Sculpting Granite: A Glimpse into the Process with Candyce Garrett
Just to get started, two interesting FYI's are 1) quartz and diamonds are the only stones harder than granite and 2) Candyce Garrett is the sole female monumental granite sculptor worldwide.
Her "everyday" tools of choice for carving the third-hardest stone in the world are: a chainsaw, a drill, an acetylene/oxygen rig, and grinding wheels. But her most favorite tool of all is her TH-83 Caterpillar fork lift. It has a 47 foot boom and lifts 8,000 pounds.
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Why does that matter? Well, because the majority of her sculptures are over seven feet tall and weigh close to 8,000 pounds. Below are five visual journeys documenting Candyce Garrett's creative—and incredibly physical—process.
AWAKENING, 2004
California Academy Black granite, 4’ tall x 6’ wide x 6’ deep
Replenishing the Earth, 2008
Texas red granite and African black granite, 11 1/2′ tall x 5’ wide x 12″ deep
Permanent installation at the Santa Fe Farmers Market, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Learn more here >> Artist Spotlight: Candyce Garrett
2010 - present
2010 - present
Journey, 2015
African black granite with South American green granite inlay, 8’3″ tall x 14″ wide x 8″ deep
In the permanent collection of the Tyler Art Museum, Tyler, Texas
Breaking the Glass Ceiling, 2024
Texas red granite and African black granite, 10′ tall x 6’ wide x 2 1/2' deep
