DESTINY ALLISON, SANTA FE SCULPTURE ARTIST

People ask me all the time if I sketch before I start building.  I don't.  When I draw something first, I end up trying to copy the drawing in metal and it seldom works.  The feel of pencil on paper never captures the feel of metal on metal.  Instead, I work with metal shapes on the floor of my studio until the feeling of a form comes into being.  This is bad for my back, but good for my creative process because the very physical act of moving the metal, the direct engagement with my material, frees my mind up enough to get into the "zone." 

Once a piece is in process, then I use other media to help me "see" it.  Sometimes, I will get on a ladder and look at it from above.  Sometimes I will look at the work in a mirror instead of looking at it directly, and sometimes I will photograph it, bring it home and look at the images on a computer.  I find that looking at the work indirectly, or from unusual viewing angles, helps me to find the planes or curves that aren't working. 

Blogging about how to sculpt is new to me.  I've taught for years, written a book about how to sculpt, and given the topic more than a decade of thought.  Still, I find it difficult to give helpful tips.  Most of the time, I sense that people are looking for techniques, specific directions to accomplish specific goals, step by step instructions.  Art doesn't work like that.  It comes from a different place.

I suppose the best way for me to write a sculpture blog is to stay true to what I know and answer specific technical questions through email.  If you have a specific question, hit my contact button and fill in the blanks.  I'll get back to you with whatever help I can offer. I have worked with armatures, plaster, concrete, wax, stone, steel and bronze.  I cast work for years and cold form my metal now. If I can help you solve a technical problem I will.