Texas Sculpture Association

Artist Spotlight Interview

Jerry Daniel

February, 2012

Jerry L. Daniel

What type(s) of art do you like to create?

My primary focus  is welded steel sculpture.

Where did you learn to do what you do?

I am still learning. Now, mostly by doing and making mistakes. Mistakes teach me more than successes. I majored in art in college and art has been my passion since childhood.

Tell us about your most important projects.

Uh-h-h-h that is a very difficult request. When I’m in the process of making art, it is paramount. Sometimes my most important work is a solution or inspiration that gets my attention. This can occur anywhere at any time whether welding, driving, or mowing the lawn. However, for another answer it would be various commissions through the years. From the sculptural fountain for the city offices of Pineville, Louisiana in 1973 to the Dancers at the Hall Office Park in Frisco, The La Villita Dancers in Irving. Currently, I’m working on a commission for Baylor Hospital and a private collector in Philadelphia to be installed this spring.

Describe your studio.

I built my current studio in about 1986. Its a small 26’x28’ Quonset type structure, barely adequate to accommodate my tools and work tables. The best thing about my work space is its location.  It’s on a couple of acres in the country between Denton and Sanger near Lake Ray Roberts. It’s quiet except for nice country sounds like birds by day, owls and coyotes at night. I’m from west Texas and I like open space and my west view lets me see the sky for miles. I bought this place for the view.

Sometimes in the summer my studio is under a tarp strung between Ponderosa Pines on our property in Colorado that we’ve camped on for over twenty-five years.

What type of music do you listen to while you work?

When I have music on it is usually classical, or strictly instrumental, orchestra, guitar or flute.  Jazz is good too but I find lyrics distracting.

Where do you find your inspiration?

For me, during the very act of making a sculpture I will be inspired by what I want to do on the next piece. The work itself begets more work. I could easily talk for an hour about  how specific inspirations have occurred with me; however, I do need to include that I’ve been inspired by my wife for the last twenty-seven years.

Do you have any advice for other artists?

Find another line of work. If nothing can discourage your pursuit of making art, you may have what it takes to be successful. And the measure of success isn’t in dollars.

Do you belong to any art organizations?

Texas Sculpture Association and the Sculpture Network of Texas.

Do you have a website?

www.jdaniel.com

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