Pen Volkmann
My awe of our natural world is the underlying motivation for my artwork. The visceral feeling of molding a likeness of a soaring eagle, the form of a flower, or a magnificent mountain-scape makes me feel closer to the creator. I endeavor to share my joy of nature, especially those who may not see natural beauty in their daily life. And for those who are able to experience the wonders of nature, I strive to capture the accurate details of the subject and my feeling of awe. I have long used artwork to express my connection to nature, (animal, vegetable and mineral) since I was a child. First with crayons, then with paints and now I express my inner connection to nature with sculpting. I have been creating sculptures over 50 years – wood, ceramic and bronze. Recently, I have found a waterproof, fireproof casting material that is accepted by the NSS, on which I use fine-art oil paints to achieve the patina I envision.