The Artist’s Birthday
Spears Family with Monument of Craig Sheldon at the Fairhope Museum
This month we are celebrating my husband Steve, the Artist’s birthday. This has been an amazing year for him. For years he has worked on monumental sculptures, and for years before that, he worked to get commissions. This year he has installed three monumental sculptures, two of them were in France. On Veteran’s Day, another of his monuments will be installed in Wheaton, Illinois. It has been a banner year.
Above we are at the dedication of a monument of Craig Sheldon. (note to self: Fire stylist.) Craig is no longer living, but he was one of the early Fairhope artists. He was a woodcarver, writer, sculptor, storyteller, and local pundit. Once when Craig was so sick of the local politicos, he decided to run for Mayor just to stir the pot. His famous campaign promise was to fill the local water tower with gin. He got a little nervous when he almost won the election! Steve was honored to be able to create this tribute to such a fine man who was so important to Fairhope’s history.
Steve is a remarkable person. We have both always believed in his artistic ability and his intelligent mind. He is the most talented artist I have ever met. In 2000, we both quit our jobs at the same time, him to become a working artist and me to be home with the kids and to raise alpacas. Money was often tight, and there were many times when I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from asking him to go get a “real” job. But I have always had the feeling that I was meant to be by his side, encouraging him to be the artist that he is today. With his talent, it seems impossible that God wants him to do anything else with his life. Above is Steve’s monument, on the beach in Normandy, France, honoring members of the U.S. Navy who served our country on D-Day.
One of the perks of being the wife of a man this talented is that I was able to have this portrait done of my oldest daughter when she was three years old. Now if he can get around to doing the other three before they are in college…
To see more of Steve’s work you can visit his website for Spears Creative Studio.
November 7th, 2008 at 4:30 am
Happy Birthday Steve! I count it a privilege to know you and your family.
Who a man’s family is says a lot about just who a man is. What a man does says a lot about just who a man is. Each of these things shout to the world,”Here is a good man! Enjoy your day,
Mac McFatter
July 27th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
Curious what the statue in Wheaton commemorates Just found your website, a year late for the contest.
My Uncle Bob was in WWll and lost his life in the Battle of the Bulge. He is buried in Margraaten Holland. I visited this cemetery on Memorial Day in 1968. It was the most moving Memorial Day I have ever experienced. I was a teen, Our country was heavily involved in Viet Nam and I just kept hearing,” Where have all the soildiers gone’ playing over and over in my mind. The rows and rows of Crosses and Stars of Davids will be forever imprinted in my mind. Uncle Bobby’s girlfriend never married. She stayed in contact with my aunts in the home town. My aunt let me read the letters from the soldiers to the family. It was hearbreaking. I never met Uncle Bobby but I felt like I knew him.