Sandy Graves
Artist's Statement
"Sculpture should be interactive. I want people to feel what my hands felt while I was sculpting and appreciating the form of the human body. Being human is the one thing that we all have in common and share in a very personal and emotional way. I choose subjects that remind me of fun times, peaceful moments, and family. The suggestion of an experience that reminds the viewer of moments in his or her own life brings magic to each form."
Biography
The arts have always been a part of my life. Whether drawing, baking, painting, sewing, or sculpting, I love working with my hands and creating art. I was born in Denver, Colorado, and grew up in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. I first displayed my work at the county fairs as a 4-H member. As a freshman in high school I won a national level sewing and outfit design competition. As I continued my education, mostly at Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins, Colorado, I worked in many different mediums. Sculpture was always a favorite and came naturally to me. After graduating from CSU in 1993 with my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a teaching certificate, I began work as a high school Art teacher in Steamboat Springs. I chose Art Education as an occupation because I love interacting with people as much as I love creating art. Over 16 years of teaching, I have had the opportunity to develop as an artist through the work of my students and of my own. I was constantly in the process of creating, critiquing, and displaying artwork. I know that art becomes magical when the artist can convey meaning through the combination of artistic elements, and that is what I strive to do in each of my pieces. In 1999 I cast my first piece in bronze and found my passion. To me, bronze sculpture is a friendly and beautiful medium. I enjoy watching the public interact with art. With a sculpture, viewers can walk around it, touch it, and become part of the artistic expression in a very personal way. The human figure is special because people react to it in such an instantaneous and personal way. I work very hard to achieve anatomically correct and proportional pieces in my representational work. My abstract work is more about process and balance. I love watching the pieces as they come together and become whole.
