I spent
years working in 2-dimensional media - pen and ink, painting,
etc. but was frustrated by the mediums. I began working
3-dimensionally after reading an article in HOW Magazine
(a graphics arts magazine). The artist in the article was
Ajin Noda, a paper sculptor illustrator. He demonstrated
the technique of paper sculpture by creating a caricature
of Whoopi Goldberg. I was fascinated by the technique, so
I gave it a try.
Man
at Table was my first piece. After struggling with 2D media
for years, working 3D was just so much easier. David Letterman
was my second piece and Grey cat my third. Making the paper
sculpture is only part of the job, however. In order for
it to be used for illustration, it has to be photographed.
And, as I was not set up for photography, I had to find
someone who was.
After
some asking around, I found professional photographer Geoff
Carr. With the exception of the Tiger (photographed by Chris
Fieldhouse), he photographed all the work I did in paper
sculpture. The paper is Canson Mi Tientes colored paper
with pastel adding color and depth. While the works started
out mounted to a board and were basically bas-relief, after
a couple of years I began to push the medium to make completely
3D pieces like the cat and the Tiger. Eventually I became
frustrated with the fragility of the paper and began to
look for a more permanent material.
It was
difficult getting illustration assignments in Louisville
so I began going further afield –Cincinnati, Indianapolis,
etc. Ultimately I ended up in New York City (thanks to a
cousin nearby) and made the rounds of various ad agencies
and agents. While I had no trouble seeing people (they enjoyed
samples of my work) it was a difficult sale because it was
so different.
While
in New York City, I discovered the Park Avenue Atrium, an
art space in Mid-town Manhattan, owned by Olympia York.
It was there my cats and the tiger were displayed in a group
show. And while my cats made it back from the show, unfortunately
the tiger disappeared out of the show. That was a real hit
for me and I didn’t display the paper sculpture for
years after that.
I was
still working with the paper sculpture, using an agent in
New York, when I met Don in 1991. I was working a day job
part time selling window treatments and the company was
set up in a home show. It was at the show that I met Don.
He was set up at the show as well, selling stone sculptures.
I was fascinated by the idea of carving stone – at
last a permanent medium that wouldn’t be ruined by
a little bit of dirt like the paper. I drove out to his
studio and tried carving stone and I was hooked. I
continued working in paper sculpture for a few years, but
eventually I started carving stone full-time.
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