Brackenwood Gallery - Fine Arts and Crafts from the Pacific Northwest

Artist’s Statement

“Much of the beauty that arises in art comes from the struggle an artist wages with her limited medium.”

-Henri Matisse

I am grateful to have been able to make my living as a sculptor, working in stone and then bronze, for the past 35 years. When I first started, my goal was to become the best sculptor I could be.  I never allowed myself to deviate from that path. I have, now, after all this time, given myself permission to “jump into the unknown.”

I have entered into the world of sculpting in paper. Not paper alone, but mixed with wood, cement, clay, bamboo, twine and other “things” of interest. Within this process, I am still carving forms into sculptural shapes. I seem to be going in the direction of the vessel, which has always been of interest to me. I find it is like a void that can hold many things… much like a human being.  This new work speaks to my soul and lays against my bones… it touches a primal part of my being.  I am not sure where this will take me, but I am enjoying the journey!  It is exciting, joyous and challenging. There are no limits… no rules… no boundaries.  This freedom gives me the sense of flying… a great liberation.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS for May 2010 Show “Oh Spring”

I would like to thank

Danielle Bodine for her teachings and encouragement

Mark Fessler for his collaboration and construction of the bases and stands.

Stone, Bronze  and Paper Work

“In carving, material and thought are linked the hand alone;
thus the raw material is imbued with a warmth of feeling directly drawn
from the artist’s nature.” Aristaide Maillol, 1861-1944

Carving for me is very exciting. It can be very deliberate and thought out or it
can be totally free, with no idea in mind as to the direction I might go. The
latter is very exciting and magical in that it is always a mystery as to what
will emerge. The spirit of the piece seems to be within the material as well as
within me-although, at time it seems as if some one outside myself is doing
the carving.

I have used stone exclusively up until recently. I am now venturing into other
carving materials as well. Most of my carvings have become models for my
bronze pieces, which are also being enlarged into life-size sculptures. I enjoy
the resistance the material gives me just as life resists when I push too hard.

The real challenge for me is to make my pieces appear soft and sensuous
with very simple, elegant lines-the art of “Shubui”.

My pieces are figurative, abstract and representational. In my animal forms,
for example, I try to capture the essence of the animal’s spirit. My sculptures
represent the joys, the tragedies and spiritual in life.

I am exploring a material new to me “paper”. I first started using paper as
texture on my carved pieces and casting it into bronze. I have now started to
create, one-of-a-kind, mixed media pieces using handmade paper.

Inspiration comes to me in many forms, through nature, which opens me,
and in doing so I can create. Animals are another source of inspiration for
they are our salvation and without them we will become lost and empty. The
tragedies and joys in life touch me as well and push me to create. There is a
spirit that runs throughout all that I crave and I would like you to feel that
spirit. Hopefully it will enhance your life.

Sharon