Tommy Nienaber
Biography
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Tommy Nienaber discovered his talent for sculpting by accident (literally) after a natural gas explosion in December of ’98 left 40% of his body charred with 2nd and 3rd degree burns. Upon arrival to the ER, doctors contemplated amputating his right arm because of the severe damage beyond the dermas layers. Thanks to superb surgeons, technology and staff at Herman Hospital in Houston, Tommy’s arm was saved.
Months later, after skin graft and reconstructive surgery, surgeons warned of the possibility of permanent loss of movement in his arms, hands, and fingers, despite hours of grueling therapy every day. He was encouraged to find a hobby that was arm, hand, and finger intensive in addition to his therapy.
Having no prior skills in art or carpentry, Tommy began carving using primitive methods and inappropriate tools such as a dull chisel and a jigsaw. In a matter of weeks, he was spending up to ten hours a day at his new found passion and gaining more movement and strength in his hands every day. In a matter of months, he was starting several pieces a day while creating a work place appropriate for work on much larger pieces.
Today, Tommy has complete movement in his arm, hands and fingers and has pieced together an indoor/outdoor studio sufficient for massive creation, production and dwelling. Each finished work has a story, from conception to completion; likewise every piece has been like a journal entry in his recovery. Each finished sculpture has become the inspiration to create the next one; there is a definite evolution in his work.
All pieces have been hand carved with chisels, and then systematically hand sanded with a coarse 40 grit to an ultra fine 300 grit sandpaper, leaving the surface free from any trace of tools or sand paper used. This long, but worthwhile process has been therapy for him, both physically and mentally. Finally, each work is soaked with a linseed/Danish oil mixture, dried, and then top coated with several thin coats of urethane.
Tommy currently resides in Central Texas. In addition to the compulsive 60 hour work week he spends at his studio, he also works part time as an environmental chemist.
IN MY OWN WORDS...
T
he explosion was a result of a gas leak ignited electrically in my garage apartment near U of H where I was attending school. It was at night, and I assume I was asleep. I have little recollection of the accident nor of my hospital stay.Most of my burns were to my arms, neck, back and face, with the worst of the damage to both arms. Upon arriving to the ER, my right arm was almost removed because of the severity of the burns to the entire arm. Days later, I had skin grafted from both legs to my entire right arm and fingers. My left arm and fingers were left to heal openly through constant scrubbing and cleaning. I was unable to feed my self for about a month and a half; shower or use the restroom by myself for over two months. I had a home nurse come in to scrub and recover my burns daily for these two months, during which time I put in 2 -3 hours of physical therapy a day at the hospital, along with at least 5 additional hours at home.
My grafts took well, but muscle and even veins had been severely damaged in the explosion, thus making therapy a grueling torturous constant event. After about 3 months my left arm and hand had definite improvement; however, from the wrist down on my right hand I had little movement at all. Surgeons warned that if there was not immediate progress in the movement of the wrist, fingers, and knuckles that permanent loss was inevitable. This is when I was ordered to find a hobby which I could spend all day doing.
I started carving, barely able to hold any tool, and this is where my life changed for ever. I was not aware I could physically be artistic--I couldn't draw, or paint--I was a Biology Major anticipating entry into optometry school. Soon after creating my first couple of carvings, I found myself completely obsessed and, more importantly, happy. Being unable to care for yourself, on top of losing all your possessions, compounded by constant pain made for a very sad boy. The rush of creating and the concept of endless possibilities motivated me beyond words.
Needless to say I made a tremendous recovery, and found true happiness in the same stride. I was driving after 6 months and had full strength and movement after about a year.
However even today, after 3 and a half years, I still stretch out both hands and fingers regularly, other wise they tighten and will eventually try to web. My right hand has moderate webbing, not too noticeable, but restricting nevertheless. Proper maintenance therapy will be forever, but is a small price to pay. I currently work as a chemist at the ALCOA plant in Rockdale, but hope to someday devote all my time to my passion.
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