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The artist at work
The Marriage
Alabaster
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How long have you
been an artist? Were you interested as a child or
did you become interested later in life?
I've been sculpting
for 35 years, in various media. I 've been doing it
professionally for the last 6 and 1/2 years. In my
previous life I was an accountant for 27 years, the
last 17 years of which, I was the controller of
Mautz Paint Company in Madison. When I turned 50, I
decided that it was time to do something more
important and enjoyable with the last half of my
life.
Why do you
do sculpture?
I love the hands-on
creative part of sculpture. Every piece is a new
adventure and challenge.
Describe your
technique.
I became interested
in sculpture in the first year I was married. I
used to play with my wife's flower arrangement
clay. She got tired of it and bought me ten pounds
of clay for our first Christmas together. It just
took off from there. I've worked in clay, steel,
wood, stone and, most recently, in bronze and
resins. I've never had a formal art lesson but have
read many books on sculpture and have visited
galleries and museums all over the world.
I strive to perfect the fundamentals of sculpture.
In my stone sculpture, I simplify forms and
capitalize on the inherent beauty of the stone. The
stones that I use most are Marble, Alabaster and
Limestone. In my clay work I usually create
realistic figures which are eventually used for
bronze and/or resin castings.
If you couldn't be an artist,
what other profession would interest
you?
If I couldn't be an artist, I
would teach ???? or !!!!!!
What do you like least about being an artist?
Most?
I'm a very visual person so I'm
fascinated and intrigued by three-dimensional work.
It is more interesting to me than two-dimensional
as, in my opinion, there is more surprise and
involvement in the work.
I very much dislike the
process of selling the work. I do not have a sales
mentality. I wish that I could afford to just give
the work away, rather than find buyers.
If your art were a food, what
would it be and why?
If my art were food, what food
would it be? What a strange question! I guess I'd
have to say Fine Cantonese Food. Reason: color,
texture, diversity, excitement, meaningful
experience.
Any biographical information
such as age, married, children, interesting facts,
awards you would care to share?
I'm 57 years old, married to a
wonderful wife, Marie, for 35 years, and live in
Madison, Wisconsin. We chose not to have
children.
I've won awards at many shows
and exhibitions and my work is included in many
collections. I think that I'm most proud to be in
the collections of other artists, both two and
three-dimensional.
My first commission was a bust
of Chief Oshkosh, which is in the Oshkosh
Library.
I enjoy the work of Henry Moore,
Rodin, and Hans Arp. My favorite contemporary
sculptors are Richard Mc Donald, Frederick Hart,
and Robert Graham.
My favorite 2-D artist is Robert
Schultz of Madison, Wisconsin. I think that he may
be the finest figurative graphite artist alive
today.
I love what I do. I can't wait
to get up in the morning to do it, and I feel that
I am one of the luckiest people in the world to be
able to do it.
 
Ben may be reached at sculptsone@sbcglobal.net |
