by Tonia, who hugs trees G.
Member since:
November 17, 2005

A Fun Statue in Fayetteville

January 04, 2009 03:07 PM EST (Updated: January 04, 2009 03:08 PM EST)
views: 120 | comments: 36

Statues fascinate me, and I find they make a good photographic subject. After all, nothing will sit stiller than a statue so I have the opportunity to play with different angles and composition.

This statue is located at the Walton Arts Center, and is entitled "Getting Involved" by J. Seward Johnson. I apologize for the glare in the first shot. It made me realize that my next camera purchase needs to be a polarizing filter.

The details and whimsy of this installation are truly delightful.

 

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d781/d417/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

 

 

 

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d782/d417/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

 

 

 

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d783/d417/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

 

 

 

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d792/d417/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

 

 

 

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d795/d417/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

 

 

 

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d796/d417/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

 

 

 

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d797/d417/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

 

 

 

http://media-files.gather.com/images/d798/d417/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

 

 

 
link to this page
Bookmark this post:
Facebook
Twitter
Delicious
Buzz
More

Comments: 36

Debbie G. Jan 4, 2009, 3:12pm EST
Tonia, you did a wonderful job with this. In my opinion you are no less an artist than the sculptor.
Svetlana Goryacheva Jan 4, 2009, 3:15pm EST
;-)))

Fun indeed - and your pictures are splendid, dear Tonechka! ;-)

Hugs and blessings - S.
Jean, just the teensiest bit odd, F. Jan 4, 2009, 3:23pm EST
That is AMAZING how they were able to make the various textures and colors look so much like the materials they're supposed to represent! The purse looks completely realistic and all that DETAIL!! That's a very cool statue!
Debbie G. Jan 4, 2009, 3:24pm EST
Lili would like to leave a comment too, Tonia. She says her favorite is the little girl that doesn't show the whole body. :)
Roy ☯ Hilbinger Jan 4, 2009, 3:39pm EST
Very interesting indeed. Yeah, that purse gave me pause, too. J. Seward Johnson seems to have a very lively imagination!
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Jan 4, 2009, 3:58pm EST
Nice! I, like you, felt the need for the polarizing filter. It was important on sky and water shots. I recommend the screw on variety, not the Conkin...I have both. Spherical has more uses for me. Greta shots of a VERY unique subject. I've never seen anything like it before. I'm halfway through my Hunnington Statue Photo essay...great subjects! You did these justice and you did what photogs have always done best...present a subject in a quality manner so that others may appreciate it. I agree with Lili...the depth and detail in that shot were excellent! Nice work my friend.

Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
DesertDarlene L. Jan 4, 2009, 4:09pm EST
Wow, they're so lifelike!
sharon SugarMomma is a wise woman, Jan 4, 2009, 4:24pm EST
This is amazing. I'm bookmarking it.

We have an opportunity for a west coast sculptor (I don't know the name) but he's coming in a couple of weeks to talk about doing an installation for one of our public spaces. From what I understand funding is secured and we will be meeting with him shortly.

This peace is tremendous. Something for my board to look at for sure.

What a wonderful concept and the execution is superb.
sharon SugarMomma is a wise woman, Jan 4, 2009, 4:25pm EST
Oh and I wouldn't have appreciated the whole thing if it wasn't for your photos and presentation, how could I have forgotten to say that.

Thank you so much Tonia.
sharon SugarMomma is a wise woman, Jan 4, 2009, 4:26pm EST
That should be piece - duh.
Verie Sandborg Jan 4, 2009, 4:51pm EST
The detail in the statue is incredible, and your photos nicely captured that. Such an interesting statue like that makes me want to visit the Arts Center.
Nana to Seven Cutiepies Jan 4, 2009, 4:58pm EST
Tonia, I have never seen statues with color before. These are beautiful, thanks so much for sharing your photos of this wonderful place.
lynn a. Jan 4, 2009, 5:40pm EST
Fantastic. I love the fact the stockings rolled up above the knees are showing. So true to life as I remember it as a child. These are very nice photos and feel good.

