Art Chowder January | February, Issue 19 | Page 16
“I always seemed to
gravitate more toward a
ball of clay than a pencil,”
she says. “Although I
casually enjoy several
mediums, I love the
space taken up by three-
dimensional art. I love that
I can create my art from
every angle; and clay serves
that purpose well.”
I
asked what it was that rekindled that flame and inspired her to
return to her craft… “Oddly enough,” Sonja says, “my son-in-law, a
very talented and diverse artist, challenged me to a contest where he
would sketch and I would sculpt the face of a celebrity, after which
we would determine who had done the better job. We chose Tom
Selleck for our celebrity subject. I finished mine, and before he had
even started he said he had no chance of beating me.” Mr. Selleck
still hangs in her studio.
Now happily back in her artist space, she’s giving it her all.
Encouraged by nationally known Colville sculptor, Jerry McKellar,
she exhibited several pieces in conjunction with his display at the
2014 Safari Club International exhibition in Las Vegas. “We were so
happy just to be there — and we actually sold a couple of sculptures,”
she said, remembering that first foray into a major show.
From that borrowed beginning, the Metzlers are now tackling major
invitational art shows on their own. Recently returning from her
second time showing at Art Santa Fe in New Mexico, preparations
are now underway for another major show in San Diego, where a
successful showing in the 2017 KAABOO Del Mar Art Festival
garnered a return trip to the same venue for the Art San Diego Show.
Future planned venues in Seattle, New York, and Florida, attest to the
growing recognition and appreciation by the art world and its patrons
of this talented, local sculptor.
Join those who’ve experienced her work and find their own
inspiration in the sheer beauty and attention to detail that comprise
every piece. Experience it for yourself at sonjametzler.com or get
on Sonja’s e-mail list to learn of upcoming studio events or gallery
shows at [email protected].
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ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE