Artwork > All Sculptures, Americana, Monumental, Townfolk > Ain’t Gonna Be No Second Trip Monument
Ain’t Gonna Be No Second Trip Monument
Specifications:
60" H x 32" W x 54" D
Edition of 8
Price:
$32,000
Scott’s Piece Description
As long as he can remember, this young boy has been asked, two or three times a day, to “go out to the woodpile and bring in more logs for the fire”. He’s tired of this chore and is bound and determined to bring in enough wood – in one trip – so he won’t have to do it again.
Where does ‘want to’ come from? How is it that ‘something’ internal gets triggered and seems to take over? It’s as if this ‘something’ claims ownership over the body and moves one to action beyond one's known physical ability.
My brother, PJ, at the age of 8 saw the teacher write his name on the chalkboard for talking. This meant he’d have to stay after school in detention. He quickly told the teacher…“I’m gonna hold my breath ‘til you erase my name”. A couple of minutes later, PJ had passed out…when he awoke (with the teacher patting his cheek) his name was not written on the board. Again, “Where does ‘want to’ come from?”
I’m 50 next month….about 6 years ago, my brother-in-law asked me to find a place to go bull riding. “Gotta check it off my list”, he said. I found a place in Tooele, Utah, where the pros practice in the off-season. We walked in…I got the vibe…“Gonna ride me one tonight”, I said. I lasted about 4.23 seconds…and didn’t walk straight for a month. What was huge for me…“I’d forgot”. I’d forgotten, from my youth, that to stay on a bull…I had to “want it” more than I wanted life itself.
Image Gallery
Curator Review
Ain’t Gonna Be No Second Trip captures a familiar childhood moment and elevates it through scale and sculptural discipline. The monument portrays a young boy leaning backward under an ambitious armful of firewood—determined to carry more than is reasonable in order to avoid making another trip. The subject is simple and relatable, yet the execution gives it lasting presence.
The composition is built around a backward diagonal. The boy’s torso tilts into the effort, counterbalanced by the grounded stance of his legs. The logs extend outward, increasing both the visual and physical sense of burden, while also strengthening the silhouette from multiple viewing angles.
Rogers handles proportion carefully. Though the sculpture is monumental in scale, the anatomy and expression retain the vulnerability and youth of a child, preserve ring the authenticity of the moment.
Texture plays an important role. The rough bark of the logs contrasts with the smoother surfaces of clothing and skin, creating variation that activates the bronze in natural light. Outdoors, the surface changes throughout the day, giving the piece quiet visual movement without requiring dramatic gesture.
What distinguishes this monument is its honesty. The narrative is not grandiose; it is personal and recognizable. By sculpting an everyday childhood determination into monumental form, Rogers allows viewers to see themselves in the figure—recalling moments of stubborn effort, pride, and self-imposed challenge.
The result is a sculpture that is approachable, structurally sound, and emotionally accessible. It holds space through familiarity and craftsmanship.
Get In Touch
We’ll confirm if this sculpture is available now or reserve your place in the next casting (4–5 months).
Phone: 1.435.469.1646
Email: hello@scottrogerssculpture.com
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