“Creating
art is difficult. An incredible amount of understanding is needed:
from knowledge
of the history, tools and techniques of art to a knowledge
of how we, as
artists, fit into the grander scheme. It
is in a state of honed
but empty readiness that the mystery of creativity may
find expression through
us. If
it does, it will be powerful, it will touch, and it will have life.
It
will then be worthy of the term "art".”
So states Simon Kogan, acclaimed sculptor.
Born in Russia, Simon studied under the renowned sculptor Isaac Brodsky. Since
immigrating to the United States in 1991, Simon has been generous with sharing
his artistic passion with others.
Not only does Simon teach classes on
sculpting, he also shares free information on his website with those who may
not be able to attend his classes (or those who just want to learn more about
his work).
Using an old Italian institution of
the bottega—the method whereby artists provided for the thorough education of
the novice in his future craft—Simon also shares his work through freedownloads on his website. These documents describing his work are made as
straight forward, as clear, and as simple as Simon can for others eager to
learn.
For example, in his “Secrets of the
Trade” download, Simon has the following to say about sculpting tools:
The
choice of modeling tool depends on the materials to be used for sculpting
Clay
loves wood
Wax
prefers metal
Oil-clay
loves both.
Clay
with grog or fiber doesn‘t like
the
tool with teeth
and
doesn’t
like its surface to be touched twice,
oil
clay and wax do.
Hard
wax loves sharp teeth.
Wood
for the modeling tools
should
be hard and
steel
should be hardened.
Whidbey Island Fine Art Studio(WIFAS) has the privilege of hosting a workshop on sculpting by Simon in
November 2012. Anyone interested in sculpting—with or without experience—is
welcome in the class. If you just want to improve your figure drawing, Simon's sculpture
workshop is a definite way to do that. Feeling the three-dimensional form helps all drawing
and painting!
