Mockingbird singing in a 'stone' oak tree
Just one of many things that I can see
Carved in stone
This is a pillar that my eyes won't leave alone.
Ammonite, scallop, even snail
Dream of Cretaceous seas you used to sail
Ancient silt
Metaphoric resurrection in the material your 'bones' built
Mockingbird sing; Mockingbird sing;
Entertain the bookish that the library site brings
Oak tree sigh; Oak tree sigh;
Your shade is only sculptural to the folks that come nearby.
Mockingbird singing in a 'stone' oak tree
Just one of many things that I can see
Carved in stone
This is a pillar that my eyes won't leave alone.
This is a pillar that my eyes won't leave alone.
This is a pillar that my eyes won't leave alone.
Like the song of the mocking bird, there are a lot of diverse things to discover on this relief sculpture in front of the Salado Public Library. Emblazoned with a banner reading SALADO, the composition features, bird, broad-leafed oak with acorns, shells.... a small natural history voyage of discovery!
Still retaining some of its 'natural' roughness, this limestone block was carved by local Texas sculptor Bob Ragan. A treat for those who come to the library.
The metal plaque on the right side of the sculpture reads:
"Salado"
Carved by Bog Ragan
Given in 2006
to all the people
of Salado by
PALS
Public Arts League of Salado.
In the stone on the left side is carved MMVI (2006, of course), as well as some 'striping.'
Unable to find much on the sculpture itself and dedication, I was able to locate quite a few articles about the sculptor. So, for the glutton's edification...
First, his studio's website (
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TEXAS CARVED STONE
Guided by our head designer and carver, Bob Ragan, our artisans carve in the traditional classical European manner. Bob has spent a lifetime studying and perfecting his craft.
By teaching his apprentices not only the skills and expertise needed to carve beautifully, but also an appreciation for classical concepts and aesthetics, Bob has insured (sic) the creation of a guild of carvers able to create works of exquisite beauty for the unique American lifestyle and sensibilities.
Bob Ragan
Bob went to Cha-Cha school in pursuit of a dancing career, but eventually turned to architecture because he has two square feet.
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A showcase of hand-craftsmanship
...Another recognized facility for stone craftsmanship in the area is Texas Carved Stone, also of Florence, TX. The company, which was started by Bob Ragan and Mary Condon in 1987, consists of a group of highly skilled artisans that specialize in architectural carvings in limestone. All of its raw material is purchased from Continental Cut Stone.
Those on the MIA tour were fortunate enough to spend some time at Texas Carved Stone’s facility, watching the talented group of craftsmen sculpt blocks of limestone into intricately detailed works of art.
As founding members of the Stone Carvers Guild, a group of independent-working professional carvers throughout the U.S., the owners are careful in their selection of employees. Condon explained that in the beginning, it was more challenging to find skilled artisans, but now that the company has built a reputable name for itself, sculptors are coming to them.
“We are one of the largest carver shops in the country,” she said. “Now they seek us out. One [carver] came down from Philadelphia, who had studied in London for two years. We also find people through the Guild.”
In addition to watching the carvers in action, the MIA group also had the opportunity to walk through the company’s European stone garden. “About three or four years ago, Bob said that we are going to do this,” said Condon. “He designed these [sculptures] all from boneyard material at Continental Cut Stone.”
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EAST Interview: Bob Ragan of Flying Fingers Stone Co-op
East Austin Studio Tour (11/14/09)
One can only imagine the reactions that someone like Bob Ragan gets when he tells people what he does for a living. Stone carver? Really? ...Wow! This reaction would be accompanied by a perplexed look as people realize what that entails. Followed by the natural conclusion that it's pretty damn cool. But, part of the puzzlement for those few seconds has to be figuring out what it actually does entail?
Carving of any kind - limestone, marble, or granite - looks beautiful as a finished product. We marvel at it in museums, parks, cemeteries, and along city blocks. But, the real magic is in watching the process - something the average person never gets to experience.
