Space...the ethereal space of the cosmos and the depths of the oceans are evoked by the large mixed media collages of J Luray Schaffner, while John A. Schaffner's wooden sculptures feature positive and negative physical space.

The artist couple have spent a lifetime exploring their mediums and relationships to the natural world, and it shows in their beautiful works displayed in their exhibit "When Thoughts Become Art" at Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center in Solomon's, Maryland.

Work in the exhibit includes walnut sculptures "Shadows Suspended", "Mythical Spirit" and "Midnight Sun" by John and a number of mixed and laminated carved wood pieces evoking natural themes. Luray's large mixed media collages include "Into the Deep", "Sky Window", "Between Earth and Sky" and "Cosmic Mysteries" transporting viewers into a larger world.

Forty-one years ago, they were among the first artists in Alexandria, Virginia's nationally known Torpedo Factory Art Center. John's employment later took them to the Midwest, but, on retirement in 1998, they settled into a house of their own design in Southern Maryland.

Marian Van Landingham
Director of The Torpedo Factory Art Center