ROCK TALK
MONTOYA SCULPTURE & SUPPLY since 1973

Interesting sculpture related news, technical tips, special offers and other important information
By Jeff Halverson
Sculptor and Owner of Montoya Sculpture & Supply
www.MontoyaSculpture.com

March 30, 2004
Issue 9

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IN THIS ISSUE:
1. Editor's Note
2. Interview with Sharon Gainsburg-Sculptor and Teacher
3. Polyester Adhesives- Application and Methods by Jeff Halverson
4. Current Sale
5. Upcoming Events
6. Please send sculpture quotes (maybe win $25 gift certificate)

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SCULPTURE QUOTE

"Don't worry about something until it happens, and after it's happened
don't worry about it because it already happened" David Evans

Submitted by
David Evans

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1. EDITOR'S NOTE
Vince Ricci returns again this week for another four day stone carving workshop starting on March 31. Soon he will be off again to Italy for another 5-6 months teaching sculpture, painting and drawing at The Center For The Arts at Villa Maria, one of the longest surviving sculpture and fine arts studies abroad programs, which was established in 1984. Visit his website at http://www.CFAeuroart.com. If any of the newsletter readers has taken his workshop in Italy please let me know. I would like to post your comments or your story/article of your experience.

Hope you like the selected quote. It applies to a lot of things but particularly stone sculpture. I know it's painful at times when a part of the stone breaks off (we really do try our best to buy and sell only the best stone). Sometimes it turns out that the finished sculpture looks better because of the missing part. I know I try not to let it bother me. If I was not sharp enough to see it in the first place and work around it then it's just as well. When I miss seeing it I like to think that this is what was meant to be. Lately I was thinking about the stone that we have. It comes from four different continents and I guess it is pretty lucky stone. Of all the billions of tons of stone out there these stones are the lucky ones. These are the ones that are destined to be sculpture. They get to fill their destiny.

We have posted the latest list of Sculpture Quotes on the home page of the website www.MontoyaSculpture.com . Please check it out and let me know what you think,

And of course the hunt goes on for more quotes. Please send me ones you find.

We have also posted the last eight issues of the newsletter so if you want to look at past articles they are all there.

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2. Interview with Sharon Gainsburg (SG) by Jeff Halverson (JH)
Sharon Gainsburg has been working in stone for 30 years and has been teaching for 25 years. Her works can be seen on her website sharongainsburgstudio.com. Her works have been exhibited nationwide and can be found in corporate collections that include Nabisco, AT&T, GE Corp, PSEG of New Jersey and the Amerisham Biotech Corp. If you live in the north New Jersey area you may want to visit Sharon. I have included this interview because I have had several of her students come in and tell me how much they enjoyed her and her sculpture classes.

JH- Sharon Please tell me little about what got you into sculpture?

SG-Curiosity…. I visited a friend who took a course in clay sculpture and she invited me to visit her class.


JH- Please tell me about your education and teaching experience

SG-I am not academically trained. I have taken courses with different people over the years. I am very self motivated and have spent the last 25 years teaching, and learning from my students.


JH- How long have you been teaching stone sculpture? Tell us a little about what you try to teach in your classes.

SG-I have been teaching for 25 years. I teach people to move through their performance anxieties, their need to be perfect, and that there is not a RIGHT way to express themselves.

I teach them about freedom of expression…..and not to be afraid of the stone.


JH- I know you have started a new sculpture workshop program in Mexico. Tell us about where it is and what makes it special?

SG- This unique setting, in Puerto Vallerta, the ease of the studio and this most wonderful house under one roof, the warmth of the staff of the house and my ability to bring people of diverse backgrounds together.


JH- Where can people get more information about your program in Mexico?

SG- By going on to my site www.sharongainsburgstudio.com or calling me at 732-870-2710


JH- We have had a number of your students come into the store and say they have worked with you. Everyone we talked to said good (OK…. great) things about you and your style. Tell me about a teacher, artist or event that most influences your teaching style.

SG-I think my style is a result of a very sharp intuitive ability I have about people.

I treat everyone as if they are the only one in the class……I listen to them and can help them through their most frustrating experiences with the creative process.


JH- If you had to pick just one, what would be your favorite subject for sculpture and why?

SG- The human form in both the abstract and realistic styles.


JH- Sharon, what sculpture large or small, remains to be done by you?

SG- I am still waiting to do a large( 10ft) sculpture


JH- We have come across many people who seem interested in stone sculpture. Some are afraid of the hardness of stone. Some are comfortable with clay (an additive medium) but are very hesitant about stone (a deductive medium). What is the best advice you would want to give to a beginner interested in stone sculpture?

SG- Do not let fear dictate your expression……or any other part of your life…it definitely will prevent you from some great adventures( and ultimate highs) of your life.


JH- Do you have any special exercises that you use in your classes or workshops that help participants see or experience something they have not seen yet?

SG- I ask them to go out into nature and observe for a concentrated period of 5 minutes a day…………..I have other students critique their work….after they have explained their process or ideas.

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3. Polyester Adhesives- Application and Methods by Jeff Halverson
Polyester adhesives are used to bond stone to stone, and stone to metal. They are simple to use and provide an inexpensive, permanent, high strength bond. Adhesives can be colored to match the color of the stone you are using. There are eight colors available and they can be used directly or mixed to the proper color as needed. Believe me if you are repairing a break in a stone, that stone will not break along that same line. Its tough stuff.

Montoya carries four basic types of polyester adhesives that are composed of the resin and catalyst. There is a knife grade transparent (not clear, more like a light yellow), and a white. Knife grade has the consistency of room temperature butter. This grade is good for vertical surfaces like a wall or the side of a large sculpture. I use it most to install mounting rods and turning pins.

