“My parents asked me if I was attending any church services. I answered that when I need ‘to find myself’ I go outside to be in nature and then I know again I belong. It doesn't take many minutes in nature before I pick up a rock, leaf or stick from the ground. My thoughts become: how can this object hold this shape? How did it form? How can my human mind bring attention to this object and share it with others? I work with natural objects: grass, seeds, willow, driftwood, stones, shells, bones and such. I usually work outside, so when I am creating, life's deadlines and obligations leave the forefront of my mind and I become present in the now. A single focus and I am lost in myself.”

- Connie Schaekel

“The artist is able to travel where no man has gone before, beyond normal reality-- beyond the expected. Losing oneself in that journey, opens new thought processes and a new visual language may be my favorite part of the artistic method. I often gain considerable insight about the person I am and can be. Beyond this, when viewing the artwork of others I respect, a similar transformative feeling can be manifested.”

- Michael Sharber | www.msharberstudios.com