Wisconsin Sculptor William Nettelhorst
Every photograph is a doorway into the soul of an artist, a glimpse into their creative process, their struggles, and their triumphs.
My mission as a photographer goes far beyond capturing beautiful images. I am dedicated to telling the stories behind them. Through my lens and contemplative interviews, I bring the world of art to life, weaving stories that resonate deeply with anyone seeking to create a more meaningful life.
With a passion for both photography and storytelling, I travel far and wide to meet artists in their element. Whether that's sitting with painters in their studios, sculptors in their workshops, and dancers in their rehearsal spaces. As I listen intently to their journeys, my aim is simple: to uncover the heart of their creativity and share it with the world. By sharing these personal stories, I hope to inspire others to embrace their own creative paths, whether in art or everyday life.
My goal is to remind you that art is not just about the finished product, but about the human experience behind it-one filled with passion, persistence, and purpose.
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Wisconsin sculptor, William Nettelhorst, in his Prairie House Studio.
Meet Wisconsin Sculptor William Nettelhorst...
Carving Dreams into Stone: A Sculptor’s Odyssey on the Shores of Lake Winnebago
After decades of dedicated work in an entirely different profession, William Nettelhorst’s true passion revealed itself when he least expected it. A retired businessman, William discovered the art of sculpting while playing on the beach in the late 1970s. What began as a hobby eventually became a consuming passion, and soon his acres of prairie land near the shores of Lake Winnebago were transformed into an outdoor studio of creativity and contemplation.
In many ways, William’s life as a sculptor mirrors the landscape he walks through daily.
His land, a vast expanse of untamed prairie, hums with life. Each blade of grass, each stretch of shoreline carries a sense of rugged beauty—wild, free, and unrestrained. It’s this wildness that speaks to Williams’s artistic soul, inspiring him to shape pieces of stone into fluid forms that capture both the tranquility of nature and the sensual curves of the feminine form.
Each day, William sets out for a walk through his prairie. The wind off Lake Winnebago sweeps through the tall grass, whispering inspiration into his ear. It’s through these walks and silent meditations that William finds the seed of his next project.
William’s studio, positioned at the prairie’s edge, overlooks the surrounding pond waters. Here, he transforms blocks of pink and grey alabaster, limestone, and opal into organic, flowing sculptures. William’s art is an exploration of the bond between nature and human creativity. His pieces often reflect the sensuous and seductive forms of the female body.
“I go from the vision in my head and follow that vision to my heart then hands,” William explains. “I telegraph the vision from the hammer and chisel to the stone.”
Retirement, for William, has become a time not just to relax but to dive deeper into this new phase of life. Each sculpture he creates is a testament to this journey—an expression of the inspiration he gathers while walking the land that has been his sanctuary. Visitors to William’s home are often struck by the harmony between his art and the land.
As he continues his journey as a sculptor, William’s art and life are intertwined in a way that feels almost sacred.
The prairie and the lake are his muses, but they are also his partners in creation, reminding him daily that beauty is all around, waiting to be shaped, discovered, and shared.
For William, retirement isn’t an end—it’s a beginning. A chance to walk the land, carve his dreams into stone, and let inspiration flow like the waves on the shores of Lake Winnebago.
Experience William's creations at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts.
William Nettelhorst of The Prairie House Studio is exhibiting his sculptures from November 1 through December 13, 2024, at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The opening reception is November 8 at 6pm.
The newly created artist residency program at Thelma allows the community to watch this Wisconsin sculptor's process during operating hours. Come, observe, and be inspired by William's creative process.
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