HOLIDAY LIVE AUCTION!!! These items will ship overnight!

Good Morning, Friends!  I decided this weekend to try an experiment.  Starting today, I am auctioning 4 original works (3 reliefs in cast stone and one study in oil).  The auctions will end on Wednesday this week, and I will overnight the works for Christmas!

This is an excellent opportunity to own one of my pieces.  The auctions are on ebay and have NO RESERVE!  The beginning bids are extremely reasonable, and with no reserve, these could sell for a steal.  This is a one time opportunity!

CLICK HERE

To Join Live Auction!

Here are images of the the available works.

"The First Sip," From Start to Finish

I will be posting here and there regarding my process.  The following photos chronicle the progress of a 24" bronze figure entitled, "The First Sip".  This was a commission for a couple who were celebrating their 8th anniversary, which is bronze.  The bronze casting is mounted atop a beautiful green marble column (of the Doric order) in their private gardens.

Here, I have designed and hand-made a moulding for the base 

and have mounted the pieces in preparation for sculpting.

This is the completed aluminum armature.  

Typically I work by the sight-size method 

and build flat silhouettes from varying angles.
Then the figure is "fleshed out".

A figure sculpture is created by first sculpting the nude.

Then clay strands are carefully placed to capture the chief lines of drapery.

Drapery lines are gradually softened.

Drapery is refined.

Finishing touches are put on the sculpture.

The completed bronze.

Growing and Enjoying Tea

For many years, i have enjoyed many varieties of tea. My favorite tea houses include: Teaism (8th & D streets, D.C.), Teavana (Tyson's Corner), Capital Teas (Annapolis), and several local tea shops in Frederick. I am partial to black teas that are smokey and earthy, though I also enjoy mild green teas (Gyokuru Imperial is a favorite, from Teaism).

Several years ago, I decided to try my hand at growing tea. This is the website of Camellia Forest Nursery, in South Carolina. Order a tea tree and it will ship to your door, along with instructions for harvesting the "first flush" of leaves and treating them to make either green or black tea. Occasionally, they carry tea from India and other countries. Growing tea is a rewarding endeavor and it is fun as well!

Www.camforest.com

Holiday Shows

I am honored to have paintings included in two holiday shows!  Holiday Art Exhibit opens this evening (December 3) from 6-8pm at the Bridge Gallery, in Shepherdstown, WV.  The show runs until January 3.  "Mercury Ball" will be at the Bridge Gallery.

"Mercury Ball, 8"x8", oil on panel, 2011

In addition "Undine" and "Vide Cor Tuum" are being shown through the holidays at Four Star Frame Shop, in Stonington, CT.

I hope some of you will be able to visit these galleries to enjoy works by a myriad of artists!

Undine, 10"x28", oil on panel, 2011

Vide Cor Tuum, 10"x28", oil on panel, 2011

Welcome!

Welcome, friends, to "Gavin T. Gardner: Journeys in Painting and Sculpture."  Here I will be posting updates from my studio, information about shows, techniques, and random things of interest!  Please check back!