Artist Adam Long creates incredible sculptures using natural objects that explore our relationship with nature. Find more of his work by visiting his website.
![natural figurative sculpture by Adam Long](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/AdamLongSculpture_BreezeInTheBoughs.jpg)
“Breeze in the Boughs” preserved natural objects (white oak, pin oak, grapevine tendrils and amethyst), steel and artist created sculpting compound, 20” x 12” x 9”
“Magical.” I often hear that about my unique Forest Figure sculptures. They speak to what it means to be human and connected to the natural world. These sculptures came about when I understood two things about myself—I can’t stop making stuff, and I love natural objects.
![natural figurative sculpture by Adam Long](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/AdamLongSculpture_BreezeInTheBoughs_detail.jpg)
“Breeze in the Boughs” (detail)
My mother knew me well when I was a child. She provided me with a box of junk, glue, scissors, crayons and a lot of time by myself to be creative. I filled my room with all kinds of things, but that room was in a new house in a new subdivision.
![natural figurative sculpture by Adam Long](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/AdamLongSculpture_BetterThingsAhead.jpg)
“Better Things Ahead” preserved natural objects (white oak, pin oak and grapevine tendrils), steel and artist created sculpting compound 14” x 10” x 12”
I was surrounded by small trees and lots of mowed grass. I didn’t realize I loved nature until I was in college and noticed how the trees had grown. As I was pursuing a degree in art education these two passions—art and nature—came together.
![natural figurative sculpture by Adam Long](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/AdamLongSculpture_ComeWhatMay.jpg)
“Come What May” preserved natural objects (white oak and Kentucky Coffee tree petioles), steel and artist created sculpting compound, 30” x 30” x 12”
I was working on a small figure sculpture for a class. Having a strong desire to be different than everyone else in the class, I rummaged through my boxes of junk and found pine bark I’d recently collected from my backyard.
![natural figurative sculpture by Adam Long](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/AdamLongSculpture_ComeWhatMay_detail.jpg)
“Come What May” (detail)
I covered the figure with it—the piece was amazing! The resultant “tree-man” sculpture stood out in the class. Jaws dropped and I knew I was onto something special.
![natural figurative sculpture by Adam Long](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/AdamLongSculpture_InTheGreenHills.jpg)
“In The Green Hills” preserved natural objects (white oak, pin oak, grapevine tendrils, snake sheds and Japanese beetles), steel and artist created sculpting compound, 48” x 30” x 30”
By the standards I follow today, it was incredibly primitive, but I still have the sculpture to remember that initial spark.
![natural figurative sculpture by Adam Long](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/AdamLongSculpture_InTheGreenHills_detail.jpg)
“In The Green Hills” (detail)
Following this artistic path, I quickly realized that no other artist was working the way I wanted to work with natural objects. In addition to learning everything I could about drawing, painting, metalsmithing, stone carving and bronze casting, I also had to develop my own processes and skills in order to create my most unique objects.
![natural figurative sculpture by Adam Long](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/AdamLongSculpture_SilentSpring.jpg)
“Silent Spring” preserved natural objects (white oak, Kentucky Coffee tree petioles, gourd vine tendrils and feathers), steel and artist created sculpting compound, 12” x 6” x 6”
Now, decades later, I am still developing new ways of working and creating with the natural objects I gather. I’ve learned which plants produce objects that inspire my creativity and when to harvest them. I’ve developed many skills that I think are unique to my studio.
![natural figurative sculpture by Adam Long](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/AdamLongSculpture_TreeClimbing.jpg)
“Tree Climbing” preserved natural objects (white oak), steel and artist created sculpting compound, 25” x 13” x 10”
My Forest Figures are widely collected and have earned many honors for which I am humbled and grateful.
![natural figurative sculpture by Adam Long](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/AdamLongSculpture_TreeClimbing_detail.jpg)
“Tree Climbing” (detail)
I am always looking for ways to introduce stable, natural color into my works, and ways to speak about humankind’s connection to the natural world. I hope that you find wonder, mystery and a bit of magic in my Forest Figures.
Artist Adam Long invites you to follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
Lovely work. Specially using naturals.