Well, for anyone who ever wanted a peek into how stone is carved, now is your chance. Ragan, along with fellow professional stone carvers Matthew Johnson and Stuart Simpson — also known as Flying Fingers Stone Co-op — will bring the wow factor to East Austin Studio Tour with on-site carving demonstrations this weekend and next.
The Flying Fingers stone-cutters will be guest artists of Dan Kagay and White Wind Woodworking, a design/build shop specializing in custom-made furniture using a variety of materials, including domestic and exotic woods, stone, glass, and metal. Kagay's wood pieces are extremely elegant without being nimble or purely decorative—they feel substantial and functional while also being beautiful.
Visit Flying Fingers Stone and Dan Kagay, who will exhibition a selection of his wood works, this weekend and next at Whitewind Woodworking, located at 777 Shady Lane, stop number 73 on the EAST map. The Austinist sat down with stone carver Bob Ragan to find out a little bit more about this ancient art form.
How did you all get started in stone carving?
I started as a brick and stonemason, and for me it was a natural progression to stone carving. As a mason I specialized in fireplaces and fountains so I could do more creative work. At the same time I studied the history of masonry and the correct way of doing things. When I got to the Gothic period—the crowning glory of man made architecture in my opinion—I knew I had to teach myself to carve stone. After teaching myself for a while, I hired on with a stone mill in Florence, TX, and cut and carved miles and miles of architectural ornamentation. In 1987 I started my own company, Texas Carved Stone. Along with my wife Mary, and over the years numerous apprentices, carvers and helpers, we continue to run the company. In 1990, Matthew Johnson, the youngest son of two of our best friends, became one of our new apprentices while attending Southwestern University. He eventually earned a degree in philosophy. Matt was, and is, a voracious learner and I grew calluses shoveling trying to satisfy his curiosity. In 1995 Stuart Simpson popped into our lives. A Southwest Texas State graduate with an art degree, he had a desire to expand his skills. Today Matt and Stu are master carvers and owners of their own stone carving shops—Matt owns Bartlett Stone and Stu owns Austin Stone Carving. I don’t know much, but I do know this: the three of us stand knee deep in a dying trade, are friendly competitors and sometime partners, and most importantly, friends for life.
Man has been carving stone in what was to become Texas
since the woolly mammoth walked down Congress Avenue.
What is the history of stone carving in Texas?
Man has been carving stone in what was to become Texas since the woolly mammoth walked down Congress Avenue. When Texas won its independence from Mexico, it inherited Spanish missions and cathedrals. Among the settlers that moved into Texas to build towns and cities were stonemasons and carvers from all over Europe and Mexico who learned their craft from their fathers and grandfathers — descendants of the artisans and craftsmen that built the incredible architecture of Europe.
How do you see contemporary stone carvers such as yourself, Matthew, and Stuart fitting into that history?
After World War I stone carving in this country experienced a steady decline. After World War II, with the turning away from classical art and architecture in favor of steel and glass and more modern lines devoid of ornamentation, the heyday of American stone carving came to an end. We, as present day stone carvers, have enjoyed and participated in a small renaissance of interest in ornamental stonework that has been happening over the past 20 years. With the economy in its present state and the steady influx of cheaply produced stone work from around the world, our commitment to the preservation and awareness of this craft is stronger than ever.
What kinds of tools do you typically use, and how have they changed over time?
Many carvers still use the old traditional tools and methods. This consists of manually swinging a wood or steel mallet to strike a hand forged chisel. Others have adopted the few modern hand tools available for stone carving. These consist of air driven pneumatic hammers and carbide tipped chisels, electric saws, grinders, drills and routers. Either way it is still a brain-to-hand process.
What will people see from Flying Fingers Stone during the East Austin Studio Tour?
As we demonstrate for the public you will see 56 years of accumulated stone carving experience in action. There will be a number of finished stone pieces on display. Dan Kagay, owner of Whitewind Studio, will have some of his beautifully crafted wood pieces, also on display. And I will have an exhibition of my latest drawings.
