Credit Line: Photo by Andrew Gillis

Object ID Number: 2016FBESe1a

Object Number: 2016FBESe1a

Notes: Not long after its creation in 2010, I had the opportunity to exhibit the transformable floor sculpture “Fallen Angel” and “Stranded Cetacean (a.k.a., Birched Whale)” in “Magic Realism” at the former Wood Turning Center. It was an honor to have my first major, ceramic, sculptural work included, along with some of my traditional works, alongside other masters of trompe l’oeil. It was great fun to have “Stranded Cetacean” displayed on a bed of sand inside the gallery. Impacted by a harsh environment, both “Fallen Angel” and later “Crescendo” use texture as well as line and form to exemplify how nature maintains its splendors through tenacity and triumph of existence, despite the disregard we humans show her. Positive response to this work helped reassure my pursuit of larger scale pieces. During that exhibition, I enjoyed giving a formal talk and sharing time with many of the Center’s members. I furthered and initiated new long-term personal and professional relationships amongst the tightly knit wood collector community. Since that time I have shared many a meal, and been put up in many a room, in a wood lover’s home. This has led to both interpersonal rewards of friendship as well as much encouragement and support artistically. “Fallen Angel” and “Stranded Cetacean” have since been featured in several museum exhibitions, including as the centerpiece in a 2015 solo exhibition at the Appleton Museum in Florida.