“I am inspired by the environment created by Lester Raymer for artists to thrive in. Each room filled with extravagant intricacies worthy of due investigation. I am interested in these moments of captured memories and my personal reflection upon them.         In the dates applied for I will be at the beginning of my thesis year for my Master of Fine Arts degree in Sculpture from the University of Mississippi. A brief Thanksgiving break, I anticipate drawing from the natural light, wood carving, ornate metal work, decor, the history of the workbench and the smell of a true artist’s studio. My thesis work is exploring the concepts of sculptural landscapes, craftsmanship, heraldry, emotional integrity to place and how they relate to memories surrounding my time in the military and travel abroad. While in Iraq, I often collected the melted pools of aluminum from the trucks after they had burnt to the ground at various engagement sites. There was a moment, through flame and smoke, where I became witness to a certain beauty amongst all the destruction. That specific aluminum appears in many of my works tying a part of my experience into the memory of an object.”

Working in a number of different mediums from cast iron, bronze, aluminum, 3D printed elements, felled wood and wood carving, Dan is anticipating his time at Red Barn Studio to be a refreshing experience in atmosphere, reflections on craftsmanship, and a full dose of whimsy. He says, “I look forward to the open studio hours to share my story, explain the traditions of my craft and to inspire generations of artists, creatives, and philanthropists.”