25 Sculptures on my 25th StoryPeople Anniversary

I started painting sculptures and other StoryPeople art pieces in 2001. Like everyone on our small crew, I've come to wear many different hats doing a variety of fun, rewarding and creative things. 

When I get the chance, I love restoring our vintage sculptures, as well as making new ones: one-of-a-kinds alongside pieces from the early years through the most recent times. Some have been around for 30 years or more, waiting to be completed.

I didn't plan for 25 restored pieces to be ready on my 25th StoryPeople anniversary, though when I sat at my painting table last Wednesday, and it occurred to me that exactly 25 would be ready on Friday, I could see the poetry.

It echoes the meant-to-be moments I've found so many times through the years when a story and its art resonate with someone and it seems like the sculpture found them as much as they found it. When the piece has been waiting for 10, 15, or 30 years, it's like the broken leg, faded text, scuffed paint or missing face was a necessary pause, and I somehow picked that particular one up because I needed to get it ready now, for them.

As you can probably tell, I am a bit of a hopeless romantic. But as I look at these 25 pieces finally ready to leave the studio, I just can't help but wonder who they have been waiting for all these years. Maybe one of them is meant just for you.

All the best,
Ren