When I was a kid, in the early fifties, before Alaska and Hawaii became states, I was given a jigsaw puzzle of the contiguous United States. I could see a smiling face in the piece for Minnesota, with the Mississippi shaping a smile, Lake Superior creating a nose, Minnesota and Red rivers outlining the ear.
Ever since then, I see a smiling face whenever I see the shape of Minnesota. Even on the sleeves of state highway patrol officers filling my driver’s side window, and those gray granite monoliths welcoming travelers to the state. I still see this smiling face.
So I drew it, and made greeting cards.
Then sculpted it out of clay. Next I had a mold made and poured eight solid concrete statues. They weigh 17 pounds each. I painted each one, named and numbered them. I sealed them so they can weather four seasons, or smile down from a fireplace mantel.
I have three statues left to sell before I pour my next series, which might be painted in winter or lake colors. Who knows what comes next.
Greeting cards: $4 each
Garden statues: $150 each. Please contact Katy to view available statues. New series will be unveiled Summer 2015.
