Handcrafted Stone Sculpture
Contemporary Designs | Classic Materials
STONE SCULPTURE MATERIALS
Working With Marble
I enjoy challenging the notion that marble sculpture belongs solely to past eras.
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For instance, many people only associate this classic material with the untouchable artifacts, saintly statues, and somber monuments found in history museums, old churches, and ancient cemeteries -- I like creating marble artworks that reflect more modern times, are a bit more whimsical, and can be enjoyed in the home, garden or gallery.
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And where the sculptures can be closely admired since I believe that stone art, especially marble, provides a unique tactile experience.
Working with Soapstone, Alabaster and Limestone
Working with soapstone, alabaster and limestone provides me with several advantages, as these rocks are softer than marble (which has a hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale). I can carve them easier using standard steel tools (rather than carbide-tipped ones) and sand them faster using ordinary sandpapers.
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I get most of my soapstone (Mohs = 2) from a local, long-abandoned quarry and nearby streambed. Other soapstone I use is imported from South America. Due to the various minerals that make up soapstone, a variety of colors and unique patterns are revealed once the stone is polished.
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Alabaster ( Mohs = 3) also displays a variety of colors. In addition, it can be translucent. However, alabaster cannot be obtained locally and has to be imported from the Western USA.
Limestone (Mohs = 4) is not as colorful as soapstone and alabaster. However, it can hold great detail and fractures less than other materials -- making it a wonderful material to carve.
THE PROCESS
A typical stone carving project lasts months, as progress is gradual. Major steps include design, carving, detailing, and surface finishing.
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Tools include a hammer, chisels, files, sandpapers and polishing compounds. Small power tools are utilized when required.
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It helps to have a well-ventilated, dedicated space in which to work. Safety equipment includes a dust mask, eye protection (goggles), and work gloves.
VIEW SLIDE SHOW: The stone sculpting process begins with a nice piece of carve-able rock (typically a 10 - 100 lb block of marble, alabaster, or soapstone).
The stone I use is sourced from quarries, salvage yards, and sculpture supply houses. A suitable rock has consistent texture with no obvious fractures, and perhaps some interesting colors (though internal and surface patterns often differ).
This is the finished sculpture (after sanding and polishing).
VIEW SLIDE SHOW: The stone sculpting process begins with a nice piece of carve-able rock (typically a 10 - 100 lb block of marble, alabaster, or soapstone).
OTHER ARTÂ
In addition to stone sculptures, my artistic portfolio includes holograms, fused glass, and digital graphics.
(Note: Holograms are displayed on an affiliated website.)