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I knew it - East Jessamine always were Colts at heart!...read more...

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Kind of looks like Mr. Stark had gotten bored reporting about East Jessamine in the third to last pa...read more...

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Finally someone else running against her! Joseph Hagen, you have my vote and my support for your cam...read more...

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A small portable radio sat on a bench playing hits from the 1980s as Nicholasville stone sculptor artist Rodney Hayes plied his craft on his latest project: creating stone sculptures of horses.

“Music is rhythmic,” he said. “Once there is a rhythm going, then my hammer is the metronome.”

Hayes has been designing stone sculptures for 17 years, and he wants to use his talents to help draw tourism to Nicholasville when the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games come to Lexington in September 2010.

“I’m not commissioned by the equine folks, but it’s my sole intention, seeing how Alltech (corporate sponsor to the games) is in our area, is bringing equine sculpture and making it prevalent for Nicholasville for outdoor installation.”

Before September rolls around, Hayes hopes to have five pieces completed in time for the games.

“There’s no reason why we should take a back seat to Lexington with their art sculpture when we can bring sculpture here to Nicholasville in an exterior manner, which will hopefully increase tourism to come this direction,” he said. “After all, this is horse country, and it’s not just for Fayette County.”

Hayes’ outdoor work area is a concrete pad at Derby Ridge Apartments, off Southview Drive.

He plans on showing his art at a couple Jessamine County locations.

“We’re going to try with Tommy Cobb at Town Square Bank, and we’re going to have some sculptures at the Jessamine County library, outside, and here at Derby Ridge,” he said.

Love for the arts

Hayes’ love for the arts began early in life. His father was in the Army, and that afforded him many opportunities to travel overseas and see different styles of art.

“I began stone sculpting 17 years ago,” he said. “I was taking art (classes), and I needed something that was passionate, physical and intense. So I had an epiphany: I’m going to try stone sculptures.”

“I traveled the world, and I’ve seen stone sculptures from all over, and I believe that is the most true and basic art form that I wanted to endeavor to do,” he added.

In 17 year, the tools of the trade haven’t changed.

“I still use a three-pound hammer, chisels and a right-angle grinder,” Hayes said.

Hayes said in time, the tools become an extension of himself.

“Once you’ve done certain designs, then you become one with your tools,” he said. “When you become one with your tools, it flows as if a river going over a mountain.”

Another key element to sculpting is time and pressure, he said.

“It (time it takes to finish a project) depends on the design,” he said. “From there, it’s all about manipulation and craftsmanship; it falls back into that basic discipline of craftsmanship.”

His idea of what he is going to sculpt generally comes from his mind.

“My conception comes strictly out of my head,” he said.

Festivals

Hayes stays active by attending many festivals. The festivals serve a dual purpose; peddling and educating.

“In the summer, I try to hit four to five festivals,” Hayes said. “I enjoy the exposure and I enjoy people; I enjoy their interaction. I also enjoy the educational value of the arts, because the arts is all about expression. Why repress yourself when you can express yourself?”

For more information about Hayes’ artwork, call 885-2740.

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