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Show Wednesday, August 10, 1989 Venial ExpffiJS 9 Sculptor casts feelings Concepts expressed by artistic hands By Nancy Bostlck Uinuih Basin native, Lylc E. Johnson, a well-known western sculptor, recently left an impression on the Vernal area during a visit from his home in Timber, Mont. Commissioned by Dave Jollcy and Woodcy Scarlc to execute a bronze to serve as the first place trophy in the upcoming slock dog trials, Johnson was in Vernal to begin be-gin initial stages of work for the distinctive award. Johnson's bronzes arc a study in movement. Horses come alive under un-der his hands to exhibit fire and realismmuscles re-alismmuscles seem to ripple beneath be-neath their bronc si in. The delicacy delica-cy of line and detail allows one to note the quivering legs and flaring nostrils; imagination then fills in the accompanying sounds and smells. Johnson was born in the Uintah Basin 10 one of the original pioneering pioneer-ing families, I lis grandfather was Fycurgus Johnson, a VS. Marsh.il! for the territory who later served as Sheriff when Utah became a state. Hit family moved from die Ashley Valley to Randlett when be wj a joung boy; his greatest bovdiorxl passiiifis were divided among r-keuhmg and ttplonng the rugged canyon country accompanied by J.').:..;l friend. Rural l.fc Lr.;f:! t Jc4.n-.on the fan- '...:t;cr.:.d itruchifC f animals. work was m inirpT.il part tf Ccr) day t.fc and he wld.--n rr.isvd 31 rr("tV.;nity to i! -avc wi'dbfe. "When I was very young, I started out playing with clay and drawing pictures for the Utah Farmer magazine. maga-zine. I won quite a few of their con tests..." his hazel eyes crinkled as he laughed, "I think I received about a dollar for each contest," When he was ten, he discovered a new frontier in art that would forever forev-er change his life modeling clay allowed his imagination to add depth and dimension to subjects. A sculptor was born. Johnson pursued his new avocation avoca-tion with the fierce determination that has ensured his present success. Continually modeling and sculpting throughout his youth, there were times when his mother would be called upon to replenish his supply with homemade clay. His dedication to art eventually paid off in terms of a careerJohnson has been able to Support a family with income derived de-rived solely from his work. In the typical "it's not worth doing if it's not worth doing right" Johnson-way, Johnson-way, he and his w ife, Orilla, decided decid-ed dicy wanted a large family. Wc knew we wanted between 12 and 20 kids he remarked in a deadpan manner. He acknowledged that they had indeed fulfilled that desire; Llc and OnlLt Johnson arc parents to 12 children, four adopted children and over GO foster children. Successful fostcf parenting is a challenge undertaken un-dertaken by lew. fifteen of their fostrf children were of Navaho, Shoshone, BUkfecl, Chippewa, and Apache heritage. When Johnson begin cb.vitijj omC of hiv philosophies, a clear picture of the man emerges. "We have a large library on Indian cultures. cul-tures. Wc wanted each of our Indian children to learn about their heritage her-itage and to be truly proud of who they are.M He went on to speak of his love for the Indian people and his hope that the beauty of their beliefs be-liefs arc preserved for future generations. gener-ations. During a recent stay at a pow wow in North Dakota, Johnson was commissioned to render two sculptures. sculp-tures. Indians have been the subject of a number of bronzes. Many Indian traditions and spiritual beliefs be-liefs have been incorporated into such works that will endure forever. An impressive example of his ability abili-ty to translate feelings into art is a phenomenal bronze "Man The Builder" created to symbolize the dramatic development of the Utc Nation. Well-known horse authorities believe be-lieve Ural the Utc Indians were the first Indians to utilize the horse. Prized for the mobility given to their masters, horses won a special place in the heart of the Utc Nation. This important union of man and horse is commemorated by "Man The H udder" and bears silent tribute trib-ute to Johnson's love for the Indian people of America. The Grupc Company, a nationally recognized real-estate developer, engaged Johnson to create a monument as a tribute to die I'te people. "Man The Builder" capture. the heart and spirituality spir-ituality of the Utc Indian. The statue stat-ue is located at fin Aside Farms in Stockton, Cahf. "The most satisfying a ped of my uofk is being able to express my fcclmftv." Ik c flams thai as a mi;1; t.'C "if you have come pt or a ffcl.r.,, you tan express it pcwia-nmily. pcwia-nmily. Artists who are aide to tm- iUte this Concept and capture their feelings, arc the ones who prud.nC the tvst afl." Jiin-wnn' deep - K f J J r A t rings with sincerity as he talks of the intangible rewards of his chosen profession. He finds a deep and abiding joy in being able to produce beauty that will reflect his