And there is a flowing grade translucent and white. The flowing grade has the consistency of syrup. The flowing can be used to fill voids or for mounting rods. The flowing can be poured into crevasses and down small cracks.

Enzo, who teaches our February carving workshop does a demonstration on using adhesives. Working with small scraps around the yard he put together a small sculpture with adhesives of different colors. It was only about 9” high and once shaped was a small abstract female torso.

These adhesives polish up just like stone.

If it is your first use of these adhesives try a small test sample. Use it in a well-ventilated area. Oh yes, and keep it out of the reach of children and do not swallow it. I think that covers me. I like to wear those cheap plastic gloves when I work with it. Take about a tablespoon full of the resin (I use tongue depressors) and put it onto a piece of paper. Use a decent paper, not newspaper as it will pick up the print and soak into the paper fast. You can also put it onto glass or ceramic tile if you wish. Kneed your catalyst ( hardener), take the cap off and squeeze out about a ¼” length right onto the resin. Mix it well and fold it onto itself for about 45 seconds to a minute. Since this is only a test let it sit. As it hardens it will turn from a melted room temperature butter consistency to a rubber consistency in about 2-3 minutes. In 4-5 minutes it will be hard and start to cure. The speed at which it hardens will depend on the amount of catalyst mixed into it. As it turns rubbery you will be able to peal it off the paper. This is an important phase because this it the time during an actual installation or repair that you want to do your clean up of any excess. DO not try to wipe up or cut away the excess adhesive until it is rubbery or you will just make a big mess. A swab and acetone will clean up excess adhesive streaking.

Another interesting use of these adhesives is as an inlay for stone. A flat portion of the stone can be carved into and filled with single or multi-color adhesive. There is an example of this technique on our video “The Art of Stone Carving, Demonstrations and Hard Facts” (85 minutes, VHS, sku 78045).

Polyester adhesives are a simple, fast and strong material for repairing breaks in stone, filling voids, and bonding rods and turning pins into finished works as well as bases.

Write me if you have any questions on this topic, or any other stone sculpture related topic.

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4. CURRENT SALE
No current sale.

BUT >>>> We just today (Mar 29) received 10 tons of new stone from one of our suppliers. That's why I am a little late sending this newsletter out. The shipment includes Italian crystal slabs and boulder (very nice, rings when you hit it with a chisel, but it is an alabaster), African Wonderstone (charcoal, very consistent uniform color), Kissi Wonderstone (this is a beautiful light sandy green with purple, see it on the home page of my website), Mexican Green Alabaster, Harvest Alabaster, Brazilian Green and Brown Soapstone. We expect our Black Soapstone in a day or two.

If you need stone you might want to call us soon while the selection is fresh.

Feel free to call in your order but it may be a day or so before they go out, as I need to inspect the stone.


With stone coming from four continents we have to watch and inspect to insure we are provided quality stone. We have always provided a money back guarantee or exchange for the stone we sell. When you can't stop in and have to order on the phone or website I know it is hard to know exactly what you are getting. We try our best to describe the stone, color and shape. You have my personal guarantee that we will be sending you the best stones available. I know your continued business is dependent on your continued satisfaction. Thanks for your trust.

GIFT CERTIFICATES – We have gift certificates available in $25 increments. Tell your family and friends that's what you really want, so you can pick what you want. Easy to buy, mail, and use.

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5. UPCOMING EVENTS

Our Next Stone Carving Workshop

VINCE RICCI returns for his 3rd season. Vince is a successful sculptor and teacher who has been conducting Italian Art Workshops for 20 years. Working in soapstone, alabaster or marble, participants will learn how to visualize and blockout both figurative and abstract figures, allowing them to spend more time exploring their imagery, and the surface dynamics, before they move onto finishing techniques. Explore textures and adding interest to your sculpture. Learn and use the three successive step method.
10 participants. Very experienced teacher, relaxed, informed.

MAR 31-APR 3 Wed-Sat 9-5 [$395] call 561-832-4401 to reserve your place.


ITALY WORKSHOP SLIDE SHOW (Free)- Meet with Vince at 5:30pm on Thursday, April 1 (the second day of the workshop) for wine & cheese, discussion and colorful slide show of his Italy Workshops at Center For The Arts Villa Maria. Slide show open to all, no fee.

Also read Issue 3 of our eNewsletter for an interview with Vince. Visit his website at http://www.CFAeuroart.com


Here are some of the things people have written about Vince:

“He knows what he is talking about”

“I liked the respect he had for the work of all. And the art of explaining”

“I thought that Vince worked well with each one of us. He spent ample time with each person each day”

“Learning exercises were excellent”

“Vince has truly mastered the art of teaching as well as sculpting. I can't remember a time where I learned and used this much information in a 4-day period. This workshop is a must”

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6. PLEASE SEND SCULPTURE QUOTES (maybe win $25 gift certificate)

I have included a sculpture related quote at the top of this issue. I hope it is inspiring and interesting. If you have an interesting sculpture related quote please send it to me. Please include the name of the person who said it. All of the quotes that are sent are being compiled into a list of quotes related to sculpture that I will soon be posting on the Montoya website. I would appreciate your help in building this list of quotes directly related to sculpture. Quotes can be from recognized sculptors of the past or from a teacher or friend. Send me your sculpture related quote, and if it is selected I will send you a Montoya Sculpture & Supply $25 gift certificate and put the quote in the next issue. Email me at Jeff@MontoyaSculpture.com

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(c)Copyright 2004 Jeff Halverson