Art coupled with inspiration

By Charlie Mathews, Lakeshore Chronicle

TWO RIVERS — Randy Detjen's four-week wall sculpting project was about more than creating plaster depictions of a man and a lighthouse.

"Since this is in a Lutheran school, I hope the students get the message … this is more than just art," said Detjen, a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Two Rivers.

The congregation also operates a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade school on 45th Street, and it is on two of the four cupola walls that Detjen did his free-hand sculptures.

Each one is about 10-by-15-feet. "The Lord is My Shepherd" is the theme of one creation, while the other is "The Lord is My Light and Salvation."

"We hope the students will do more than just admire the sculptings as pieces of art, but that they would take the messages to heart," said Jay Storm, school principal. "The project turned out even better than I hoped."

Detjen performed the work for his church at a substantial discount, but this week is back doing the residential and commercial projects he has done full-time since 2004, when he created his business, What A Relief Sculpted Murals.

He usually creates nature scenes or wildlife, "but I will try most anything. I will be doing a New York City skyline for an Oshkosh client," Detjen, a former engineer for Paragon Electric and Aitken-Reed, said after descending from his elevated work platform at the school.

Detjen said he doesn't do portraits, but will create people as long as they do not look like a specific person.

'Negative of woodcarving'

"In a way, wall sculpting as I affectionately call it, is the negative of woodcarving," Detjen says on his Web site, www.whatarelief.biz, of the craft he's practiced for nearly 40 years.

"Instead of removing material leaving the texture, I build up the material to create texture and that third dimension," he states.

"Over the years I've created wood sculpture in many sizes," Detjen writes. "Wall sculpting allows me to do pieces much larger than reasonably possible in wood."

The tools of the trade are plaster, usually of the same color as the wall, and putty knives he has modified.
For the St. John's project completed last week, a design committee suggested the scenes and Detjen drew sketches that were approved.

While Detjen's work is finished, students in a woodworking class at Manitowoc Lutheran High School will create the stained oak letters declaring "The Lord is My Shepherd" and "The Lord is My Light and Salvation."

This week Detjen will be in an Appleton home creating bird accents.

Whether in residential or a commercial setting, Detjen's creations could be used in stairwells, foyers, over fireplaces, hallways, reception areas, recreation room walls, executive offices, theme rooms or any area "that demands a dramatic and unique treatment," Detjen says on his Web site.

What is crucial is the proper lighting, and Detjen suggests options to clients to optimize the shadows and get the most aesthetic value out of the sculpture.

Detjen, 56, intends to stay in the business and the art form for many years to come.

"I never get bored," he said, "Every project is different. That is what is so neat."

www.whatarelief.biz

top of page