How Gregor got started sculpting:
In 2002, Gregor had a total loss house fire from an electrical fire, and he had some serious stress. Then on top of that, his mother died a few months later, and the rage in his body was getting close to out of control. A great friend and fellow band mate, showed up with a set of carving tools, a six pack of beer, and said, “let’s create some art.”
The next thing Gregor knew, he was carving Hawaiian styled tikis and venting his rage into the logs with a mallet and chisel. He fell in love with it! They dreamed of how they could illuminate the sculptures at their next party. They started carving scary faces in hollow logs, much like you would a Jack-a Lantern. Then they filled them with candles, lights, and then they tried PROPANE! YEA BABY, propane in mass quantities, and 10 foot high flames jumping out of scary tiki faces, that’s what fun people want to dance around.
HA! who would have figured! The next thing they knew, they were creating fire sculptures for everyone’s party who wanted one.
Gregor channeled his rage, sorrow, and spirit back to a positive place through sculpture. Gregor is forever grateful and this is why his mantra is now, ” share your gift, the impact is immeasurable! ”
Why dare to be an artist?
There are much easier ways to make money! Gregor has a BS degree in Computer Science and 30+ years of software design, development and management experience. Gregor decided sculpture would be a wonderful complement to his software career. It created a stress relief outlet which rewarded him emotionality, spiritually, and socially. Gregor’s IT resume can be found here: Gregor’s Resume’
Awakening:
Gregor awakens in this art form, and is humbled by the endless beauty that surrounds us everyday. Many take for granted our most primal senses, but early on he realized their value the hard way. At 12 years old, he lost his eye sight for many weeks in a burn accident. The doctors would not speculate if he would ever be able to see again. During the healing time, which seemed like an eternity, he became much more keenly aware of his other senses. His sight eventually recovered %100, but his enhanced awareness of the senses stay with him today. Every morning that we wake up and can see, smell, and touch our surroundings is a gift, and Gregor desires to create sculpture which tantalizes the senses! So be grateful for your awakening when it comes.
Mentored by Fire:
Like the mythical Phoenix, Gregor seems to be tested by fire repeatedly. Later as an adult, he started sculpting as spiritual therapy after a total loss house fire and losing his mother to breast cancer. Mentors helped him channel his rage, sorrow, and spirit back to a positive place through sculpture. Gregor’s sculptures cut deeply through precious hardwoods, accentuating growth rings, which emerge like chakras in Black Walnut, Cedar, Cherry, and Maple.
Inspiring Mentors:
Inspirations can come from anywhere, you just have to be receptive and pay attention. Gregor looks for unique sculpture inspiration in natural sensual fluid curves that lift the spirit. Mentors inspire his development and investment art collectors support the direction of his craft. Gregor is very grateful for all his grand influences and mentors.
Mentoring friends and their website links:
Manuel Palos : manuelpalos.com
Charlie Smith: howhowhow.com
Sandy Nichols: SandyNichols.net
Chaptacular Carve for a Cure
Barbie the welder
Stephen Fitz-Gerald
Carole Turner Sculpture
Eric Saperston’s Live in Wonder
Lynne McDonald
Dayton Scoggins
Pam Reinke
Angela Polglaze
Chad Awalt sculptures
Eli Reiman:
Richard Visibleman: visibleman.net
Gretchen Yarbrough
Erik Haagensen: Haagensen.net/
HimalayanTradingPost.com
Lisa Beers: BeersDesign.com
Rafael Zabala : InteractiveMarketing.net
Alison Lewey: Ecoblends.com
Chantelle Rytter: Chantellerytter.com
Van Weyenbergh, Fine Arts Gallery
Chw Dog Productions