About Me
Tony Butler
Wood and Clay artist
Embudo Desert Rose, inc
Po Box 291 (505) 927-0107 (Cell)
Embudo, NM 87531
tony@embudo-desert-rose.com
www.embudo-desert-rose.com
Inspiration
As a young man I visited the local Indian villages with my grandfather and lay awake
listening to the drums and songs of nearby gatherings. I became fascinated with the
symbolism and spirituality of Native American art. The anthropomorphism in stories
and art which inspired my imagination then is still vibrant today. I attempt to reflect
the balance and details of nature and natural forms in my work.
Wood
I began wood carving in 1969 shortly after returning from a tour of duty with the
173rd Airborne Infantry in Vietnam. First works were totems, fish, and birds. I still
love carving animals but my work has taken a decidedly sculptural twist lately. I
prefer to work with gouges and knives and a mallet. I strike each blow and it allows
me to literally “feel” the work.
Clay
It is difficult to improve the traditional pieces developed by ancient cultures for
practical uses. The freedom to make almost any shape one can imagine, in clay,
inspires me to let the medium take over sometimes. Sculptures and unusual shapes
emerge. After all it is just mud and anything I don’t like is recycled. Clay is freedom.
Vision
When engaged in the creative process, in any medium, my mind slips
into a meditative state and the work seems to take over much of its own
development. Working then becomes a Zen like state and hardly feels like real work.
Wood and earth suggest patterns which were not part of the original plan but bring
out their own characteristics. As much as I enjoy creating this work, the real joy is
when it gratifies others. If a piece delights someone and can continue to inspire
them, then my vision is satisfied.
Tony Butler
Wood and Clay artist
Embudo Desert Rose, inc
Po Box 291 (505) 927-0107 (Cell)
Embudo, NM 87531
tony@embudo-desert-rose.com
www.embudo-desert-rose.com
Inspiration
As a young man I visited the local Indian villages with my grandfather and lay awake
listening to the drums and songs of nearby gatherings. I became fascinated with the
symbolism and spirituality of Native American art. The anthropomorphism in stories
and art which inspired my imagination then is still vibrant today. I attempt to reflect
the balance and details of nature and natural forms in my work.
Wood
I began wood carving in 1969 shortly after returning from a tour of duty with the
173rd Airborne Infantry in Vietnam. First works were totems, fish, and birds. I still
love carving animals but my work has taken a decidedly sculptural twist lately. I
prefer to work with gouges and knives and a mallet. I strike each blow and it allows
me to literally “feel” the work.
Clay
It is difficult to improve the traditional pieces developed by ancient cultures for
practical uses. The freedom to make almost any shape one can imagine, in clay,
inspires me to let the medium take over sometimes. Sculptures and unusual shapes
emerge. After all it is just mud and anything I don’t like is recycled. Clay is freedom.
Vision
When engaged in the creative process, in any medium, my mind slips
into a meditative state and the work seems to take over much of its own
development. Working then becomes a Zen like state and hardly feels like real work.
Wood and earth suggest patterns which were not part of the original plan but bring
out their own characteristics. As much as I enjoy creating this work, the real joy is
when it gratifies others. If a piece delights someone and can continue to inspire
them, then my vision is satisfied.
Tony Butler
Top of My World
Chimayosos Peak.
Tree Spirit at Dusk
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Embudo Desert Rose
April 28, 2008
Too many new things to photograph and
format right now. Some pics below of the
new pottery.
Too many new things to photograph and
format right now. Some pics below of the
new pottery.
I love hiking the desert and mountains near my home