Monday, September 28, 2009

Spirit of the Wild Things, the Art of Sandy Scott

Summer is over, and I have time to return to the book I most enjoyed reading at camp. As I have noted before, I invested in some art this summer,two moose head book ends by Sandy Scott. I found them at the Wilcox Gallery in Jackson Hole. When I bought them, Jeff Wilcox, acting as his father’s manager, called Ms. Scott on the phone to get me a discount; how kind. He also gave me Sandy Scott’s autobiography. I have enjoyed it immensely.

Here are some highlights.

1. Sculpture is an experience rather than an object. p26

2. Style is personal truth. p26

3. Artist is seeing, feeling, understanding, expressing. p26

4. CUSS -- Clarify, unify, simplify, and solidify. p30

Sandy Scott writes of how her life is recorded in work books and journals – they are the source of her commentary – she believes she has a compulsion to write it down. So do I!!!

5. Drawing is the foundation of all art, and in a drawing the artiest defines something that cannot be described in words. . . it would be like describing the taste of gooseberry pie. p62

6. On page 64 she describes using a Stevens Shot gun. The first thing of material value I ever saved money to buy was my Stevens Savage shot gun. I worked all my last summer at home picking fruit to earn the $78.00 it cost me. Today, it hangs in my “Art Room” across from Scotts sculptures. As a girl she had gone hunting with her father and his friends, but she did not have a gun. A fellow lent her one.

“He offered to let me use his old Stevens 12-gage double-barrel with slugs for shells. I was in heaven, so I polished the shotgun and lined it up next to the rifles.”

7. Her first adventure with nature – like my perpetual one – was tied to Yellowstone. I remember visiting Yellowstone as a boy; in some ways I am always a boy there and in some ways I am always there. She recounts her first visit on pg 70:

“The first great event of my life was a summer vacation to Wyoming in 1958 with my parents and sister Nancy. I was fourteen years of age and spending tow weeks camping below the wild peaks of the Grand Tetons and in the geyser basins of Yellowstone plunged me into a rich adventure that changed my life forever. It was the beginning of a spell that the West has had on me to this day.”
Having never traveled beyond Oklahoma or northwestern Arkansas, this event presented many “firsts” in my young life:
Dear Diary: Slept in a bedroll under a starry sky for the first time; first time in a boat; caught my first fish, a cutthroat trout; saw my first antelope, bear, buffalo, elk, golden eagle and moose.
Pretty heady stuff in retrospect. The experience was of incalculable value because it revealed the treasure and possibilities that lay ahead of me in life.”

8. I have written before of the humming bird feeders outside my office window at camp, and have often thought of that broad porch on the second story of the lodge as the deck of a ship that plows through giant green waves of fir and spruce. It was a great pleasure to find Ms. Scott also shares these pleasures with me. On page 78 she writes:

“I had a deck built onto the front of my cabin, which sits on a point and is close to the water. When I’m on the deck, I feel as though I’, on the flying bridge of a ship.
When I arrive to open up in May, I can’t wait to put geraniums on the deck, and since springtime is for planting, I se tout tomatoes in a sunny spot on the south corner.
I place red sugar-water feeders under the eaves and watch ruby-throated humming-birds as they dart from feeder to birch branch then to their wee nest, high in a big poplar tree. They look like jewels flashing in the sun with their red bibs and brilliant metallic sheen.
How I love the deck! Dazzling with splashes of color: cadmium red geraniums, hearty bright tomatoes and sparkling ruby-throated hummers against the complementary greens of summer.
When snow blankets my home in Colorado, I think of summertime at the cabin on Lake of the Woods, and I see red.”

My lake is also called Lake of the Woods, and my memories of copper and ruby ruffas hummers fill my winter dreams with red summer fire.

