Lea Ann Cogswell, Artist's Biography

Modeling from life, my sculptures tend toward the reflective and introspective. The fact that I am a figurative sculptor, working in traditional materials and methods, reflects an appreciation of old ways, solid and tested; while the sculptures themselves, often express feelings we share living in a time like no other. We are confronted by more knowledge and life choices than any other people in human history. I try to capture a sense of the unique burden we carry, and that vulnerable, private world in which we can begin to rediscover a sense of dignity and respect for life. Without idealizing, I seek an honest characterization of my subjects. The sculptures retain the spontaneity and energy of the creative process. They are available in a variety of materials and lend themselves well to bronze casting.

LeaAnn Cogswell is a native Texan who has been living and working in Connecticut since 1982. She studied sculpture with CHARLES UMLAUF for three years at the University of Texas. Cogswell graduated with BFA in 1978, She furthered her training in sculpture studios and foundries. Working primarily in water based clays, she sculpts the human figure. "I especially enjoy the earthy richness of terracotta while striving to get the feel of the weight and solidity, the tension of muscle and the swell of flesh. I do not wish to idealize, but in capturing the character of the model, express something of the feel of living in our times. Her works are strong and solid but the surfaces are kept loose and gestural and alive. Cogswell has been showing her works in the New England area. Her works have received numerous national and regional awards. She currently teaches at the Farmington Valley Art Center. Cogswell's works are available as one of a kind and limited editions.

Essex Art Association
Gallery on Main Street (downtown Essex). September 11th to Oct. 3rd.
Opening reception is Sept 11 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Gallery hours, Tues. thru Saturday 12 to 4, Sundays 1 to 4, Closed Monday. Phone 860) 767-8896

WESTPORT NATURE CENTER, SOCIETY OF CONNECTICUT SCULPTORS 1998
MEDIA & COMPANY, ARTS4U GALERIE, AVON, CT; "THE GIFT OF COLOR" 1998; "NUDES ON VIEW" 1997.
CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY, CT; LEAANN COGSWELL SCULPTURE & JOHN MELESCINSKY DRAWINGS ,1996.
UCONN, CT; SCULPTURE INVITATIONAL SHOW, 1996, 1995, 1994.
SOCIETY OF CONNECTICUT SCULPTORS; ANNUAL JURIED MEMBERS' SHOW: 1998, 1997, ESSEX, CT. 1996, 1995, 1994; OLD LYME, CT. "SMALL WORKS" CLUBHOUSE GALLERY 1994.
ACADEMIC ARTIST ASSOCIATION JURIED SHOWS, 1996, 1995**, 1994**, 1993**, 1992.
JAN LOOMIS INVITATIONAL EXHIBIT, SALTBOX GALLERY; "WHAT ABOUT YOU" 1996; LEAANN COGSWELL SCULPTURES & MARY SHIPMAN PAINTINGS 1994.
ALLIED ARTISTS OF AMERICA JURIED SHOW NYC, 1993**.
CONNECTICUT WOMEN ARTIST OPEN JURIED SHOW, 1993.
WEST HARTFORD ART LEAGUE, CT; OPEN JURIED SHOW, 1993, 1992**.
CANTON GALLERY ON THE GREEN, CT; OPEN JURIED SHOW, 1993, 1992**, SCULPTURE GARDEN 1992.
CONNECTICUT ACADEMY OF FINE ART'S EIGHTIETH SALON EXHIBITION, 1991.
ARTS WEEK, NASSAU'S FURNITURE, 1991.

GRAVILLE B. CARTER AWARD; "DRAPED MODEL", ACADEMIC ARTIST ASSOCIATION 1995; "WILL" 1994.
SOCIETY OF CONNECTICUT SCULPTORS; LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION 1994.
ALLIED ARTISTS OF AMERICA ASSOCIATES AWARD, NYC; "WILL" 1993.
ACADEMIC ARTISTS COUNCIL OF AMERICAN ARTIST SOCIETIES, INC. AWARDED FOR "NEWBORN"
WALTER KORDER PORTRAIT AWARD FOR CONTE DRAWING OF "BILL", WEST HARTFORD ART LEAGUE, 1993..
BETSY TANZER DESIGN AWARD FOR "DREAM", CANTON GALLERY ON THE GREEN, 1992.
CHOSEN PARTICIPANT IN THE JAMES WILBUR JOHNSTON MEMORIAL SCULPTURE COMPETITIONS, NEW YORK ACADEMY OF ART AND LYME ACADEMY OF ART, 1991 & 1992.

