Artist Statement
My artistic vision is to create sculptures with emotional messages that transcend the subject matter of the piece. Through my figures, I depict the invisible physical forces of wind and waves, the mythical process of metamorphosis, and elusive emotions exposed in a moment. As I breathe life into my sculptures, I strive to capture their spirit in the permanent solidity of bronze.

The technical execution of my ideas is the result of 25+ years of experience in the field of bronze sculpture. At the age of 15, I began working in a fine art foundry and it was there that I first sculpted and sold several original works. However, it wasn't until returning to foundry work after receiving an engineering degree that my interest in sculpting was rekindled. Since 1985, I have worked almost exclusively creating and casting my own sculptures. By controlling this entire process, I am able to transfer all the properties and potentials I created in clay into the finished bronze. I believe it is this marriage of artistic intuition, design elements, theme and craftsmanship that make my sculptures unique.

Education

  • 1982 - Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
  • 1985-1987 - Apprenticed with renowned figurative sculptor, Clyde Ross Morgan, Sedona, AZ

Professional Experience

  • 2003 - Business of the Year Award, Oregon Chamber of Commerce, Oregon, IL
  • 2000 - Opened inBronze, a full service art casting facility, Mt. Morris, IL 1993 - Moved sculpting studio and gallery to Illinois from Sedona, AZ.
  • 1988-1991 - Founded and operated Bronze, Ltd., a finishing service specializing in metal finishing and patination
  • 1982-1984 - Sculptor Service, Sedona, AZ. Worked primarily in metal finishing and developed patina skills and techniques that were in demand throughout the Southwest
  • 1976-1979 - Employment at Paragon Art Foundry, Oregon, IL. Worked in and mastered all the technical and skilled craftsmanship involved in casting bronze sculpture.

Public Art Commissions
Commissions/Large Works

  • 2003 "Symbiotic Sojourn" Life plus one-third Bronze Sculpture Commissioned by: Century Walk Corporation (public organization) & BBM Incorporated Main Street Promenade complex, Naperville, IL
  • 2003 "Eclipse" Life plus one-third (7' h) female figure with light source.
  • 2002 "Paths of Conviction, Footsteps of Fate" Life and one-half (13 1/2' h) monumental bronze sculpture of Abraham Lincoln & Sauk Warrior Black Hawk. Public Art Commission by: Black Hawk/Lincoln Sculpture Committee, Oregon, IL
  • 1997 "Dynamic Intensity" Life-size Jaguar (7' h) Commissioned by: Air Gun Designs, Northbrook, IL
  • 1997 "Harbor Maiden" 40" h - Private Commission
  • 1995 "Strength of the Steed, Power in the Muses" 30" h - Private Commission
  • 1994 A Glimpse Beneath the Surface, to the "Spirit of Atlantis" One-half life-size - Private Commission
  • 1991 "Into A Laurel Gone" Life-size plus ten percent (7' h)
  • 1989 "Esprit du Vent" (Spirit of the Wind) Two-thirds life-size (5' h)
  • 1988 "The Dream" Life-size plus ten percent (8'h)

Awards
Primary professional emphasis has focused on large commissioned works, rather than participating in juried fine art events. However, in the early years work was exhibited and won numerous awards including:

  • Best of Show - Dayton Art Expo, OH
  • First Place - Sculpture, Castle Farms Art Festival, MI
  • First Place / Best of Show - Art in the Park, NV
  • People's Choice Award - Dimensions '91, KS
  • First Place & 2 Honorable Mentions - in sculpture, Fountain Hills Festival of Arts, AZ
  • Merit Award - Oakbrook Invitational Fine Art Exhibition, IL
  • Honorable Mention - Sculpture, Boston Mills Artfest, MA

Notable Juried Fine Art Exhibits

  • Loveland Sculpture in the Park, Loveland, CO
  • Loveland Invitational Sculpture Show & Sale, Loveland, CO
  • Hillside Sculpture Invitational, Sedona, AZ
  • Port Clinton Art Festival, Highland Park, IL
  • State Street Art Fair, Ann Arbor, MI
  • Scottsdale Celebration of Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Oakbrook Invitational Fine Art Exhibition, Oak Brook, IL
  • Affaire in the Gardens, Beverly Hills, CA
  • American Academy of Equine Art Invitational, Madison, GA
  • UConn Invitational Sculpture Show & Sale, Farmington, CT
  • Danada Invitational Sculpture Show & Sale, Wheaton, IL
  • Art 2000, North Shore, IL
  • Ormond Beach Sculpture Show & Sale, Ormond Beach, FL
  • Elmhurst Art Museum Invitational, Elmhurst, IL
  • Kimberley Gallery Sculpture Invitational, Shelton, WA

Books & Publications

  • The Lincoln Enigma: The Changing Faces of an American Icon, Edited by Gabor Boritt (Oxford, 2001), Photos of "Paths of Conviction, Footsteps of Fate." Also includes mention in a chapter "Lincoln in Modern Art," co-authored by Boritt with Harold Holzer, Vice President of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
  • My Summer with Lincoln, by James Percoco, Photo of "Paths of Conviction, Footsteps of Fate"
  • Practical Welding Today, Nov/Dec 2003. Feature article on the artist and his foundry, inBronze
  • Innumerable newspaper articles

Gallery Representation (Past & Present)
Artist work featured in Jeff Adams' inBronze gallery and numerous outside galleries including:

  • Courtyard Gallery, New Buffalo, MI
  • Agnisiuh Gallery, Sedona, AZ
  • El Mundo Magico Gallery, Sedona, AZ
  • Dan May Galleries, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Lindsey Gallery, Carmel, CA
  • Casa Delores Gallery, Carmel, CA
  • Studio of Long Grove Gallery, Long Grove, IL
  • Kimberely Gallery, Shelton, WA
  • Bensen Gallery, Arlington Heights, IL
  • Winters Gallery, Cambria, CA
  • Lido Gallery, Park City, UT
  • Prestige Gallery, Skokie, IL
  • Prein Gallery, Denver, CO
  • Fleet Art Salon, Sedona, AZ
  • Masterguild Galleries, Punta Gorda, FL

Lectures
Numerous presentations to civic service groups such as Lions, Kiwanis, and Rotary. Numerous lectures to art students and teacher including:

  • High school art teachers, Dixon, IL., H.S. Art Club
  • Sauk Valley Community College Art Class
  • "Young at Art" Skilled Artists Studio Tour (an auxiliary of Rockford Art Museum
  • "Palette & Chisel" (art organization founded by professional sculptors in Chicago, IL)