Sculptor Steve Kestrel says some of the magic of art happens in the moment halfway through a piece. “I work very intuitively and do a lot of mental editing as I go along. If I had completely worked out all of my ideas and images before I started carving, I’d probably never do them,” he says. “I’m still trying to explore what’s challenging, mysterious and unknown to me. I follow numerous tangents of interest and intrigue that lead me to solve unique challenges and problems in many different ways.”
Water Wings, Wyoming granite, 5½ x 42 x 20”
Kestrel will have new work on view in February at the Masters of the American West at the Autry Museum of the American West in Los Angeles. His featured catalog piece is Water Wings, a stone carving of mobula rays.
Shelter From the Storm, bronze, ed. of 21, 10 x 26 x 16”
“The method of stone carving I use is called direct carving, which in its purist form is simply choosing a stone, deciding how a mental image I have will fit the stone and then drawing that image on the stone with chalk. When finally satisfied with the image, it’s made permanent with a grease pencil. Then I start carving while being aware of the wonderful opportunities that present themselves during the carving process to change and solve aesthetic or practical problems,” Kestrel says. “The color of a riverstone usually changes after breaking through the exterior surface—sometimes unexpected dry cracks show up, mineral compositions change, plus other variables that may open up inspiring new directions during the process of carving. The trick is to be sensitive to these possibilities and use them to enhance the final carving. I may also decide to emphasize a line, deepen a shadow, change the volume of a form, experiment with textures or repeat a pattern after I am well into the carving process—and this is the challenge, excitement, beauty and magic that keeps it fresh and interesting for me.”
Arc of Time/Raven Relic, bronze, ed. of 36, 14 ½ x 6 x 6 ½”
Kestrel’s work can be found in many top private collections, as well as many museum collections around the world. —
Want to See More?
(970) 225-9154 | www.stevekestrel.com
Represented by:
Simpson Gallagher Gallery
1161 Sheridan Avenue, Cody, WY 82414
www.simpsongallaghergallery.com
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