Artist to demonstrate sculpting, watercolor during October events

ARDMORE -- Sculpture and watercolor will take center stage October 20-21 at The Noble Foundation's first Profiles and Perspectives presentation of the 1999-2000 season.

L'Deane Trueblood, a renowned sculptor and artist, will be hosting demonstrations in both media at the Charles B. Goddard Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Ardmore. The session on bronze sculpting is scheduled for 7:30 pm Wednesday, Oct. 20; the watercolor portrait demonstration is set for 7:30 pm Thursday, Oct. 21. Both sessions are free to the public.

Sessions for students are scheduled at 10:00 am (sculpture) and 1:00 pm (watercolor) Oct. 21.

"L'Deane is a very talented artist," explained Joe Lobell, a member of the Foundation's Profiles and Perspectives program committee. "Her most noteworthy creations involve life-size bronze sculpture of children. Her work has been featured in numerous museums in the West and can be found in public and private collections throughout the United States. These presentations in Ardmore will give the people of Southern Oklahoma an opportunity to see and appreciate her work as well as learn some of the tips and techniques she uses in creating these outstanding works of art."

Trueblood lives in St. George, a picturesque community in the southern part of Utah. She often adapts the striking scenery of the region and other places she has traveled in her landscape, portrait and still-life works.

"Most aspiring artists assume they must go to New York or some other major art city to achieve their goals as artists," she said. "Who would have thought that when I chose to move to the small town of St. George and become a Utahan 25 years ago, it would be the best possible place for me to develop as an artist. Through the years, while I was developing and polishing my craft, I observed an increasing recognition being given to Utah as a source of exceptional art and artists."

Before moving to Utah Trueblood spent many years in Europe and the Middle East while her husband served command positions in the Air Force. And one of those locations left an inspiring impression on L'Deane, not one to shy away from adventure.

"In Turkey I was with a party of Americans who climbed Mt. Ararat, the highest peak in Europe," she explained. "That climb was a life-changing experience for me. I discovered that my limits were way beyond what I had thought and I realized I could do anything. My mantra has become a quote from Goethe: Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it -- boldness has genius and power!"

Trueblood has received numerous awards for her art, including the 1995 Talix Award from the New York Pen and Brush Club, and the Kimball Gallery Award in the 1998 Rocky Mountain Invitational. She recently placed monuments at two locations in southern Utah: one on the Dixie College campus and the other in honor of pioneer Sarah Sturdevant Leavitt.

"I am inspired by the eloquent things I see in the faces of people," Trueblood noted. "In the beautiful forms and features of the human body, whatever the age, can be seen the illuminating evidence of our creator. I believe I am looking at a visible record of the life and work of the spirit within.

"In the lines, wrinkles, expressions and proportions there is a code for all to see and respond to, whether consciously or unconsciously," she added. "The portrait artist's task is to seek that essence of spirit and make it visible and still be aware of what it takes to make an interesting painting."

The October program will be the first of four Profiles and Perspectives events sponsored by The Noble Foundation during the next six months. Adm. William Crowe, retired head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will be in Ardmore December 10 to discuss military and geopolitical issues. Steve Gilliland, motivational speaker and corporate trainer, will present a program for the public February 3. Researchers from the National Severe Storms Laboratory will discuss tornado development and the technology used to detect and study them at a presentation tentatively scheduled for early March.

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