SCULPTURE

In 1996, sculptor Patricia Raney simultaneously launched my career as a physician and, under the guidance of stone carver Ellen Sidor, became passionate about carving. Raney is largely self taught, but her training in art came mostly from her mother, who is both a painter and an art historian The technique she uses is known as taille directe, or direct carving, a term introduced by Constantin Brancusi. She does not use a maquette or preliminary drawing, rather she starts carving directly into the stone until the final composition emerges. Using only hand tools: chisel, point, claw, rasp, and carbide sandpaper Patricia’s pieces proceed slowly as she interacts with the grain and contours of the stone. Patricia Raney holds a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology from the University of Colorado, and a doctorate of medicine from the University of Massachusetts.