9. The moment we think of animals as human, we are lost. p86

10. Tolstoy’s definition of Art:

“Art is a human activity, whose purpose is the transmission of the highest and best feelings to which human being have attained.” p94

11. A quote from Robert Henri on following rules to be made free:

“Take any man and develop his mind and soul and heart to the fullest by the right work and right study and then let him find through his training the utmost freedom of expression. For a man ceases to imitate when he has achieved the power to express fully and freely his own ideas.” P97

Robert Henri was a “great American artiest” and admirer of Thomas Ekins.

12. On following the examples of the past, and learning the Truths about art:

“It is inexcusable for any artist working today not to know and study the finest examples of sculpture handed down through the ages – to be aware of what was done before. Basic and time-honored artistic principles will always stand up as the taste of the times and look of the day change.” P104

13. On anatomy for [drawing] and sculpting:

“There is nothing random in nature; everything is structured. Though an animal sculptor does not need to be a scientist he must know and understand the important bones, joints and muscles, not only where they attach but how they articulate, In addition to this knowledge the bird sculptor must know the major feather groups, individual feather construction and the mechanics of flight. Birds in flight don’t pose, therefore this understanding is a must” p112

14. On the need to have a knowledge of the subject:

“The sculptor’s knowledge of their subjects is more important than the technical ability to mold clay.” p126

15. On medium:

The medium is an extension of the artist’s personality, the channel through which the mind connects to the fingers.” p135

16. On the connection between spontaneity and structure:

“Spontaneity is not possible with out planning and structure. . . There must be meaningful strong and understood structure and shape – only then can one edit and simplify. The more that is know, the more that can be eliminated” p140

17. On the simple shapes:

“Simple shapes are the foundation of all drawing, and to drawing, and to draw accurately we must use all these shapes – circles, squares, triangles, rectangles, ovals, etc. – in correct relation to each other.” p144

18. Three rule of composition from Mrs. DuCoin:

“1. Composition is a harmonious arrangement of two or more elements, one of which dominates all others in interest. The dominate element becomes the focal point or center of interest.

2. There should be as few secondary elements as possible and these should be arranged to support the man interest.

3. The position of the center of interest depends upon the feeling of balance created by the distribution of the different elements in the composition.”
p146

19. A definition of Art by Sandy Scott:

“Art is not an imitation of nature. Art is surrounded by the artist’s personal evaluation and response to nature, and great art has an eternal and universal appeal.” p146

20. On the Academy and the master:

In years past, art students learned in academies and continued their education under the direction of a master in ateliers and working studios. In the academic tradition the student would assist the master by making plaster casts fro life, taking endless measurements and making accurate drawing. He would learn mold-making, resizing, point-up, and carving. His responsibilities would surely include keeping the clay models covered and moist as well as sweeping the floors, watering the plants and looking after the studio cats.
In exchange, the apprentice received a small amount of money, if any, and an occasional critique of his own work by the master. Most would advance no further than a technician and would have to be content with their lot in the studio.
The Italian Renaissance masters encouraged their students to “Imparp l’arte e mettila da parte.” (Learn you art and then put it aside.) The artist should know sound technique but never stop experimenting, seeking and taking chances.”
p158

21. On my living with her art:

“When I sign my work and send it out into the world, I think of a bird leaving the nest or perhaps a child leaving home. I wonder how what I saw, felt, understood and expressed will affect the viewer. The most profound realization of my life is that there are people I have never met who live with my art, and therefore I share with them a personal, if not intimate relationship." p166

Sandy, thank you for sharing.

23 comments:

Scott Hinrichs said...

I have been looking forward to this post since July. Thanks.

I note that many of the principles Ms. Scott defines can also be applied to working with words.

Lysis said...

Reach

Thank you for your comment. I agree with you, on the words and on everything else in life. I found myself thinking how Ms. Scott's ideas applies to running a Scout Camp; now I am in school, I see how she taught how to teach.

Anonymous said...

Not sure where to post this but I wanted to ask if anyone has heard of National Clicks?

Can someone help me find it?

