I've always been profoundly interested in the human figure, and in the representation of dynamic motion. My sculptures, drawings, and paintings revolve around these basic concerns, fussing the undistorted, non-truncated figure with various abstract forms. I'm mainly influenced by the Renaissance, Abstract Expressionism, and pure abstract sculpture such as that of Arp and Brancusi. It has long been exciting to me to think of the beautiful draperies of a Raphael painting, or Michelangelo's drawing of the risen Christ, as fused with their figures in a seamless integration. Similarly, I wish to see a beautiful Arp sculpture flowing with a beautiful human figure.

My strongest inspiration comes from music, especially classical, and most especially Beethoven, though I am extremely fond of many other forms and composers.

Richard Claraval 2009...