Journeys in Sculpture and Painting

The Mad Faience Project in the News

2012-02-23T05:52:00.000-08:00

CLICK HERE to read article

A Sculptor's Tools

2012-02-22T19:17:00.000-08:00

Here is a selection of my wooden modelling and finishing tools. I like to have beautiful tools as they inspire me. Many of these I spent hours carving, finishing, sanding, and sealing to make the perfect tool. These tools are carved from jet black African ebony, cocobolo, purpleheart, rosewood.

Ebony is my favorite wood to carve tools from as it is incredibly dense and almost entirely without pitted grain. It sands to a glass finish! Ebony is not to EVER be dropped as it snaps into pieces on impact, being so dense and fine grained.

Some of these tools are from estate auctions. For years I would hunt for the old world, well-made tools at auction. Some of my tools are initialed by bygone sculptors, and some belonged to my teachers, such as the late Laci Degerenday and his wife Elisabeth Gordon Chandler. The tiny tool at the bottom was purchased from their estate and to me represents the sweet tradition of passing the torch.

Update on the Mad Faience Project

2012-02-20T16:04:00.000-08:00

There are 13 days remaining in the pledge drive for the Mad Faience Project. There are many who have expressed interest in pledging. Pledging now will encourage others to pledge too. Pledge today to receive great rewards (art prints, original works of art, etc).

Click here to visit the fundraiser page and pledge

Press Release: The Mad Faience Project, Feb. 13, 2012

2012-02-15T06:16:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 13, 2012

Maryland sculptor using Kickstarter to revive lost Egyptian medium in modern works

Frederick, MD – Reviving Egyptian faience for use in detailed figure sculptures, Majesty and Innocence is a ground-breaking project being undertaken by Maryland sculptor Gavin Gardner.

After much research and testing, Gardner, a classically trained figure sculptor, has developed a recipe and techniques successfully resulting in small faience works. He now plans to take his endeavor further by producing a series of detailed figures representing the majesty and innocence of the human spirit.

In keeping with the innovative tone of the project, blending ancient artistry with modern skill and resources, Gardner selected Kickstarter as a venue for project backing because it provides supporters an opportunity to share in the effort by enjoying the direct rewards of the project. The Mad Faience Project is available on Kickstarter until March 4, 2012.

With the support of Kickstarter backers, Gardner's work will represent the first to be rendered in faience since ancient times, an endeavor which will serve as a boon to the arts with its blend of modern knowledge, classical art influences and inherent timeless beauty.

Invented by the Egyptians and adopted by the Romans until it faded from use during the era of the Roman Empire, replicating the complex composition and methods of creating faience has eluded modern scholars. Many have tried but failed to accurately recreate the blue ceramic material that was once prevalent in Egyptian art, and detailed works have not been produced since the Roman Empire.

Mimi Leveque, a leading conservator of antiquities and renowned expert in Egyptology and faience, who has consulted with Gardner and provided valuable insight and guidance, said if the Mad Faience Project succeeds in producing detailed Faience works, “It would be the first time since antiquity.”

Developing a passion for the material after seeing photos of ancient artifacts made from the material, Gardner worked tirelessly for more than four years, driven by a desire to see the stunning material used for modern works. Consulting leading experts from around the world, Gardner's research has blended with his knowledge and skills as a sculptor to bring faience back to life so that the world can once again enjoy its beauty outside the walls of museums.

The introduction of a new sculpting medium adding to the traditional lists of stone and clay materials is also vital to the enrichment of the work of artists as they engage in the pursuit of introducing new and beautiful masterpieces for posterity.

Working and living in Frederick, Md, Gardner is a graduate of the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts and has focused his career on honoring the spirit of the classical masters, with a large portion of his portfolio devoted to the human figure and liturgical pieces.

To view The Mad Faience Project, including a detailed description of the material and its history as well as examples of Gardner's work, visit: www.kickstarter.com/projects/1093486126/mad-faience-project-sculptures-in-a-lost-egyptian

Images of Gardner's fine art sculpture and paintings can be found at: www.gavingardner.com

For further information or to schedule an interview, Gardner can be reached at:

gavintayce1@gmail.com

Update on the Mad Faience Project

2012-02-07T15:48:00.000-08:00

YES! there are pledges! There is still much more funds that need to be raised in 26 days.

Please visit the following link to pledge! (and purchase artwork, prints, and other cool things).

Mad Faience Project

The Mad Faience Project Kickstarter Fundraiser Begins

2012-02-03T20:47:00.000-08:00

My Kickstarter project "The Mad Faience Project" is LIVE! Pledge now to receive great rewards! I will be producing New sculptures in a lost Egyptian material! With your support, we can help revive and ancient Egyptian sculpture medium!

Pledging ends on March 4! And please spread the word! Click below to pledge!

Online Pledge Drive Goes LIVE!

The Mad Faience Project Facebook Fan Page

2012-01-27T13:39:00.000-08:00

Hello friends! The Mad Faience Project now has a facebook fan page! You may visit it by

CLICKING HERE

Please check back for discussions and updates. And once again, your enthusiastic support is critical, so tell a friend or two, or post a link on your facebook page!

Cheers!

Fundraising to Create New Sculptures in a Lost Egyptian Material

2012-01-26T16:57:00.000-08:00

Dear friends, I am pleased to announce the 20 day soft launch of my Kickstarter project, entitled "The Mad Faience Project." This is a fundraiser project for my research in ancient Egyptian sculpture materials.

Please spread the word and please check out my project!

Click here to visit my project page!

THE MAD FAIENCE PROJECT

I will be raising $10,000 over 30 days in order to further my research by creating the first detailed figure sculptures in faience since ancient Egypt.

This 20 day "soft launch" is for the express purpose of getting the word out there before the "actual launch" next month! During this soft launch I will be getting the word out as much as possible, and generating press articles. I will be answering questions about my project here on my blog, on my kickstarter project page and I will also create a Facebook fan page.

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

2011-12-18T08:40:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-10T10:49:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-05T15:46:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-03T14:06:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-12-03T12:32:00.000-08:00

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!