2011 Artist Blog - Entry #17

"Driver of the Wheel" detail, 1997, Italian Marble, 44" dia x 12" deep

""Cosimo", Italian Marble, 2006, 10" x 5" x 3"

Bela Bacsi is a contemporary American sculptor whose marble and bronze works are one of a kind. His style differs from others in a way that he uses stylization and even some elements of abstraction in creating truly unique-looking pieces. Considered a professional sculptor in the field, he has won numerous Gold medals and prizes for his works such as "Driver of the Wheel" and "Nipples of Venus" (not shown). Most of Bacsi's work is really out of this world. It is expressionistic with crazy ideas pouring from each work. I would think it takes a lot of imagination as well as experimentation to produce such marvelous work. Bacsi shows a deep understanding of shapes and planes which are so important in depicting a figure - stylized or not. This style of sculpting is somewhat uncommon but when you see it, a great effect is produced. Each viewer will find his/her own meaning of the work presented in front of them. It makes you think and simply not go "oh, this is a bust of an old person". Interesting shapes and exaggerated forms are not random - they create a composition the artist intended on visualizing from the start. The audience is not being presented with the work - they complete it along with the artist in mind! (word count - 218)

"Vessel", Italian Marble, 2006, 26" x 44" x 8"

"Ma Troppo", Italian Marble, 2006, 21" x 33" x 8"

"Pearfection", Italian Marble, 2007, 16"x14"x2

2011 Artist Blog - Entry #16

Geronimo, Bronze, 17"x11"

Allosaurus, Bronze, Painted Resin, ¼ Life size

Christopher Darga is a contemporary American portraiture sculptor residing in Hollywood. He acquired interest in sculpting after Jurassic Park came out. Inspired, 2 years later he created a line of dinosaurs for a modeling company. The medium he uses in his day to day work is clay after which he casts all of his sculptures in bronze. He did hand-paint his line of dinosaurs that are carefully crafted and show a truly masterful execution of sculptural detail. Darga's main subject matter in portraiture is, of course, people most of whom range from U.S. presidents to American Indians - the people of the past. He does an outstanding job in capturing the essence of a character, emotion, and deep thought in his sculpts. A perfect example is the bust under the title of "Geronimo" whose striking glance reveals a determined individual full of commitment and pride, yet there is a deep sense of alertness and even anxiety which is reminiscent of the time of invasions by Mexico and the U.S. on Apache tribal lands. The likeness as well as the soul of the individual is carefully captured by Darga's craftsmanship and deep knowledge of facial anatomy and the effects of age. Special attention was paid even to the subtlest of things that make a huge difference in the final product by giving life to the piece. From my own personal knowledge, working from photographs is not an easy task by any means, yet Darga did a fascinating job all throughout. This applies to all of Darga's works made with care, precision, and heart. (word count - 262)

Mother Teresa, Bronze, 17"x13"

Abraham Lincoln, Bronze, 18 1/2" tall x 10" wide

2011 Artist Blog - Entry #15

The Return of Joy, Clay Original, Earthenware|Glaze|Oil paint, 20" X 14" X 12"

Luisa's Smile, Glaze|China & Oil Paint|Gold, 17" X 8" X 8"

Tamara Bonet is a contemporary, self-taught American figurative sculptress who heavily focuses on portraiture. Bonet's figurative works are made with clay but she also casts a lot of them in bronze as well as paints them which introduces that much more uniqueness as well as defines her own style of making sculptures. She implements wax, earthenware, oil painting and other materials. Her characters are one of a kind - filled with deep emotion, elegance, and grace which, undoubtedly, was the initial goal from the start. Bonet's works are easy to remember and difficult to forget. Drapery and clothing enforce the unique style of her almost alive characters - characters that have a story to tell, perhaps a reflection of the sculptor within her own works! The thought process put into each sculpture is distinctive in its own right. Each work is also carefully rendered with a great pose and a strong yet gentle gesture that define the composition. The addition of accessories aka environmental elements such as furniture and personal adornments add a very nice touch as well as more life than there already is. Bonet's characters are not "exposed" like in some works of figurative sculptors (nude and alone, as if not belonging) - they have a world of their own and they are a part of it. I would certainly say they look comfortable in the setting they are in and confident in the action they're taking or are about to taking. A deep understanding of anatomy is very visible in Bonet's works. Her figures have a great sense of weight, gravity, expression, and mood. Such skills are crucial in evoking believability of figures and capturing the moment. Tamara is one fine artist, a rarity these days - definitely a great example to follow and get inspired by! (word count - 300)

Blessings Bloom, Clay Original, Earthenware|Glaze|Oil Paint, 22" X 9" X 12"

Wealth, Clay Original, Earthenware|Glaze|Oil paint, 17" X 9" X 11"

2011 Artist Blog - Entry #14

Precious, Bronze, 21" high, life-size 3 year-old (by Marianne)

