i n d e p t h
Stone is initially ordered from a quarry and shipped to the studio.
Upon arrival, it is cut to size, sanded, and polished.
Lettering is first designed and painted on paper.
Once the design / model is found to be satisfactory I prefer painting the letters free-hand directly onto the stone with brush.
This requires precision, control, and a good knowledge of letter forms and their proportions.
*Drawing the outline of a letter, the use of computers, or transferring via carbon is eliminated.
In Greek & Roman times scribes painted the letters onto stone.
Stonecarvers came behind and cut the letters.
In an effort to keep the letters alive, I paint the letters.
At this point the letters are ready to be carved by hand with hammer and chisel.
In contrast the "stamped" letters commonly seen today are created in a purely mechanical and machined manner using rubber templates, sandblasting and very little time.
They are static and still and to this artist's way of thinking, have no soul.