#145, Neal and Jack maquette

The Beat generation inspired an era that I wish I could have lived through. The 1960s. Not necessarily for their rebellious nature nor for the protests and the anti-government movements. And definitely not for the pop art scene with artist Andy Warhol and the abstract expressionists walking the streets. But to experience the incredible music fresh out of the gate would have been amazing.

When I was approached to design and create a monument to two 1950’s and 60’s beat writers Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady, who were instrumental in shaping the 60’s I couldn’t have been more excited. I indulged in the music of the 60’s (more then ever) and picked up Kerouac’s On The Road. And just like that I was living in the greatest decade.

The clay maquette, which is defined as a scaled down monument, was sculpted at about 1/3 scale. The pose was interpreted from a photograph by Carolyn Cassady, Neals second wife. I was very conscious of creating the close bond between Neal (on the left) and Jack. They were close friends and the photograph depicts their friendship well and so I had to pick up on these cues and re-interpret them in the clay. The comfort that these two straight men felt when hugging so close; the slight head tilt to one side, the embrace, their stance. It was all there in Carolyn's photograph and I had to pull as much as I could observe in order to create a living and breathing clay model.

Although the project is slow at getting off the ground, partially due to covid, there is still the same passion and drive to have this life size monument in bronze erected for the city of Denver, Colorado- Neal’s childhood home. The city is ready for it, the family of Neal are ready for it and a generation still moved by the beats are ready for it.

For more info about the project: https://denver.cbslocal.com/2020/01/26/neal-cassady-monument-denver/

https://303magazine.com/2019/03/cassady-kerouac-sculpture-denver/

#144, Patience and Practice

Since early January of this year I have been focused on this half life size monument that will honor Wally Stealey, a Colorado based lobbyist who helped launch the political career of many politicians. Mr. Stealey passed away in late 2017.

I have been working with Mr. Stealey’s family on the sculpture that will be cast in bronze and permanently installed at Roselawn Cemetery in Pueblo, Colorado. It will be installed on a raised concrete pad with a sandstone base under the 300 plus pound bronze monument and not far from one of my other monuments at Pueblo Community College created in 2015.

Although I’ve sculpted many large scale outdoor monuments in the last 10 years there is always something new to learn in each project. But one of the more important things I continue to develop with each project is patience. Nothing good can come too quickly I was taught when younger and entering this field. Sculpture is about mastering the art of patience. First off, it takes many years to master ones craft; spacial hand/eye coordination, human and animal anatomy, proportions, movement, expression, engineering, developing a unique style of expression, surface textures, etc. If you can master these elements you are a fraction of the way to “making it”.

The other things which are not taught in art school are equally important; maintaining a studio space, scheduling, reaching deadlines, business marketing/networking, communication skills, how to sell your own art, being a commissioned artist and how this DOESN’T mean you have to "sell your soul", and being likable and trustworthy enough to be entrusted with large sums of money. All of these are learned ‘old school’ and from not being afraid to make mistakes as you know that something will be learned from it if you mess up. 

I sometimes get people commenting how much they love something I created. How do you do this? Or What advice can you give me or my creative child? I think the shortest answer is not anything they haven’t heard: patience and practice. 

Bareback Bronc Rider by Sutton Betti, half life size, clay for bronze

#143, Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady monument

In October 2018, I was contacted by friends of the family of the 1950s beat writer Neal Cassady about honoring him and his friend, author Jack Kerouac with a life size bronze statue. The sculpture which is still in fundraising mode will be donated to the city of Denver and permanently installed in the next year or two depending on how quickly the fundraising goes. Here is a link for those interested in donating: DONATE TO THE KEROUAC/CASSADY MONUMENT. The monument was designed based off of the photograph of the late Carolyn Cassady.

My initial inspiration in honoring both of these men comes from my interest in 1950's cultural icons James Dean and Elvis Presley and other music of that era. At a young age I used to watch James Dean movies over and over and was inspired by Elvis when I was playing music. When I was a teenager I became enamored to watch a recently released movie "La Bamba" in my Spanish class at Homes Junior High. The story depicts Ritchie Valens rise to stardom in the 50's only to be abruptly taken away due to a plane crash in 1959 that resulted in the deaths of the Big Bopper, Buddy Holly as well as Ritchie. This movie and their music continues to inspire me. Even though I was born too late to experience the 1950's I was inspired by the arts of that time and the rebellious nature that persisted. It was, to me, the birth of an idea that was new and fresh and it had caught hold of just about every teenager of that era. These artists of the 1950's were questioning authority. They were quesioning everything. Why should I do this? Why shouldn't I do that? This outlook brewed in me from a young age until now. As an artist and sculptor, why should I do things the way they have always been done. Could I try this instead? This has been my moto as I create sculptures, for clients and for selling at shows. Of course, there are certain rules and guidelines that we abide by but those probably had been tested at one point in my life. My desire to be different from all other sculptors is strongly rooted in my passion for the artistic rebellion of the 1950's. And Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady were the heart and soul of this attitude.

