The Press-Enterprise talks about an artist who was inspired by Star Wars and now has his work on display at the new Lucasfilm office complex in San Francisco.

The first time Crestline artist Lawrence Noble laid eyes on Yoda in "The Empire Strikes Back," he was smitten.

The year was 1980, and Noble, a commercial illustrator at the time, was looking for inspiration. He found it in the Jedi Master.

Immediately after the movie ended, Noble headed to the art supply store, where he purchased clay and tools.


Greg Vojtko / The Press-Enterprise
Artist Lawrence Noble, of Crestline, sits in his studio surrounded by some of his sculptures. He first sculpted Yoda after seeing "The Empire Strikes Back."



"To me, he (Yoda) exemplified character and character traits that touched me personally," said the 56-year-old artist. "Everything from the Force to his innate wisdom had an impact on me. I wanted to express that through art."

The 8-inch Yoda he sculpted -- his first-ever sculpture -- would change his life. Not only did it steer him toward a career as a sculptor; it led to the creation of a Yoda statue that "Star Wars" filmmaker George Lucas would later place in front of his residence at Skywalker Ranch in Nicasio.

A second statue has since been erected on the campus of the Letterman Digital Arts Center, Lucasfilm's headquarters at the Presidio in San Francisco, which opened this year.

Noble's statue was a natural choice for the new complex, Micheline Chau, president and chief operations officer of Lucasfilm, said in a written statement.

"For a long time we've enjoyed and respected Lawrence's talent," she said.

Yoda has been the highlight of Noble's career, but the artist has had the opportunity to create many notable pieces, many of which are displayed in the Inland Empire.

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