'Atlantis'

'Stellar Beauty'

'Abstract Torso'

'Backyard Bird'

'Chiffon'

Night Out'

'Joyful Dancer'

'Lady in Lace'

'Soul Sister'

'Shield Dance'

'Dream Catcher'

'Smirk'

'Enigma'

'Plume'

'Interstellar Abstract'

'Picasso Stackable'

'Root beer Onyx Stackable'

'Salt River Canyon Stackable'

'Hide & Seek'

'Rockin' Raven'

'Where is my Seed'

Pinnacle Peak I

Pinnacle Peak II

Click on images for full view

Ken has been sculpting in various mediums such as wood, clay, bronze and stone for more than 25 years. For the past five years, he has focused on sculpting in stone.

Initially Ken sculpted alabaster and marble, but he soon started experimenting with other minerals such as Crazy Lace Agate, Blue Lace Agate, Sodalite, and various types of Onyx such as Argentina, Root Beer, Pink, and Banded.

Ken loves the challenge of studying the shape and features of a stone to figure out the best way to bring out its special attributes. Each sculpture is unique, not only because he starts with a gorgeous mineral, but also because he uses the size, shape, coloration, and characteristics of each stone to guide his artistic choices. “Although I have a certain style, each sculpture is distinctive due to the inherent quality of the stone itself. As a figure emerges, the stone’s coloring, layering, crystalline structure, even pockets of drusy, all those elements can influence the design. I may have to change the direction of the neck or head, reposition an arm or leg, or simply create a special feature in order to enhance the beauty of the sculpture.”

Ken creates abstracts and stylized feminine figures out of stone. Some are bold and geometric, and others have sinuous lines. “I use very clean, distinct lines when I really want to accentuate a specific part of the sculpture. I try to give an impression of movement or emotion in the composition. I love it when people reach out to touch my sculptures and experience that they are cold and hard even though they appear soft and flowing.”

Ken creates custom bases out of the same or complimentary minerals for each sculpture. The bases are usually in a somewhat raw, or unfinished form that shows what the mineral looks like in its natural state. Collectors can be assured that they are buying a “one of a kind” sculpture that can’t be duplicated—even by Ken.

Ken, and his wife Cynthia, are always on the hunt for that special, rare mineral that can be used for the next original sculpture.

KEN BORCHARDT

STONE SCULPTURES