Ron Scherer's wood sculptured birds looked so real that I
thought I'd better be quiet for fear they'd take flight at the slightest sound. Even seeing these pieces of art up close, my mind seemed tricked by the intricate detail of the carving
and painting. I had to remind myself that these birds were not the work of a taxidermist, but that they were wood sculptures, crafted by a most talented artist.
Ron's skill in recreating birds, combining sculpture and pa
inting, is a result of his many years as an accomplished artist, student of ornithology, and his field
observations. He states that one of his most pleasant experiences was being in the woods with his then 13 year old son and observing and tracking the American Redstart,
the Butterfly of the Bird World, for approximately a month. All this paid off for Ron later as his American Redstart sculpture was selected for the North American Sculpture
Exhibit in 1985. In 1982 his Yellow-Shafted Flicker won a Merit Award for Best of Category at the Festival of the Masters held at the Walt Disney World Village in Orlando, Florida.
One could make the natural mistake in thinking that Ron has a degree in Fine Arts.
However, Ron's degree is in Industrial Management. At a very young age, he had his own General Contracting business. He later worked for AT&T as Regional Assistant
Treasurer and was responsible for the payroll of 60,000 people in 28 states.
"So why birds?" I asked. Well, Ron stated he began drawing and painting in childhood. He had an early appreciation
of nature, which is reflected in his sculptures. He saw a sculpture of a bird in a friend's home, and thus began years of ornithology. His friend introduced Ron to an
international artist who taught Ron sculpting techniques and the need for research. Ron had to learn to watch birds…how they walked….how they perched….how they flew, etc. He also had to
study their anatomy as each bird is very different from the other.
The free-standing birds are sculptured in basswood as this wood has less grain than other woods and is very smooth when sanded. In this phase, they are meticulously detailed to create individual feathers. Particular attention is given to the formation of the wings in order to convey the sense of motion. The Ruby-Throated Hummingbird is a classic example of this fine detail. The legs and talons are intricately crafted of brass.
In painting the birds with acrylics, Ron gives careful attention to the color variations of the feathers and the distinctive markings of each specific bird. Each sculptured bird is an original. Ron's birds are in private collections in several states today. He will accept commissions. If you are interested, please write to us at OOL@cncnet.com.
Ron's talent also includes a series of scenic pen and ink renderings. Of particular interest to this native-born Hawaiian, is a series done of various attractions on the Island of Maui.
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