"When I'm asked what inspires me to create, I have to say it is something I'm driven to do. We are all creative beings, and we all create in unique ways. And what inspires the specific forms I create? Sometimes it is something I see in nature, but generally speaking, they simply come out of me. They are my expression, my communication. They say, "There is structure, everything is in constant motion and ever-changing. So find comfort in the order of the universe, and let go and enjoy the flow."


When the forms present themselves, sometimes it happens with a pencil in a sketchbook, but typically it happens when I have a small piece of clay or wax in my hands. This leads to the creation of a model, or maquette, which I use as a guide while producing the sculpture. For example, as a means of exploring the abstract human figure, I developed a family of about twenty designs using palm-sized bits of clay.

I find metal to be cold and lifeless, even if it is a bronze casting of an organic form or a representation of something alive. When a bronze casting of a wood sculpture is compared to its original, the difference in vibrational quality is most evident. Natural materials like wood and stone have certain energy to them, a vibrational quality that is palpable. The sculptures radiate that energy and consequently occupy a space greater than the object itself.

My sculptures are hand-carved and unique, with careful consideration given to their design. There are two essential elements I like to incorporate into my work. A sense of order, often achieved with geometry, offers stability and security. Fluid motion, achieved with smooth curves and continuous line, offers harmony and a flowing feeling. I find that the combination of these two elements usually results in a dynamic, highly organic form that provides feelings of comfort, pleasure, and peace."

Michael St. Mary