sculptural preferences

["George Graham" <georgergraham@zzzzzzzzzzz>]

Norman,
I've never really thought about size the way your question is asked. Stone
carving for me is a very instinctive process that is an equal measure of
having a good idea, and having a good stone to work with. Sometimes the
inspiration is clear in my mind before I've even looked at a stone. In those
cases I get something drawn on paper before the thought fades away. Usually,
I start with a general idea, start carving , and let the process of carving
with a hammer and point clarify the idea.

I don't think many of pieces I've done over the years would work well if
they were enlarged, or scaled up. Because they are often inspirations that
are created with and for a particular stone, the work would change
drastically if it was blown up. When I have made a conscious plan to do a
big piece, then I've found that much more of the creative process is done in
the planning stage . A smaller piece , something I can carry around, lets me
get right to the forms inside by only needing to remove a small amount of
stone. A large block of stone means a large amount of hard work , and I
don't think I have the time and energy to "explore" and find the forms. When
I start work on a large project, I'm pretty clear on what I'm trying to do.
Of course I'm always open to any good ideas that appear as I'm working.

Your question brought back to mind a wonderful exhibit of Henry Moore's
sculpture I saw in a gallery in Minneapolis MN. The show featured a dozen or
so of Moore's bronze sculptures that were no more then 6" tall. Each piece
was completely formed and thought out so they could be used as scale models
for larger then life pieces, or stand on their own as complete finished
pieces. The size did not matter. I've always been drawn to the idea of
finishing my sculpture so that it was fully finished and worked  as an in
the round sculpture.

As usual , your questions are the most thought provoking, and I find my self
looking inward and trying to discuss something that I really don't have the
vocabulary for. I generally let my hammer and chisels do my talking!

George Graham