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Famed marble
Area artist pursues expression through sculpting
By Louisa Barber
Sidney Herald
Published on Friday, September 25, 2009 4:29 PM MDT
It was just over a week ago Dr. John Andelin, Williston, N.D., revealed his latest piece of artwork to a
prominent figure in recent history.
A marble statue of former President George H.W. Bush was unveiled Sept. 17 at the George and Barbara
Bush Center in Biddeford, Maine, an affiliate of the University of New England, with the subject himself in
attendance.
“I feel honored to have done it,” Andelin said in his Sidney Health Center office last week. “I’m gratified
that he likes it. As a sculptor, it’s a challenge to try to create a likeness of someone that will be both
realistic and that they will approve.”
However, such a feat doesn’t seem to faze the pathologist, who spends what time he can in his Williston
studio working on a love that began with wood carving at age 15. That hobby eventually led to a serious
interest in wood sculpture which then morphed into marble sculpture.
“I’ve always enjoyed art. I don’t know how to describe it,” he said. “I feel like an artist has a way of
expressing. You can express yourself through art. I guess that’s what gets me motivated.”
Most of his collection is religious in nature, though he’s begun to do corporate sculpture. On his Web site
Heroic Marble, which features pictures of him hard at work along with finished products, is a description
of his philosophy on the art.
“I believe that the creator of sculpture or any piece of art should strive for beauty...” he said. “In creating
sculptures, my goal is always to idealize human values.” Adelin says he enjoys direct carving from stone
as it “presents unique challenges.” Not only is it more labor intensive than other methods, but there is also
little room for goofs – one reason why the art form has dwindled over many years. He enjoys the classic
timelessness of his art, though he says he’s not influenced by just one artist. “I’ve studied a lot of the
classical marble sculptures of the past ranging from Renaissance artists up to the 1800s. I draw
inspiration from really different artists.”
His sculpture of Bush has been the largest piece yet, standing at a giant 9 feet, which took him an
estimated four and a half years on a part-time basis. Yet he has more to show. His collection of art
includes “Bust of the Savior,” “The Dawning of a Brighter Day,” “The Eternal Judge” as well as a few
others.
Still, Andelin says there’s potential for more. Currently, the sculptor is in talks with officials from Texas
A&M to create a possible sculpture of George W. Bush for the health sciences center. He may also be
involved in doing marble pieces for Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Arlington National Cemetery.
Long story short, cemetery officials are considering replacing the tomb because of developing cracks.
Some of his art is already on public display with two pieces in Utah in addition to work already in the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and, of course, his presidential piece in Maine.
It’s a wonder how a hobby-turned-passion turned into a vehicle toward working with the elite. “One step
at a time,” he said. Now, Andelin has a sort of public relations person, but it hasn’t been easy getting his
name out. These days Andelin can be found slowly working away on bigger, more difficult projects.
“If you look at the whole project, it’s a daunting challenge, but you have to divide it up into little tasks
everyday, and you kind of set goals for yourself,” he said. “Eventually, day after day, then it can amount
to something.”
Curious art lovers are invited to take a look at his pieces on his Web site, http://heroicmarble.com. Andelin
may be contacted through the site.
http://heroicmarble.com
Famed marble
Area artist pursues expression through sculpting
By Louisa Barber
Sidney Herald
Published on Friday, September 25, 2009 4:29 PM MDT
It was just over a week ago Dr. John Andelin, Williston, N.D., revealed his latest piece of artwork to a
prominent figure in recent history.
A marble statue of former President George H.W. Bush was unveiled Sept. 17 at the George and Barbara
Bush Center in Biddeford, Maine, an affiliate of the University of New England, with the subject himself in
attendance.
“I feel honored to have done it,” Andelin said in his Sidney Health Center office last week. “I’m gratified
that he likes it. As a sculptor, it’s a challenge to try to create a likeness of someone that will be both
realistic and that they will approve.”
However, such a feat doesn’t seem to faze the pathologist, who spends what time he can in his Williston
studio working on a love that began with wood carving at age 15. That hobby eventually led to a serious
interest in wood sculpture which then morphed into marble sculpture.
“I’ve always enjoyed art. I don’t know how to describe it,” he said. “I feel like an artist has a way of
expressing. You can express yourself through art. I guess that’s what gets me motivated.”
Most of his collection is religious in nature, though he’s begun to do corporate sculpture. On his Web site
Heroic Marble, which features pictures of him hard at work along with finished products, is a description
of his philosophy on the art.
“I believe that the creator of sculpture or any piece of art should strive for beauty...” he said. “In creating
sculptures, my goal is always to idealize human values.” Adelin says he enjoys direct carving from stone
as it “presents unique challenges.” Not only is it more labor intensive than other methods, but there is also
little room for goofs – one reason why the art form has dwindled over many years. He enjoys the classic
timelessness of his art, though he says he’s not influenced by just one artist. “I’ve studied a lot of the
classical marble sculptures of the past ranging from Renaissance artists up to the 1800s. I draw
inspiration from really different artists.”
His sculpture of Bush has been the largest piece yet, standing at a giant 9 feet, which took him an
estimated four and a half years on a part-time basis. Yet he has more to show. His collection of art
includes “Bust of the Savior,” “The Dawning of a Brighter Day,” “The Eternal Judge” as well as a few
others.
Still, Andelin says there’s potential for more. Currently, the sculptor is in talks with officials from Texas
A&M to create a possible sculpture of George W. Bush for the health sciences center. He may also be
involved in doing marble pieces for Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Arlington National Cemetery.
Long story short, cemetery officials are considering replacing the tomb because of developing cracks.
Some of his art is already on public display with two pieces in Utah in addition to work already in the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and, of course, his presidential piece in Maine.
It’s a wonder how a hobby-turned-passion turned into a vehicle toward working with the elite. “One step
at a time,” he said. Now, Andelin has a sort of public relations person, but it hasn’t been easy getting his
name out. These days Andelin can be found slowly working away on bigger, more difficult projects.
“If you look at the whole project, it’s a daunting challenge, but you have to divide it up into little tasks
everyday, and you kind of set goals for yourself,” he said. “Eventually, day after day, then it can amount
to something.”
Curious art lovers are invited to take a look at his pieces on his Web site, http://heroicmarble.com. Andelin
may be contacted through the site.
Dr. John Andeliln working on sculpture of
President George H.W. Bush
President George H.W. Bush