By Marty Baker, Editor

One sunny Sunday morning this past summer, I drove north from Troy along Interstate 75 toward my destination of the 2007 Botkins Sculpture Invitational that was being held in the village park of that Ohio town.  I grew up in that rural community in western Ohio and always enjoy a return trip, but I must admit that my expectations for this particular presentation were not high.  Being a first-year event, I figured the prospect of this little town attracting top-of-the-line sculptors couldn’t be too promising.  I certainly was wrong! 

From many cities and 18 states, thirty-seven top-ranking sculptors displayed their talents and creativity.  Most all of the artists were on hand to interact with the visitors and several of them could be seen working on their latest piece.  Without hesitation, they would explain their work, obviously enjoying the opportunity to educate those of us less-talented in their particular art form.

While several exhibitors attracted my attention, one in particular caught my eye.  Mary Taylor had traveled from Honeoye Falls, New York, to display her birds and animals.  Honeoye Falls is located south of Rochester near Lake Ontario and I had never been to that area nor heard of her work.  With my employment background at Hobart Institute, I am always fascinated by metal art, especially that which is welded, and Mary’s work is indeed unique. 

A lone wolf stood guard at the entrance to her display.  It looked so natural that I hesitantly and very gently reached toward it.

“Go ahead and touch it,” Mary smilingly commanded in a friendly voice, drawing me into her space to examine the other pieces within the exhibit, as we began our conversation.  “It is all metal.” 

“I find great peace in the darkness that welding provides,” Mary explains.  “There is a necessity for great focus and awareness at every moment.  The welding of thousands of tiny rods creates a network of animated light which gives the sculpture a spirited vibrance, developing the right line to give the creature breath and life, striking the right resonance.” 

Each feather on the birds and each individual hair on the life-sized raccoon or wolf is individually welded onto the base form with an oxyacetylene torch.  The feathers and fur are actually small to minutely- dimensioned steel or bronze rods.

“The wildlife sculptures I create are more than art made of steel or bronze rods,” explains Mary.  “They represent a powerful connection to and understanding of the grand forces of nature – the natural movement and growth that are so vital for our imaginations to grow and reach out towards our dreams.”

“From interior natural images, to exterior sculptures, all of my works are based on unique and intricate patterns of realistic animation that capture a timeless strength of spirit and intensity of aliveness,” Mary continues. 

Recognition of Mary’s work are numerous and include many national awards, commissions, and public works in such locations as the Princeton Public Library, Princeton, NJ; Massachusetts Audubon Society, Belmont, MA; Bausch & Lomb World Headquarters, Rochester, NY; and the Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT, to name just a few. 

Educated in New York, California, and Washington, DC, Mary has displayed her work in both solo and group exhibitions nationwide.  More information and photos of her work may be found at http://www.marytaylorsculpture.com