PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST WHO IS SATISFIED

MARBLE HILL -- Like "The Gambler" in Kenny Rogers' song of the same name, Tom Runnels knows "when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em." And so far, he's plenty content with the hand he was dealt.

"When my hand was dealt, I was satisfied not because it was such a good hand, but because I've played it the best I know how," Runnels wrote in the preface to his 1979 book of essays and sketches, "Before T.V."

To the artist, sculptor and author, playing the best he knows how is simple stuff. "You wait until you retire to do what you want to do," Runnels said. "I'm doing what I want to do right now. What could be better?"

Runnels practices his artistic crafts in a pleasantly remote little corner of his native Bollinger County known as the Cat Ranch. "It's been called the Cat Ranch ever since I can remember," he said.

Reasons for the name, which was associated with the property long before Runnels acquired it, are many and imaginative; however the most plausible explanation, Runnels believes, is because of the many cougars and bobcats that used to roam the land. "Instead of referring to it as cat country, people just called it the Cat Ranch," he said. "The name stuck."

Today, the 70-acre ranch is considerably tamer. It is ruled by Runnels' airdale named Shadrack and a black, alley cat named Conehead. Runnels built his log house, which is situated a-few-hundred yards from his studio. He wife of 29 years commutes to the Cat Ranch on weekends from St. Louis, where she is a travel agent. "I've traveled all over," he said, "and I've found out that I like things here just fine.

"I've made a living with my art," said the affable, modest artist, who has sculptures of artwork in all 50 states, Canada, South America and other countries. He is the first Missouri artist, as far as he knows, to be written about in "Southwest Art."

Although Runnels is better known for his sculpture and artwork, he is a master storyteller who can put his stories onto the printed page without losing their unique flavor. In addition to "Before T.V.," Runnels is the author-illustrator of "Slipshod But Not Shabby."

He modestly claims not to be a writer. But readers might disagree; his first book has sold out of two printings and his latest book is selling well. In addition, he writes and illustrates a column for area newspapers.

Still, sculpting is his special craft. In fact, Cat Ranch visitors hardly pass the gate before they're treated to a sampling of Runnels' works. Even the front entrance to the ranch is adorned with a huge cougar-type sculpture that stretches completely across the driveway and bears the name of the ranch. Just past the gate is a larger-than-lifesize sculpture of a bucking bronco. "I'm proud of that sculpture," Runnels said. "I call it `Bandit.'"

Runnels, who has displayed his works in numerous shows, also accepts some consignments. One favorite piece, "The Archer," stands atop Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tenn. Although kneeling, the archer is still about seven feet tall.

That some of his sculptures bear a western theme is more than a tribute to the wild West; it is also a tribute to the artist's dream of being a cowboy.

"I headed west one time, looking for the great outdoors and adventure," he reflected. "I found there was no such thing as a real cowboy, and I was disappointed with the West. Behind every rock there was a beer can or a cigarette package."

Surveying his land, Runnels appreciatively observed: "This area has as much wide-open space as you will find."

The urge to practice art, Runnels believes, is something he was born to do a little over 50 years ago. The fact that he had no radio or television as a child helped encourage creative interests, he said.

"My sister was in school and I used to borrow a pencil and paper from her to draw comic characters. It was a good way to pass the time."

It wasn't many years later that Runnels tried his first sculpture. "I was 7 or 8," he said. "When I saw a face that a neighbor had carved on a fence post, when I studied it, it looked like a pair of eyes, a mouth and nose carved on a spot. I thought I could do better."

Runnels found an eight-inch piece of cypress and started carving with his penknife. "An artist who lived here at the time saw the carving and commented that I was an artist," Runnels recalled. It was then, he said, that he knew his destiny.

Runnels attended Southeast Missouri State University after serving four years in the Air Force. He then studied at the prestigious Kansas City Art Institute.

When Runnels created his first pieces, he let his emotions rule their outcome. He still does, he said. "I get an idea and I work on it. In some cases my moods sadness, happiness, whatever may show up in my work."

He tells of one sculpture that is found along the roadway leading to his cabin. "I was really in a bad mood when I did that sculpture, and it shows. I was angry. If you look at the sculpture you'll see a lot of sharp edges and sharp points."

The quiet of the country and the satisfaction that Runnels finds in his work have smoothed many sharp edges, yet honed his zest for life to a fine point.

"I would like for the people who know me to be able to say that I have warmed myself by the fire of life," he writes in "Before T.V." And the creative pieces that philosophical fire has produced have brought warmth to many more lives as well.