Heidi Temko

Fourteen years ago when I retired from my job as a geologist, I found a wonderful mentor in Judi Stickney, who taught me how to carve stone, something I had always wanted to do. Judi created beautiful stone sculptures and participated in the Placer Artists Studio Tours for many years.
The first part of my training involved learning how to carve by hand, using Italian files and chisels that are specifically made for carving stone. My first piece was alabaster, a relatively soft stone. Subsequently, I have attended several stone carving workshops and symposiums, learning how to carve with electric tools, such as angle grinders and die grinders, and pneumatic tools, such as air hammers and chisels. I learned how to “pin” my sculptures so they can be displayed on a base, and how to sand and polish to get the desired effect I am looking for.
I like to carve many different types of stones including marble, alabaster, soapstone, limestone, basalt, granite and others, and there are great variations in my designs. Each stone has its own story to tell, and my inspiration often comes from the stone itself. Each piece requires a unique approach, different tools and techniques, so my work is always challenging. Finally, each sculpture is one-of-a-kind and a representation of my creative imagination and skills.