Carolyn Brandt Carved Alabaster Dog

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” -Michelangelo

Carving stone is a lesson in patience. It is also a lesson in a different kind of listening, not necessarily with the ears, but with the eyes and hands. Anyone who works with stone will tell you that there is some form of communication that goes on once they begin to manipulate it. Often I start with a particular piece in mind only to have what Ive envisioned transform into something else, seemingly dictated by the stone itself. People are drawn to touch a smoothed stone—they crave the cool, liquid feeling of it against their skin. The same desire that motivates me to reach out to stroke a dogs head. Dogs and other animals are ever present characters in my pieces. My focus is often drawn to one aspect of their physique that intrigues mea nose, the ears, the eyes, and (in humans) the hands. I sometimes add found elements of nature to my sculptures such as antler, bone and skins to give further dimension to their stories and connectivity to the natural world.

Carolyn Brandt

Carolyn Brandt is a local artist and sculptor. Her other works can be viewed on Instagram @loafingbarnsculpture.

Measures approximately 10 in. L x 6 in. W x 8 in. H

• Collection = Sculpture