Aaron Paskins

Dover

Established
Visual Arts: Sculpture

By: Gail Obenreder

“My goal is . . . to create works that electrify, inspire, unify all people, and leave the world with some added beauty.”

It’s not surprising that Aaron Paskins began drawing and painting at the young age of seven; he comes from a long line – four generations – of landscape artists and portrait painters. “I learned composition, color, and good taste from my aunt . . . but my father, a master of technique, gave me the tools.”

“Adjo,” 2019, resin, clay, iron oxide patinas, with bullhorn necklace, 3 x 2 x 1 feet

Paskins’ father – an artist, entrepreneur, and World War II veteran – made the young artist  “practice, practice, practice, and . . . I know now he was building my foundation.” And through decades of work Paskins has continued striving to improve his artistry and refine his message of love and unification.

The youngest of three children and a longtime Delaware resident – who’s also lived, worked, and exhibited in Florida – was born in Dover, once again his home. Paskins is intimately connected to the capital city and its history, since his mother was a long-time factory worker at Dover Air Force Base. Both parents actively encouraged his artistry, working to honor his youthful creative aspirations and providing him with “many great museum trips and independent studies.”

“Ashanti,” 2019, resin, clay, iron oxide patinas, paint, custom necklace and fabric, 3 x 2 x 1 feet

Paskins’ sculptures are inspired by “the human body, [its] motions, movements and gestures. The human anatomy is the greatest subject.” In his work, the artist seeks to create sculptures “that will inspire us as humans to think, grow, appreciate, and love the experience of life itself.” Because of the scope of his desire to connect people of all nationalities, Paskins is challenged not only by the research required for his sculptures but also by his own creativity and what “I can actually create.”

In sculpting his dynamic, expressive figures, the artist seeks to create works that will inspire viewers them to “think grow, appreciate and love the experience of life itself. He finds his greatest reward is in seeing “the excitement  . . . the expression on people’s faces” when they come in contact with these works created to “touch all people and cultures.”

“Chikelu,” 2019, clay, fiberglass, marble bull horns, custom necklace with feathers, 4 x 3 x 2 feet

Paskins constantly looks for ways to unify people, and “for now, art is my best tool.” The Division’s Fellowship gives him a perfect opportunity to “share my artistic vision with a larger audience in Delaware” and receive feedback that will propel him forward – like his sculptures, “constantly moving artistically, and never static.”

Artist website: Ourstorystudiosart.com

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