I’m Jonathan D. Lopez - sculptor, illustrator, and animator from Wyoming, Michigan. I’ve been sculpting since I was ten years old, but only recently have taken up photography while taking college classes in order to become a better stop-motion animator. I now focus on sculpting rather than animation.Tumblr (3.0; @clayalchemist)http://clayalchemist.com/<iframe width="400" height="299" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8mFYbkyHuxo?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p><strong>57 Years (Stop-Motion)</strong></p> <p><span>After a long and arduous marriage, Arnie and Gloria have lost the love in their life.  </span></p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/50448814932http://clayalchemist.com/post/50448814932Tue, 14 May 2013 18:16:51 -0400stopmotionanimationhumorsculptureartillustrationstorystory tellingmarriageclayplasticinegrand rapidsgrccmichigan<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/1b571844f8e8c81399e79decf0925117/tumblr_mmfxxx6jFb1qbak6go1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Digging Days</strong></p> <p><span>For most of his life, Morris digs in the dirt amongst the bottle caps and the decayed cigarette butts. Some day soon, he hopes to strike oil.</span></p> <p><em>Please “like” this on <a href="http://www.artprize.org/jonathan-d-lopez/2013/digging-days" title="Digging Days - ArtPrize" target="_blank">ArtPrize.com</a> so that we can get him on display in a good location!  Thanks for the support - Jon.</em></p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/49935860438http://clayalchemist.com/post/49935860438Wed, 08 May 2013 11:00:23 -0400sculptureartclayplasticineprairie dogrodentillustrationhumorjonathan lopezgrand rapidsmichiganartprizeart prize2013characterdesignconstructionmining<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/825864e5c3056aed3eb0462c7d1766dc/tumblr_mlo407hXOE1qbak6go1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Even after 57 years, Arnie has not forgotten their anniversary.  Gloria can look past the missing chocolates…she still loves her husband after all these years.</p> <p><a href="http://500px.com/photo/31695401?from=set/755119" title="500px" target="_blank">500px</a>  <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_photog/8668936953/in/photostream" title="Flickr" target="_blank">Flickr</a></p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/48854083758http://clayalchemist.com/post/48854083758Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:30:00 -0400sculptureartillustrationphotographyclayplasticinehumoranniversaryvalentinesfedorahatloveruralnikon50mmmichigan<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/595f3d58bb702a58003729754cd471ce/tumblr_mlo3nqJSC31qbak6go1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Nothing can muffle the gurgle of the toothless woman…give up, Arnie, it’s hopeless.</p> <p><a href="http://500px.com/photo/31695399?from=set/755119" title="500px" target="_blank">500px</a>  <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_photog/8670039866/in/photostream" target="_blank">Flickr</a></p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/48774816098http://clayalchemist.com/post/48774816098Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:30:10 -0400sculptureartillustrationhumoroldcouplelovehatesleepsnoringfunnyloljonathan lopezgrand rapidsmichigandiptychphotographynikon<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/c651ec331fccc1e2cbf5b1b06a2a59ab/tumblr_mlmowhRBml1qbak6go1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>One last time, Arnie asked his wife if she wished to join him on the way out the door.  ”To hell with the fishes, I’m busy.”  As the day came to an end, Gloria found herself alone…</p> <p><a href="http://500px.com/photo/31695403?from=set/755119" title="500px Growing Old" target="_blank">500px</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_photog/8670041082/in/photostream" title="Flickr - Down by the River" target="_blank">Flickr</a></p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/48694142725http://clayalchemist.com/post/48694142725Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:28:33 -0400artillustrationsculpturegrand rapidsmichiganfishinghumorclaygrand riverriverfrontfilm noirnikonphotographyjonathan lopez<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/b31e9fa4ba610a55c3d925541580cf16/tumblr_ml2bhnF9181qbak6go1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>I just received the GRCC Excellence Award in Photography for my Rat Hotel scene.  Initially, my <a href="http://filippotagliati.com" title="Filippo Tagliati " target="_blank">professor</a> was worried that I would not have enough time to sculpt <em>and</em> photograph my characters, but after seeing the latest photos, his face lit up.  