inspiration

My son Ian, the artist

by Mary Warner

This week, my husband Erik, son Sebastian, Erik’s sister Jill, and I made a trip to North Dakota State University in Fargo to see my son Ian’s final senior art show. He exhibited his work along with several other students in what is known as the Baccalaureate exhibit.

We got a sneak peek of Ian’s work some months ago during a smaller exhibit, so we knew that the project he was attempting was ambitious. The final result was so overwhelming that upon seeing it, I promptly burst into tears.

I knew how much work Ian had put into it, but it was more than that. Ian is one of those rare people who find their strong calling early in life and just keep working at it, getting so good that they blow people away with their skill. While he has always had a natural talent for art, he has also earned his expertise. My mother’s (and artist’s) pride burst right from me when I saw “Saga” in its full 10-feet high by 18-feet wide glory. Ian is truly an inspiration to me.

Let me show you Ian’s work.

Ian Warner with his piece "Saga," November 25, 2014, Memorial Union Gallery, NDSU. "Saga" is a blend of Norse mythology with the culture of North Dakota.
Ian Warner with his piece “Saga,” November 25, 2014, Memorial Union Gallery, NDSU. “Saga” is a blend of Norse mythology with the culture of North Dakota.
"Saga" by Ian Warner, November 25, 2014, Memorial Union Gallery, NDSU.
“Saga” by Ian Warner, November 25, 2014, Memorial Union Gallery, NDSU.
Ian (on the left) and the rest of the students showing their senior art work at their Baccalaureate exhibit, NDSU, November 25, 2014. (The professor introducing the group is on the right.)
Ian (on the left) and the rest of the students showing their senior art work at their Baccalaureate exhibit, NDSU, November 25, 2014. (The professor introducing the group is on the right.)
It's official. Ian has his name on a wall.
It’s official. Ian has his name on a wall.
In Norse mythology, Thor stands in for the common man. In Ian Warner's "Saga," he also doubles as the common laborer of the Midwest.
In Norse mythology, Thor stands in for the common man. In Ian Warner’s “Saga,” he also doubles as the common laborer of the Midwest.
The face of Jörmungandr in Ian Warner's "Saga." Jörmungandr is symbolic of the Red River in this work.
The face of Jörmungandr in Ian Warner’s “Saga.” Jörmungandr is symbolic of the Red River in this work.
In Norse mythology, it was a cow licking an iceberg that gave birth to all that is.
In Norse mythology, it was a cow licking an iceberg that gave birth to all that is.
The sun with a candle, part of Norse mythology that Ian explained but that I've promptly forgotten.
The sun with a candle, part of Norse mythology that Ian explained but that I’ve promptly forgotten.
Curves of the serpent that mimic a section of the Red River in Fargo, ND.
Curves of the serpent that mimic a section of the Red River in Fargo, ND.
I love the detail of Thor's boot and how Ian chose to leave some sections of "Saga" unfinished.
I love the detail of Thor’s boot and how Ian chose to leave some sections of “Saga” unfinished.
This tiny oil derrick is only a few inches high in "Saga." To see it, you have to get very close to the piece. Ian wanted to work the North Dakota oil fields into his piece and this is how he did it. There is an even tinier derrick on the horizon that's maybe a quarter of an inch in height.
This tiny oil derrick is only a few inches high in “Saga.” To see it, you have to get very close to the piece. Ian wanted to work the North Dakota oil fields into his piece and this is how he did it. There is an even tinier derrick on the horizon that’s maybe a quarter of an inch in height.