Donna Dodson

Mutt God
polychromed cherry
24 in.

My artwork celebrates the mystical relationship between human beings and the animal kingdom. Influences from Egyptian, Sumerian and Indian art inform the visual language of my work. Wood sculpture is my chosen medium. The natural grain of the wood interacts with the shape and surface of my sculptures in a fluid way. I often stylize each piece within the context of a well-proportioned figurative vocabulary. Their mouths, or in some cases beaks, are closed, symbolizing the mysteries they embody.

These mythological figures are sculpted at slightly less than life size or at one-half to one-third scale. I use color in both subtle and bold ways to activate each piece. They are created as objects of beauty, and each one invites a tactile experience from the viewer. The creative process that brings me to the completion of each work of art presents tremendous challenges, making my art a lifelong study with lessons for my eyes, hands, mind and spirit.

© Donna Dodson