Big thanks to my friends <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thebigggestboss" title="Marc Steensma's Flickr" target="_blank">Marc Steensma</a> for assisting with a few photos and <a href="http://liquidozzwald.deviantart.com" title="Joel Oswald on DeviantArt" target="_blank">Joel Oswald</a> for encouraging me to stick with my clay work as I was about to try to be something that I’m not…</p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/47655073705http://clayalchemist.com/post/47655073705Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:20:11 -0400grand rapidsgrccmichigancollegeawardphotographysculptureartdowntownjonathan lopezfilippo tagliati<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/433b3e0bac95fa97ec532aa7ecfe17ae/tumblr_mkbrncEPgx1qbak6go2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/0068a314c72fd7c27f74014d9efbeed2/tumblr_mkbrncEPgx1qbak6go1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p><div class="description">Our couple’s life comes to an unexpected <a href="http://500px.com/photo/29146547" target="_blank">intersection</a>.</div></p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/46423521407http://clayalchemist.com/post/46423521407Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:14:00 -0400sculptureartfunnyillustrationcomicalold peopleelderlylolclaynikond700050mm<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/21904a0297a527604873bbb73aba8d10/tumblr_mjvt90yKbG1qbak6go1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Just because you’re old doesn’t mean you can’t try new things.</p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/45754634798http://clayalchemist.com/post/45754634798Tue, 19 Mar 2013 10:00:24 -0400sculptureartfunnydiptychold coupleviagrasexf youillustrationgetting oldpillsgrand rapidsmichiganjonathan lopez<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/b8768a92853f3a0e51131159bed8d932/tumblr_mj9p5mvtVe1qbak6go1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Down in the Bayou</strong> - in Denham Springs, Louisiana.</p> <p>More shots from spring break, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/the_photog/sets/72157632932183871/" title="Spring Break on Flickr" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/44782926165http://clayalchemist.com/post/44782926165Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:00:12 -0500turtlecutesculptureartfunnyhatcigarphotographynikond700050mmlouisiananew orleansdenham springsspring breakvacation<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/f9568bfd1adf55449a1df55552c6f54b/tumblr_miqq6eKHK81qbak6go1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Tired Lovers</strong></p> <p><span>A bottle of scotch sounded better…</span></p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/43984517986http://clayalchemist.com/post/43984517986Mon, 25 Feb 2013 10:00:23 -0500ratloverssexlingeriegobolightshadowsnoiranimalsloveartsculpturealcoholromancedramagrand rapidsmichiganillustration<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/e441ca51e0576c26f5be87ccf05229bc/tumblr_mhvih0jxfW1qbak6go1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>49. The Drunk</strong></p> <p><span>With beer still fresh in his breath, Darren’s mind dwelled on the next drink. Stumbling out of bed and stepping into his own rat feces, his wife sat up in bed and begged him not to go. Her memory, still vividly depicting her husband passed out on the bar floor.</span></p> <p><span>She thought to herself – Perhaps she should have left him to be stepped on by the obnoxious drunk chasing after him the week before…</span></p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/42582619102http://clayalchemist.com/post/42582619102Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:00:08 -0500ratanimalillustrationartsculpturegrand rapidsmichiganlovealcoholbeerlingeriecollege<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/61c1d9017eef9c03177635e8c07fcaf7/tumblr_mh9iw1wOT11qbak6go1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>48. Disarmed</strong></p> <p>Sam thought he was doing his part by turning in his gun. Less guns on the street, less crime – makes sense.  All it took was an encounter with one thug to realise it wasn’t the guns that were dangerous, it’s the violent person behind the weapon that’s dangerous.</p> <p>Just because you don’t own a gun doesn’t mean you won’t want one someday to protect yourself.</p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/41698490392http://clayalchemist.com/post/41698490392Mon, 28 Jan 2013 08:50:00 -0500wintersnowgun controlpistolviolence2nd amedmentmurderprotectiondangerfearweaponhandgunsturmrugersquirrelanimalillustrationartsculpturejonathan lopezgrand rapidsmichigan<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/a4fddca92b393737976df22436e53e19/tumblr_mh04sg8yF81qbak6go1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Happy MLK Day! </p> <p><em>Throwback from 2012</em></p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/41152201490http://clayalchemist.com/post/41152201490Mon, 21 Jan 2013 19:45:00 -0500martin luther kingmlkblack historyafrican americansculpturearthistoryportraitjonathan lopezgrand rapids<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/ead9aee43472bea8c64e8b6521e9f0e3/tumblr_mg8jfyYNuR1qbak6go1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>47. Chef Bernard</strong></p> <p>As the bear walked through the double doors and into the dining room, the people hushed their conversations as the world famous chef carefully brought the President his meal. While Bernard was placing the lobster down at the table, Obama declared, “What the hell is this! This lobster was not killed humanely, it clearly was boiled to death!” Enraged, the President shoved the lobster back in Bernard’s face.