A Direct Stone Carver

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Many sculptors today and throughout history have created marble sculptures by first creating their compositions in another material, such as clay, in which the artist may add or remove material to get the composition exactly as intended. While the initial idea may be created in a small size, an enlargement would later be made, also in clay, or perhaps then cast into plaster. Then, using a system of measuring specific points, a copy in marble at the same size would be cut.

In the art newsletter I wrote after my visit to The Musée Rodin in Paris, you may see the black dots on a mixed media sculpture by Auguste Rodin. These dots mark the high spots on a sculpture so that one may create a copy of the art in another material, usually marble. Lower points between those marked can be carved and shaped after most of the stone has been removed.

However, I have not learned this technique. I am a direct carver. That means that I draw directly on a piece of stone and then cut away what is not part of my drawing. My friend Vasily Fedorouk told me many times that the original definition of “to sculpt” is “to remove material.” In his mind, and perhaps traditionally, wood and stone carving were the only methods of creating 3-dimensional art that could truly be called “sculpture.”

Stone carving, for me, is certainly the most challenging and intellectually stimulating of all the arts, and while I enjoy creating in many mediums, stone is my drug of choice.
In the following images, you may see some of the work I did on “George” in August of 2008.


You may see some of the notes I make on the stone and some of my chisel marks. The second image is an example of how I like to look at my work from many different views, including ones least likely to be seen once the finished sculpture is on exhibit. Those views, such as the bird’s eye view from the top down, tend to give me more information (and a fresh eye) and aid in my choices.

Shortly after these images were taken, I left for Florence, Italy. I did not return to Texas and George until about nine months later. Thankfully, stone is more patient than I am.

The Other President George

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

In a previous post, I began to introduce you to my almost finished stone carving “The Offering.” I told you how the idea was born based on then-President George W. Bush’s response to the killings on September 11, 2001.

I cannot believe that I did not take a better image at the right stage of carving the stone for this next bit of information. But my husband John nicknamed this sculpture “George” after our first President, George Washington, because of the way I blocked out the skull and mostly the hair. I was still new at carving marble back in 2002 when this image was taken and being cautious is quite important since I do not get to put the stone back if I remove too much.


These next two images show my progress on “George” in February of 2003. Unfortunately, “George” did not get any more physical attention until after I began work on another figurative carving, “Stargazer.” “Stargazer” took me two years to complete. It may sound stupid but I tend to get intimidated by my vision of what I want and my lack of belief that I can create it. When this happens, I set aside the work I fear I will ruin and go work on another project that will improve the skill I feel I am lacking.

In any event, I could not forget George and drew on the stone and carved occasionally for a month or so in each year of 2005, 2006, and 2007. Next time, I will show you images from George’s progress in August of 2008.

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Walking on Sunshine Art

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

I had a busy day today, but in many ways wonderful. Two of my errands were to different shops to pick up the new frames for two of my paintings done in Italy. Wow, it really is amazing how a good frame completes a painting!


"Relinquish"
oil on canvas
50 x 70 cm

While my figurative oil painting “Relinquish” was being put inside its lovely new and elegant, coffee-colored Ansley frame from Larson-Juhl, I wandered through Jerry’s Artarama. Currently on exhibit along one wall in the art supply store is a collection of large artworks by young girls aged 6 to 13 who participated in a four-day workshop at The Girls’ School of Austin. Artist and teacher Nancy D. Hoover taught the workshop that focused on collage, gesso texture, and acrylic painting techniques.

I found the painting shown here – I believe a 30 x 30-inch canvas – by a ten-year-old named Dani to be quite enchanting. Her title is “Walking on Sunshine” and I suspect is inspired from a (fun dance) song lyric. Dani’s acrylic collage painting struck me as pure and joyful, a true celebration of life. She created an interesting composition and I just wanted to share her art with you. I do not know her, but I hope she will not mind my posting this.