Introduction ...

[Isis <Isis1976@xxxxxxx>]

Hi.  I'm new to this group, and actually I'm new to the
concept of stone. I've never carved a piece of stone in
my life, but I find it to be the most fascinating "art"
of all of the art forms!

I'm very involved in various other "art forms" -- I
paint abstracts with oils or acrylics on canvas.  This
is one of my "creative outlets."  In addition, I'm an
actress, with over 20 years of acting training, and I've
performed in many "off beat" productions in New York
City, both in theatre and independent film.  (I use the
term "off beat" because I'm not a "Broadway" performer
-- I usually get involved with small off-Bdwy companies.
HOWEVER, the painting and performing are really just
"creative outlets."  I actually make my LIVING in the
music business -- I work in the rock & roll end of the
music world, and I've been fortunate to be around some
absolutely brilliant musicians.

BUT, I am an "art enthusiast."  Since I "work" in music,
I prefer to go to museums in my free time, as opposed to
concerts.  Living in NYC, I spend quite a lot of time at
the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and I am most fascinated
by all of the sculptures there.  I just find it to be
absolutely amazing that someone can "create" this type
of work!!! SO, I joined this list mainly to learn more
about HOW on earth these sculptures are done (and maybe,
one day, I'll even try it out on my own!)

In your introductions, you've all discussed the
different materials that you use.  I'm curious about the
differences between marble, alabaster, soapstone,
limestone, and any other materials that may be used.  I
know that most of the sculptures that I see at the MET
seem to be either marble or limestone.  I'm not familiar
with the other forms that you've mentioned.  (What's
soapstone?)

I would love to know more about how one DOES this type
of work.  It just seems to be so difficult to take a
piece of marble (for example) and actually create a man
(again, for example) with fine features, etc.  I would
find this so impossible to do!  (I'm sure it seems to
you that I'm asking silly questions, but to one who has
never actually created in this way, it seems almost
impossible!)  Would you have to be very "physically
strong" to carve a piece of heavy stone?  Or is there a
way of "softening" the material, so that it's easier to
work with?  AND -- do you need to use "electric" chisels
to cut through the material?  What did people do back in
the 19th century (and prior) BEFORE they had electrical
equipment?  For example, how on earth did Rodin do the
work that he did?  He was so prolific -- how did he have
the time to create SO MANY pieces in one lifetime?  What
is the average amount of time that it would take to do a
"medium size" sculpture?

Sorry for all the questions.  I don't expect them to be
all answered at once, by any means, but I just thought
I'd throw it all out there and hope to become more
enlightened.  I'd like to have a better "perspective" on
these works when I look at them in the museums.

One last request -- do any of you have web sites with
your work displayed on it?  I would love to get some of
your URLs so that I can see what you're all doing!
Thanks,
Isis