Inspiration

My Inspiration-My Purpose

Betty Jo Reeder
1933-1961

Through whatever wild and crazy things have happened to me I've always wanted to do something with my life that would have an uplifting, positive effect. I thank my mom for the short but awesome time we were able to spend together. She had only six years to give me the life tools of survival. I think she gave me not only those tools but more.

Personal Perspectives

Putting together a one-man show at a gallery, a museum, or an outdoor venue is quite an endeavor, mostly mentally because the works, the sculptures have already been created. The real work, the presentation of the work is something I actually do enjoy because it's a great opportunity to stop, reflect and ask myself "Why in the heck do I spend so much time doing this? Do I really enjoy this? What have I been trying to say for 27 years? Should I bag this and get a 'real job'? and ultimately I ask the question, "Who am I?"

I've always enjoyed being me, In spite of the divorce, the murder, the suicide, the abuse, the 'things' that have happened to me, I like who I am. During the difficult times I don't think I realized the intenseness of the situations. I simply did what I had to do to make it through. Only the past few years have I openly talked about my past. Even if I had the power to go back in time and alter things, I wouldn't. There has been an incredible synchronicity - a beautiful orchestration to all the chaos and otherwise that I believe has happened exactly as it should have happened. I like the end result. That's not to say life's over. In fact on many levels I'm sure life has just begun. The groundwork has been laid! The student has learned some things and will yet learn many more.

The thread (actually it's been more like a giant, woven, gold rope - a life-line) throughout my entire 48-year earth existence has been ART. It was my religion before I had any, and it has continued to nourish and feed me. It gave me enough sustenance to survive seeing my mom lying in a pool of blood seconds after having been shot 3 times with a .45 by my step dad.

Art gave me the strength to survive 6 years of extreme abuse by a stepbrother who resented me barging into his family after I was shipped back to the states from Germany. From first grade on, my ability to create art has given me recognition and self esteem. School was never easy for me - art was. Art gave me the power and confidence to get through college. It lined up the stars so I was able to meet the most incredible woman on the planet, my wife Lanea. And it's provided the more than abundant means for us to raise five of the most awesome sons imaginable.

My work does most of my speaking for me, but if I could leave you one written message-it would be this:

"Do not let anyone or anything rob you of your personal power and creativity. Always, always, always be you and revel in and stand up for your uniqueness. Things happen, life happens-don't allow yourself to become a victim. In fact take those hard times, those challenges and mold them into strengths. Sculpt yourself into a multi-dimensional, fully empowered, fun-loving human being"

Who Am I.

I am an Artist
I am a sculptor
I am a husband
I am a father
I am a Gardener
I am not a victim

Why?

People ask me on various occasions how long 'such & such' piece took to sculpt. My assistant Dan Hildreth facetiously answered someone in the studio for me- "It took his whole life". I thought Dan's answer had a lot of merit because in a very real sense everything an artist produces is an amalgamation of his or her entire life's experience.

In sculpting the "Ascent" I depicted some of the most challenging times of my personal life.

While sculpting the "Messenger" I covered my studio wall with photos of my mom. I believe she has been one of my guardian angels or spirit guides throughout my life and I was seeking inspiration.

In sculpting happy children doing fun things I'm creating the ideal, fun childhood that I missed.

The bird sculptures represent lift and ascending to higher levels. And then every once in a while something comes out that is pure nonsense like the "Puffed up Prince", "Fat Cat" or "Meditatin' Momma" (although "Meditatin' Momma" did depict Lanea on our bedroom couch with curlers meditating - combined with artistic license).

My Family

Throughout the last 25 years we've had lots of cool times together. Having 5 boys around and all their friends has provided a barrage of models and inspiration. It's been fun to capture their personalities and I hope I've done them justice - there's no way I could capture their true animation!

It's been a great joy being a father along with being an artist. The two have been very complimentary and I feel like life has been more than generous with me.