marble-sculptures-installed

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Installing Marble Documentary & Saints

TracyHSugg.com		Monuments		Sculptor's Muse		Art Quotes

Four marble sculptures, carved for the base of the font at St Andrew's Episcopal Church in Amarillo, TX. It took two days of driving to get there with each sculpture safely packed and crated.

My first experience in carving stone has turned out so beautiful, I can only give all the Glory to God! There have been so many prayers throughout this journey, and to see the sculptures 'in situ' was a glorious moment for me!

Photo: installation in progress, sculptures still with their final protective wrapping.

Colt set up in the Children's Chapel for the interviews. David Stidham was the first person on camera.

Documentary

"Road to Restoration" This title was given to the project by the Church. Three years ago the Church was horribly vandalized. The marble sculptures were the last part of the restoration.

While we were there, my son, Colt, came with his camera equipment to film the installation and unveiling ceremony. He also interviewed folks from the Church with a goal of creating a short documentary about this journey of "Restoration."

Carving St Andrew

St Andrew, the namesake for St Andrew Episcopal Church. With the double attributes of the Saltier cross and the fishing net, I wanted to create a St Andrew that would beautifully reflect this church named for him.

My goal was to create an expression of kindness in his eyes and face. Artistically I enjoyed creating his hair and beard. Though three of the statues were bearded men, I wanted each one to have his ‘own’ style of beard. For St Andrew I wanted an ‘epic’ beard and I spent a long time fashioning and carving just the right look, including the bottom of his beard curled to the left.

The net appears to end at the far right fold in the top photo, yet it actually is artistically recessed on the right side in a rippling motion.

From being a ‘fisher of men’ to martyrdom on a saltier cross, St Andrew is an inspiration to faithfulness in rescuing souls and devotion to Christ.

Carving St Paul

St Paul followed St John the Baptist in the sequence of carving. With his historically attributed bald head, I enjoyed carving down a bit at a time to find the right cranial shape that fits his fiery character.

St Paul’s fierceness for the Faith and Doctrine that is found in the letters to the Corinthians and Galatians, is only one part of his personality. His love for the saints in Philippi, Rome and for the two young men whom he trained: Timothy and Titus are also part of his nature.

For his expression I wanted a very determined ‘no nonsense’ gaze, and yet a softened subtle smile that shows his love for equipping, teaching and serving the ‘saints of God.’

Again, the revealed veining amazed me as there is a strong vein running through his right eye and along his forehead giving the expression of the eyes a stronger feeling of determination.

This vein shows up again down the left side of the front of the base, and all over the left side is tangled map of veining in the marble that makes me think of all the missionary journeys he took. I like to think of it as the ‘maps of St Paul’ on that side of the statue. And his base was the only one with such intensity of veining.

Again, only an element God could have created.

Carving St John the Baptist

St John was the first statue I carved, I chose him because he was also the forerunner of Christ and for the simple joy of that symbolism.

His wild hair, rough beard and garments were some of my favorite parts to carve.He holds a staff, which I created with a rough woodgrained texture to match the texture of his camel hair cloak.

St John the Baptist’s demeanor is steadfast. I wanted his faithfulness to deliver his message to be expressed in his steady eyes and expression. Though the marble is heavily veined in his face, I found it inspiring to see it revealed as I got closer to completion. And truly the heavy veining in his face reflects his fierce prophetic calling.

Interestingly, the veining of the marble comes to a point at the base of his staff, almost looking like lightning exploding from it. When I think of his words “Behold, the Lamb of God, Who has come to take away the sin of the world!” and “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven draws near.” and realize what this meant for mankind! I loved this veined symbolism of his staff—something I could never have planned, but God knew when I chose this piece for this saint. Many times throughout the carving of these saints, the veining of the marble played beautifully into each piece.

An effect that only God can create!

Carving St Mary of Magdalene

St Mary Magdalene was the last saint carved as I wanted to carve all the bearded men and then change my focus to a gentle beautiful woman.

I spent the most time on her face as I worked only with the grinders not wanting the harsher chisel work to possibly mar the delicate structure of her features. Also I described the tendrils of hair on either side of her face.

As the other saints all had strong veining from the marble in their faces, I was sincerely hoping that St Mary would not have a similar veining. I had been praying for God to direct each piece that was hewn from the quarry in Italy, and I prayed that St Mary would have a clearer color in the marble. As I carve the stone, it is accomplished in layers, and I can never tell what veining there may be until I get closer to the final depth of the statue. Sometimes I carve through a vein and into a clearer part of the marble, while other times it shows clear and then right as I get to the depth I need, the veining shows strong.

I was so thankful to see that St. Mary’s face was in a clearer part of the marble! With an expression of hope and peace with a gentle smile, as she anointed our Saviour, I was thrilled to find that all of this was beautifully rendered without a heavy veining through the face. (which though working great for the men, would have been distracting on St Mary)

Again, I am amazed, having St. Mary’s face in a clear part of the marble, could only come from God!

So, what's next for Tracy?

I was surprised at how many times I was asked this question.

You will have to wait for the next email newsletter - - - oh! - - the suspense!

Art Quotes & Prayers for Artists

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