philosophies philoso-phies of life. As he talks, his hands are busy working on the model that will reside in a home as a prized and beloved possession. A sculpture that will become an heirloom. The clay beneath his skilled fingers seems to become a living thing instinctively, in-stinctively, his hands defdy fly over the model making minute changes that in a short time will render the sculpture complete and ready to be bronzed. Unlike many artists who must rely on others to cast their bronzes, Johnson owns his own foundry. Cabin Creek Studios in Big Timber, Mont, houses a family-owned and operated foundry that is known as one of die fastest in die country. Johnson has gleaned a formidable knowledge of the business and, on the basis of that knowledge, has built a fine reputation. Most artists are content to simply create dicir art and let others do the casting. Johnson is different. "When you do monumental work, you have to be present all of the time. I decided that since this was the case, I might as well do my own casting." Characteristically, Johnson devoted himself to learning each complicated step required to cast s;u!pture$ into bronze his successful suc-cessful mastery of this task U reflected re-flected in the fine reputation his foundry enjoys today. In regards to the intricate process-e process-e involved in tasting I rorves, Johnson admitted thai he had a h to lean, But hit simple and ethical !;;-... h to life p.. 1 off once again; he bnj th.it what in the foundry business wtic happy to heir him learn the in -and outs and iJurc "UA.k were. In turn, he ret 'pro trfirv Jf I find a rcw secret, I shaftf it w (;!., ,..:. . li d f.v.nby pxcv it i very t'.'.U wU priest to levn. It H al ii tiv-idy. I have f.'-.J r;vf ruh.!nei t i U cry U' tJ 31 t. ;vt,-,:if. Kty fntn.Jt r t'C b;.r.,-vtn were hcvcf 11 Uv-i to me t! r , pn-! !rmt I en ti-i-rrd." Jn t-.;fti, John--, ft H Per-rrt Per-rrt 'li; ) nt.-V f L'-cn. W..!cykl in 19x2. tn mM liocy t H t-M p'i't h t;m?, I-bd scvVfd rf fn"!, pi-inly A''V1. Ik r--r-1 : -'-d t,''il :-ri t-1 Kv'pt " t If i b y t 6 b i?i -; Is? A V li : t 'r t ! ,r,rTA 'rLf. C J'--:i. 9- 1 r--- c' 'h ' c' . f r'-' !"-;'-r :ct :ca". ': "" ?' n -3-". !? D - 1 z Vi-'.JV. .'? :,- (s ; I r f ? st c t f f t V t - ...... s V i-rw l f 7 i 45 rt LYLE JOHNSON displays first edition bronze of Holey Sox, World Champion Cutting Horse, owned by area businesssman, Woodey B. Searle. M c STEADY HANDS combined with an artistic eye begin placing the final, delicate touches on the clay model which, when complete, will be a bronze trophy for upcoming dog trials. prrssion on his face, everything about it looked just like him. I had to walk away and go stand quietly to regain my composure." TJut simple sim-ple statement says it all Johnson's work is so realistic that it manages to capture the spirit, as well as die physic al attributes, of his subject The foundry is a family-run business. busi-ness. The eldest Johnson son manage man-age it and his si? lings work fc him there. The cunge st fuundiy woiker is 14; a brother m law and his 10 sons complete the opefauon. Front beginning to end, a bume fe p.uev cf a kiic tf impi'saiht and compli-t compli-t d f.:.-ps. Froiti the ti.ise iht t Vv the tby i f w,n r !, I, r,t.l M ii finished Vimrt, iiidtvtd" ua! involved tttu-4 be pafetion t :v The ma'cvv t i!e foyndry fpcJ. I.;r iulf. M.-iHiMKMal -4li';H.fC 6C tr.S axl c .p..tttf rf l.fe-i;e. J. ' 1 ba ftnr-Vd a r.-.- '-.f ff fv,. j i tncrli a" J f-'mt rut t! ,4 b p? v jau cf t-hps, be fit u: a iVirg ir..v?.i. Tbe r-IJ at 1 Z at r.,A p ,?xt aJ p.-v ? ,t V i a:l, t i;h a ay rf . ;t g J a-y prl':t h-f.-fC U t'-c" ftl M.'pun, An !l:d bfr..;f( in a If h V i wt; t' "et f .a at be ba-.tpvvJ f'c r a'.'y, Tbr it ti te ft 1.3 I.V, t'-.ncf :r it tn be k':d S";l -J A'-v ui lr rc- 'f-l tx ' a ' F'c-;?c r " f c'c?.v-i. A- ' f r - -r r ' i 5 lv I n f- 'v is r- ' breed and when he ulks alxiut Arabians, his haads move of their own volition as if he is sculpting yet another brone. Meeting and talking with Llc Johnson is an experience one will never forget, lie is intelligent and well spoken, lbs down tocarih nature na-ture immediately puis one at ease and they find themselves engrossed deep in a tonvcrsatum of absorbing interest. Johnson has die ability to make an indo idual comfortable and he really h .tens to what that person is saying this attribute is tore, et-peita',!)' et-peita',!)' tn an ani-4 of his sund.ng. Joimwrt's raw tikw ta-nist k di-.puu J. IU.I in addjiir-n to talent, le has dedicated hit l.fc to perfect 1: g and b. :..:g Ia t, n .:d.r.! !c a! ih;,i, fl.s tireless determination pud ( if in tarns of hit art. In tan, tJ-C art wo; !d hat c;vd fa.cd bi n and h-t wt-k an-l hat fnivi ! d 4 loir.g b r t! e J. ' n fa Ii j ,! al.o Cnel l I t I brv., ti ch,!,!:en a b ; n c-.,i ' cd v.)'si if t'vy wi h t,i pursue U ( ! l-i-.-;'v. lie a.bnis iar-!.-!;y tV.t a ae l-ar.l tirt 11 i' e 1 t g tf I t t.,-..a. 1. 1 a l it tcpuUi-n Fat C'v. 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