The process of carving stone fascinates many. In our minds and experience we think of stone as an ancient symbol of eternity and impenetrable. So people always ask me:"How in the world do you carve stone?" as if I had magic powers. First, any stone that is carveable is considered "soft" such as soapstone, alabaster, limestone, marble, granite, jade, etc. You probably cannot carve the stone in your backyard because it is igneus rock and extremely hard. There is "direct" carving and "concept" carving. I usually use the "direct" carving method as you see here. Drawing daily helps me because then I have more experiences with form, and new ideas come from that. Enjoy! http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAgdiana2/44942631_uZHqC-Ti.jpg http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/gallery/974952_iBzLk/ 2005-12-27T16:08:09Z Copyright 2009, the copyright holder of each photograph. Some portions copyright SmugMug. All rights reserved. SmugMug <p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com">ginnysart</a><br />Ginny Walden carving "Diana" from the Goddess Series in black steatite. The process of carving takes patience and precision and an ability to "see" the complete work within the stone.</p><p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/974952_iBzLk#44942631_uZHqC" title="Ginny Walden carving "Diana" from the Goddess Series in black steatite. The process of carving takes patience and precision and an ability to "see" the complete work within the stone."><img src="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAgdiana2/44942631_uZHqC-Th.jpg" width="107" height="150" alt="Ginny Walden carving "Diana" from the Goddess Series in black steatite. The process of carving takes patience and precision and an ability to "see" the complete work within the stone." title="Ginny Walden carving "Diana" from the Goddess Series in black steatite. The process of carving takes patience and precision and an ability to "see" the complete work within the stone." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-02-21T19:42:32Z ginnysart http://ginnysart.smugmug.com http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAgdiana2/44942631_uZHqC-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com">ginnysart</a><br />2. Goddess Series: "Diana, the Athlete" steatite $5900.(SOLD) Here is the finished piece started in previous photo.</p><p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/974952_iBzLk#49880647_2NDMU" title="2. Goddess Series: "Diana, the Athlete" steatite $5900.(SOLD) Here is the finished piece started in previous photo."><img src="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/ART-Diana-front-2/49880647_2NDMU-Th.jpg" width="65" height="150" alt="2. Goddess Series: "Diana, the Athlete" steatite $5900.(SOLD) Here is the finished piece started in previous photo." title="2. Goddess Series: "Diana, the Athlete" steatite $5900.(SOLD) Here is the finished piece started in previous photo." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-05T12:04:48Z ginnysart http://ginnysart.smugmug.com http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/ART-Diana-front-2/49880647_2NDMU-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com">ginnysart</a><br />No1-4: START!I start with the head position, since this determines the body position. Then I use the claw chisel and mallet to block out the figure. The lines made by the chisel help me see ...</p><p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/974952_iBzLk#49873379_XZa4a" title="No1-4: START!I start with the head position, since this determines the body position. Then I use the claw chisel and mallet to block out the figure. The lines made by the chisel help me see ..."><img src="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg1/49873379_XZa4a-Th.jpg" width="116" height="150" alt="No1-4: START!I start with the head position, since this determines the body position. Then I use the claw chisel and mallet to block out the figure. The lines made by the chisel help me see ..." title="No1-4: START!I start with the head position, since this determines the body position. Then I use the claw chisel and mallet to block out the figure. The lines made by the chisel help me see ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-05T13:24:05Z ginnysart http://ginnysart.smugmug.com http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg1/49873379_XZa4a-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com">ginnysart</a><br />No.5-8: Here I use a half round rasp to file off the chisel lines and smooth and shape the body. Notice in 5 and 6: how I made the hands large and still attached to the stone before I cut th ...</p><p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/974952_iBzLk#49873380_V64QW" title="No.5-8: Here I use a half round rasp to file off the chisel lines and smooth and shape the body. Notice in 5 and 6: how I made the hands large and still attached to the stone before I cut th ..."