Lawrence Schneider :: Media Info

Articles
Towson Times, 11-7-07
Frederick County Art Assoc Newsletter
Frederick News-Post, 10-14-07
Broadmead Bulletin, Oct. 2007

News Releases
Broadmead 8/2007 — download PDF

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Media Info

I look forward to talking to you. Please call, email or mail to arrange a visit or for additional information and photos about me and my work.

Larry Schneider
13801 York Rd. L-3
Hunt Valley, MD 21030
410-527-1878 or 410-527-5997

Email:

Artist Interview
This interview with Lawrence Schneider may be reproduced by reporters wholly or in part as quotes or background information.

What do you do?
I create abstract sculptures in fine hardwoods or bronze to communicate uplifting and thoughtful messages.

How long have you been doing art?
For over 50 years, creative design has been a vital part of my professional life as an engineer, systems designer and, now, as an artist. I started direct carving of wood figures in 1971 as a hobby and became a full-time sculptor in 2004.

Do you have formal art education or training?
I’m entirely self-trained in art. I have a BS degree in engineering and an MS in computer systems management.

What is your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from my own life experiences as a husband, father and grandfather; and from the examples of people like Mr. Fred Rogers.

How does what you do benefit people?
People who appreciate the aesthetics of my sculptures and relate to their insightful messages feel uplifted as a result.

What is your passion?
My passion is to use simple abstract sculptures to communicate fundamental ideas about being human.

Isn’t it difficult to communicate such concepts with abstract forms?
I love the challenge. For viewers who want to know what I was thinking when the work was conceived, I usually provide a narrative to describe my concept and inspiration.

What is your primary goal?
My greatest joy is to see viewers of my work receive insight and pleasure. One person was so moved by “Mother & Child” that she wrote a poem about the experience. Reactions like that make all of my effort worthwhile.

Why do you call yourself a Mr. Rogers of abstract sculpture?
Fred Rogers set an example, not only for children who were his primary focus, but also for adults. In an uncertain world, his authentic voice told us there is power and strength in gentleness and simple kindness. I share this philosophy. The messages of my sculptures are witness to the strength of such feelings.

How is your art different?
My art is unique in several ways: 1) the sculptures communicate thoughtful messages. 2) they have graceful, aesthetically pleasing forms, and 3) they are made with care and skill to achieve the highest quality.

What is your top talent?
I have a talent for conceiving simple sculptural forms to convey inspiring messages that resonate in our stressful contemporary culture.

What do you stand for?
I stand for thoughtful ideas, pure aesthetics and the highest quality.

Do you prefer working in wood or bronze?
They are both interesting and fun in their own ways. Wood has much beauty and is pleasing to carve. With the wood sculptures, I do everything from start to finish, but wood requires more of my time than does bronze. Bronze conveys sculptural tradition and strength. A wonderful variety of patinas and finishes can be applied to bronze. I make the maquettes (models) and work with a special art foundry to cast the bronze works.

Do you ever run out of new creative ideas?
Not so far. My most creative ideas come to me when I am totally relaxed. To help me achieve this feeling, I try to make time each morning to use a relaxation technique. There are usually more concepts in my idea pipeline than I have time to implement.