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| Rip Caswell |
Accomplished sculptor, Rip Caswell, is popular with private and corporate collectors worldwide. He has created nearly two-hundred sculptures of various subjects in both contemporary and realistic styles.
Considered an authority in wildlife art, he is often sought after to judge competitions and present seminars. Several art galleries, publications and television broadcasts have also featured his works.
Rip has his own foundry crew to produce his work, this way he can oversee every step of the casting process.
THE ART OF RIP CASWELL
The varied subjects and themes of Rip Caswell`s sculptures illustrate his search for depth of expression and gracefulness in his art.
Often influenced by his time at sea, his sculptures reveal smooth strokes, lines and cuts at varying angles and changes in mood and motion much like the Pacific waves of his experience.
Caswell`s collectibility is due to his deep understanding of living creatures in their natural environments. Human or otherwise, his sculptures are fluid and purposeful. They have a life and breath of their own.
Call it romantic, sensual; but the essence of his growth and direction as an artist stems from a commitment and connection to natural beauty.
Come see his works to date. They will evoke emotions and ideas from your experience. Come see and feel what many collectors are investing in as something ageless and valuable.
HOW RIP CASWELL CAME TO LEAD WILDLIFE SCULPTING IN THE NORTHWEST
Troutdale, Oregon – The son of a professional guide and outfitter, Rip Caswell moved to the Northwest when he was just six years old. Everything about art attracted the young boy. When his family lived in Northwest Washington for a time, he sculpted animals from the water-based clay of the shores of the Pend Oreille River.
Considered an authority in wildlife art, he is often sought after to judge competitions and present seminars. Several art galleries, publications and television broadcasts have also featured his works.
Rip has his own foundry crew to produce his work, this way he can oversee every step of the casting process.
The varied subjects and themes of Rip Caswell`s sculptures illustrate his search for depth of expression and gracefulness in his art.
Often influenced by his time at sea, his sculptures reveal smooth strokes, lines and cuts at varying angles and changes in mood and motion much like the Pacific waves of his experience.
Caswell`s collectibility is due to his deep understanding of living creatures in their natural environments. Human or otherwise, his sculptures are fluid and purposeful. They have a life and breath of their own.
Call it romantic, sensual; but the essence of his growth and direction as an artist stems from a commitment and connection to natural beauty.
Come see his works to date. They will evoke emotions and ideas from your experience. Come see and feel what many collectors are investing in as something ageless and valuable.
Troutdale, Oregon – The son of a professional guide and outfitter, Rip Caswell moved to the Northwest when he was just six years old. Everything about art attracted the young boy. When his family lived in Northwest Washington for a time, he sculpted animals from the water-based clay of the shores of the Pend Oreille River.
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Rip`s father saw his son`s talent and encouraged the boy to study taxidermy. For several summers Rip understudied with the well know taxidermist, Bill Lancaster of Beaver Creek, Oregon. In 1985, Lancaster offered Rip a full time job and the two teamed up to become lead contenders in Northwest taxidermy. In 1988, their entries swept the Northwest Regional Taxidermy competition by winning all bird and Mammal categories. The competition had 96 entries and the Lancaster/Caswell team took every award at the event. Caswell repeated this effort on his own in 1989 and again, won every award.
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In 1990, Caswell made a decision to compete at the national level, planning eight months in advance what he would need to do in order to stand a chance of winning. He chose to combine contemporary sculpture and traditional taxidermy. Those concepts were applied to his work on a green-winged teal that took six months to complete and was revolutionary enough in its approach that Caswell had no idea how it would be received. In the end, the eight judges couldn`t decide which of Caswell`s pieces should win the Best of Show. The green-winged teal won and almost everyone in the taxidermy field concurs that today taxidermy should emphasize presentation as well as technical accuracy. Caswell`s inclusion of presentation has perhaps helped taxidermy in its battle for acceptance as fine art.