• created 2025
• garden ice granite and black granite
• 30.5” H x 11” W x 11” D (77cm H x 28cm W x 28cm D)
• $4,500.00

In my distant past, I have begun my direct carve sculptures with a definitive composition goal in my head. However, in the past few years, I have been experimenting with abstract forms that are the result of a more intuitive, reactive creative process. “Inheriting a Phantom” is one such artwork.

The original raw granite block was rectangular, and I imagined a vertical composition. I wanted a soft, flowing composition and my first instinct was to create a single curved line that bowed from top to bottom, with a more bulbous, spherical form at the bottom and an echoing, more elongated bulbous form at the top. As I carved, I imagined contrasting surfaces of rough and smooth that would allow for shadow-holding rough and light reflecting smooth. As the composition progressed, I flattened the predominant convex curve to contrast with the rounded concave side. Then I imagined a reverse curve hollow at the top and bottom of the convex curved side. Finally, I created very subtle edges that cross the “waist” of the convex, smooth side. I carved the edge between the rough and smooth surface to form a 9 at the top and a 6 at the bottom. These are very subtle lines that are difficult to photograph, but are wonderful to discover when touching the sculpture.

I have mounted the piece on a square black granite base that has a high polish top and ashlar edges with a hidden steel pin. This allows one to easily turn the abstract form to any viewing attitude.