</p> <p>Unlikely as it might sound, the lobster came back to life, and with his last breaths shouted, “I just spent the past half hour boiling to death; the least you could do is eat me!” Then the steaming crustacean spat on the President’s green salad, collapsed back onto the leafy platter, and uneventfully died.</p> <p><a href="http://youtu.be/y0FLq0MJYGM" title="YouTube" target="_blank">View time lapse</a></p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/39933176875http://clayalchemist.com/post/39933176875Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:04:00 -0500sculptureanimalbearcheffoodcutejonathan lopezclay alchemistgrand rapidsmichiganartillustrationshort story<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/fa9383f0ad0788aa8630308c012fa3e8/tumblr_mg20tyC2ue1qbak6go1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>46. Dogtor Watson</strong></p> <p>Dg. Watson, at your service!</p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/39566762501http://clayalchemist.com/post/39566762501Thu, 03 Jan 2013 09:41:00 -0500animalartclay alchemistdoggrand rapidsjonathan lopezmichigansculpturewatsonnikond90<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/4071b66d4b7336504c1505aab1792a6c/tumblr_mfx02zBpPi1qbak6go1_r1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>45. Party Bird</strong></p> <p>Happy New Year,<br/>from Clay Alchemist.</p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz87U1ruN6Y" title="YouTube" target="_blank">View Time Lapse</a></p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/39352717950http://clayalchemist.com/post/39352717950Mon, 31 Dec 2012 21:51:58 -0500new year2013sculptureartpartybirdanimalcutejonathan lopezgrand rapidsmichigan<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/7e41fdd0a17acc37b2721b638132d89b/tumblr_mfv01kaFzD1qbak6go1_r2_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>44. Defense Attorney Ryan Ryno</strong></p> <p>Hard-hitting in court, and his style is hard to beat.</p> <p><a href="http://youtu.be/eXQY90sTGa4" title="YouTube - Time Lapse" target="_blank">Time Lapse</a> and short recap of thoughts from this year.</p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/39306123636http://clayalchemist.com/post/39306123636Mon, 31 Dec 2012 09:45:00 -0500rhinosculptureartanimallawyercomicalgrand rapidsmichigan<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/7d385e7ab404c7fc2e76d23cc0751e8a/tumblr_mfka2fktyz1qbak6go1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>43. Buns the Beaver</strong></p> <p>Merry Christmas, everyone!</p> <p><a href="http://www.clayalchemistsecrets.com/post/38795117473/43-buns-the-beaver-time-lapse" target="_blank">View Time Lapse</a></p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/38792085367http://clayalchemist.com/post/38792085367Tue, 25 Dec 2012 10:00:00 -0500sculptureartpaul bunyanbeaveranimalcutejonathan lopezgrand rapidsmichiganclay alchemist<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/00b080fd27b1a6ed2f360710717a10c3/tumblr_mfcd6orULF1qbak6go1_r4_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>42. Mindblown Mayan </strong>by <a href="http://www.clayalchemist.com" title="Clay Alchemist: Jonathan Lopez" target="_blank">Jonathan Lopez</a></p> <p>Add your own annotation <a href="http://www.clayalchemistsecrets.com/post/38396091848/download-and-add-your-own-annotation-all-you-want" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/38396547223http://clayalchemist.com/post/38396547223Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:43:00 -050012-21-122012artcalendardoomsdaygrand rapidsjonathan lopezlolmayanmichigansculptureYahoomemebasememe<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/a15be1679005d31488635d55632a3d67/tumblr_mf1ul7gOeb1qbak6go1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>41. Who Turned the Lights Out?</strong></p> <p>I started this the other day, and it wasn’t until 5pm today that I heard the horrific news of the Connecticut elementary school shooting.  So after supper, I quietly went upstairs and only got through half of the news article before I started crying, but I knew I needed to finish this sculpture.</p> <p>My conscience began to think about all the different ways people will say, “How could God let this happen?”  I don’t normally like to talk about politics or religion on this blog, but I will this once:<br/>It is God’s will for us to pray for these families and to help them if we can.  This was an evil person’s will that carried out this act today, and it is God that hurts the most to see one of his creation do this to his children.  </p> <p>Pray for peace, pray for comfort, for the families of 26 innocent people must suddenly live with one less light in their life…</p>http://clayalchemist.com/post/37948910270http://clayalchemist.com/post/37948910270Sat, 15 Dec 2012 04:42:08 -0500connecticutelementary schooljonathan lopezmemorialprayersculptureshootingartmassacre