Area artist uses unique medium, creates beauty in exotic egg shells

By JOY SIMPSON
Special to the Citizen

Stephen Truax brings a fresh and new art style to Fayetteville.

Traux's innovative artwork has most recently been displayed at the Fayetteville City Hall through January.

He is most well known for his work with eggs.

Yes, eggs.

Using a very high-speed, air-driven turbine, Truax carves eggs into elegant masterpieces. He uses several types of exotic eggs, including emu and ostrich eggs, which he receives from a nearby breeder.

The outer layer of an emu egg is of a dark green color and is made up of three different layers. Traux simply carves down to different layers of the shell, creating beautiful and eccentric etchings. He carves through the ostrich egg shell, creating a more dimensional and complex effect. He also adds paint, gems and figures, creating intricate works of art unrecognizable as eggs.

Traux began this creative artistry in 1989 when his wife, Heide, fellow artist, convinced him to take an art class, sparking and later igniting a family of incredible artwork. Originally from Canada, he transferred to Fayetteville in 1980 with his company. Truax is not only employed full-time working with computers in the press felt industry, but he also considers himself a full-time artist.

In addition to carving eggs, Stephen and Heide also are experts in several other areas. Stephen creates woodcarvings for such items as plaques, kitchen cabinets, and even golf balls. The couple also are painters.

Truax is a member of the Fayette Society of Fine Art, the president of the Clayton Art Alliance and is involved in numerous art associations.

The couple do shows in the Atlanta area as well as many other venues during the spring and the fall, so be on the look out for these events. Meanwhile Truax art works can be found on-line at http://home.att.net/~stevetruax/ or you may e-mail Truax at stevetruax@worldnet.att.net.

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