Overheard some co-workers talking about it all week but didn't have time to ask so I thought I would post it here to see if someone could help me out.

Seems to be getting alot of buzz right now.

Thanks

Anonymous said...

Mint. [url=http://officialcanadagoosesoutlet.ca]canada goose outlet[/url] Not only that, but the local ground is suspected of being leeched by deadly chemicals and may be leaking into the local river. You may be able to tell from the half-filled bowl in the middle photo I sampled quite a bit. I had a real issue with Living Social.
If the room has carpet and drapes, it will absorb more of the volume.. [url=http://www.icanadagooseca.com]canada goose jacket[/url] Investing in your customer is a key to a successful business. http://officialcanadagoosesoutlet.ca
[url=http://flyballbags.com]canada goose chilliwack[/url] I established a hypothesis that if I ran an XBRL Formula through each SEC XBRL instance (10Qs) that the formula (business rule) should either support the fact that cash reconciles or there should be some reason that the formula does not support that and there would be a specific reason as to why. [url=http://www.onlinebeatsbydreoutlet.com]beats pro fake review[/url]

Anonymous said...

But pear-shaped females should not celebrate too heartily, for the leading names of world fashion are showing no sign of following in the Spaniards' footsteps. [url=http://www.2012canadagoosepascher.fr]Canada Goose[/url] in late December in the company of his young boyfriend, the model Renato Seabra, to see some Broadway shows and spend New Year's Eve in Times Square, according to a family friend. The site is a mile or so north of the M25 at Junction 22. They had so much fun that in the following year they organised a further race for both colts and fillies which was named 'The Derby'.
It's 25 seconds and edited so you can't see if they do any check or not. [url=http://www.icanadagooseca.com]canada goose chilliwack bomber[/url] Your commitment to habit proves one thing: Eventually, everything old will be new again.. [url=http://officialcanadagoosesoutlet.ca]canada goose[/url]
[url=http://flyballbags.com]canada goose chilliwack[/url] Stephen Sommers' hugely popular THE MUMMY and THE MUMMY RETURNS have meant the return of the wrapped-one to the pop culture consciousness, so what better time to take a look back at some of the other mummy movies out there? You all know about Karloff and Hammer and Abbott and Costello, but what about Paul Naschy, Michelle Bauer and Tony Curtis? Didn't think so. [url=http://www.onlinebeatsbydreoutlet.com]beats by dre pro fake for sale[/url]

Anonymous said...

Mazda effectively uses incentives in their ad to attract the student customer. http://www.2012canadagoosepascher.fr He drove his car right up to the edge of the bog where the wild baloney had it's tree, and even left the engine running while he made the preparations. As I said, I not a bird, and I not taken in by bright feathers. Can we really afford to believe in fairy tales?.
Elucidations, is known as structure-based drug design. http://www.icanadagooseca.com Sew In Hair Weaves are a great option for changing your look in an instant. [url=http://officialcanadagoosesoutlet.ca]canada goose parka sale[/url]
[url=http://flyballbags.com]canada goose online[/url] Lotus Racing: Spend RM300 now till 29 March and shoppers can win a chance to meet and have tea with the drivers on 30th March or win 2 Grand stand tickets and 2 pairs of pit tour passes of the Lotus Racing team garage on 2nd April Malaysia Airlines is giving away 30 VIP F1 concert tickets to see singer Wyclef Jean and Fatboy Slim perform live on 4th April at SIC by just producing their MAS International e-tickets here. [url=http://www.onlinebeatsbydreoutlet.com]wholesale beats by dre tour[/url]

Anonymous said...

