An Eye for Art: Westminster artists married sculpting and social work

Martha Wiseman, 82, an artist and sculptor who lives in Westminster, grew up in Arlington, Virginia. She often visited Washington, D.C., museums with her family.

Her mother was gifted at making crafts, sewing, weaving baskets and chair caning. Wiseman joined her in all these activities. “Our hands were busy, always, in creating,” Wiseman said.

Wiseman took a pause in creating when she moved to Baltimore to pursue her education. She graduated from Towson State College and later received her master’s in social work degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work in Baltimore.

Wiseman’s career as a clinical social worker and passion for sculpture developed side by side. “Again, my hands were busy outside of my working hours,” Wiseman said.

“I worked at the Jewish Family and Children’s Agency after graduation,” Wiseman said. “For seven years, I was on the faculty at University of Maryland Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, as part of a team training psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. I then transitioned to 30-plus years of private practice in Towson. Sculpting and painting kept my hands busy creating after work hours, a continuing theme in my life.”

“Initially, I learned sculpting from a fellow social worker. I fell in love with her sculpture displayed in her office. I begged her to teach me,” Wiseman said.

As a result, the pair created stone and clay sculptures in her basement. Wiseman has sculpted ever since. Creating with her hands gave her balance in her busy life.

Wiseman continued honing her artistic skills by taking sculpture lessons at the Jewish Community Center in Baltimore. She also studied sculptors Henry Moore and Rodin. Later, she attended painting and sculpture classes at Towson University, which was close to her private practice office.

In 2003, Wiseman and her husband moved to Coventry at Westminster, a senior community. “I discovered sculpture classes taught by Katya Dovgan at McDaniel College,” Wiseman said. “I also took oil and watercolor classes from her. With her wonderful teaching, my skills improved immensely.“

When in Dovgan’s class, she enjoyed sculpting with live models, who were students. “It was very fulfilling to try to capture their looks and spirits,” Wiseman said. “One of my favorites is a woman leaning over, made of clay, titled ‘Serenity.’” She also did a still life painting of “Serenity”.

Wiseman’s painting of “Mary” was created in Dovgan’s class for using “old” techniques.  It was painted with egg tempura, which she made by mixing egg yolks with acrylic paint.  She used gold leaf as accents, typically used in ancient Madonna paintings.

“My inspiration was Austrian artist, Marianne Stokes, who does traditional Madonnas,” Wiseman said.

Wiseman has participated in art shows. She is a member of the Carroll County Arts Council and has exhibited in the annual members art show. She also participates in shows at Carroll Lutheran Village.

In 2017, widowed, Wiseman moved to Carroll Lutheran Village. Now, she continues creating art. She attends an art studio class at CLV taught by Sean Boylan, an adjunct professor at Carroll Community College. He teaches the class through the college’s Continuing Education and Training program. She paints with watercolors and acrylics.

Wiseman creates small clay sculptures that will fit beautifully in her bookcases once she donates some of her many books. Big sculptures are too heavy for her to handle anymore. She also carves wood.

Wiseman has never wanted to sell her sculpture. They are her babies that she treasures. “I do not want to be distracted from my personal journey of creativity by focusing on what will be liked by potential buyers,” she said.

“Being able to make things with my hands and being creative is very enjoyable to me. The process of creating is as meaningful to me as the end product,” Wiseman said.

Lyndi McNulty is the owner of Gizmo’s Art in Westminster. Her column, An Eye for Art, appears regularly in Life & Times.