Credit: escher1 on Flickr via Etsy/The Storque
DCL
Land artist Richard Shilling isn't just inspired by nature: The leaves, rocks, and materials he sees while outside are also the tools he uses to create land sculptures, which are temporary pieces made from "natural materials gathered near to where the sculpture is made." Shilling, who spends his days as an IT manager in Lancaster, England, didn't grow up planning to be an artist
Etsy: How did you begin your foray into the world of land art?
Richard Shilling: A number of years ago I moved from the South-East of England to the North-West. I was out on the nearby hills one day and came across a fascinating structure made from stone. There seemed to be no practical purpose for it and I was intrigued as to what it was. Eventually I found out they were made by Andy Goldsworthy so I bought one of his books and was absolutely entranced. I studied Goldsworthy's artwork in detail. I tried to recreate some of his work, almost like serving an apprenticeship with a master. I wanted to see what he had discovered by following in his footsteps. I found out there is much more to land art than is first apparent. You can't simply "copy" a sculpture, you need to understand nature
E: Tell us about your affinity for natural materials and the decidedly ecological nature of land art.
RS: It's the ephemeral nature of land art that really appeals to me. There is a point a sculpture reaches where it is at its most vibrant and it is then that I take the pictures and it is often just before it completely falls apart. There is a tension and vividness revealed through their delicateness. I think this is an analogy for life. Life creates order and beauty from basic building blocks and then they return back to dust once again.
E: Do you have any advice for budding artists who want to give land art a go?
RS: I try to encourage everyone I can to discover the joys of making land art. I have a website called Land Art for Kids, but it isn't just for children: there are loads of ideas on there for anyone of any age to try their hand at making natural art sculptures. But most of it is about just getting out there and looking
See the rest of Etsy's interview with Richard Shilling at The Storque.
