Since the first time that I opened an art history text book, I have been intrigued by the ancient art of stone sculpting.   Man has had a close connection with stone, since prehistoric times; when I work with stone, I am reminded of that rich history. 

I aspire to create high quality work that will endure through the ages.  Setting free the inherent beauty of natural stone is a time-consuming, but, rewarding endeavor. I try to fully utilise the dimensions of each piece of stone.  When my work is going well, I’m filled with a sense of achievement.  

I work with a wide variety of stone.  Generally, I like to use the softer types, such as marble, alabaster or steatite, because they can be shaped relatively quickly.  However, I also like jade, agate and fossil ivory, for their strength and durability.  I like to use garnet, because it is my birthstone.

My favourite tools are hand-held chisels, rasps and files; they allow for a high degree of precision.  Although improvements have been made to these tools, over the centuries, the ways that they are used remain the same as in antiquity.  Modern pneumatic and electrical power tools are also very useful.

I have recently begun a body of work that I call, “The Denizens of the Briny Deep”.  I am sculpting various creatures that live in the ocean.  I feel that they are a good subject, because like stone specimens, these fascinating animals come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colours.  I will use various types of coral and whales teeth, in accordance with this theme.  I will use labradorite, to depict bioluminescence.

In the future, I plan to increase the scale of my work.  I want to work with stone and mineral specimens of the highest quality.  Traveling more, to study first-hand the classical sculpture that I so greatly admire, is another goal.  Eventually, I plan to move towards a more traditional subject matter and style, in emulation of the great masters of centuries past.

Jason P. Nelson