The Artist

I am Shipman Schaum, a self-taught metal sculptor and artist born and raised in historic Montgomery Alabama. Many people say my story as an artist is as unique as my art. As a teenager I was determined to create and share my imagination in a different way.  So at the early age of 14 I saved and purchased a welder, where I taught myself to weld. Welding gave me the freedom to express my imagination in metals. I have always had a fascination with the abilities of metals and their longevity.

From that point forward I have constantly trained and studied new techniques to master my skills, often by trial and error or by discovering long forgotten techniques.  I have never relied on other people and believe if I wanted something then I would teach myself to make it. Being that I create mostly in 3D, I feel alone in my own world at times.  As an artist I work with what is around me.  Working from pieces of salvaged and recycled materials, many of these pieces being castaways speak to me in visions of what they want to become. I tend to use the natural colors of the materials or paint them to convey a form of realism. This makes each of my works one of a kind and hand crafted. I have always believed that art is constantly changing and a true expression of growth of my soul. Most of my sculptures start with a visual image and can become truly limitless. Having the curiosity of interest in many things that are unique and different, has trained me to look for and study the minutest details in subjects I work to create.

I spend a great portion of my life enjoying and exploring the outdoors, which I get great inspiration from nature and wildlife.  As most of my works are human or animal like figures filled with messages and purpose, but some are from different dimensions.

There are many things I would like to accomplish with my art. Being that each piece is uniquely different the overall greatest accomplishment is the gratification of taking something from a vision of my imagination or realism to the form of reality, and seeing others enjoying it as much as I do.

This website was built to share that imagination in art with the world. I have been creating works my entire life, each piece has a special place with in me.  Because I create what I like art is the freedom of self-expression in life. It was in 2007 that I saw an interest by others in purchasing my works.  Sense then I have sold to private collectors, public collections and displayed in galleries, museums and public spaces. With some private collectors owning more than ten pieces of my work, some pieces will always stay with in my collection for pleasure.