Jeffrey Burnham Rudolph
|
"A native of Cody Wyoming, I spent my childhood playing out the dramas of the old west, by building forts out of logs, fishing and camping. It was a wonderful time as my imagination ran wild, and I developed a strong love for the rugged terrain of Wyoming. I am still devoted to the mountains and the austere prairies of the west, but I also enjoy long hours in my studio modeling or carving. My knowledge of art began in my dad's carpenter shop. It was there I observed the beauty of wood, and the satisfaction that comes from modeling a natural material.
I enrolled in college as a music major but found I was truly devoted to art. Before long, I took sculpture as an elective. Within a year, I was working in a bronze foundry: and one year after that I received my Bachelor of Arts from Brigham Young University. My love of sculpture began as a child. Although I would not admit it then, I was attracted to the artist with the hammer and chisel. I find something magical about the blow of the chisel on the stone. However, as magical as this is, uncovering what has always been inside the stone is my challenge. My purpose is to evoke through sculpting an emotion, a spirit, or a feeling that others can relate to. From the glory of the soaring eagle, to the tenderness of the timid cottontail, to the tragedy and nobility of mankind. Although sculpting in stone is my first love, I enjoy working in terra cotta, bronze, and wood as well. All of these materials are terribly attractive and lead me in different but completely compatible directions. My work is mainly impressionistic which lends itself to stone sculpture, but I have also worked realistically, generally in bronze. I learn from every piece I work on, and I enjoy the challenge of art contests. I have entered many competitions and won several regional and national awards. Currently my work can be seen at various galleries throughout the western U.S., including Hines Gold Smith in Jackson Wyoming, the Big Horn Gallery in Cody WY, and at The Center Of the West in Cody Wyoming." |
|