By austinist_brady in Arts and Entertainment on November 14, 2009
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Classy carvings Posted On: Saturday, May. 1 2010 11:31 PM
By Don Bolding Killeen Daily Herald
FLORENCE — Texas Carved Stone, on State Highway 195 six miles south of Florence, makes elaborate stone carvings to adorn multimillion-dollar houses with Texas limestone.
Bob Ragan and his wife, Mary Condon, started the business in 1987. They now have customers in Texas' large cities and many other states. Much of the stone is "creamstone" produced by local quarries, but some stone of different colors and textures comes from Big Spring, Leuders and Liberty Hill.
Some of the work is done in granite or marble. All of it is done with pneumatic hand tools.
"You can be going along in this business with hardly a chance to look up for months, and all of a sudden everything will stop, and you're left with time on your hands," he said. "It's typical. I usually use some of the time to do some sculpting."
Free-standing sculpture is different because the architectural work is made to order from architects' drawings with the architect, builder, stonemason and designer working together.
Texas Carved Stone's part of the work is done with two-dimensional drawings fleshed out by computer-assisted three-dimensional designs. Computers save a great deal of time with designs that used to be done entirely by hand, Ragan said.
"It blows their mind when you turn out a good job on time," he said. "That's why they keep using us."
The shop once had about 10 carvers. It's down to four now, but several carvers Ragan has trained have now become what he calls "tough competitors."
"But I'm proud of them," he said, "and it works out well because when we get a great big order that would swamp us, I can call these guys and we'll work on it together for everybody's benefit."
All of them are artists.
"All architectural carvers can sculpt," Ragan said, "but not all sculptors can do architectural carving. One guy I trained went back to his real passion, painting."
The business' office is full of sculpture and paintings, with one big portrait of Ragan himself and a soulful self-portrait by the artist who did it.
A large collection of books on art adorns one table, and several cats watch over the place.
Couple met in Austin
Ragan and Condon met in Austin. Before they moved to Florence in 1978, Ragan was working in masonry in Austin. The couple worked in remodeling here.
"A fellow at a stone mill asked me if I wanted to try architectural carving in 1985," Ragan said, "and I said I didn't think I could do it. He said he thought I could, so I tried it.
"A lot of the industry is mass-production, turning out one identical piece after another. That doesn't satisfy your high-end customers, though. There's a niche market for individual pieces, and I decided to fill it."
He said the usual house he works on is worth about $5 million, and he seldom has to travel to see it because he's working from specifications. "Only if it's in Hawaii," he jokes.
Residential work accounts for about 95 percent of orders, but the shop does some work on public building construction and restoration.
The typical house that sports the mass-produced pieces goes for about $1 million. Ragan said there is strong competition from China in that market.
"The Chinese have studied simple Italian fireplaces, and their people do them for about $3 a day. I continue to pay my people a good wage with good benefits. Our work is not cheap," he said.
Very little of the company's work is local because not many houses in this area are that high-end, and even the people who could afford custom stone carvings want to spend the money on other things.
"To me, 'local' means the Austin area," he said.
Carving competition
For three years, the couple have organized L'Arte Antica stonecarving competition during the Fine Arts Festival at the Vineyard at Florence, between Florence and Jarrell.
Condon recruits the carvers, who include some of the same artists that Ragan trained who now compete with him.
"We've been building it up for three years, and I get the impression it's really off the ground with this year's show," he said. "We work on the pieces right on the grounds for two days. It gets us all out of the house and gives us an incentive to do our best right there with other carvers."
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Rock star.(stone carver Bob Ragan od Texas Carved Stone)
Texas Monthly | July 01, 1996 | Ralston, Jeannie |
IT WOULD NOT BE AN EXAGGERATION to say that there is a blizzard Of activity in Bob Ragan's studio. On a sunny day in September, the cavernous metal building looks as if it were located north of the Arctic Circle instead of north of Austin. A fine white powder swirls through the air and accumulates on everything in the room: tables, tools, filing cabinets, a boombox, a bicycle. But the powder isn't snow. It's the tiniest leftovers of limestone....