John Andelin, born in 1951, is a self taught sculptor specializing in realistic figurative
works. He began woodcarving as a hobby at the age of 15. Later he developed a
passion for woodworking which he pursued for many years. In 1993 he began to
develop a serious interest in wood sculpture and progressed rapidly. In 1995 he
carved his first marble figure. He is self-taught because the art of realistic marble
sculpture has largely been lost.
John and his wife Cindy have seven children and eight grandchildren. John received
an M.D. degree in 1981 from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and has been a
practicing hospital based pathologist since 1985. Although his family and
professional obligations have kept him busy over the years, he is managing to
dedicate more and more time in his studio creating marble figures. He believes that
his training in science and anatomy have added a unique perspective to his art.
My Philosophy
I believe that the creator of sculpture or any piece of art should strive for beauty.
Beauty is not totally in the eye of the beholder. Simply put, you cannot create
something that is unsightly or mediocre and call it beautiful. There are laws to good
art, and there is no such thing as good art that is undisciplined. Unfortunately, this
teaching is lacking in most major art schools today. There is a sentiment among
artists today that free expression is supreme, and that one should disregard any
restrictions or rules. I wonder if this attitude is a reflection of our system of values
so prevalent today... that of freedom without a price.
I have learned that the most revered figurative sculpture is not a precise duplication of
reality. Rather, it is a blend of realism and idealism. In creating sculptures, my goal
is always to idealize human values.
Why I Prefer Stone Carving
Direct carving from a solid medium, particularly stone, presents unique challenges. It
is much more labor intensive than the more commonly used casting methods with
such media as bronze, resin or porcelain. There is little room for error. Thus, the art
of realistic classical stone sculpture has dwindled in popularity over the years.
Despite these drawbacks, marble has a certain timeless, historic quality that is
impossible to duplicate with other media. With optimal lighting, marble
transilluminates light and appears to acquire a subtle glow to its surface. These
characteristics give marble a great potential to evoke emotions.
works. He began woodcarving as a hobby at the age of 15. Later he developed a
passion for woodworking which he pursued for many years. In 1993 he began to
develop a serious interest in wood sculpture and progressed rapidly. In 1995 he
carved his first marble figure. He is self-taught because the art of realistic marble
sculpture has largely been lost.
John and his wife Cindy have seven children and eight grandchildren. John received
an M.D. degree in 1981 from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and has been a
practicing hospital based pathologist since 1985. Although his family and
professional obligations have kept him busy over the years, he is managing to
dedicate more and more time in his studio creating marble figures. He believes that
his training in science and anatomy have added a unique perspective to his art.
My Philosophy
I believe that the creator of sculpture or any piece of art should strive for beauty.
Beauty is not totally in the eye of the beholder. Simply put, you cannot create
something that is unsightly or mediocre and call it beautiful. There are laws to good
art, and there is no such thing as good art that is undisciplined. Unfortunately, this
teaching is lacking in most major art schools today. There is a sentiment among
artists today that free expression is supreme, and that one should disregard any
restrictions or rules. I wonder if this attitude is a reflection of our system of values
so prevalent today... that of freedom without a price.
I have learned that the most revered figurative sculpture is not a precise duplication of
reality. Rather, it is a blend of realism and idealism. In creating sculptures, my goal
is always to idealize human values.
Why I Prefer Stone Carving
Direct carving from a solid medium, particularly stone, presents unique challenges. It
is much more labor intensive than the more commonly used casting methods with
such media as bronze, resin or porcelain. There is little room for error. Thus, the art
of realistic classical stone sculpture has dwindled in popularity over the years.
Despite these drawbacks, marble has a certain timeless, historic quality that is
impossible to duplicate with other media. With optimal lighting, marble
transilluminates light and appears to acquire a subtle glow to its surface. These
characteristics give marble a great potential to evoke emotions.
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John Andelin has been a practicing
hospital-based pathologist since 1985
hospital-based pathologist since 1985
John has spent hundreds of hours
learning the art of marble sculpture.
learning the art of marble sculpture.