Monuments & Memorials
As part of my inspiration of the pioneers of the American West, I am also inspired by the creativity, craftsmanship, and care put into the fabrication of headstones during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. In rural parts of the state at that time, cemeteries were the closest thing many towns had that resembled an art gallery or art museum. This is still true today in some places, including where I live. These highly talented stone carvers left behind amazing, and often times unappreciated works of artwork.
Through all of the time I have spent appreciating the craftsmanship of historic headstones, I have found that there are three main qualities that make up a well-constructed headstone:
Durable Materials
Granite or other igneous/metamorphic rock types are the most durable. Other rock types such as marble, limestone, or even sandstone can be very beautiful and easier/faster to carve, but these rock types are not resilient to chemical or mechanical weathering. They are also more susceptible to physical damage (lawnmowers).
Using the stones natural beauty with different textures or relief for the lettering/illustrations can reduce the care and maintenance in the long run. Lithochromatic paint that is used for modern headstones (mostly with sandblasted lettering) will start to chip or fade after 30 years or so. The use of lithochromatic paint is not all bad because it can be used to really brighten up or accentuate certain elements, but it will require some maintenance eventually.
This starts with a proper stone selection. There are a lot of really pretty rock types out there (believe me!), but not all of them make good monument or memorial stones. Coarse mineral grains or chaotic textures within the stone can make the lettering very hard to read.
Stone color. Lighter colored rocks are good for showing shadows (white and light gray), while darker colored rock types are better for showing differences in texturing (reds, dark grays, and shades of black). The selection should be made based on how the lettering will be carved.
Typography. Font size, font type, spacing, leading, and how the letters are carved into the stone are all very important. Sometimes really elegant fonts or designs look good when you are up-close, but simplicity can go a long way when trying to read names at a distance.
Lettering That is Easy to Read
Sculptural Elements and Symbolism
Even if the added sculptural element is small (a single daisy perhaps), a well-crafted artistic element can make the monument very unique very special. If you would like the memorial stone to stand out from the rest, this is how.
Symbology, including floral symbology, was very common during the turn of the last century. This is especially the case in cemeteries. Adding a sculptural element can not only turn the stone into a visually artistic expression of love and remembrance, but it can also convey a special, unspoken message.
My experience in carving headstones began with the passing of my grandparents, where I carved both of their headstones out of rough blocks of granite. I ended up carving the lettering in a very similar way to how it was done during the turn of the last century - by hand with pneumatic hammers and chisels. I carved one letter or number at a time with my two hands and the result shows a human touch. Although it was a stressful process, it was an experience that I found to be deeply rewarding.
Please contact me with any questions or if you are interested in commissioning a memorial stone.
Because I carve lettering or designs with hand tools, I cannot compete price-wise with other memorial/monument companies in Colorado. The lettering and numbers I carve do not look like they were typed directly onto the stone – they don’t always look perfect. This process also takes me a lot longer to complete. However, with my experience and carving methods, I am able to carve things some of the other memorial companies in Colorado cannot.