About the ERA

Discovery

Artist: Brad Lee

Brad Lee – I am a self-taught artist and have pursued and experimented in a number of mediums over my lifetime. Thirty years ago, after taking a class in stone sculpting, I discovered where my heart is. Looking at a raw stone opens my imagination and can begin the process for me. Sometimes, a stone can sit on the floor in my studio for months, and I just keep looking at it. Other times I can see it right away. Sometimes, I see a vision and then choose the stone. The intersection of what I see and where the stone will lead me is the challenge. I have flaws, and so does the stone.
Patience, perseverance, and flexibility are all part of this creative process. So is discipline. Stone sculpting is both mentally and physically demanding. It requires the ability to see things in three-dimensional, which comes naturally to me. This is what I thrive on. I use three types of stone: alabaster, limestone, and soapstone. Fortunately, when I work, I am not too hard on myself or critical of what I am doing. For me, it is a journey and adventure. I'm patient with myself and with the stone. I also seem to know when I need a break, at which time I draw or sculpt in paper.