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I
have developed this website to help those who are interested
in soapstone and the carving of soapstone. |
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 I am Sandy Cline,
and I have been creating soapstone sculptures for 47 years.
When
I was just starting to develop an interest in sculpture, I was
fortunate enough to discover a book on sculpture by Malvina
Hoffman. Her
writings and sculpture inspired me to pursue the life of a sculptor.
It
was not many years after I started, that I was induced into teaching
a workshop in soapstone carving at the Buffalo Museum of Natural
Science. Since then, I have been passing my knowledge to students
throughout Canada and the United States. |
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My brother Daniel
followed my footsteps and found a path of his own.
He and his family
now reside in Chemainus, British Columbia. In 1999, he was commissioned
by the town of Chemainus to create this
Outdoor Sculpture
"Spirit of the Earth" that now stands across the street
from the Chemainus Theatre.. |
In 2004, Daniel was commissioned by
the town of Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island to create this Qualicum Fountain sculpture that is now located in front of the municipal
hall in Qualicum Beach, BC |
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In 2006 Daniel completed the
sculpture named "Generations". It sits on a
small grassy hill near Swy-a-lana Lagoon in Maffeo Sutton Park,
overlooking the park and the Nanaimo waterfront.
It is a tribute to three generations of
women who raised families through the depression and both world
wars and who also found time to volunteer. |
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I believe that everyone is capable of
carving soapstone. You may already have the picture of what you
want to make in your mind. All you need is the stone, the tools
and a mentor to show you how to bring it out of the stone. As
Malvina Hoffman wrote in her book, "Sculpture Inside and
Out", "Sculpture can not be taught, it needs to be
experienced".
Throughout the years I have been teaching sculpture,
I find that my students have taught me as well. They have told
me that in watching how my hands work the stone, they can see
how they can achieve the desired look they were striving for.
Remember, you can never make a mistake, you
have only changed the design. It is the artist's prerogative
to have the ability to change the design to whatever he desires.
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I
have worked with many students in those years, but the most pleasure
I was accorded was the opportunity of working with Ropey
Atsiqtaq, a
blind Inuit from the Northwest Territories.
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For
19 years I taught a summer course at the Haliburton
School of the Arts.
Follow this link
to see the work produced during a week long course.
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In 2011 I will be teaching Soapstone
Sculpture for a 5 day workshop at the Whetung Ojibwa Centre, Curve Lake Indian
Reserve, just north of Peterborough, Ontario. The date has
not been set.
This workshop will provide a general
introduction to the carving of soapstone. You will develop a
working knowledge of the material, the tools, safe handling issues
and the methods used to complete a carving. Beginning with a
study of the properties of the stone, you will produce a simple
piece and progress to making a sculpture of your choice. The
development of your own personal style will be encouraged. All
the tools necessary will be provided by the teacher. The stone
for the first project, a "Swimming Loon", is included
in the class fee. There after stone cost for this course will
depend on the size of the project or projects chosen. Stone will
be $2.50 per pound. An average carving generally will use 10
pounds of stone. You should bring towels or bubble wrap to carry
home your finished carvings. Contact Whetung Ojibwa Centre to register.
Here
are results of past classes
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I participate in Arts in the Wild, an Ontario tourism
program. I participate in this program through Scotsman Point Resort. Here are the results
from a 2004
class
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In 2004 I began teaching at the William Holland School of Lapidary Arts
in Young Harris, Georgia.
The 2011 Five Day Workshops will be: The
week of April 17, the week of April 24, the week of June 26,
the week of July 03, the week of October 23, the week of October
30.
Here
are results of past years classes
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I have been privelleged to conduct weekend
workshops to Art groups, Rock and Mineral clubs and other
organizations throughout the United States and Canada. Here are a few:
There will be a Spring workshop in
Sudbury, May 27th, 28th and 29th, 2011. Contact SCARF.
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My Sculptures are presently being sold through Whetung
Gallery
at Curve
Lake, Ontario and Edwards
Gallery,
Kagawong, Ontario, The Frog and
The Dragon,
Brasstown, North Carolina.
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I try to regularly update
the New
Work pages with the new carvings
I have finished recently. On these pages, you can view some of
the latest sculptures and those still available to purchase at
My
Studio and the Whetung Gallery.
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This is my show schedule; There you can find out where I will be showing and demonstrating
in the future. I also try to post photos of the events I have
already participated in.
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Regularly I will
receive an email regarding possible health risks of working with
soapstone. I have found that the answer depends on the occupation.
If you ask a doctor, there is very little health risk. If you
ask a lawyer, there is a very serious health risk. I can not
say that there is no health risk, it is just that I have not
found a verifiable health risk to this date.
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If you have any other questions,
just Email me:
sandy@sandycline.com |
Sandy Cline
Coon Lake Road, R.R. #4,
Lakefield, Ontario
K0L 2H0 |
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