stone sculptor in idaho

[redsnow]

undefinedtahoma7blackHi, I'm not sure if this is going to work--because I actually don't know what I doing or where this is going to end up! I just recently joined the sculpture community and I'm impressed and amazed at all the wonderful works that I would never have seen if I hadn't joined. When I get my courage up, I'll post some pics of my work. The best I can do right now is to invite you to my website, stonerivergallery.net. You don't have to be kind, just don't be rude. Thanks. Gwen

[fritchie]

Your stone work is very bold. I can see the connection to Native American carvings of the Northwest, from your location, but it reminds me more of Picasso's African-inspired work.

What do you consider your own sources?

[redsnow]

Hey Frit, that was bordering on rude, but thanks. Here's the irony of it all: when I was a very young child, my father (an artist himself) asked me what I thought of this man Picasso's work. I looked at the book he put before my young eyes and said "I don't like it". He said, "Yes, I agree, but he's the best salesman you'll ever see". My sources are my own. I have never seen any of P's African-style work, so now I'll have to investigate further. The Native influence could come from my great-grandmother who, the family says, was a Mohawk....quite removed from the location in which I presently reside. I try very hard not to model my work after anyone. I don't plan my pieces other than looking at the stone and letting it become. I've taken my share of grief over this "non-planning" attitude that I have from fellow artist/friends that plan every step. Thank you for saying my stone work is very "bold". If that's the best I get, I'll take it. Ciao.

[evaldart]

I really like the second image. That piece exhibits a proper working-over of the stone. A purposeful thrashing that he won't soon forget. Stands strong all round. some of the others cause me to consider the difference between the implications of the words "unfinished" and "incomplete" (to me those words are not synonyms).

There is magnificence in an achieved rawness and crudity that often reminds me of the the natural entity from which it emerged by the areas left alone or untreated. This is the glory of work not needful of "finishing".

Then there is work that appears to have been abandoned or forsaken...pleading for more labor that may or may not ever come, still afflicted by the obscurity of the previous aeons when it was lost in Nature. And working intentionally primitive can be a slippery slope.

It is with these squinting eyes that I consider those other pieces.

In all, the vigor that exudes is what will continue to advance you. No matter your stylistic direction.

Welcome Redsnow

[Tlouis]

I tried accessing your website several times. All I get is your post here on SC. What gives?

I have a Mac and use Safari.

Lou

[redsnow]

I appreciate your comments Evaldart. You really took the time to look and think about my work--I thank you for your time and your insights, you've read me and my work well. Yes, I have to agree, sometimes my work does seem unfinished or incomplete, but, ha, such is life! I do like to leave as much of the natural stone surface as I can, there's just something about the 'rawness' that I like. For me, when pieces are worked to death, I often wonder why the artist didn't use something other than stone. Ages ago, an old gritty sculptor told me that the highest compliment that a carver can make to a stone is to leave as much of it as natural as possible--I guess what he said lodged in my sub. I realize that working primitive is a slippery slope but I come by it honestly; I don't set out to, it just happens. My squinting eyes will take what you said about the "incompletes" and go at it again. I agree with your assessment completely. Thank you. Redsnow.

[redsnow]

Lou, I don't have a link posted on the community board. Have you tried just putting stonerivergallery.net in your address bar? I'll go in and take a look and see if there's a problem on the website itself. TTYL Redsnow Thanks for taking the time.

[StevenW]

My only complaint is there's not enough of it, get MO busy!

[redsnow]

Ok, I hear you loud and clear!!!

[fritchie]

I'm sorry if you took my references to Picasso and Northwestern Native Americans as indicting lack of quality. I admire both groups of work, and the similarities I saw in your sculptures were remarkable to me.

I may insult you further here, but all this work - the Picasso African pieces, the Northwestern Native work, and yours - are more or less in the category "primitive". That's not a derogatory term, but a term used for self-educated artists. Of course Picasso was the son of an artist, a painter, I believe, so he was not in fact a Primitive Artist, but he used these techniques to get into his own creative sources.

Your work is fine, and I hope you show us more when you can.

[redsnow]

Frit, Thanks. I believe I can honestly say that I was over-reacting a bit. I'm a little sensitive about references to my work "reflecting" the influences of Picasso's work. I misinterpreted your query,"what do you consider your own sources?", as if I intentionallly incorporate the outside influences of others' work and not wholly depending on my own talent and ideas. I hope I was wrong, because this is not the case, truly. Yes, I would agree that my work would fall somewhere in the "primitive" range, but I also feel that "Primative Neo-Classical" would also work--is that a stretch? Since my father was an abstract painter, as well as a very fine sculptor, I started my art education earlier than most and, as for the more formal education, I dropped out of college from boredom after three years, so I'm somewhat "primative" as well. All this aside, could we agree that my work could be categorized as "Half-Breed Primative"? I'm working on a large piece now that I'm sure will lead you back to your original conclusions, but I will send you a pic and, then, let's discuss. P.S. "fine" was the only insult!!! I'd much rather you just plain hate it. I've wondered if, in my not ever having developed an appreciation for Picasso's work (or struggle) that the short, bold little man hasn't decided to channel me? Only kidding. Have a nice day. Oh, one more thing, Picasso was given a fine classical education at the French Academy and he ripped off Dada--if I'm wrong, I apologize, but I'm sure you'll let me know. Being in this forum is certainly going to be productive for me and helpful. TTYL.

[fritchie]

I agree the term "Primitive Neoclassical" fits your work. As far as the term "fine", I'm sure we all think in private that we are misunderstood geniuses, but as many people have said over the ages, no one gets to judge his/her own work. That's the prerogative of others. We sure get to promote ourselves, though!

On my reaction to your work, I'm responding as an artist and not a moderator here. My personal preference is for more realism.

[JAZ]

Hi Redsnow. Your sensitivity is something most of us share and struggle to outwit. We need to have that same senistivity in order to do the kind of work we do. One of the roles we play in society happens because we see and feel life more intensely. It's difficult to control, but exhilarating too.
Which of your sculptures means the most to you?
JAZ

[redsnow]

Understood. My preference is not realism. I also agree with the rest of what you've said, thank you.

[redsnow]

#14 was meant for Fritchie, not you JAZ. I'm only a level one, but I get it. Yes, I would agree, to be an artist is to feel things far beyond the realm of the average mortal. This means, too, being granted a greater depth of understanding and insight, which, among fellow artists, needs to be conveyed with the intent of guidance to our fellow artists. It would be hard to say which piece means the most to me, because each piece I create brings an altogether different feeling to me physically and emotionally. But, if I had to chose, it would be my first piece, because I set out to create and I did. And, I suppose my next favorite piece will be my last. Please understand that I felt I was being put into a position of having to defend my work; I thought I did it with as much humor as possible. I will always come to the defense of my work because I believe in it. Thanks. JAZ

[redsnow]

Oops, again a level one. Ciao.

[Blacksun]

"Primitive is often used as descriptive of an intentionally un-polished work of art, that despite it's rugged / unfinished appearance (reminiscent of production by a "primitive" people with "primitive" tools), conveys a sense of power and /or beauty."

I think red's work is indeed primitive and classic, and powerful, and beautiful....

[redsnow]

Blacksun, I thank you deeply. Your insight into my (either intentionally or subconsciously created) "primitive" creations gives my soul food--it was delicious! Ciao.