Meet Jeremy Verne | Sculptor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeremy Verne and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeremy, why did you pursue a creative career?
I had been a digital designer for 25 years, and a woodworker for even longer, before I discovered sculpture. When I created my first piece, which was basically done on a lark, I had no idea the experience would be so impactful. It was one of those a-ha moments you hear about but either never have had yourself, or think anybody really does. I was so in the moment, and simply happy to be doing what I was doing. So just to be sure it wasn’t a fluke, I created a second, then a third piece, and had the same experience. So, just shy of 50 years old, I found out what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I create abstract sculpture from hardwoods. All of my work is carved from laminated (glued together), kiln-dried hardwood. Being a woodworker for over 35 years, I have always been drawn to the depth, warmth, and soul of the material. Creating sculpture allows me to create forms and movement that I wouldn’t have considered when building furniture. I get excited when people understand how the pieces are made, see the complexity and planning, and yet still just stare at them like they’re looking for the solution. It’s a great feeling.

As with any art, getting your work in front of people is probably the greatest challenge. I started by going to art shows, but after a couple of years found out it was too hard on the pieces, and too expensive for the majority of the crowds. Once I found the correct show for me, Sculpture in the Park in Loveland, I began to get some traction. Now it’s the only show I attend. Beyond that, galleries are the target, but those come with a different set of challenges which I’m still navigating.

Mostly what I learned was to remain confident that what I create will not just be appreciated by me and my family and friends. There are people who get as much out of what I create as I do. I’ve met them and to my never-ending delight, many of them own my work. I’ve also learned that I’m a better artist than I am a self-promoter, but you have to get over that.

While I didn’t plan it this way, I think I have a unique product. Most people that hear “wood sculpture” think chain saw bears (I have nothing bad to say about that skill). Or if they think of sculpture in general, it’s human or animal forms in bronze (again, nothing negative here). I think seeing abstract, dynamic wood forms is unexpected, I’m quite happy to be on the fringes of the medium.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I spend a lot of time in the studio, so this is a tough one. Mountain towns are always a good day trip, but I prefer them in the summer. Same with a ride on the Peak to Peak highway. As far as activities, sporting clays at Colorado Clays is more fun than you think, whether you’ve done it before or not. So is zipping around the go kart track at IMI Motorsports close to Erie. Shows at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts are always good for a more relaxing evening out. As for eating, I’m partial to the Walnut Cafe or The Parkway Cafe for breakfast in Boulder, Moxie Bread for lunch in Louisville, and The Post in Lafayette. Otherwise it’s the back yard deck and the fire pit.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The people that immediately come to mind are my wife and my parents. My wife supports me in whatever I do, but in this case she understood how this was different, and required not just emotional, but also financial support to get my art career going. As for my parents, they too have always supported me, but I think because they were in their late 70s, their perspective on finding what you love to do had changed, and understood chasing the dream.

Website: https://jeremyverne.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremy.verne