Schiefer is a self–taught stone sculptor. After 25 years as a speech pathologist specializing in brain injury, he discovered sculpting and found he could not only carve things from limestone, marble, alabaster, and soapstone – people would actually buy them. So – since 1974, Schiefer has worked in, and loved his new field, making for years, small saleable items and taking them to major art fairs all over the East Coast from Central Park in New York City – to Chicago – to Miami and all over Florida.
Schiefer has always been pragmatic – making fish, seals, bears, etc. – and only after having “stock” began making monumental stone sculptures and garden–sized works that satisfy his creative urges. The accompanying pictures show the vast range of his interests and skills.
Faces have always been of interest – in faces are revealed the feelings, thoughts, hopes and dreams of people and these things are there – on the face – for everyone to see.
Schiefer’s private art collection is Ethnographic Art beginning with American Indian artifacts and growing into pre–Columbian art from all over Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatamala and Peru. Schiefer loves the skill and depth of meaning the so–called primitive artists built into their work. He feels that his love of these works, as well as his love of African, Oceanic, and lastly, Indonesian primitives is evident in his own work. He stresses minimal detail, clean lines, positive optimistic rounded forms, and when possible, movement, action, and humor.
Plan to visit his 10 acre sculpture garden. Appointments are necessary, but it is well worth the time to see the 150 plus outdoor works as well as 2 indoor galleries which hold his table–sized works.
What’s keeping you??