SHACHTMAN STUDIOS

As a person I am an explorer, constantly seeking to find something new and stimulating in either a physical or cerebral sense. The sculptures I create are the products of self discovery and exploration in inspiration, process, and material usage.

The sculptures are seeded with inspirations derived from all realms of science from; astronomy, geology, to biology and geometry. These inspirations are created from personal experiences as well as research and an interest in a specific theme, entity, and or other artists' inspired works.

The process in which I create is one of multitasking and consistent motion.  I not only enjoy but am most productive when I have several projects to manage and develop at the some time; this process offers my mind continuous stimulation for creative problem solving.   As I work from my minds eye to the pad of paper of my sketch books, ideas come out and evolve. These ideas frequently include the type of materials needed. I rarely determine the materials after the idea but when I do it tends to be a resolution in a transition in the form from one material to another.

As for the physical part of the creating process my education and experience in the field come in to play. Having studied extensively in jewelry design, metalsmithing, and with knowledge and training with glass; many of the techniques, aesthetics, and craftsmanship derive from that familiarity and unite into the creating and over all artistry of the forms.  As a glutton for punishment I tend to enjoy more physical and labor intensive demanding techniques. These include hammering, surface embellishment, and forming the materials, creating multiples, as well as cutting and sifting glass.

Many times the work will tend to be balancing or at a peculiar angle as I find it creates tension in the piece as well as unique shadows and reflections created by the material, form and arrangement when properly lit, this in turn extends the physical dimension and blends into a play on light and shadow.

Depending on what the sculptural forms and concepts call for, a few of my primary materials are; copper, glass, and steel while secondary materials range from, concrete, fibers, and stone.

Thoughts pieced together by imagination, ingenuity, and material bring to reality unique forms in which I hope to reveal - artistically - elements of the world that we are a part of, evoking a sense of wonder and curiosity by choice of materials, techniques, organic, geometric forms, shadows, and reflections.