Tuscan Beauty, Bronze, 26" Tall

Marianne and Scy Caroselli (daughter) are contemporary American sculptors residing in Denver, Colorado. Both are passionate about figurative art but also possess a love for animals and landscape elements. Marianne has been a sculptor and a painter for over 30 years, while her daughter, Scy, has been doing fine art for about 12 years and sculpting for 4. Their work in bronze is both gorgeous and adorable due to the subject matter being portrayed - mostly children, animals, and elegant female figures. The style is American which in its own right also gives a great sense of warmth and everlasting peace. I really had a hard time picking what works to display in this post! Because I'm in love with them all. In the pictures I did post, you can clearly see all the care and heart poured into these works. Although slightly stylized, there is a great deal of naturalism involved. Especially the figurative works of children and a woman that look very believable. Their expressions and gestures are what really makes the figures come to life. Their decision to render the stills with paint is extraordinary as it gives that much more character to the sculpts. Honestly, now that I've seen these painted, they would most likely look dull if coated in bronze all throughout. Much of the character and believability would've been lost. All in all, these sculptors have done a magical job of combining realism with fable-like feel to it! (word count - 244)

Curious Cubs, Bronze, 12" High - 17" Wide (Collaborative Mother/Daughter Effort)

Bunny & Clyde, Bronze, 11" x 17" (Scy's first bronze sculpture)

A Letter From Grandma, Bronze, 43" High

2011 Artist Blog - Entry #13

Mother and Child, 1989, Bronze, 7'

Psyche and Cupid, 1984, Bronze, 22" and 71"

Prodigal Son, 1986, Bronze, Life-size

Barry Woods Johnston is a contemporary figurative sculptor currently based in Baltimore, Maryland. His works are one of a kind, really. Since his style is expressionistic, his sculptures are full of life and energy, and stand out like no other. Expression, gesture, and pose are what makes them so unique. Their majestic designs are filled with motion and energy and play a huge role in representing an essence of true human beauty within. All of his works are casted in bronze with the exception of five sculptures. A lot of Johnston's sculptures are in various museums throughout the world (ex. Vatican) and the work posted here shows us clearly why they chose his style. The style is also unique because his extraordinary figurative work evokes life at its highest point. Most of his sculptures are either in action or are ready to be. Dancing pose helps to bring out that powerful emotion of freedom and beauty as well as a need for adventure, in my opinion. It is a little hard to explain plus the fact that every individual will view it in their own particular way. Due to the amount of gesture and lightness, Johnston's style reminds me of Hellenistic/Early Imperial period when it was all about emotion. The rendering of the figures is simply marvelous, the effect must be heightened when viewed in person. Souls of these sculptures seem to almost break out of the bronze and go about their business. A really striking effect that not many sculptors achieve due to the difference in styles. (word count - 257)

Dance of Life, 1998, Bronze, 19"x 7"x7"

2011 Artist Blog - Entry #12

Bust of Aristotle, Bronze, 25", 1992

Bust of Michelangelo, Bronze, 22.5", 1994

Sandra J. Shaw is a contemporary American sculptor who has been doing figurative art for about 30 years now. Although her main focus is devoted to sculpting in clay and then casting in bronze, she doesn't restrain herself to just one medium and explores things such as landscape color studies and does life drawings as well as studies of master works to develop her understanding of the subject. It is Shaw's belief that by knowing how to visualize subject on paper, artist's knowledge of sculpting also increases (which I also find to be true). Her sculpted works include life-size human figures and portraiture as well as animal art which I find to be pretty uncommon in sculpture these days. Although, animal art does seem to be absent even dating back to the Renaissance and Greco-Roman art except for equestrian statues in which horses were a major part of a sculpture. Since each and every sculptor develops his/her own style, I can only guess at what Shaw's main source of inspiration is. Her works, due to them being cast in bronze most of the time, make me think of Late Antiquity and Baroque (ex. Rodin). It is not necessarily realistic/naturalistic but more of an expressionistic style of sculptural art (expressionistic doesn't mean a lack of understanding of human anatomy, Shaw's deep knowledge of anatomy is apparent). Her two busts of Aristotle and Michelangelo definitely scream baroque to me. Shaw's carefully rendered bronze statues and busts are very appealing to look at. This sculptor's mastery is a great source of inspiration for new generation of sculptors to come, including myself. (word count - 268)

Don Quixote, Bronze, 16", 1988

My Kitten, Bronze, 6", 1987

Possession, Bronze, 15", 1999

2011 Artist Blog - Entry #11

Margaret Thatcher (Lifesize)

Bruce Wolfe is a contemporary figurative sculptor who's been sculpting for about 40 years. His major theme focuses on busts and figurative portraits of many well-known individuals. Wolfe's main medium includes clay and bronze, but he also paints in oil. His figurative work, most of which are public monuments, are either over lifesize or lifesize in scale. The style of his works shifts between Naturalistic and 21st Century American. Although his busts are quite impressive in capturing likeness of an individual (a skill which takes years of practice), what amazes me the most are his lifesize, full-fledged figures. I believe they really capture the essence of a human being portrayed. Wolfe has an unprecedented knowledge of clothing and how folds work on them. In my opinion, small things like treatment of garments and personal adornments (rings, eyeglasses, books) can really capture the character of a person. He seemed to have also mastered glance, gesture, and expression for most believability. A skill amateur sculptors tend to lack thus creating uncomfortable feel of stiffness aka robotic, lifeless look. In his figurative works, what really stands out to me, is the energy, emotion, grace and weight, carefully captured and established. Works that evoke emotion are very memorable and I can easily say that I am inspired by what Wolfe has accomplished throughout his art career. (word count - 222)

Eutupe, Bronze, 7' 4" high

Tirza, Bronze, 35" x 10" x 11"

Lamar Hunt, Bronze, 9' 8" tall

John Hannah, Bronze, 7' tall