ever again ), is probably the very first word to remove from your mindset / environment.

The “secret” I used to go from never having touched a sculpture tool of my life, to the result I enjoy today after only 3 years of practice, is not a technique. It’s an attitude, and words have played a major role in defining this attitude. Once you get it, no matter if you are a sculptor, a writer or a lawyer, it will work.

Details are everything. Details say a lot, in fact they tell you all you need to know, whether you are in front of someone, or in front of a piece of art. So watch how you treat details and watch your words.

Last year I had the pleasure to host and sculpt Hye Mee. This South Korean beauty wanted to Visit France, especially Paris and the Bordeaux/ St Emilion area where my main studio is. Hye Mee’s sexy humor, her infinite patience during our sculpture sessions, our shared laughs and experiences, are all elements that built unforgettable moments.

At this stage, the piece is still in progress, especially the intricate curly hair. It’s always a good idea to set pieces aside for a period of time. When you get back at them, anything that needs modification is obvious to the eye. If you have curly hair, feel free to send me some pictures for reference.

This sculpture was used for the production of my very first video. Fragment style, combined with chemical reactions, create this unique modern finish. No matter what I use, it’s all about creating things of today. Past is good…in the past. Of course we have so much to learn from our ancestors, but we are living NOW. Let’s create “now things”.

So take a look at what’s been created before, let the best of it infuse your soul, and go create something new. Let’s keep Evolution going.

Enjoy “Modern Africa” in the sculpture gallery by clicking on the picture.

– “A Whole New Mind” by Daniel Pink.  As a left handed creative, how could I resist to this book ?? Much more to come on the subject in the future. Book recommended by my amazing Gina Rudan. An interview of Daniel, along with my video on creativity, was presented during “The Experiment” in NYC.

– An early version of “Who’s Got Your Back” by Keith Ferrazzi.  Thanks to Keith for having shared the manuscript before the book was published.

– “Emotional Awareness”, a conversation between The Dalai lama and Paul Eckman.  I studied (and still do) Paul’s books about human facial expression. I’m big about meditation, so the book was

– “Busting Loose From The Money Game”, by Robert Sheinfeld.  My friend Jorge Colón ( OBA founder ) told me about this book that gives you a totally new perspective on money and life. Interesting reading.

– “The Bhagavad Gita”, A walkthrough for westerners, by Jack Hawley. This is one of the books that I re-read regularly. It’s been called India’s greatest contribution to the world. Very inspiring. Bought in Deepak Chopra’s center in NYC.

– ‘The Bro Code”, by Barney Stinson with Matt Kuhn. This is Barney Stinson’s humour in a book. Barney is the character played by actor Neil Patrick Harris in TV show “How I met Your Mother”. “You live by the bro code, it was natural for you to own a copy” were the words of a very special someone when she made this gift to me. Although certain similarities are obvious, please, let Barney remain Barney, and Seb Zar remain legen……… wait for it…….. dary !! lol

Usually I start several books at the same time. With my busy schedule and the fact that I’m a slow reader ( only on books, not on internet/ articles and so on.. how strange is that ), it can take up to several month to read to the end.

Next on my list ? “The Power Of Less” by Leo Babauta.

Here’s the video teaser presented in New York City on May 13th. Thanks to my friend Gina Rudan.
This clip has been so interesting and so much fun to produce… expect to see this new type of creation a lot in the future, because I just can’t imagine creating without using video now.
Still a lot to learn with compression / editing / effects.. this first shot was a good intro to another great journey ahead.

Once you reveal the infinite creative being that you are, you can express it effortlessly in any area. I’m here to make you realise that.

Click here to see this video in bigger size

Not sure about the reason, but even before Jan 1st, it was obvious that 2009 would represent the next step (more…)

Unplug the brain…put some music….breathe….let the hands talk….

Paris tu m’inspires…

If you have the chance to visit, make sure you take the time to go to one of our amazing museums. I especially love the Musee D’Orsay and Le Louvre.

Seb (left) and Franck (right), posing after too much drink and not enough sleep.

Seb Zar project would be confidential without a personal team of talents who are helping. Agents, Marketing mentors, technical experts, they’ve got my back. Here’s a picture with Franck Brignoli, my friend and website code guru. Thanks bro’ !

I wanted to share this video from Vincent Laforet. Vincent is a very talented photographer, in the process of moving to video.  He’s made other great videos, but when I saw this one featuring surfer Jamie O’brien, I immediately felt home, in the sense that what I saw on the movie, and reading his post, is what I live when I sculpt. We’re talking about a danse. I see art as a danse. You learn the technique, you struggle, you keep at it, and someday you stop thinking. Your body moves, yet your brain is not the commender. Spirit talks.

Many people confirmed this feeling of seing a danse after having seen me in action.

I love to experiment with repetitions of very simple forms. Since the end of last year I’ve started to work a bit with metal and welding. Totally new experience, and for sure it will serve my style’s evolution, even on very “organic” human faces and bodies.
This maquette was made for a sponsor who wanted to compliment her garden with a sculpture, something futuristic and abstract. She loves it.

… but not only. It’s always good to learn different things, to express creativity through other medias. Although I don’t think of drawing as an absolute necessity to learn to master sculpture, it certainly helps. I like to draw fast and try to capture the subject with just a few planes.

Rule of thumb : The more I work, the seldom I post here on the blog.
It’s funny to see that in term of communication, few posts means slow activity to the general public. In fact it is the opposite. This is the good news.
The bad news is, not only I am crazy busy, but in top of that I’m cruel, as you will only get to see a teaser of my next sculpture …

Wall sculpture.

Back home after a week in Paris. It’s been great. After having spent 7 years there, it feels like my second home ( many thanks to my sister Carole and Franck, the genius behind this website codes ). Got to see some old friends, visited art shows, galeries, and bought my new baby, a powerful computer laptop (now I have no excuse to post more here and build the website). My plan is to return there in may and work with models. Lots of beautiful faces there.
Do you want to pose ?

The sculpture is now slick enough to proceed to the next level. I like to get a really smooth surface… you can’t do any mistake because everything shows up, good or bad.

Tested some patinas lately. Patina can really make a sculpture stand out. I like to mix my own chemicals toget unique results.

Hey there, long time without posting. I’ve been really busy latelly. Things are going great, a new website is coming, and a bunch of news. With my crazy schedule it may take a little time so I thought you might like a little something. This one is for the ladies..
Enjoy.

Terracotta with special patina. I also welded a metal stand so my (happy) customer can place her anywhere ( Zia can also be installed on a wall ). I like to give a modern look to sculptures so people know it’s been made in 2007. The training is classic though.

Life size bust.

Simbad also entered the international competition. The piece is to be casted in bronze.

Life size. This sculpture has just entered an international sculpture competition. Thanks to the great model.

Here is the result after hours and hours of hard work. I just LOVE to sculpt..

Once I’m satisfied with the maquette, the real sculpture can begin.

I usually don’t do maquettes because waterbased clay allows for any modification of the volumes, however this time I decided to try things on a maquette so I could have a reference as a basis.
The goal is not to get a good finishing, it is more an exploration into volumes, and the perfect moment to try different solutions.

Detail shot.

Notice the contrast slick/rough to emphasize the softness of the face.

This is a texture study. Notice the contrast slick / rough to emphasize the softness of the face.