by Kim Hilsenbeck

Art collectors collect an artist as much as they do art, so the story goes. And rising to the level of notoriety to be able to go by just one’s last name, a la Picasso, Monet, Renoir, is the icing on the cake for many artists.

Art enthusiasts may say, “Oh, I love your Picasso. Where did you find it?”

And what exists now are all that ever will in terms of those renowned artists.

Here’s another example:

Do you have a LaPaso?

If not, never fear – it’s not too late. At age 70, James (Jim) LaPaso of Kyle, is still going strong, making his now iconic sculptures, unlike his one-name counterparts from earlier centuries. His current forte is creating sculptures with kinetic movement in colorful, playful designs.

LaPaso’s work is distinct. Perhaps it’s the stainless steel mixed with dichroic glass that catches the light and changes color. Or the way the pieces move in seemingly random patterns. Or perhaps it’s the soup ladles he uses in some of his outdoor sculptures.

That’s right. Soup ladles.

“I’m the largest purchaser of soup ladles in the country,” he said during a recent visit at his home just outside Kyle’s city limits. “We buy 500 every two to two and a half months.”

The ladles run about $1-$5 wholesale.

And they feature prominently in many of his art sculptures, which can be seen around Texas and beyond.

Not all of his designs have the ladles. LaPaso makes what comes to his mind. This is true of what comes out of his mouth, as well. He is direct, a little gruff and concise.

He’s also well known in the art world. But he hasn’t always worked with stainless steel.

“I used to do woodworking,” he said.

He coughed, then apologized.

“Sorry, my allergies are kicking my ass today,” he said.

Does he still do that kind of art?

“I haven’t touched a piece of wood since I developed a fireplace tool,” he said.

LaPaso demonstrated the “LaBear Claw,” which he said fireplace stores liked but didn’t want to buy because it was, in his words, “Too well made.”

So he sold it himself.

“We did arts and craft shows every weekend all across the country,” he said. “We did well over a million dollars worth [of sales] in five years.”

He also used to make sculptures out of copper. Before that he sold rusted yard art, selling it over eBay and at shows.

“I got real tired of that,” he said.

He also worked in construction and building for many years. And did antler art for about five years.

“I’ve had several lives, let’s put it that way,” LaPaso said.

No matter the medium, LaPaso said he is an artist first.

“Since I was born I’ve done art. I used to dig up clay in a quarry and make things out of it,” he said.

LaPaso’s father was a furniture builder and did paintings, so he came by the craft honestly.

“Everything I do, everything I touch is art. My house, the cars,” he said.

He was referring to the six old cars on his property that were in varying stages of restoration. They are art of a different kind and one of LaPaso’s real passions these days.

But what LaPaso is probably best known for is his stainless steel kinetic art.

His sculptures grace the yards of homes and the front of hotels, hospitals and businesses around the country. The business took off not long after he was invited to the International Wind Sculpture Symposium in Santa Fe. Yet when he first got the call, he told the man on the phone he didn’t have much money and how much was it going to cost to come out to the event.

“He said, ‘It’s not going to cost you anything. We’re going to give you $1,500 and three days free,’” LaPaso recalled.

“And after that call I looked at my wife and said, ‘Art is good.’”

LaPaso recently installed one of his famed creations in San Marcos. Titled ‘River of Life’, the piece came to be because of his love for the San Marcos River. He has kayaked it for 30 years.

He created what he thought the first inhabitants of the area – the Anastazis – may have seen, which included a spring shooting fifty feet in the air with a large plume at the top.

In his design, the blue glass on the base lights up at night and represents gushing water and the kinetic piece with the dichroic glass at the top represents the plume with its rainbow.

Yet despite his relative success with his stainless steel art, this Illinois native remains humble, in words and actions.

Originally from Joliet, about 40 miles south of Chicago, LaPaso moved to Texas 32 years ago. He still has family up there. His parents passed away several years ago, but his two sisters are still in the area.

What drew him to the Lone Star State?

“Warm weather and friends,” he said. He has one musician friend, with whom he is still in touch to this day, from Joliet who used to brag on Austin all the time.

Was LaPaso a musician?

“I played drums and sang in high school,” he said. “But it was just to find girls.”

LaPaso is also a collector of art and has quite a few items in his home. But much of it he traded for with other well-known modern day artists. The majority of art in his home was trades from other artists. For example, he has a piece from Kathleen Ash of Manchaca.

A few employees help LaPaso these days. Some of his most purchased designs can be done by those he trains He’s worked with a few apprentices over the years. But he took a moment to give kudos to his fabricator, John Weber.

“I couldn’t do it without him; he has been with me for 10 years,” he said.

LaPaso feels he’s been lucky, but also said he worked hard to be successful. He learned how to build web sites, be a salesman, and run a business in addition to the art.

“You do [art] because you love making it,’ he said.