While attending
graduate school at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, I often went to the
Art
Institute
in Chicago for inspiration. I had an epiphany when I saw the seven-foot bronze
sculpture by
Gaston
Lachaise, titled “Standing Woman”. I gasped; she stood there so strong, so
beautiful. This image is still with me today as I am sculpting...something to
artistically come up to.
Another very strong influence for me has been my study of Eastern Art. The
Eastern culture has been able to express an intrinsic sensuality of the female
form rarely found in Western Art. I have included here an example of an
Indian Devi which best illustrates this influence.
The "Women" are in
motion, filled with an ecstatic grace which is not about them, but about their
relationship to life, they are selfless, open, round, full, bright...and
relating fully in their bodies to the Divine! I have been humbled and graced by
twenty-three years of devotional practice with the
Avatar Adi Da Samraj.
The entire time being instructed spiritually both in human terms as an artist.
Every woman I have ever looked at has been archived in a photographic-like
visual memory, and saved for recall while working. The subtle curves, soft
roundness, the tilt of the head, the weight of the torso on the hips, and the
center of gravity, have all become second nature.
Mental archives, anatomy books, sculptural history, and robust women, are all a part of the preparation process for the “Women” Series of twelve sculptures. Years and years of figurative drawing from models in constant movement has trained my eye to be fast.
|
Return To - Eleanor's Web Page |
Eleanor's Tiburon Art Gallery |
Eleanor's Web Site |
|
Exhibit's & Commissioned Works |
12/05/2006