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Yukon
and Northwest Territories. Throughout all of these experiences,
Tim’s keen eye and mind were recording the shapes and movement
of the wild animals of this vast wilderness. Tim’s love for
these creatures led to an interest in taxidermy. Despite the
fact that he was unaware of any aspirations for a future in fine
art, his interests were going that direction. At age 19 Tim
contacted taxidermist Forest Hart, who welcomed him to his
workshop in Hampden, Maine. Hart specialized in sculpting
mannequins - the artificial bodies used by taxidermists. As a
student, Tim’s hand and mind became skilled in modeling animals’
musculature. He sculpted models for the production process in
taxidermy, while learning animal anatomy from the inside out.
Tim also observed Hart as he prepared a sculpture to be
transformed into bronze. Accompanying Hart to a New York
foundry, Tim experienced the fascinating and magical process of
fine art bronze for the first time. This observation led Tim to
realize that his own life work was finding direction as this
would be the year Tim would complete his first sculpture.
In 1988 while Tim was
living in Canada, he met noted sculptor Dan Ostermiller who
invited him to visit his studio in Loveland, Co. “Ostermiller
gave me the opportunity to begin my career,” Tim said. Tim then
went to work in the studio of both Ostermiller and Fritz White
learning the skills necessary for the sculptural process.
According to Tim, “I learned direction, enthusiasm, and
perseverance from Fritz White. He taught me the importance of
mass and volume and gave me the confidence to keep trying
different options, never quitting on a design. Fritz was, and
still is a source of inspiration and a mentor.” White also gave
Tim the opportunity to try stone carving in his studio. Carving
alabaster, Tim began to find within it the shapes of the animals
which were to become his life work, experimenting with graceful
simple lines and forms. Tim states, “My sculptural approach
involves the use of simplified shapes and lines to produce
curvilinear forms. I enjoy orchestrating these elements into
sculpture that is rhythmical, flowing and inviting to the touch.
Capturing the grace and elegance of my subjects is a primary
goal.”
It was from that
approach that Tim’s unique style resulted: an expression of each
animals personality, movement and behavior. The animals pulse
with life and innately celebrate life. Grace and elegance truly
are qualities immediately recognizable in Tim’s work, but
another quality frequently present; is a sense of whimsy, which
marks a number of his works. The sculptures are issued in small
editions, a fact which collectors truly appreciate. The bronze
sculptures are also enhanced by Tim’s highly polished surfaces,
which glimmer with reflective light making them incredibly
tactile. About the patinas, Tim says, “With the smooth surfaces
I have a large palette of options available, since my work leans
toward a more contemporary style, I enjoy experimenting with
colorful lively patinas. To me color is an important part of the
design.”
Tim has also been
recognized by his peers: at the age of twenty- five he gained
membership in the Society of Animal Artists and five years later
at only thirty, he was elected to membership in the National
Sculpture Society and also the National Sculptors Guild. Tim
produces sculptures which bring pleasure to his clients and
grace homes, offices and public places both nationally and
internationally. He is also a sought after contributor to major
exhibitions throughout the United States. In 2001, Tim received
the James Earl Fraser Sculpture Award, presented annually for
the sculpture exhibiting exception merit as deemed by the
National Cowboy and Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City during the
Prix de West Invitational for the sculpture “Snake in the
Grass.” Tim also received in 2001 the prestigious Bronze Medal
from the National Sculpture Society for “Rivers Run.” Tim’s
sculpture can be found in a handful of galleries across the
continent in collectors homes internationally and gracing the
pages of Southwest Art, Wildlife Art and Art of the West
magazines. |