Peter Griz, has had a creative impulse leading him down paths of inventing and obtaining patents for mechanical devices over the years. But, when he began fabricating and experimenting with metals his creative desire took its natural course in designing kinetic sculptures. His fascination with the possibility of designing a piece of art that could be energized solely by the wind producing such a tranquil effect became a passion. Inspirational ideas for his art work evolved from observing things as simplistic as his grandson’s “Delta Flyer” kite. Peter is a self taught artist who retired from Ford Motor Company after 33 years. His experience in design and mechanical aspects enables him the knowledge to achieve precision and balance in the creation of his kinetics. Designs are unique and hand hammered using dissimilar metals of copper and stainless steel, then fused together to generate sculptural symmetry. These elements coupled together create the wind induced motion of the captivating rhythm expressed in the vitality of his art. Peter continues to explore new techniques in working with the properties of metal to bring new ideas to life. Included in a few of his commissioned works are sculptures at the Indiana Fremont Public Library, The Goddard School in Oxford, Michigan, a signature logo sculpture designed exclusively for Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay, Michigan and a “Veteran Star” sculpture that will stand at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Michigan designed to honor those who forever stand in defense of American Freedom.

NATIVE OF ICELAND - STUDIED ART IN ENGLAND

Vala was born and raised in Iceland. She has lived in the US since 1994.. Vala Ola's artistic talent was apparent at age 4, and from the age of thirteen she attended classes drawing models from life. Graduating from the College of Hamrahlid, she furthered her studies at the Icelandic College of the Arts, and later graduated from The Arts Institute in Bournemouth, England.

2001 Vala rekindled her interest in sculpting with clay after solely painting with oil for seven years. Her inspiration derives from her observation of life. Even the most mundane circumstance we find ourselves in daily will spark an idea. The Flemish artist Vermeer would paint the simple act of pouring milk, elevating it to a moment worth remembering for eternity, in a similar way Vala will look at a moment usually passed by as moment worth noticing. All her sculptures are cast in bronze.

Vala is an artist who passionately and relentlessly seeks to create artworks that show her dedication to excellence. Her classical training in Europe is reflected in her art. Her figurative bronze sculptures and oil paintings are noted for their depth of expression and emotion. The high quality of her art has earned her great respect among art appreciators.

GARY ALSUM CATALOG PDF

Gary Alsum has been quickly recognized for his ability to capture the dynamics of children at play and athletes in motion. “These are my favorite subjects because of the passion for life that they demonstrate,” Gary says. “It is a constant challenge to capture these qualities in bronze and pass that on to the viewer. When developing each new sculpture my primary concern is it’s artistic integrity. I continually strive for work that merits recognition on the basics of its aesthetic quality alone, regardless of subject matter.”

Most of Gary’s recent work has been commissioned and he feels this has resulted in his best work. Working with someone else’s concepts has pushed his creativity beyond its normal limits. “To take an idea I wouldn’t normally pursue and then create a piece I am excited about is particularly satisfying,” he explains.

His inspiration comes form memories of his own childhood and from observing his own children and their friends as they play and interact with each other.

GERALD BALCIAR CATALOG PDF

Born in Northern Wisconsin on August 28, 1942, Gerald Balciar had an early interest in art beginning back in grade school. His are is noted for its readily identifiable artistic style which is grounded in an in-depth knowledge of animals. For reference he works from his extensive library of wildlife material which includes photos, magazine clippings, books, and numerous study casts and measurements. He also uses live models as an invaluable aid in his sculptures and receives excellent cooperation from zoologists and wildlife organizations.

Balciar is involved in the creative process of bronze making from the beginning to the end. He works his original sculpture in wax or clay and then personally makes his own molds and chases his own waxes. Once the bronze is cast at the foundry, he does the welding and metal chasing and then applies the patina and finishing touches to each bronze.

While doing an 18’ bronze elk in 1982, he devised a point up system that revolutionized the traditional enlargement process. His largest bronze sculpture to date is 20’ bronze moose, Centennial, which was installed in Mooseheart, Illinois, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Loyal Order of the Moose in 1988. His largest marble carving is an 18’, 16,000 lb. cougar, Canyon Princess, which was installed at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Center in Oklahoma City in June, 1995.

He is fellow of the National Sculpture Society and a member of the Society of Animal Artists, Allied Artist of America and Northwest Rendezvous Group. He has won several awards, and is listed in Who’s Who in American Art, Who’ Who in the West and the Dictionary of American Sculptors. He has taught at the Prix de West Artists’ Workshop, Scottsdale Artists School and Art Students League of Denver, and Loveland Academy of Fine Arts.

Balciar’s most prestigious award is the Prix de West received in 1985 from the National Academy of Western Art at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Center in Oklahoma City for his marble, River Companions.

Gerald’s sculptures and in numerous corporate and private collections throughout the world.

Cloyd Barnes’ Arkansas childhood offered the solitude so important to the artist. Numerous contented hours were spent with various woods and a sharp pocket knife. His first serious sculptures however, were created after graduation from Tulsa University in 1968 with a B.S. degree in Physics. At that time, he moved to southern New Mexico were he developed an increased interest Western History and wildlife and a desire to recreate it in art. In 1977 the transition was made from wood to wax and clay. His first bronze was cast in 1977, the precursor to a continuous flow of limited editions.

Cloyd moved to Denver in 1986 and took early retirement from Martin Marietta Denver Aerospace after a long career in management/engineering, including employment with General Dynamics and Dynalectron Corporation. The move to Denver provided access to workshop studies with the other artists including Sandy Scott, Gerald Balciar, and Daniel Ostermiller, and several years with the Art Students League of Denver. It also afforded close proximity to some of the best art casting foundries in the country. Cloyd continues to pursue sculpting full time from his studio in Colorado.

His wildlife and Western sculptures have won numerous awards including a sculpture of a cougar, “Take Five”, which won the Helen G. Oehler Memorial award from the American Artist’s Professional League in NYC. It was also shown at the annual juried exhibition of the Audubon Artists and the National Academy of Design in NYC. His elk sculpture, “Wilderness Echoes”, earned the VIU/ Grumbacher Gold Medallion Achievement Award in NYC.

Barnes sculptures range from desktop size to monumental. His latest monumental works include a seven foot high running buffalo which stands at the clubhouse entrance of Buffalo Run Golf Course, Adams County, CO. In June 1999 the “Prospector”, a nine foot high gold miner and pack burro was dedicated in Colorado Springs, CO at the entrance to Old Colorado City.

Barnes sculpture sales at auction have supported North American Elk and Bighorn Sheep habitat efforts; and Public Broadcasting on TV Channel 6 Rocky Mountain PBS. He shows his work at the annual Southeastern Wildlife Show in Charleston, SC and the Pacific Rim Wildlife Show in Seattle, WA. Mr. Barnes is also represented by the Knox Galleries in Beaver Creek and Denver, CO, Harbor Springs, MI and Naples, FL.