P is for PENCIL ARTIST

Dalton M Ghetti was born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil. At the age of 9 his parents gave him a set of metal tools and he began making his own toys, boxes and go-carts. He also began sculpting.

He started out carving large objects until 1986 when, wanting to bring small things to people's attention, he began carving the smallest things he could see with his naked eye. He began creating tiny, amazing sculptures from graphite pencils found on the streets and sidewalks. His tools are a needle and craft knife or razor blade. He works under bright light without the aid of a magnifying glass.

His works are not for sale, although prints are available. He doesn't do it for the money, it comes straight from the heart.

He works on a piece 1-2 hours a day so it can sometimes take weeks, months, even years to complete a sculpture. To me, this would take an incredible amount of discipline and patience. It is worth the wait, though because his work is amazing!

Dalton was deeply effected by the events of 9/11. He immediately began working on a memorial for the victims which took 10 years to complete. He carved 3000 rice-sized tear drops, one for each victim with each tear drop taking about an hour to create. He carved 300 a year. The Memorial is displayed at the New Britain Museum of American Art. Prints are available with part of the proceeds going to the 9/11 First Responders.

I am in absolute awe of this artist's work. It is amazing!