“Is space curved?
I sure think so!”

— WL Nettelhorst

I started sculpting with woman and I am constantly drawn back to the sensuous, seductive form. It baffles my mind that when I carve the feminine, so many of the elements of a woman's body appear. My hands seem to know what my eyes don't see and my brain doesn't think about. Imagine your hands feeling my sculptures. Just let the intuitive side of your brain feel her body. Her ribs, hips, breasts, are all there to be sensed. It just happens as I carve. Quite the pleasant surprise.

― WLN

My First Piece

Opal (Zimbabwe)
21" x 9" x 7.5"
Finished, 2003

For more than 20 years I only did sand sculptures. Pamela took me to the Chicago Botanic Gardens and showed me the Zimbabwe stone sculptors' exhibit. She then told me I could take a class from these men. The class materials consisted of two tree stumps, a sand bag, a piece of stone, and a bag with a hammer and two chisels. The directions: "Sculpt." Three days later, My First Piece!

― WLN

6.2.120

Springstone, with chromium veins (Zimbabwe)
24" x 8" x 8.5"
Finished, 2003

After the quickness of my first sculpture, the Zimbabwe artist, Joe Mutasa, said, "Bill you must carve in harder stone." So, for my next piece I used carbide tipped tools; steel would not work on the Springstone. I had to swing the hammer hard, and still the chips of stone were very small. The chromium veins (white lines) were even harder and made the chisel jump over the vein. It took me six months to finish her. She got her name when Pam said, "To have legs like that, she'd have to be 6' 2" and 120lbs."

― WLN

Pam in Bed

Serpentine (Zimbabwe)
20" x 6" x 6"
Finished, 2004

I purchased several pieces of stone from the Zimbabwe artists. At this stage I had no idea where to get stone; I just wanted to carve. I took what ever they would sell me. This one piece was triangular, long and not a lot of mass. I looked and looked and looked at it. Then one day looking at Pam sleeping on her side I saw the sculpture. What a lovely shoulder she has.

― WLN

Ode to Sand Sculpture

Pink Alabaster (Colorado)
35" x 16" x 9"
2007

This 350-pound piece of alabaster is the biggest piece I have carved to date. I felt like I wanted to honor my very first sculpture: the lady lying face down in sand, who came magically from my hands so many years ago. I've done her proud.

― WLN

White Alabaster Lady

Pink Alabaster (Colorado)
22" x 10" x 8"
2007

I had shoulder surgery and was restricted from most any use of my left arm for 3 months. I needed something to do so I wouldn't go crazy. I found I could hold my chisel with my left hand and swing the hammer with my right. That's how I carved this beautiful lady.

― WLN

Little Alabaster Lady

Grey Alabaster (Colorado)
13" x 9" x 8"
Finished, 2008

I set out to do a miniature version of White Alabaster Lady. I took pictures and used my computer to reduce the images. While carving in my usual rhythm, I experienced chip... chip... thud. Her left leg just fell off. It's pretty obvious to me there will never be two of my sculptures alike.

― WLN