"Sculptural Views:

"The word makes me feel constrained, like wearing a tight shirt, and my creativity limited because by its definition we are required to associate our work with the images we are told are the canons and standards of beauty. Michelangelo’s David, the Greek sculptures; are those the perfect bodies?

"The job of a good sculptor is to depict the beauty of the human body as God created it, not to establish a standard of perfection to which we must all aspire. And if we don't achieve that lofty goal, then what are we; a mistake made by God? That would be arrogance on our part.

"Why then are we denying God's best work; each one of us? What is more beautiful than a body in complete balance to a healthy mind, and a self-loving and happy attitude who reflects his fifty, sixty or seventy years of age, who appears at peace with himself at any age?

"We are perfect packages. If we learned to accept ourselves without guilt the way we are, with all the trappings of our age and life experiences, balding, big bellied, sagging parts, we could reflect this outwardly with the glow of inner peace."

Ramon Lago