><img src="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg2/49873380_V64QW-Th.jpg" width="114" height="150" alt="No.5-8: Here I use a half round rasp to file off the chisel lines and smooth and shape the body. Notice in 5 and 6: how I made the hands large and still attached to the stone before I cut th ..." title="No.5-8: Here I use a half round rasp to file off the chisel lines and smooth and shape the body. Notice in 5 and 6: how I made the hands large and still attached to the stone before I cut th ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-05T12:45:52Z ginnysart http://ginnysart.smugmug.com http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg2/49873380_V64QW-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com">ginnysart</a><br />No.9-12: Here I am using various rifflers to shape the individual limbs and gestures of the figure. I am opening up the spaces under and around the arms and refining the thighs.</p><p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/974952_iBzLk#49873382_4ptdM" title="No.9-12: Here I am using various rifflers to shape the individual limbs and gestures of the figure. I am opening up the spaces under and around the arms and refining the thighs."><img src="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg3/49873382_4ptdM-Th.jpg" width="113" height="150" alt="No.9-12: Here I am using various rifflers to shape the individual limbs and gestures of the figure. I am opening up the spaces under and around the arms and refining the thighs." title="No.9-12: Here I am using various rifflers to shape the individual limbs and gestures of the figure. I am opening up the spaces under and around the arms and refining the thighs." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-05T12:58:11Z ginnysart http://ginnysart.smugmug.com http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg3/49873382_4ptdM-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com">ginnysart</a><br />No.13-15:Next, refining the legs and finding their correct proportions with the arms. Notice the line deepening between the thighs to define the form.</p><p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/974952_iBzLk#49873387_eXKxt" title="No.13-15:Next, refining the legs and finding their correct proportions with the arms. Notice the line deepening between the thighs to define the form."><img src="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg4/49873387_eXKxt-Th.jpg" width="123" height="150" alt="No.13-15:Next, refining the legs and finding their correct proportions with the arms. Notice the line deepening between the thighs to define the form." title="No.13-15:Next, refining the legs and finding their correct proportions with the arms. Notice the line deepening between the thighs to define the form." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-02-21T16:49:53Z ginnysart http://ginnysart.smugmug.com http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg4/49873387_eXKxt-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com">ginnysart</a><br />No.16-19: Now I am making major decisions about how far in the waist goes to ceate more space. Space is as important as solid form in sculpture. It creates energy,interest and an experience ...</p><p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/974952_iBzLk#49873389_6755v" title="No.16-19: Now I am making major decisions about how far in the waist goes to ceate more space. Space is as important as solid form in sculpture. It creates energy,interest and an experience ..."><img src="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg5/49873389_6755v-Th.jpg" width="113" height="150" alt="No.16-19: Now I am making major decisions about how far in the waist goes to ceate more space. Space is as important as solid form in sculpture. It creates energy,interest and an experience ..." title="No.16-19: Now I am making major decisions about how far in the waist goes to ceate more space. Space is as important as solid form in sculpture. It creates energy,interest and an experience ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-02-21T16:52:34Z ginnysart http://ginnysart.smugmug.com http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg5/49873389_6755v-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com">ginnysart</a><br />No.20-23: Now I refine the whole figure and add a line down the back to add strength and interest. I carve as far as I can between the thighs. This deep line adds shadow and mystery.I create ...</p><p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/974952_iBzLk#49873391_JC3tj" title="No.20-23: Now I refine the whole figure and add a line down the back to add strength and interest. I carve as far as I can between the thighs. This deep line adds shadow and mystery.I create ..."><img src="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg6/49873391_JC3tj-Th.jpg" width="113" height="150" alt="No.20-23: Now I refine the whole figure and add a line down the back to add strength and interest. I carve as far as I can between the thighs. This deep line adds shadow and mystery.I create ..." title="No.20-23: Now I refine the whole figure and add a line down the back to add strength and interest. I carve as far as I can between the thighs. This deep line adds shadow and mystery.I create ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-05T12:45:04Z ginnysart http://ginnysart.smugmug.com http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg6/49873391_JC3tj-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com">ginnysart</a><br />No.24-26: Notice how the space between the hands creates tension and interest. The alabaster ball is translucent and represents our spirtual being as Light.The gesture of the palms is prote ...