:: Meet the Rockmage

Max Stockinger was born Dec. 7 1947 in Holly, Michigan. He had 7 siblings. The family moved a great deal in the United States while he was growing up. He received his high school diploma in 1966. Trained in broadcasting, he became a chief reporter for U. Wisconsin-Madison TV. He published a book of over 200 toy patterns, Toy Animals - Enough For Anybody's Ark (c. 1984.) These patterns are now offered free for public use on his website.

He has been shown in several galleries, including The Bazaar (Madison, WI); the Art Foundry of the Gulf Coast (Port Arthur, TX); the Texas Artists Museum (Port Arthur TX) where several of his pieces are owned as part of the permanent collection; and Still Life Gallery (Sacramento, CA) which has since closed its doors. Currently, he has over 40 pieces for sale on display at The RockHound Saloon, 14444 Fiddletown Rd., Fiddletown, CA 95629 (Phone: (209) 245-3912). He is one of the artists included in the book, A Comprehensive Guide To Outdoor Sculpture in Texas, compiled by Carol Morris Little, and published by the University of Texas Press. He is also listed in the Smithsonian Computer Index for Outdoor Sculpture.

Max Stockinger believes all of us are artists, and has worked particularly to create art opportunities for youth. He has taught art classes both in Texas and in several cities in California. He has created "Please TOUCH" exhibits of sculptures and paintings to offer a chance to really experience art to handicapped children, even those who are blind.

After working predominantly in wood for sculpting, he bemoaned the impermanence of wood, and moved on to create large welded metal sculptures (including a 12-foot tall fire-breathing dragon). Next, he discovered the joy of carving rock. He now sculpts primarily in marble and alabaster. Max is happiest bounding over hills and mountains, collecting his own material for carving, and then shaping it to give birth to wonderful figures. Animals are often represented, following a longstanding tradition in art. Animals have been featured by imagemakers since prehistoric times. Animals are associated with beliefs and legends of most cultures and are found in arts and crafts through the ages. Greek mythology, Christian iconography, American Indian legends and even modern folk tales of America (Babe the Blue Ox, Brer Rabbit, and more) and folk tales from around the world give animals a prominent role. We form lasting bonds with some and often learn important life lessons from them.