John B. Andelin  Biographical Sketch

John has spent hundreds of hours in his workshop learning the art of figurative marble sculpture

John Andelin has been a practicing pathologist since 1985

John Andelin, born in 1951, is a self taught sculptor specializing in realistic figurative works which depict mostly spiritual themes.  He began woodcarving as a hobby at the age of 15.  Later he developed a passion for woodworking which he pursued for many years.  In 1993 he began to develop a serious interest in wood sculpture and progressed rapidly.  In 1995 he carved his first marble figure. He is self-taught because the art of realistic marble sculpture has largely been lost.  John and his wife Cindy have  seven children and one grandchild.  John received an M.D. degree in 1981 from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and has been a practicing hospital based pathologist since 1985.  Although his family and professional obligations have kept him busy over the years, he is managing to dedicate more and more time in his studio creating marble figures.  He believes that his training in science and anatomy have added a unique perspective to his art.

My Philosophy

I believe that the creator of sculpture or any piece of art should should strive for beauty.  Beauty is not totally in the eye of the beholder.   Simply put, you cannot create something that is unsightly or mediocre and call it beautiful.  There are laws to good art, and there is no such thing as good art that is undisciplined.  Unfortunately, this teaching is lacking in most major art schools today.  There is a sentiment among artists today that  free expression is supreme, and that one should disregard any restrictions or rules.  I wonder if this attitude is a reflection of our system of values so prevalent today... that of freedom without a price.     I have learned that the most revered figurative sculpture is not a precise duplication of reality.  Rather, it is a blend of realism and idealism.  In creating sculptures, my goal is always to idealize human values.

Why I Prefer Stone Carving

Direct carving from a solid medium, particularly stone, presents unique challenges.  It is much more labor intensive than the more commonly used casting methods with such media as bronze, resin or porcelain.  There is little room for error.  Thus, the art of realistic classical stone sculpture has dwindled in popularity over the years.   Despite these drawbacks, marble has a certain timeless, historic quality that is impossible to duplicate with other media.   With optimal lighting, marble transilluminates light and appears to acquire a subtle glow to its surface.   These characteristics give marble a great potential to evoke emotions.        I feel very fortunate to be able to pursue this interest.  I don't feel the same financial and time constraints that most artists experience, because my primary source of income is in another field.  This enables me to concentrate more on art and self expression.

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John B. Andelin 4940 140th Ave. NW , Lot 62 Williston, ND  58801 (701) 774-0237 Email: jbandelin@hotmail.com Sign My Guestbook