Moments of Clarity

Every so often, I’m given a glimpse of something in a pure state; clear, lucid, and real. In my experience, Mother Nature provides one of the most reliable portals for these rare instants. She can face-slap us into heightened awareness and present occasions of special insight. My work is a residual of these moments.

Time working as an artist in animatronic and scenic shops has given me a sense of freedom to move beyond traditional approaches. No medium or method is off the table. Availability and quantity of materials dictate size and technique, and scale varies widely with some sculptures serving as potential maquettes.

My work is highly detailed, and the concept of the collective plays an important role in both process and subject. Many small parts make a whole, many fish make a school, and many bees make a swarm.

My work can be ambiguous, emphasizing the clarity we seek. It is not immediately evident whether the subjects are terrestrial or aquatic. I include invisible forces such as wind and current. There is no certainty, and much is left to the observer. I hope the viewer can lose themselves in the minutiae of each piece and aspire with me to work through our self-deceptions, toward a greater understanding and acceptance of the truth.

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Biography

Lee Stone

Lee earned a BFA from Jacksonville University in Florida, receiving the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Art as well as Departmental Honors upon graduation in 1991. Soon after, she began working for the animatronic business, Sally Industries, as a general artist and mold-maker in Jacksonville, FL. This experience led to various subcontracting opportunities, and later, full-time employment as a sculptor at Advanced Animations in Vermont where she met her husband and mold-maker, Bryan.

In 2003 Lee and Bryan relocated and combined forces in business to become Stone Works. They began with the production of small scale collectible sculptures and on-site refurbishment of products built by other companies. Over time, they progressed to designing and creating large and small-scale props, sets, and billboard add-ons for entertainers in the Branson, Missouri area. Among the largest projects was a custom proscenium created for the Yakov Smirnoff Theater.

Lee and Bryan left behind Stone Works for new ventures on the west coast, returning to Vermont in 2014. Inspired by the beauty and wildness of Alaska, great fishing, interesting people, and a plethora of day jobs, Lee currently makes mixed-media sculpture from her home studio in Washington, Vermont. Using non-traditional techniques and materials, and working around yet another day job, she creates art to help open our minds to see and experience the world around us a bit differently.