Outdoor Sculpture = Artistic Expression

Leonardo DaVinci had his Mona Lisa, Schubert his Serenade, and Hemingway his Kilimanjaro. You can create masterpieces too, and for inspiration you don't need to look any further than your own backyard. Outdoor sculptures and garden statues enjoy a long tradition of providing a perfect way to express your creativity.

If you haven't chosen and bought outdoor sculpture before, it can be a daunting task. Should you choose a large outdoor modern sculpture or a smaller, more traditional stone statue? Would a metal outdoor wall sculpture look best or a painted wood wall collage?

Before you choose a sculptural medium for your outdoor artistic expression, it's helpful to think about the basics.

Setting

As any outdoor designer will tell you, where you place outdoor sculptures is as important as the sculptures themselves. Take note of the size, shape and color of the empty spaces in your outdoor environment, and choose sculptures that create the effect you desire. The market offers an endless variety of colors, shapes, sizes and styles of outdoor sculpture to choose from.

Outdoor sculptures can become a focal point in the setting or blend in. Sometimes the most delightful outdoor art is hidden in a bank of ferns or standing secretly behind a tree. Sculptural outdoor wall art helps bring depth and beauty to house or office walls adjacent to patios, decks, walkways and courtyards.

Materials

Think carefully about sculpture materials that will harmonize with your landscape best. The material helps you set a mood and style in outdoor spaces, and make a statement that is unique to you. Outdoor sculpture can be made of almost anything that can withstand the rigors of weather and daily sun. Some materials are easier to care for than others. Here are a few of the most popular materials for outdoor sculpture:

• Wood
• Stone
• Bronze and Brass
• Copper
• Ceramic
• Glass
• Plastics, Resins
• Cement

Size

Outdoor sculpture sizes range from small enough to fit in your hand to large outdoor sculptures that require special transportation and professional installation. Small outdoor sculptures are perfect for secret grottos and recesses, patio tables, small flower gardens and steps to the house. You might want to position smaller outdoor sculptures where they are unlikely to be stolen by passersby.

Before you begin looking for larger outdoor sculptures, be sure to measure the space and gauge the impact the sculpture will have visually. Keep in mind the extra effort and expense of transporting, installing and anchoring oversized outdoor sculptures.

Style

Traditional outdoor statues include lifelike sculptures of plants, animals, humans, dwarves, angels and more. The classical feel of these outdoor art objects fit a specific style that's suitable for complementing traditional building styles. Contemporary outdoor sculptures tend to feature more imaginative and highly stylized designs inspired by geometric shapes and basic life forms.

No matter what the style, outdoor sculptures of all types can take the form of abstract art that is easy to blend with any outdoor environment. Look for fountains, sundials, birdbaths, totem poles, windmills, mobiles and gazing balls.

Whether it is a favorite patron saint or a geometric wind whistle, outdoor sculpture and statues are a wonderful way to experiment with style, form and color to give your home or office a look and feel distinctive to you.