Artist Shawn Stachel applies brushstrokes of color during his live sculpting and painting demonstration March 23 at the John D. Dingell Jr. Visitor Center at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge in Trenton.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
TRENTON – With chisel and paint brush, Downriver sculptor Shawn Stachel brought local fish to life March 23 at the John Dingell Jr. Visitor Center at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.
The artist demonstrated each phase of his work, from shaping the rough-hewn lumber to the final painting process under the fascinated eyes of visitors.
Stachel, 42, of Wyandotte, said he starts by rough cutting the wood with a chainsaw, then he chisels it, grinds it and paints it.
He said his father taught him to sculpt at age 10, starting with hand tools.
Stachel said he enjoyed fishing as a boy, from docks and boats, in the Livingstone Channel in the Detroit River off Grosse Ile, and in the West River on Grosse Ile.
He said bringing fish to life through sculpture is fun to do, and the acrylic paint he uses on them helps make them appear lifelike.
Stachel said his cement sculptures are for outdoor display, while most of his wood sculptures are indoor art.
He said he also sculpts in fiberglass and foam.
Artist Shawn Stachel (standing, fourth from left) interacts with visitors during his live sculpting and painting demonstration March 23 at the John D. Dingell Jr. Visitor Center at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge in Trenton.
Stachel said he prefers to sculpt in wood, with poplar being his favorite, since it is easy to work with, but he has also worked with pine, oak, walnut and willow.
“I like the chiseling part the most, then painting,” he said. “Cutting it out of the tree is probably the hardest part, and the basic shape.”
Stachel said he will take commissions from people who have supplied him with wood from a tree that was meaningful to them.
“I’ve done totem poles with birds, and I have a bear order right now,” he said.
Stachel said that while most of his work has remained in the Great Lake State, some of his work is now in Florida and California.
To see more of the artist’s work, go to shawnstachel.com.shawnstachel.com.
Park Ranger Alex Gilford said that Stachel is part of the Huron River Fishing Association, which meets at the visitor center once a month for their fly-tying meetings.
“He saw the sturgeon that we have out in our exhibit hall and just shared with me that he does these fish sculpture carvings,” he said. “So, we were just brainstorming different ways that we might do programing here along with his art, and this is what we decided on: an artist demonstration.”
Gilford said the walleye run is currently happening as they come up from Lake Erie and the lower Detroit River, and from Lake St. Clair into the upper Detroit River for spawning.
“This is an internationally recognized fishing event, so when you look out on the water, you’ll see a bunch of people out on boats, and our fishing pier is getting really full right now,” he said. “After that, we’ll have the silver bass run.”
Park Ranger Erika Van Kirk said it’s fascinating to see the fish that can be caught from the wildlife refuge’s pier.
For more information about the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, go to fws.gov/refuge/Detroit-riverfws.gov/refuge/Detroit-river.