ournal

ceramic print, Ralph Stuckman.

Farm life,

Artists are the most compassionate people in the world. While

others are busting their brains to try and better themselves
financially, an artist has little need for the frivolous material items of
the world. Not limited to the visual aspects of media, an artist can be
anyone that shares their knowledge and talents in the hope that
others will gain. Take the art of education, for example. When

thinking back to school days,

there is almost always one
teacher that stands out. Not
for the particular subject at
hand, but by filling a
questionable void to find your
place, discover direction and
to never be afraid of the future.

alphStuckmanofCelina,Ohio,isaprime
exampleofhowtheartofteachingcan
bringhopeandprosperitytostudentsthat

feeltheyhavelittletooffersociety.Bornonafarm
nearBucyrus,Ohio,Ralphsgutinstinctwasto
followhisfathersfootstepsinagriculture.
However,alittleproddingfromhisfathersent

himinthedirectionofteachingandhehasnever
lookedback.
Yousee,anartistdoesnothavetosettleona
particularareainordertobethebest.Itbecomesa
wayoflifeforthemthroughtheirGodgiven
desiretoshare.Afterathreeyearstintin

Prismatic

raku plate,
Ralph Stuckman

Ancestry Trees
ceramic print, by Ralph Stuckman

theMarineCorps,StuckmangraduatedBowling

iconsthatbestrepresentthepassionofthearea.

GreenStateUniversityandwentontoearnaMaster

Alwayseducating,alwayscreating,Stuckman

ofEducationattheUniversityofToledo.

deliversamightylessontothosethatmerelyexist

Next,hereceivedhisDoctorateatBallState

fortoday.Thinkofyourcommunity,be

University.Setoutwiththetoolsofthetrade,

compassionatetoothers,andfollowthepathof

Ralphthenachievededucationalpositionsasan

wonder.Yourcreativeinstinctswilltakeoverfrom

elementaryprincipal,schoolsuperintendent,and

there.

thenacollegeprofessoratWrightStateUniversity

Simplysummarized,Dr.RalphStuckmanisa

andUrbanaUniversity.

leaderthatcontinuestoshowothersthetrue

Artistshavealsobeencalledreclusive,

meaningofart,andheisstillcreatingawareness

impatientandimpulsive.Thisisanothermisnomer

forMercerCounty,Ohioartistswithhisforefront

thatgoesrightoutthewindowwhenyouthinkof

involvementwiththeLakeArtsGroup,formed

theamountofconcentrationanddetermination

severalyearsagowithhisendeavortopromotethe

requiredinthisfield.Helpingonestudenttoseea

widespectrumofartinourareaandthemanytalented

newpathorpresentingasubjecttoagroupthat

artistswholiveandcreatehere.

makestheirbuiltinlightbulbgooffisnodifferent
thancreativeapaintingthatdeliverspauseand

feeling.Dr.Stuckmansays,

Irememberonestudentteacher
thatwasreallystruggling.When
Ichangedtheassignmentandshe

wasplacedunderthedirectionofanother
teacher,sheblossomedandwentonto
becomeanaccomplishedteacher.
Ralphhadtheinsighttoseethatnotallsquare
sidedindividualscanfitintoaroundholeand
wentthatextramiletofindthatcreativenichefor
advancement.Hearrivedhomeonmany
occasions,wringinghishandsandlookingfor
answers.Hetookthisworryandbeganmolding
histhoughts,literally,throughclay.Thetouchof
theearthsoothedhispastpassionofhisloveofthe
farm,clearedhismindfornewideastoform,and
awakenedawarenessthattherearemanywaysto
deliveraworkofart.
Althoughretiredasaneducator,hisloveofclay
continues.Evolvedintocreatingclayprintsfrom
linoleumcuts,hesearchesthecommunityfor

Rural Symbols

Ceramic Print on Wood Frame, 5 x 15 1/2 inches

Ralph Stuckmann

O.H.I.O.

Ceramic Print on Wood Frame, 27 x 40 inches

Ralph Stuckman

Cocoon

horsehair pottery, 17 x 6 inches

Ralph Stuckman

I dont like work, no man does,

but I like what is in work; the
chance to find yourself, not for
others, but what no other man can
ever know.

Joseph Conrad (18571924)

Polishborn British writer, sailor and explorer

arttoartpalettejournal.com032016RalphStuckmanUSACelina,Ohio