ARTHUR H. NORBY
When I began my career as an artist in 1976, it started a journey that has allowed me to explore many different styles and mediums. During this time, I have garnered recognition for my work as a sculptor – even though my paintings have evolved alongside this work. Oftentimes, painting proved to be the creative outlet for me to relax when I found myself dealing with the stress of many sculpture commissions and deadlines.
In 1996, I found myself painting more and more and began developing a unique style evident in the recent sky paintings. This style focuses on the abstract interpretation of the sky relative to the landscape and utilizes bright color combinations alongside exaggerated clouds. In essence, I am working to preserve the monumentality of a three-dimensional landscape on a two-dimensional canvas. That is why I titled y new exhibit at the West Valley Art Museum in Surprise, Arizona “Escaping Flatland”.
More than any other paintings I have done, these paintings have received the best response from people. I have witnessed the expressions on their faces as if they were seeing the real thing right before their eyes or reflecting on a moment in their lives when the sky looked similar.
It has always been my goal to create work with drama, strength and energy and through these sky paintings I believe I have achieved that as well as creating a unique style all my own.
LIST OF COMMISSIONS:
2008
STAMPEDE AT JAVELINA CROSSING, Life-size horse and rider, Carefree, Arizona.
2005
THE HONORABLE WILLIAM (BILLY) HALL, Portrait Bust, Webb County, Loredo, Texas
BARBIE, AT THE 19TH HOLE, Half Life-size, Ron and Pegge Dietz, Scottsdale, AZ
2004
HERRERA PORTRAIT BUST, Webb County Sheriff’s Department, Laredo, Texas
2003
IRONWORKER, Commissioned by Bridge & Ironworkers Local #512 in St. Paul, Minnesota, Dedicated August 26, 2003, Monumental, St. Paul, MN
LOOK — GRANDPA!, Life-size, The Village at Arrowhead, Glendale, AZ
NEWS BREAK, Life-size, The Village at Arrowhead, Glendale, AZ
2002
Senator Ernest McFarland, Life-size, Mesa, AZ
Citrus Grower, Life-size, Mesa, AZ
Farmer, Life-size, Mesa, AZ
Builder, Life-size, Mesa, AZ
THE RESCUERS, Monumental sculpture of policewoman, fireman and child, Peoria, Arizona. Dedicated February 9, 2002
LEAP FROG, Life-size of two boys playing leap from, Private Collection, Minneapolis, MN
2000
Lauren & Scott SCULPTURE GARDEN, Design of an indoor sculpture garden for The Heritage Tradition, a new apartment complex in Sun City West, AZ
1999
SUMMER DELIGHT, Life-size bronze, Private Collection, Paradise Valley, AZ
FIRST PITCH, Life-size bronze, Private Collection, Paradise Valley, AZ
DARCY, Life-size bronze, Private Collection, Paradise Valley, AZ
1998
MINNESOTA KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL, Minnesota Capitol Mall, St. Paul, Minnesota, dedicated September 13, 1998
1997
CANDICE, Life-size bronze, Private Collection, Hudson, Wisconsin
REACH FOR A STAR, Life-size bronze, Heritage Palmeras, Sun City, Arizona
SHARON and TYLER, Life-size bronze, Heritage Palmeras, Sun City, Arizona
1996
LANA, Life-size bronze, Private Collection, Benson, Minnesota
TYLER and JESSICA, Life-size bronze, Private Collection, Mound, Minnesota
1995
FLYING, Life-size bronze, Private Collection, North Oaks, Minnesota
FORTE , Mixed media, abstract, Fortis Financial Group, Woodbury, Minnesota
COMMEMORATIVE PORTRAIT BUSTS (3), Chambersburg Little League, Trenton, New Jersey
1994
CATHERINE FORD MONUMENT, Life-size bronze, Chambersburg Little League, Trenton, New Jersey
1993
LARRY BUEHLER MEMORIAL MONUMENT, Eight foot bronze, Larry Buehler Memorial Foundation, Windom, Minnesota
MILT LINDBACH PORTRAIT BUST, Southwest Minnesota Technical College, Granite Falls, Minnesota
1992
CENTENNIAL BRONZE, Thein Well, Inc., Spicer, Minnesota
1991
AMY, Life-size bronze, Private Collection, Benson, Minnesota FAMILY PORTRAIT BUSTS (6), Private Collection, Benson, Minnesota
ELIZABETH, One-third life-size bronze, Private Collection, Benson, Minnesota
1989
BRONZE SWAN, Boeing Aircraft Corporation, Seattle, Washington
1988
THE WEDDING, Lori Fredette, Bainbridge Island, Washington
BUD, Bud Fletcher, Issaquah, Washington
CHIRON, Private Collection, Edmonds, Washington
1987
DIAMOND AWARD, 3M Company, St. Paul, Minnesota
1986
GOLDEN SWAN, Private Collection, Minneapolis, Minnesota INGRID II, Private Collection, Minneapolis, Minnesota
THE TROPHY HUNTER, F. Morrell, Spicer, Minnesota
PORTRAIT OF WALTER MONDALE, Private Collection, Willmar, Minnesota
1985
SWAN, Signature Manufacturing, Inc., Burnsville, Minnesota RINGNECK, F. Anderson, Wilier, Minnesota
1984
BIG RIVER DAGO, Life-size bronze, Del Tone Kennels, St. Cloud, Minnesota
BIG RIVER RUFFY, Life-size bronze, Del Tone Kennels, St. Cloud, Minnesota LADY, Life-size bronze, Del Tone Kennels, St. Cloud, Minnesota
ROCS, Life-size bronze, Del Tone Kennels, St. Cloud, Minnesota
RITA, Private Collection, Minneapolis, Minnesota NANCY, Private Collection, Minneapolis, Minnesota
1982
MEMORIES, Communicating for Agriculture, Inc., Fergus Falls, Minnesota
UP FROM THE PRAIRIE, Private Woods Foundation, New London, Minnesota
Byerly “B” , Byerly’s, Inc., Edina, Minnesota