ARTIST STATEMENT For me, sculpting begins with the interpretation of the material I am working with. The fist cut is by far the most difficult part of the process. I often spend hours circling and staring at a large round of redwood, feeling the contours, looking for form within its depths. I want to release its essence from the exterior shell that contains it. Once I am able to commit to the first cut, it is as if a faucet has been turned on. At first it is a slow drip, I hesitate with the saw. As material is removed and form begins to take shape, a sense of urgency grows. The faucet begins to flow; the form within demands to show itself. I obsess about the piece, I dream about it, it is all I want to do. I interpret sculpting as release. It is a release of a reservoir of creative insight by the artist and a release of the inward nature of an object through depth and form. I think the artist is the medium, the form is the expression. The materials I choose to work with are often soft and inviting. The rich grain of redwood or warm glow of copper is usually welcomed into ones personal space. I am drawn to organic shapes and contours that are soothing and convey emotion and sensation. Sand areas to a fine finish to invite the interpreter to touch while leaving contrasting sharp edges to accentuate the experience. Each piece is an exploration, an experiment, and I am often surprised by, and almost never satisfied with the final product. I believe Sculpture is successful when it has an unavoidable presence. Within a room, it emanates a personality that interacts with the people around it and actively influences the space in which it exists. One may feel the desire to reach in and caress the contours of a smooth crevice, or be repulsed by an awkward corner protruding into ones space. My hope, is that my work is an experience for the interpreter. It is something to be explored, something out of the ordinary, something that impacts your space and emotions. BIO Brandon Stieg began his formal education at the University of Colorado at Boulder where he studied sculptural art and psychology. He continued on to Lake Tahoe, California where he apprenticed with a local wood carver and worked designing and creating commission chainsaw sculptures. After returning to the Bay Area he furthered his education in architecture and sculptural art at The Crucible and College of Marin, while apprenticing with architect Leo Denouden. He owns and operates a Design/ Build General Contracting Company in Marin County called Pacific Circle Inc., which specializes in structural art and has been operating successfully in Marin County for the past seven years. He is an experienced architectural designer and general contractor for both residential and commercial projects. Most recently Brandon has intensified his efforts in sculptural art and operates out of a warehouse sculpture studio in San Rafael doing commission sculpture, fountains, gates, fences, and structural art (arbors, columns, beams, etc.). He specializes in wood carving in conjunction with copper formwork and metal work. To see more of Brandon’s work please call (415) 485-6950 or visit www.pacific-circle.com