Fortunately for me, Colorado State University art majors had to take four "samplers", in different genres of art before declaring a major. I entered college intent on becoming a painter, but John Berland was the sculpture teacher. Our first project in the sculpture sampler was a modeling, molding, and casting project. Watching the nearly 3 ft high women, mid-thigh up, begin to take shape in a circle around the model, was a magical, magical time. Mold-making and casting was hell. We cast in body putty, and because it was body-putty, we painted them. I was hooked. But, because I painted my first sculpture, I don’t think I fully understood that choosing sculpture meant giving up color, for in the seventies painted sculpture was rare. Though I probably wouldn’t have changed that decision, because at the time I did not understand how essential raw, pure color is to my soul. 
There were no brutal group critiques in the sculpture department. At the end of the quarter, I had my one-on-one review with Berland, where together we would assess the current work and plan for the next quarter. There was no competition with anyone but myself. Everyone worked and struggled together. Berland was skilled in the techniques of sculpture, especially casting, and he taught them well. I am always surprised when my mom sends me articles about the international renown sculpture scene in Loveland, Colorado, that no one seems to remember that Colorado State University was just down the road. It was John Berland that nurtured a love for sculpture in the area and his well trained students that kept the first foundry staffed and afloat with plenty of work to cast.
John Berland seemed to view his real job as one of nurturing the creativity inside each student. It was never just about form and how to make it, but also about why we made art, and what was the intent of the work we made. He worked daily on his own work in the studio along side of us, modeling a work ethic, showing that art is a journey, ever evolving with something new just around the bend.
More photos of his work are posted in my John Berland photo album. The pictures were scanned from a memory book made for his wife and children after his death. I thank his wife, Yvonne, for generously loaning it to me. At the time I was intent on capturing the images.....not the titles. All references to them are based on memory, not fact.
