Carmel Art Association - Artist Member Melissa Lofton

Michael St. Mary graduated from the University of Houston in 1979 with a BFA in Graphic Communications, which had a strong focus on the study of the design process. While working in Houston in an architectural firm as a graphic designer and an architectural model maker, he developed his sculpture practice, and had his first show at Hooks-Epstein Gallery in 1989. He has exhibited in Houston, Geneva, Sedona and Seattle, and his sculpture is in private collections in the United States and Europe.

"My sculptures are hand-carved and unique, with careful consideration given to their design. Two essential elements I like to incorporate into my work are a sense of order and fluid motion. A sense of order, often achieved with geometry, offers stability and security. Fluid motion, achieved with smooth curves and continuous line, offers harmony and a flowing feeling. I find that the combination of these two elements usually results in a form that is highly organic, providing a feeling of comfort, peace and pleasure.

Whether carving wood or stone, the procedure is essentially the same. First I design the form and make a small model for reference. After finding suitable material, I typically use a mallet and chisels to shape the general form, rasps to refine the form, and abrasives to finalize and smooth the form. I find the use of hand tools to be the best means of creating the fluid, compound curves that are characteristic of my work."