Happy New Year.
Ava's Mom (formerly known as Robiyah) Jan 4, 2009, 5:44pm EST
Very neat!
Sonia M. Jan 4, 2009, 5:52pm EST
Amazing........the textures of the fabrics, coat and purse.....the rolled up hose, the knitting....your photography enhances each detail perfectly, Tonia

I like the little girl also, but the statue of the woman is absolutely fantastic
Thank you!
Grems 'gremlin' Jan 4, 2009, 6:52pm EST
I felt drawn to the child in the garden. She is so intent on her work.
Mariana T. Jan 4, 2009, 6:59pm EST
I love this artist - I remember seeing some of his work in Beverly Hills way back when. You did an excellent job in capturing all the great details, Tonia. Have a great day. Salud
Tonia, who hugs trees G. Jan 4, 2009, 7:28pm EST
Thanks everyone - I'm so glad that you all enjoyed this as much as I did. This spurred me to do a little research on the artist and it seems he is known around the country for installations such as this - painted bronze that depict scenes from daily life.
Sue * Jan 4, 2009, 8:13pm EST
I've seen many of the "people" type sculptures...but, this is one of the best I've seen. You captured it perfectly, picking out all the details.
La Lady Lisa Westerfield Jan 4, 2009, 8:21pm EST
I LOVE IT!!! Oh my God, I think I sit like that.
Dannielle S. Jan 4, 2009, 8:31pm EST
Tonia, is there a story behind this sculpture? Is it based on a local person? A local story? It looks like the letter could be readable. I can see where, if there isn't a story, we could make one up easily.

Your photos are inspiring!
Priscilla P. Jan 4, 2009, 10:05pm EST
That is a fascinating sculpture and I think your photography is quite good.
Peregrine * Jan 4, 2009, 10:53pm EST
I like all the different glimpses you've given in your choice of angles. These realistic portrayals strike me in that so many people who might not see this woman in real life are drawn to looking at her when she is the subject of a sculpture or a painting.
Wilhelmine Estabrook Jan 4, 2009, 11:53pm EST
An interesting sculpture. to me, the face looks male, perhaps North American native. The hands and legs also look like a man's.
But the detail of the shoes and bag are amazing.
Madame Donna C. Jan 5, 2009, 1:34am EST
Tonia, I think you've seen some of my "other" icons and one of them is a bronze sculpture that I captured in my travels. You've just reminded me that I was going to post an article about the sculptures I've captured (for elizabob mostly) and others.

I found it very difficult to get good shots because of the darkness of the bronze and then the shadows that were evident in each shot. You did a much better job than I did with mine (heh, no surprise there!). If I remember, past this evening, I will post a few of mine to show you. Or maybe I'll just spare myself the embarrassment and email them. Heh.
Madame Donna C. Jan 5, 2009, 1:36am EST
Oh, and La Lady, umm, yeah you kinda do sit like that sometimes...just sayin'.
Kathleen ♥ L. Jan 5, 2009, 3:18am EST
I, like Wilhelmine, thought the statue's face and legs look like those of a man. The different textures and colours are amazing on this sculpture and you did a great job capturing these images in your camera to share with the rest of us.
Aniko   Jan 5, 2009, 5:15am EST
Totally cool! I also think that grandma looks a bit grandpa-ish--not just the face and legs but the posture too. Maybe there's a story there... :-)
Mugg Muggles, "The Man With the Jive" Jan 5, 2009, 7:06am EST
Fantastic photos of an amazing creation.
Wonderful piece of art and photos, Tonia. Thanks!
marie Pinschmidt Jan 5, 2009, 4:47pm EST
Tonia, thanks for these wonderful photos. Mr. Johnson's work is popular, I believe, because he depicts subjects in their normal activities. He has (or did have) a home on Jupiter Island, near my home in Palm Beach Gardens. He would be proud that you've done such a superb job reproducing his work on film. Marie Pinschmidt (author Man on The Balcony and Maggie's Retreat.
Jodi Beznoska Jan 5, 2009, 9:02pm EST
Tonia, thanks for these great photos. I work at Walton Arts Center and all of the great comments by readers made me realize that I need to do a little research and put some background info on "grandma", as we call her, up on our website. I'm heading out of town for a week, but look for some info under the "exhibitions" link sometime in late January.
mona d. Jan 6, 2009, 8:28am EST
the details of the sculpture are amazing...the veins in her legs, the letters, the yarn.

as for the glare in the first shot, i like to think of them as twinkles...;)
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Jan 6, 2009, 10:30am EST
I love this!
Tory H. Jan 13, 2009, 6:37pm EST
What a neat statue! A friend of mine used to live in Fayetteville.
Tamara L~will view, may comment~ S. Jan 13, 2009, 10:29pm EST
You did do a great job. I felt like I was right there looking at the statues. It was very intriguing.

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Make New Friends | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Health | Moms | Money | News | Politics | Spirituality | Sports | Travel | Writing
Version 16961, "Pacino"; Copyright © 2009 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.