FIRESIDE FIGURES, MY SERIES OF "LIMITED EDITION SCULPTURES OF DAYS GONE BY" ARE IN PRIVATE COLLECTIONS FROM CONNECTICUT TO CALIFORNIA, CZECHOSLOVAKIA, AND RUSSIA.
MAGGIE MOORE MEMORIAL 1993, A BAS-RELIEF FEATURING STORYBOOK images, WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE FRIENDS OF THE FREDERICK H. COSSIT CHILDREN' LIBRARY.
MARY AND NEMO, 1991, PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG BLIND WOMAN AND HER GUIDE DOG AS HE WAS NEARING RETIREMENT.
FENIX, 1996, COMMISSIONED BY JOHN GARAPOLLO, A LIFE SIZE PORTRAIT OF HIS GUIDE DOG.
MARY AND HER BOYS, 1997, PORTRAIT OF MARY AND HER TWO GERMAN SHEPHERDS, ONE RETIRED, THE OTHER HER NEW GUIDE. COMMISSION BY MR. R. MANCUSO.
WILL III, 1994, COMMISSIONED BY MR. AND MRS, R. BERGERON.
MARTY, 1997, A LIFE SIZE PORTRAIT OF A GOLDEN RETRIEVER, COMMISSIONED BY MR. R. COUTURE FOR HIS WIFE.
INFANT ORANGUTAN 1997, HEADS, HANDS & FEET, SLIP MOLD. SCULPTED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CLAUDETTE MARTIN, DOLL MAKER.
OTHER WORKS IN PRIVATE RESIDENCES, RESTAURANTS, BUSINESSES, AND CHURCHES, IN THE FORM OF SCULPTURE, STAINED GLASS, DEPTH-CARVED GLASS, FIREPLACE SCREENS, AND WALL SCONCES.

UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD ART SCHOOL. FIGURE SCULPTURE WITH ANTHONY ANTONIUS. 1993.
UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD ART SCHOOL, HARTFORD, CT. FIGURE SCULPTURE WITH LLOYD GLASSON. 1987.
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS COLLAGE OF FINE ARTS. CONTINUED STUDIES IN SCULPTURE, LIFE DRAWING, PAINTING, AND INTAGLIO, 1979; BFA: EXTENSIVE COURSE WORK IN LIFE DRAWING AND SCULPTURE WITH SCULPTOR, CHARLES UMLAUF. PAINTING AND INTAGLIO, 1974-1978.

1989-PRESENT. COMMISSIONED AND PERSONAL WORKS OF SCULPTURE, DEPTH-CARVED GLASS, STAINED GLASS, AND PORCELAIN.
1997-PRESENT. PORCELAIN PORTRAIT DOLLS
1985-1997. THE GLASS CASTLE, INC., SOMERS, CT. DESIGN STAINED AND ETCHED GLASS FOR RESIDENCES, RESTAURANTS, BUSINESSES, AND CHURCHES. DESIGNED LOGO AND A SERIES OF PATTERNS FOR GLASS FUSING FOR DRAGON PUBLICATIONS, A DIVISION OF THE GLASS CASTLE.
1989-1991. STUDIO AT THE FARMINGTON VALLEY ART CENTER, AVON, CT. ALSO, TEACHING SCULPTURE CLASSES.
1985-1987. GLASS MAGICIAN, MURRELLS INLET, S.C., DESIGNED ETCHED GLASS FOR RESIDENCES, RESTAURANTS, AND BUSINESS.
1982-1985. DITARANDO AND CO., EAST HARTFORD, CT. SCULPTURE APPRENTICESHIP WITH EXTENSIVE WORK IN MOLD MAKING, METAL FORMING, AND PREPARATION FOR BRONZE CASTING.
1981-1987. MASTERPIECE MUSEUM MINIATURES, AUSTIN, TEXAS. SCULPTED LIFE-LIKE MINIATURE FIGURES FOR DOLL HOUSES AND MINIATURE VIGNETTES.
1979. STUDIO DOMENICO. SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. SCULPTED A LIFE-SIZE GROUP, BAS-RELIEFS, AND ALTER PIECES.
1978-1979. RENAISSANCE GLASS CO., AUSTIN, TEXAS. DEPTH-CARVED SANDBLASTED GLASS AUTONOMOUS PANELS, ARCHITECTURAL INSTALLATION, AND 3-D OBJECTS. DESIGNED AND FABRICATED STAINED AND ETCHED GLASS.
1977-1978. KASSON'S CASTING, AUSTIN, TEXAS. BRONZE FOUNDRY. MOLD-MAKING AND WAS RETOUCHING IN PREPARATION FOR CASTING.