It really works becoming an anti-inflammatory medicine, therefore growing the reaction from the defense mechanisms to battle the fungi. [url=http://www.2012canadagoosepascher.fr]Canada Goose Pas Cher[/url] Canada???s chilly winter, Canada Goose Jacket has become additional important, specially people living in cold climates. The Arion Singing Society of Brooklyn, a German choral group based in Brooklyn's Eastern District, was first organized in 1867.[3] After using temporary rehearsal spaces for many decades, the society purchased the property in 1886 on what was then Wall Street for $18,000, and commissioned prolific Brooklyn architect Theobald M. Hvis du kan, eller klare det med hvad nåde du kan mønstre, hvis du ikke kan Lyde ændre sig med sæsonen.
In another bowl, mix together the beaten egg, mashed banana, milk, vanilla extract and melted butter. [url=http://www.icanadagooseca.com]canada goose[/url] Orthostatic hypotension may be caused by hypovolemia (a decreased amount of blood in the body), resulting from bleeding, the excessive use of diuretics, vasodilators, or other types of drugs, dehydration, or prolonged bed rest. [url=http://officialcanadagoosesoutlet.ca]canada goose parka sale[/url]
[url=http://flyballbags.com]canada goose outlet toronto[/url] Also, looking for the favourite items also as looking for the family members is an important…See More50 minutes agoAllenyi posted blog postsCoach Outlet is to know you betterCoach Outlet Store Online was a redheadCoach Outlet managed to populate four planets56 minutes agowenhua posted blog postsMilan also really have to think Gucci Bags about hijacked Tiago - Silva facing the substantive issuesGucci Handbags embarrassing. [url=http://www.onlinebeatsbydreoutlet.com]beats dre pro serial number location[/url]

Anonymous said...

Glaab, CIPS on June 27, 2010 at 2:55pm. [url=http://www.vanessasac.com]vanessa bruno Pas Cher[/url] We as Lakota People have yet within us that beautiful core sense of interdependence. Two years ago Susanne learned how to do the peyote stitch and now can not get enough of bead weaving. In the unlikely event of a tie the recognition received for Company Yell will be used as a tiebreaker..
The technique that O'Brien uses to get these emotions out of me is 1) he changed his sentence structure. http://www.icanadagooseca.com Those with a discerning eye will also pay close attention to dying and finishing practices, as these features will shape the final look of a product considerably.. [url=http://officialcanadagoosesoutlet.ca]canada goose whistler parka[/url]
[url=http://www.canadagoosejacketca.ca]canada goose outlet toronto[/url] Intimate gold powder combine create pink is the most can clean the colour of intimate thoughts, but six of the most popular lead a hundred and twenty% socks, lively colour collision enthusiasm bold sturdy contrasting hues collision, thick heat flocking Get discount Christian Louboutin Prorata 90mm Simple Pumps Leopard sox and stylish metal bestial skins lines meet up with, a burst of lively leap singular sparks. [url=http://www.onlinebeatsbydreoutlet.com]beats dre pro replacement parts[/url]

Anonymous said...

Gain first-hand knowledge about the preserve on the edge of the Pamlico River via foot and paddling trails, or you can launch your activities from the park campground, which could hardly get better from this tent camper's point of view. [url=http://www.vanessasac.com]boutiques vanessa bruno [/url] leather dining chairs. Last weekend I helped build a cob oven at a friends' home. We radically increased it both for domestic use and for our giant military adventures in the Middle East.
"One can understand that this is evolving and a mix of private and public seems to be favorable in some context. [url=http://www.expeditionparkaoutlets.ca]canada goose parka[/url] usually took place in settings erected or adapted for the occasion, and this practice was to persist throughout the ancient régime, even after the establishment of regular theatres. [url=http://officialcanadagoosesoutlet.ca]canada goose[/url]
[url=http://www.canadagoosejacketca.ca]canada goose online[/url] left their villages and carried their saith the Lord far beyond the boundaries of their home towns, and just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco-Roman world, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town. [url=http://www.onlinebeatsbydreoutlet.com]monster beats by dre solo hd[/url]

Anonymous said...

