Wood Relief Sculpture Artist
I'm a retired rancher from Indian Cove, a small farming and ranching community between Hammett
and Bruneau in southern Idaho. My wife and I still live on the place where I was raised and where
we together raised two sons and ranched over a period of thirty years.
I've been interested in art and have sketched and painted all of my life. While I was ranching I had
very limited time to devote to art. Retirement has provided me the opportunity to make what was
an occasional diversion much more a part of my life. I've also been able to explore some new mediums.
Wood is a medium that has long fascinated me because of the uniqueness of each piece and that it
is so inherently expressive. I appreciate the challenge of working with wood - to give form to my
own ideas without overpowering the expression of the medium itself. My inspirations come from
memories of scenes I've observed as well as those I've imagined. I try to select pieces of wood that
lend themselves to helping me portray these visions as well as my wonder and appreciation for the
natural world.
I believe there is a Divine handprint in all of creation. I see this presence like a wood grain, running
throughout - both holding this realm and evidencing the claim of its Creator. This gives me hope
and a desire to add my voice to those who seek to preserve, relish and enjoy, and live in closer
harmony with our environment.
mjshenk@copper.net
