armendarizisrael

Artists Statement:

I currently live in Manor, Texas. Born in Mexico, the third of six children, I immigrated with my family as a young boy and grew up in El Paso.

In 1963 I became interested in the stories of the Bible after watching Ben Hur, my first movie on the “big screen.” I enjoy researching and making these stories come to life and establishing a tie between Old Testament and New Testament scripture.

After graduation from High School, I studied architecture at Idaho State University for 3 years.

I moved to Lubbock in 1972 after a 12-month tour in Vietnam with the U.S. Army. I owned and operated a large Signs and Graphics business for 12 years before a 35-year career in financial services, including 6 1/2 years with FDIC as a bank examiner.

In April 2019, after encouragement from my family, I decided to retire and to give sculpting another try (my first attempt to sculpt was in1978- 1980). I completed my first pieces, “The Ultimate Sacrifice” on April 19th of 2019 and “God Prevails” was completed in May.

Most of my work is in clay which is then cast in bronze using the Lost Wax Process.

My wife and I moved to Manor, Texas in January 2021 to be closer to our grown children who live in Austin. It also put us much closer to the foundry in Bastrop.

I have no formal training but taught myself by trial and error and study of anatomy and the human form. Besides biblical pieces, I enjoy creating children and sport figures. I have completed a few of busts (portraits) for friends using old photographs.

I would like to have the opportunity someday to teach the sculpting craft to others in a small group setting.

You can view other finished clays and work in progress at armendarizstudio.com