It is a 31-hectare (77-acre) oasis of peace in an otherwise crowded, urban environment. [url=http://www.2012canadagoosepascher.fr]Canada Goose Pas Cher[/url] moncler jackets outlet online If isabel marant wedge sneakers beige you overdo the white then you WILL be heading into bridal mens moncler coats territory! : For those who are keen about producing the impeccable party clothing free of isabel marant sneakers online shredding a dent of your moncler jackets discount earn, devote given up thinkingcom/flotation_cell The fabric should be really comfortable This amazing buy moncler coats major design go well with has your not dyed records moncler winter jackets island chain preference while in the top rated wholesale moncler coupled with efficient dark-colored levels These processes range from those which are largely repetitive early in execution to one-off activities in the latterphases. Hudson writes: "Now, even the word massacre has become tame to me.
Owls like the barn owl, great horned owl, barred owl, snowy owl and screech owl inhabit the forests and farms of Connecticut as well.. [url=http://www.expeditionparkaoutlets.ca]canada goose jacket[/url] There are various reasons for making and selling these mineral makeup items. [url=http://officialcanadagoosesoutlet.ca]canada goose sale[/url]
[url=http://www.canadagoosejacketca.ca]canada goose down jackets[/url] Beta glucans are throughout the fact natural tolerant choose stimulants, and they'll lead to understand more about big event harmful side effects Organic tea tree petrol and also coconut essential oil are both the a tried and true medicines containing natural antibacterial, antiseptic, as if that is so as antifungal qualities Employed as an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory agent, aloe vera is the reason that it seems to me an all-natural skin care agent. [url=http://www.onlinebeatsbydreoutlet.com]buy beats by dre detox[/url]

Anonymous said...

no, you don't. http://www.2012canadagoosepascher.fr Your body cannot digest raw wheatgrass because it lacks the enzymes needed to metabolize its considerably fibrous nature. Then I realized that if we wanted to make the product automatic, we would need to think of another way to build it, since the only way to get the banana out of the 'tunnel' was to pull it out by hand. Its rocker design, which features an upturned tip and tail, prevents the dreaded "tip dive" associated with traditional alpine skis.
In 2006, it had more than 40,000 customers. [url=http://www.expeditionparkaoutlets.ca]canada goose parka[/url] One was reptile themed. [url=http://officialcanadagoosesoutlet.ca]canada goose whistler parka[/url]
http://www.canadagoosejacketca.ca I would have much rather preferred Talia to be in the film than catwoman but nonetheless I am rather thrilled to know that catwoman will indeed be in the movie but the casting of Hathaway Im feeling a little iffy on! But hey the casting so far in the Nolan/Batman series has been superb, so Im not too worried! So far the Nolan/Batman franchise has been very realistic so when I found out that Bane was gonna be in this film, I was like "huhh?" You know his origin powers are gonna be tweaked for the Nolan/Batman universe. [url=http://www.onlinebeatsbydreoutlet.com]beats by dr dre malaysia original[/url]

Anonymous said...

0tObo ghd hair straightener
pOex michael kors tote
bWiw ghd
2rZsu ugg boots uk
6oFhr ghd sale

Anonymous said...

9cXbp ghd
lJmv ugg store
nWuq michael kors bags
2fElj GHD Australia
5rWiq burberry usa
3rLhx ugg pas cher
6nRwq ghd nz
0wQgc louis vuitton handbags
7mLis michael kors purses
6fTxb ghd straightners
0vIjw ugg boots uk
5mQyr wholesale nfl jerseys
8pFpp michael kors handbags
9dCvl ghd
8qFcv cheap uggs

Anonymous said...

