How to Decide What to Make?

I frequently receive this question. I believe it's a good one, and it's not as straightforward as it appears. It typically begins in one of two manners. Often, it starts with one or a few pieces that resemble something to me. From there I figure out how I am going to build my sculpture around those pieces, sometimes doing sketches on paper, sometimes doing small 3D sketches, I then construct the entire object around those pieces.

My rhino head, Audrey, serves as a great example. The whole sculpture was constructed around the eyes, which are made from antique brass doorknobs. I was given the doorknobs, and held on to them for some time, occasionally looking at them, until it became so obvious to me to construct a rhino head around them.

As I write this, I am currently working on a sea turtle sculpture, which is an example of deciding on what I want to build, and finding the parts and pieces needed to match what is in my head. As of now the back shell is almost done, starting with the squares going around the edge.

In both scenarios, the piece develops as sections are completed, and additional parts are incorporated, adjusted to fit, or constructed from existing elements. Regardless of how I begin, the final project provides a distinct sense of fulfillment.