"Each sculpture is a one-of-a-kind with its individual pieces cut and shaped by hand, then assembled using a variety of welding and soldering techniques.
Working directly in metal allows me to rough in my compositions in a very spontaneous, sketchy manner, which to me is what puts the "life" into a work of art. Once the core compositional and gestural elements are in place, things slow down a bit and the refinement of the form begins. This is when the sculpture becomes more descriptive, and the character of the subject emerges.
Different metals are chosen based on the coloration I can achieve through use of their natural attributes, or the effects that heat and chemical patination will have on them.
I have been interested in art since I was a child, but it wasn't until I first put two pieces of metal together in a college sculpture course that I truly found my voice.
I have been fortunate to be able to combine my lifelong curiosity towards the natural world with a creative path that allows me to explore my own vision of what is interesting and beautiful. By continuing to push my own boundaries artistically, I hope to ensure that the journey never ends".
Don Rambadt is an American sculptor who depicts birds. Don explores the relationship of positive and negative space and manipulates this interplay in mixed metals to give the impression of life and movement. His work, although somewhat abstract, is based on anatomical accuracy, "I feel you should have an intimate understanding of your subject matter before you attempt to abstract it. This allows you to select which characteristics to emphasize, or de-emphasize, in order to create a certain feeling in the piece".
After completing his BFA in sculpture (1993-1995) and a summer print-making workshop in Florence, Italy (1995), Don began sculpting part-time while embarking on the establishment of Vanguard Sculpture Services, a full service sculpture foundry (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) where he specialized in the casting of bronze monuments. In 1997, Don began to focus on the development of his art work and in 2001 left the foundry business to pursue sculpting and exhibitions full-time. While making this transition, Don was sought out to teach an introductory welding class at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which he taught from 2000 to 2002. On to his professional experience as a Sculptor, Artisan, and Teacher, Don has volunteered with several organizations that have given him unique, hands-onexperience with birds, including volunteering with the Wisconsin Peregrine Society (1992 - 2002, banding young falcons) and The Milwaukee Public Museum (1992) as a taxidermist.