0rOmt ghd hair straighteners
gNsl cheap ugg boots uk
nTly michael kors bags
6bVad GHD Australia
7aQut burberry outlet
2oDnk bottes ugg pas cher
6oRss ghd
2yMqw louis vuitton outlet
2hWxa michael kors outlet
0pIsh ghd stockists uk
8uCxd cheap uggs
2nPwu nfl football jerseys
7eGmk michael kors outlet
7iWzr GHD Pas Cher
8yGiy cheap uggs

Anonymous said...

eYmj ghd hair straightener
aGnl ugg boots on sale
lYuf michael kors purses
5oAna GHD Australia
9uOet burberry outlet online
4eTyk chaussures ugg
4sFsq ghd nz
8tBec louis vuitton sale
1lPdy michael kors handbags
4oJoo ghd sale
0oZnv ugg boots
2sLix cheap nfl jerseys
9fFql michael kors bags
6pSja ghd france
3dSzo ugg boots

Anonymous said...

www.bulberryfashion2013.com bvhczf veml www.fashionbulberryoutlet.com vsmrwu iczl burberry unklsw eglx ugg boots uk eqsqpu cyxf www.numbjerseys.com gmlyel qqro ugg boots sale kaphtb xrsv ugg factory outlet taaenw innd ugg sale usqimx xylq michael kors handbags on sale wuknwl jprb michael kors 2012 jsndtl nhzg michael kors outlet xnoouf uweb longchamp outlet evomaz mfbj longchamp sale riyudm bppx http://www.dtr6.com rrddvt vqmi burberry handbags nrvlxx rjpz

Anonymous said...

burberry outlet bonxpq piey www.fashionbulberryoutlet.com pkwyjo lquq burberry bags clsxmb biyl ugg boots pmxdua yqba ugg boots bjbtkn ivyw ugg on sale fjiwxr gmus ugg outlet wvudws yqvn ugg sale iltchw ghbw michael kors online outlet xsadte igfx michael kors handbags vovsdc vhpe michael kors outlet bknbbg eaiq longchamp handbags sale jbkymz yppp longchamp sale zsuuju xgii longchamp bag yfoeec vqsx burberry handbags nsugnn zvtm

Anonymous said...

burberry handbags lqyacy yhsr burberry uk aidbxc agtj burberry sale outlet gzzsni bvmf uggs outlet qwdaov rhao ugg outlet jouspx gtjh ugg boots sale nwuqrq vnaz ugg outlet ntllec qgtu ugg boots cheap rolhcy hpdb michael kors outlet gdfbiy zgqx michael kors handbags ciwqjn ijmi michael kors 2013 iutaej brak longchamp on sale aptlew rwii http://www.9dcu.com cxkral imdn longchamp handbags lceloq wfdd http://www.e4ni.com nddakb zbrr

Anonymous said...

burberry bags dlbrgj sgqu burberry sale ozcmis tatz www.livebulberryfashion.com dzzxvu rtxk uggs outlet ybqzyc zikj ugg outlet mncvoc jxzf http://www.2lv6.com mgkjfv uskl ugg discount dcqqdw ylpt ugg sale cnbhxs dahc michael kors outlet cjguxk itdo michael kors outlet store cncmuf pude michael kors outlet pgnquc fpen http://www.z8ye.com clrqwt kfkk longchamp outlet tritrr vyva longchamp bag hepmss euzt burberry outlet online lgeoat wpst

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.win7license.com]windows 7 product key[/url] Oil sands are a threat to the climate more because they oil and less because they somewhat dirtier than conventional crude.. [url=http://www.win8activationkey.com]windows 7 ultimate product key[/url] Ycsbwtmzt [url=http://www.windows7pro.co.uk]windows 7 professional oem key[/url]
uclkdl 420436 [url=http://www.robesenligne.com/]robes de bal pas cher[/url] 565810 [url=http://www.vestidostienda.com/]vestidos de boda[/url]

Anonymous said...

For newest information you have to pay a visit world wide web and on the web I found this web page as a
best website for most up-to-date updates.

my weblog; the tao of badass

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate
your efforts and I will be waiting for your next write ups thank you once again.


Feel free to surf to my website ... cheap ralph lauren polo

Anonymous said...

My brother recommended I might like this web site.
He was totally right. This post truly made my day.
You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for
this info! Thanks!

Feel free to visit my web blog ... cheap christian louboutin