We found loads of inspiration at Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site in New Hampshire yesterday. The grounds are amazing. The studios filled us with envy (both the “little” and a truly small one on the edge of a white pine ravine). The life and story of this American sculptor of French and Irish descent – in particular, learning how a sculptor approached and lived his vocation in this time period – is of great interest to us.

The notion that commissions could support marriage to his wife, relocation on several occasions, purchasing the land in Cornish, the construction of studios and the hiring of a score of assistants is mind blowing. Realizing that these were large scale public works sort of puts things into perspective. Hard to imagine this kind of patronage in the current, modern economy.

His presence in Cornish helped found a community of artists there. Got to love that!

Here is some of the work we noted:

Mixing in other materials into a relief sculpture must have been pretty novel at the time. Still striking to this day. Has me thinking.
Even a simple lintel like this could make a frame more interesting.
The notion of including carving into a frame causes me to be excited about casework (creating boxes that are the basis of most furniture) again.

There is also an artist in residence program at the site. Extremely competitive position currently filled by Amanda J. Sisk. Based on the work we saw there, I would say she is exquisitely qualified based on the work “Zuleica” seen within her portfolio here: https://ateliersisk.com/Atelier_Sisk/Sculptures.html and her blog here.