This interview took place with Jan Willing via email in early 2001. Once in a while you get an opportunity to meet a sculptor whose innate love and feel for the stone, combined with sheer joyful energy, just radiates. Jan is one such artist. Talking with her and sharing her thoughts was an energizing and fresh experience. Thank you, Jan for participating and giving us a glimpse into your magical world.
This interview was completed with Phil Montague via e-mail last month. It reveals a talented carver who is constantly expanding his knowledge and is willing to take risks to pursue his art form.
SS: When did you first develop an interest in art and sculpture, Phil?
PM: I suppose that I first became interested in creating three-dimensional forms when I was about 10, as I began building airplane models. In those olden times, models weren’t usually assembled from pre-shaped parts. Rather, they were carved from
This interview with Lloyd Whannell was a pleasure to write; the conversations took place via email and in person at Camp Brotherhood this past July. For those of you unfamiliar with Lloyd as a carver— the sight of his dusty face, bandana in place around his hair, his brilliant blue eyes and his warm smile, this interview will be an opportunity to learn about his artistic persona and his enthusiasm about his art. Lloyd also talks with us about his duties as President of the NWSSA and some of his hopes for its future.
SS: Hi Lloyd. Let’s start with what really interests all of us, your history as an artist, your beginnings in artistic pursuits.
LW: I came to stone sculpting from working in clay. About 12 years ago I realized that I needed some form of artistic expression in my life, so I went back to school, taking classes in drawing and architectural history at the University of Washington. That led me to pottery and clay figure sculpting, which led me to stone sculpting. I did some figurative clay sculpting classes here on the island with Jan Brown, and she introduced me to the NWSSA through the Whidbey workshop. That’s how I began with the NWSSA.
In many ways I don’t really consider myself an artist. I think of myself as someone who makes beautiful things. Philosophically I don’t really think about it. Being an “artist” does come into play in my thought process. I like to make simple, elegant and beautiful pieces in stone that please me, which is really all that matters.
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