L'Deane Trueblood

A slight turn of the head. A distant gaze. A moment of quiet poise. Each are essential elements of L'Deane Trueblood's captivating bronze sculptures that grace homes, gardens, and private collections all across the United States and abroad. L'Deane Trueblood has received national acclaim for her sensitive portrayals of the human face and figure through her bronze sculpture. Her achievements have helped her establish a solid reputation, and have earned her wide recognition in the art world. She is listed in "Utah's 100 Most Honored Artists, in Who's Who in American Art, and was featured in Feminine Fortunes "Fifty Most Successful Women, 2003". Much of her commissioned work involves painting and sculpting children. In these tender portraits and statues, L'Deane has done some of her most satisfying and beautiful work. Her skill at capturing a childlike expression is unmatched. She has received many top awards for both painting and sculpture in regional and national shows. Her works may be seen in many private and corporate collections throughout the country, including several museum collections.

With her husband Col. Roger Trueblood, USAF, L'Deane traveled widely, living in Washington, DC, Naples Italy, Germany and Ankara, Turkey before settling in St. George in 1973. She now works from her studio in the beautiful red rock country of Southern Utah. An active supporter of the arts in her community and state, she has served on several boards including two terms on the board of the Utah Arts Council by appointment of two governors. She helped establish "Art Around the Corner" for an exhibit of sculpture in downtown St. George. She and her late husband have three grown children, all artistically talented, and 9 wonderful grandchildren.

What is more beautiful than the face of a child? For more than 25 years I have been charmed by the tender beauty in their faces. Translating those soft, delicate shapes into the permanency of bronze has become the hallmark of my work.

I want to pay tribute to them, to celebrate their remarkable spirits. The subtle, evocative qualities of my life-size bronzes of children reflect their innocent and innate intelligence. Children have a very rich inner life, not always recognized. Seeing them every day helps me to memorize their forms and gestures. In my sculptures, I love to capture their natural poise, energy, and innocence.

People always ask if the faces are inspired by my own children or grandchildren. Actually, I seldom use the face of a model unless it is a commission for a portrait or a bronze statue of a real person. Rather, I frequently find myself observing people. There is a store of remembered faces and forms in my memory and when I start a new sculpture, I usually work on the face very early so the piece begins to speak to me. The features develop in the clay as if there is a face wanting to appear.

Often they do have a resemblance to other faces I've done, and maybe at times even resemble someone in my family, but then again, sometimes it surprises me. For instance when I was sculpting 'Garden Sprite', her charming, little face was quite different and as I studied the finished result, it made me smile because it reminded me of a face in a Norman Rockwell painting.

I have learned much from studying faces over the years and it still is the most fascinating part of what I create.