#142, Rodin portrait relief sculpture

I have been interested in doing a series of reliefs on some of my favorite painters and sculptors for a while and this week I finally took the time to start the first of the series; portrait of Rodin.

Auguste Rodin has been an influence on my work since I first saw his sculptures at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. I was a regular monthly visitor there in the late 90's while I was a student at the Academy of Art. I would often go there to draw and sometimes even "mentally draw" (aka staring for long periods of time) at some of their large collection of paintings and Rodin sculptures. When I look back on this time, I think of how great it was to simply hop on the muni for the 10 min bus ride and walk past the well manicured golf course, cypress and eucalyptus trees and up to the museum which near the NE entrance had a beautiful view of the Golden Gate bridge when I wanted to sit and take a break. I went to the legion of honor monthly on the free admission days, which if memory serves was sponsored by a local car dealership? This was one of the ways I spent my free time, studying the masterfully crafted artworks of Rodin and others. Eventually I made my way to Stanford University's Rodin sculpture garden to see more of his sculptures and more recently to Paris at the "Hotel Biron" Rodin museum which also has a beautiful 7 acre sculpture garden of his works.

Although I can't say Rodin was as big of an influence as Norman Rockwell or Michelangelo was to me in the early years, he did have an impact on my style. He was the topic of discussion amongst fellow sculptors and some art teachers. So as I think back on my days at the academy during the most rapid growth I experienced as an artist, Rodin was a big influence. And he has continued to fascinate me with his naturalistic approach to modeling the clay and unique approach to composition.

Rodin, 15in H, clay for aluminum, by Sutton Betti

#141, Present Arms, Honor Guard (US Army) clay

The latest life size clay sculpture is this US Army Honor Guard that will be cast in bronze and permanently installed about 30 feet from the US Marine Honor Guard (completed a couple of months ago) for a Veterans park in Nebraska. Since I had sculpted the first Honor Guard in the exact same pose I was able to modify the clay for this sculpture without having to tear off the clay from the armature. This sculpture is a WWII era honor guard and it was interesting noting the differences in how they used to wear their uniforms back in the 1940’s. I particularly like the slight tilt of the cap that seemed to be common in the military back then.

Present Arms Honor Guard (Army), clay for bronze by Sutton Betti

#140, Norfolk Veterans Home unveiling

On Sunday, November 5 the Korean War memorial and World War II memorial at Norfolk Veterans Home (both additions to Norfolk Veterans Home) were unveiled. The ceremony paid tribute to our service men and women from the Korean War and WWII and included ribbon cutting, various speakers and a fly over. 

The eagle and flag sculpture measures 58" tall and weighs 290 lbs. The bronze statue sits on top of a 9 foot tall black granite and concrete column with laser etched text and images from major battles during World War II. 

The Korean War soldier statue measures 68 1/2" tall and weighs about 150 lbs. The aluminum sculpture sits on top of a 8 foot tall black granite and concrete column with laser etches text and images from major battles during the Korean War. 

WWII Memorial "Bald Eagle with American Flag", Norfolk Veterans Home, Norfolk, NE 2017

Korean War Memorial "The Forgotten Soldier", Norfolk Veterans Home, Norfolk, NE 2017

#139, preparation for installing in Norfolk

Next week I will be installing three sculptures: Freedom Wings, Bald Eagle and Flag and the Forgotten Soldier. The sculptures will be permanently installed at two Veterans Parks in Nebraska. 

Freedom Wings will be cantilevered on a granite column 17 feet above the ground. The life size female American bald eagle will be perched above a beautifully designed Veterans Park in Nebraska about to take flight. The 250 pound bronze sculpture is our symbol for freedom and strength and will soar above the park for many many years.

Bald Eagle with Flag is a 5 foot tall bronze sculpture that will be installed on top of a nine foot tall black granite column with laser etched images from WWII on the sides. The six sided column will also have laser etched words describing significant battles during the war, such as the Battle of Normandy.

Korean War Soldier, aka The Forgotten Soldier, is a statue of a life size soldier on the frontline during the Korean War. The aluminum sculpture will be permanently installed at the same sight as the Bald Eagle with Flag representing the Korean War on top of a similar black granite column representing that war. Laser etched images and text will represent scenes from the Korean War.