MYTHMAKERS: THE SCULPTURES
As a child, I was invited to work in the studio of an old Greek icon painter. For the many years that I sculpted in his studio, he delighted me with tales of the Greek myths. These formative moments were a thread linking storytelling and art that has since woven through the tapestry of my creative life.
Expanding on this foundational love of traditional world mythologies, for the last several years I have been writing an original mythology featuring characters, creatures and stories of my own imaginings.
These tales come to life through a series of bronze sculptures I am concurrently working on. Each piece depicts a pivotal moment in one of the stories, and, as the stories give rise to the sculptures, the sculptures also inspire the tales.
Expanding on this foundational love of traditional world mythologies, for the last several years I have been writing an original mythology featuring characters, creatures and stories of my own imaginings.
These tales come to life through a series of bronze sculptures I am concurrently working on. Each piece depicts a pivotal moment in one of the stories, and, as the stories give rise to the sculptures, the sculptures also inspire the tales.
"Wind in the Waves"
large scale
"Wind in the Waves", 48"x 30"x 15", Bronze. A limited number in the edition are Available
"...And from its midst rose Súla, born of sea and sky and the sorrow of birds from on high. Surrounding her on all sides, ripples radiated out in all directions, heralding her arrival throughout the ocean to every cove, beach head, lagoon and shore.
"...She could be seen in full flower, her long golden tresses whirling in the wind, her skin emanating the sunbeams of a new day. She sailed along the crest of a great wave, dancing on the back of the sea creature Amorgos, her laughter like the far off cries of the shearwaters."...
This sculpture depicts Sula riding atop Amorgos, a benevolent, magical creature that plays a crucial role in both the creation myths and in the later stories I am currently writing. Each bronze in the edition has a different number and placement of birds as well as a different patina.
"...She could be seen in full flower, her long golden tresses whirling in the wind, her skin emanating the sunbeams of a new day. She sailed along the crest of a great wave, dancing on the back of the sea creature Amorgos, her laughter like the far off cries of the shearwaters."...
This sculpture depicts Sula riding atop Amorgos, a benevolent, magical creature that plays a crucial role in both the creation myths and in the later stories I am currently writing. Each bronze in the edition has a different number and placement of birds as well as a different patina.
"Wind in the Waves"
"Wind in the Waves", 22"x 12"x 8", Bronze. A limited number in the edition are Available
Details of the original 22" tall clay sculpture before casting.
"Amorgos - Creature of the Sea"
"Amorgos - Creature of the Sea", 7"x 12" x 6", Bronze. A limited number in the edition are Available
“Amorgos: Creature of the Sea” is a central figure in the mythology I am currently writing. Amorgos is a benevolent, magical creature who plays a crucial role in the creation myths and in later stories, helping people and mystical beings find their way through the newly-born world they live in.
This sculpture is available in various patinas.
This sculpture is available in various patinas.
"The Twins Kythos: Dusk - Gathering the Night"
"The Twins Kythos: Dusk - Gathering the Night", 20.5"x 13"x 8", Bronze. A limited number in the edition are Available
Dawn and Dusk are the Twins Kythos are from the epic story I am currently writing. Here, Dusk plays the aulos or twin pipes, lyrically enticing nightfall into being. Each pipe is in the form of creatures of the dusk - the fox and nightingale. The cloth that gently envelops her is the manifestation of night. She is the companion sculpture to her twin sister "Beckoning the Dawn".
Each sculpture within the edition is unique. In addition a unique patina, there are six different fabrics that can flow off the hip and and shoulder. There are six aulos pipes as well - a fox, nightingale (also called nightjar or nighthawk), moonflower, calla lily, ornamental pipe and one in the shape of Amorgos. There are thousands of potential variations of which, due to the small edition size, only a tiny fraction will ever be created. Collectors are welcome to take part in selecting the elements that please them the most.
Each sculpture within the edition is unique. In addition a unique patina, there are six different fabrics that can flow off the hip and and shoulder. There are six aulos pipes as well - a fox, nightingale (also called nightjar or nighthawk), moonflower, calla lily, ornamental pipe and one in the shape of Amorgos. There are thousands of potential variations of which, due to the small edition size, only a tiny fraction will ever be created. Collectors are welcome to take part in selecting the elements that please them the most.
Details of the original 20.5" tall clay sculpture before casting.
"The Twins Kythos: Beckoning the Dawn"
"Beckoning the Dawn" is the seventh in the series. The fabric wrapped around Dawn represents the night from which she emerges as the music she plays on her pan flute calls the day into being. Her ornate hair and jeweled headdress are reminiscent of the rising sun appearing over the horizon. The wellspring that pours from the rock at the base of the sculpture represents the beginning of a new day.
She is the companion sculpture to her twin sister "Dusk - Gathering the Night"
She is the companion sculpture to her twin sister "Dusk - Gathering the Night"
"The Twins Kythos: Beckoning the Dawn", 20.5"x 6.5"x 9.5", Bronze. A limited number in the edition are Available
Each sculpture within the edition is unique. In addition a unique patina, there are multiple different fabrics that can flow off her shoulder. There are three different pan pipes options. There are thousands of potential variations of which, due to the small edition size, only a tiny fraction will ever be created. Collectors are welcome to take part in selecting the elements that please them the most.
