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Show Page 6 THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume V, Issue IX February 15, 2002 Receptions Slated for Area Artists Ogden artist Terry Combe Johnson — They say, “timing is everything” – it certainly was for me. There was a period of time, after receiving my Bachelor of Fine Arts Sculpture Curling events. I created “Let’s Try Again,” a pair of life-size bronze figures, which depicts a young woman reaching toward a little boy who has slipped on the ice, offering to help him back on his feet. People identify with these Heron” for the Ogden Nature Center. The realistic bronze is located in its natural setting—a reed-encircled pond. The evening lighting dramatically brings the piece to life. “Chickadees on Forest Floor” came about in 1999. This multipatina bronze of two birds perched among the acorns and oak leaves of the forest is also life-size, and represents the birds in their natural and gentle state. The garden of Ogden’s Eccles Art Center was the location of my next Metal work screen by Jim Truett. wildlife of Ogden Valley drew him and his wife Angel to Utah to raise their family. They have three daughters aged eleven, nine, and seven. Inspiration for Jim’s unique metal creations comes mainly from his natural surroundings in Utah. The impressive scenery provides a picturesque backdrop for Utah’s native wildlife. Jim enjoys capturing the beauty of the mountainous landscapes and re-creating the majestic moose and bear through his metal art. His pieces have been on display at numerous art shows throughout California and Utah. Jim’s work in metal art is both fun and challenging. His pride in each piece is evidenced by the time and “Let's Try Again,” a full size sculpture created for the Olympics by Terry Combe Johnson on the campus of Weber State University. degree from the University of Utah, skaters, who are not professionals; where the clay sat patiently awaiting they are all of us—any of us. “Let’s Try Again” was the catalyst my return. That return occurred when for my career in the three-dimensionI was commissioned to create a sculpal world of bronze sculpture. I found ture for the Ice Sheet on the campus my style and began to live my pasof Weber State University, Ogden, Utah—home to the 2002 Olympic sion. That led to the 1998 commission of the life-size “Great Blue “Infinite Soaring.” installation in 2001. “Children of the Garden” features the faces of twelve children, representing the twelve children who were raised there 100 years ago. Leaves and flowers are depicted throughout the remaining sculptural surface, culminating at the top in a bouquet of bronze lilies, poppies, and cosmos. They echo the mansion’s Art Nouveau period. These flowers have been cast as individual pieces. A new flower will be created each year to add to this collectible bouquet. The art of ice-skating has intrigued and awed me since childhood. This interest was piqued by the imminent arrival of the 2002 Olympics to Utah and led me to my most recent bronze sculpture “Infinite Soaring.” This ten-inch bonze sculpture features a young woman gracefully gliding forward on one of her two polished silver steel blades, which is mounted on a black marble base. In this piece, I chose to honor the athlete’s lifetime of dedication, endless hours of training, and nerveracking competitions. Once the pinnacle of their sport is achieved, that joy, that pure joy, transports those champions beyond. The grace of the human figure is central to the spirit of my work, in which I’ve found that same pure joy. Meet artist Terry Combe Johnson at an Artist’s Reception Friday, February 15, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Wilkerson Fine Art, 550 S. 7800 E. Huntsville, Utah. For more information contact Kris Wilkerson at (801) 745-9557. Valley artist Jim Truett — Truett began creating metal art while living in his native California. However, the pristine beauty and “Majestic Moose” metalwork by Jim Truett. effort devoted to each original creation. Jim finds it truly rewarding to see the looks on his clients’ faces as they discover an original piece to compliment their home. Jim Truett’s “Skier.” You can meet Jim Truett at an artists’ reception featuring artists Jim Truett, Waldo Jensen, and Richard Montag on Saturday, February 23, 2002 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Wilkerson Fine Art, 550 S. 7800 E. Huntsville, Utah. For more information contact Kris Wilkerson at (801) 745-9557. |