</p><p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/974952_iBzLk#49873393_qQbmp" title="No.24-26: Notice how the space between the hands creates tension and interest. The alabaster ball is translucent and represents our spirtual being as Light.The gesture of the palms is prote ..."><img src="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg7/49873393_qQbmp-Th.jpg" width="126" height="150" alt="No.24-26: Notice how the space between the hands creates tension and interest. The alabaster ball is translucent and represents our spirtual being as Light.The gesture of the palms is prote ..." title="No.24-26: Notice how the space between the hands creates tension and interest. The alabaster ball is translucent and represents our spirtual being as Light.The gesture of the palms is prote ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-05T10:30:51Z ginnysart http://ginnysart.smugmug.com http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg7/49873393_qQbmp-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com">ginnysart</a><br />No.27-28: Now I define the spine and crack in the buttocks. I see them as a line.This brings the eye up along the back to the head. Then I define the feet. The lines in the toes also create ...</p><p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/974952_iBzLk#49873395_pKqQa" title="No.27-28: Now I define the spine and crack in the buttocks. I see them as a line.This brings the eye up along the back to the head. Then I define the feet. The lines in the toes also create ..."><img src="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg8/49873395_pKqQa-Th.jpg" width="96" height="150" alt="No.27-28: Now I define the spine and crack in the buttocks. I see them as a line.This brings the eye up along the back to the head. Then I define the feet. The lines in the toes also create ..." title="No.27-28: Now I define the spine and crack in the buttocks. I see them as a line.This brings the eye up along the back to the head. Then I define the feet. The lines in the toes also create ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-02-21T16:53:09Z ginnysart http://ginnysart.smugmug.com http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg8/49873395_pKqQa-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com">ginnysart</a><br />No.29-30: Now the ball of Light is in place and the sculpture is totally carved.I have sanded the stone smooth by hand with wet and dry sandpaper and water. Notice now the wet stone turns ve ...</p><p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/974952_iBzLk#49873397_qNuwu" title="No.29-30: Now the ball of Light is in place and the sculpture is totally carved.I have sanded the stone smooth by hand with wet and dry sandpaper and water. Notice now the wet stone turns ve ..."><img src="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg9/49873397_qNuwu-Th.jpg" width="100" height="150" alt="No.29-30: Now the ball of Light is in place and the sculpture is totally carved.I have sanded the stone smooth by hand with wet and dry sandpaper and water. Notice now the wet stone turns ve ..." title="No.29-30: Now the ball of Light is in place and the sculpture is totally carved.I have sanded the stone smooth by hand with wet and dry sandpaper and water. Notice now the wet stone turns ve ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-05T20:35:15Z ginnysart http://ginnysart.smugmug.com http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg9/49873397_qNuwu-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com">ginnysart</a><br />No.31-32: I finish the piece by applying a liquid stone polish. I do not usually put a shiny protective acrylic coat, but the collector who commissioned this piece requested it. I prefer a ...</p><p><a href="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/974952_iBzLk#49873400_Q7f6k" title="No.31-32: I finish the piece by applying a liquid stone polish. I do not usually put a shiny protective acrylic coat, but the collector who commissioned this piece requested it. I prefer a ..."><img src="http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg10/49873400_Q7f6k-Th.jpg" width="74" height="150" alt="No.31-32: I finish the piece by applying a liquid stone polish. I do not usually put a shiny protective acrylic coat, but the collector who commissioned this piece requested it. I prefer a ..." title="No.31-32: I finish the piece by applying a liquid stone polish. I do not usually put a shiny protective acrylic coat, but the collector who commissioned this piece requested it. I prefer a ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-07-21T02:22:59Z ginnysart http://ginnysart.smugmug.com http://ginnysart.smugmug.com/Art/The-Artistic-Process/FAcvg10/49873400_Q7f6k-Th.jpg