Here is a 30 second roundabout of the finished clay
Here is quick 11 second video on one of the ways I sculpted thin fabric on Beckoning the Dawn. I started by laying in the high points of the folds and wrinkles then smoothing them into the form of the thigh so that it felt whisper thin. The fabric that flows off of the form is so delicate that it can fall apart with the warmth of my hands and can't actually be placed on the figure until it is cast in bronze.
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"The Vine Dance of Blómai"
"The Vine Dance of Blómai", 21"x10"x 9", Bronze. A limited number in the edition are Available
This sculpture is based on an epic story that I am writing about the heroine Blómai who saves her people by dancing.
"...With a flow like wind, water and the flight of birds, her body told the tale of her people, their beautiful island and the creatures upon it. Her people drifted (in the water) around the rock and watched in awe as the story unfolded. When the heat of the sun brought water to her skin, she danced of how they left their land. Her movements described what words could not.
"As the sweat from her limbs and the blood from her feet met with the stone below, it quickened. Drawn by her movements and fed by her flesh, great vines sprang forth. Chasing the flow of her form, they curved round her legs and soon filled with leaf and bloom. They were festooned with the gifts of Vitis. Within moments, this tiny islet was awash in flower. Spilling onto the surface of the sea, the vines spread in great tangles of blossoms. Many more fruits appeared, both tart and sweet.
"Those in the water climbed aboard these magnificent rafts, finding that which quenched both hunger and thirst and a bower to rest their wearied spirits."
Each sculpture within the edition is unique. In addition a unique patina, the number and placement of the leaves is different on each piece. Collectors are welcome to take part in selecting the number of leaves that please them the most.
"...With a flow like wind, water and the flight of birds, her body told the tale of her people, their beautiful island and the creatures upon it. Her people drifted (in the water) around the rock and watched in awe as the story unfolded. When the heat of the sun brought water to her skin, she danced of how they left their land. Her movements described what words could not.
"As the sweat from her limbs and the blood from her feet met with the stone below, it quickened. Drawn by her movements and fed by her flesh, great vines sprang forth. Chasing the flow of her form, they curved round her legs and soon filled with leaf and bloom. They were festooned with the gifts of Vitis. Within moments, this tiny islet was awash in flower. Spilling onto the surface of the sea, the vines spread in great tangles of blossoms. Many more fruits appeared, both tart and sweet.
"Those in the water climbed aboard these magnificent rafts, finding that which quenched both hunger and thirst and a bower to rest their wearied spirits."
Each sculpture within the edition is unique. In addition a unique patina, the number and placement of the leaves is different on each piece. Collectors are welcome to take part in selecting the number of leaves that please them the most.
Blómai patina samples
Details of the original 21" tall clay sculpture before casting.
"Born of Root and Stone"
"Born of Root and Stone, 16.5"x 15"x 6", Bronze. A limited number in the edition are Available
Born of Root and Stone is a central figure in several stories. She is the physical embodiment of the vitality of the island she lives on. The sculpture shows her essence as a personification of nature, her form at her wrist, hip and thigh can be seen blending into the rock she sits upon.
“... yet all gave adoration to one of magnificent form. Standing taller than most, she was not born of woman but of stone and root, spring and stream, mist and sun. Whether standing alone or surrounded by creatures, she had a bearing beyond that of Kings…”
I have also rendered her in my paintings.
“... yet all gave adoration to one of magnificent form. Standing taller than most, she was not born of woman but of stone and root, spring and stream, mist and sun. Whether standing alone or surrounded by creatures, she had a bearing beyond that of Kings…”
I have also rendered her in my paintings.
Born of Root and Stone patina samples
"Gift of the Faun" and "Dancing Faun"
"Gift of the Faun" and "Dancing Faun", 24"x 6"x 12" and 23"x 9"x 12, Bronze. A limited number in the edition are Available
This is a love story, a love of dance and a love for a dancer.
"...Vitis held his creation in his palm as he strolled into the Valley of the Faun. Within moments he could see the blur of her dance in the corner of his eye and hear her gentle steps in the loamy moss."
"...Vitis held his creation in his palm as he strolled into the Valley of the Faun. Within moments he could see the blur of her dance in the corner of his eye and hear her gentle steps in the loamy moss."
The original clay faun sculptures before casting.
"Dance of the Centaurelle" and "Centaurelle Huntress"
"Dance of the Centaurelle" and "Centaurelle Huntress", 10"x 10.5"x 4" and 11"x 12"x 4", Bronze. A limited number are Available
There are two versions of the Centaurelle, one with an open left hand and the other with her fingers closed around one of 3 spear options. Three different patinas are shown below
Woodland Satyr
Woodland Satyr, 14”x12”x 7”, Bronze. This edition is Sold Out
Where does inspiration come from? Everywhere. I was in Tuscany visiting a friend's little castle. A bit of flaking plaster on a wall that had seen countless generations caught my eye. To me it looked like a satyr and when I was back in my studio, the inspiration became this sculpture.
There were variations within the series the with some having grape leaves intertwined in the hair and horns and some without.
There were variations within the series the with some having grape leaves intertwined in the hair and horns and some without.
MYTHMAKERS SCULPTURE SLIDESHOW