Stone
I start with an irregular shaped stone!
The natural contours and the color of the stone weight heavily on my stonework.
I turn the raw stone in my hands until it suggests a path forward. I level the stone so that it sits upright on my intuition. So, I can walk around it and study it from close and far... back, sides, and front. And when I am ready. I cut. Deep strong and aggressive at the outset. I am always eager to see what's hidden inside. Progressively I become more precise. I see the image in my head more clearly as I go deeper. And then I use lighter rhythmic, more deliberate strikes as the chisel barely advances. And finally, putting the mallet aside, I force the sharp edge along, barely shaving the surface. I feel it when I get to close to the flesh.
My stone pieces have all sold and I don't expect new pieces until next year since I will only get new serpentine stone in the spring. Here are a few of my previous pieces:
