In 2015, I began to transition to a planned retirement in 2017. I had not started a new sculpture in over six years. My life had been overtaken by my day job after I was promoted to the Curry Campus Dean just as the dream of building a campus had a chance of becoming a reality. There was money to raise, a building to design and build, and programs to run. There was no time to think about, let alone make art.
I am always plagued with worry when I dive back into sculpture after a life-imposed time away. Would my well have gone dry from neglect? Would I be able to pick back up where I left off?
First, I reclaimed my basement workroom, then I fussed and puttered over the words to avoid it. But eventually I went down the stairs, pulled out my wax bin and tentatively began to apply wax to wire armatures. Only five new pieces are in the show announced below. But it feels so good to be working again. When the time came for the show, three pieces were left behind unfinished, insuring that I have a place to begin when my official retirement begins.