ARTIST STATEMENT: Ceramic Sculpture

When I was a young boy my Grandfather, Ernest Chandler, took time to share his knowledge of wood carving. He taught me how to handle and care for a knife with respect and safety. This laid a foundation for my life long interest in sculpture. Whither it be working with wood, metal, ceramics or found objects, hand building Three Dimensional or in Relief, his loving instructions guide me on. Since 1971 my main sculptural endeavor has been creating Mobiles (Kinetic Sculpture) in the style of Alexander Calder. Calder’s chosen material was sheet metal but I, up until recently, utilized Balsa Wood. My current series is made with hand formed Ceramics.
I believe Art is a wonderful tool that God uses to bring people together. Too many things in life try to push us apart. It is my hope that just as Grandpa and I were drawn closer through the creative process that my art will have a healing positive impact in the world.

ARTIST STATEMENT: Black Water and White Water Series

The Black Water series is in Sculptural Relief, using twigs as a metaphor for humanity. As we float through this vast cosmic existence we impact the lives, positions and situations of all those around us, just as pieces of wood drifting along in the currents of a stream. Twigs of Chinese Elm are gathered, dried and adhered to the surface of hollow core doors using modeling paste. The process is quite laborious as the twigs are like lines in a drawing, each placed with consideration of its angle and thickness.

Pumice Gel is applied to open areas for the gravelly textural effect and then several coats of black acrylic paint are brushed over the entire surface. Chance and the unknown are represented in the intriguing and mysterious Black Water.