Amgine Creatures
Amgine Creatures
Dal Schaffer
Dal was born in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska and moved to Greeley, Colorado in 1950, and there he grew up on a farm. He enlisted in the US Navy and served aboard several destroyers in the Pacific form 1960 to 1964. After the navy Dal returned to Greeley where he worked as a heavy equipment operator for the Cache la Poudre Irrigation Company. In 1966 Dal moved to Longmont when he joined the IBM Corporation. Dal held various positions in IBM including management for a time and retired in 1995.
After retirement he'd hoped to take up his passion: working on cars ... especially restoring Corvettes. After several years, an illness sidelined this idea so he began another career after writing a short story for his grandchildren about plant creatures from another galaxy and how they came to be on earth. Of course, the kids wanted to know what these creatures looked like, so using his woodworking and painting skills he created the first of the "Amgine" figures.
The process used in creating each of the pieces is a mix of disciplines he has used over the years on other projects. The creatures are mostly made up of recycled items collected at garage sales as well as flea markets. The wood used is two by six common pine and each figure is created using a scroll saw and carving tools.
There are no patterns, which pretty much guaranties that there will never be two that are alike. After cutting, carving, and sanding each piece, they are assembled and painted. He likes to paint using a mix of colors and a mix of styles. After each creature is painted he "dresses" the creature with an assortment of many different items. As you view the creatures you will see items that may have been missed in the first viewing. Dal's whimsical art is created to give you a smile and a laugh.
Amgine Creatures by Dal Schaffer
