Tom Wheeler

Creating things of beauty is one of my great sources of joy and satisfaction. The whole process, conception to completion can be, and usually is, a most rewarding experimental journey. I feel blessed by the good fortune of having done this kind of work professionally for more than forty years. I am also most grateful that it still continues to nourish, excite and fulfill my life the way it does.

My current work involves creating both wall-art and jewelry. The jewelry pieces are either simple stone compositions meant to represent what I call “Stone Spirit” figures, or more elaborate expressions done with silver and stone and the occasional added accent of gold.

My main focus is the artwork, wall-piece constructions done in stone and wood on textured, painted backgrounds. The art also comes in two distinct flavors or themes. One is abstract, made up of compositions that play with the many shapes, colors and textures found in these materials. The second is a representational flavor which is inspired by the petroglyph images of ancient southwest cliff dwellers and by the katsinas (mythical beings) found in today’s Native American Hopi culture. Central to these pieces are the stone figures, dressed in ceremonial robes with large fancy collars and masked faces whose ancient eyes peer out into today’s world. They are my “Stone Spirit Shamans.”

I hope these creations do in some way serve to bring a little added joy and beauty into our world. Thank you for your time and interest.

May you walk in balance and experience harmony.