ARTIST STATEMENT |
After retiring in my late fifties from a successful career in orthodontics, I couldn't wait to do what I hadn't had the time for when running two busy offices and raising a family. I wanted to delve into art and music. While fine art and bluegrass banjo might seem incongruent to some, to me it made perfect sense. Since my wife is artistic we went to many week long art studies; she in drawing, watercolor painting, sketching, etc. and me in woodturning, portrait clay sculpture, and music. I also visited the studios of teachers I admired studying one on one. I loved woodturning and learned a lot about the properties of wood and how to get perfect flow from the top to the bottom of the piece, but the creative aspect of stylized sculpture won my heart. With my sculpture pieces I attempt to find the perfect balance between beauty, movement, and flow. I attempt to be true to the medium that I have handpicked, whether it be driftwood or alabaster. It is important that each piece tells a story that causes an emotional response in the viewer. Before beginning to sculpt, I've puzzled over pieces of driftwood for over two years. I'd turn them up, down, and around and look at them while working on other pieces. Even with this preplanning, these pieces often morph into a different figure as I work on them. Also, when I have "lived with" the finished pieces for some time, my conception of them can change. For example, a warrior goddess may change in my mind to an uninhibited dancer. If this happens to you, it is fine with me, as it is my hope that my pieces won't stay static but instead will provoke thought. |
CAREER STATEMENT |
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As is no doubt apparent from my Artist Statement, my sculpture is highly personal and began entirely for my self fulfillment. After completing several pieces, however, you want to know how they compare to other works by other artists. I entered several pieces in the James River Wood Carvers annual competition in the Open (highest) Division with most every one of my entries winning awards, including four first place awards. I also won Judges Creative Award and Best of Open Division Award. For three winters I studied stone and wood sculpture in Florida at both the Marco Island Art League and the Bonita Springs Art League. During and after this time I also sculpted with a prominent Naples, Florida stone sculptor, Angelika Kade. Several of my stone sculptures were exhibited at the Art League of Marco Island. More of my sculptures were exhibited and sold in a prominent Marco Island gallery. I have also participated in an invitational multiple artist show in Naples, Florida. |
CONTACT |
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Email donadamssculpture@gmail.com Website donadamssculpture.com
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