David Varnau's sculpture blog

Courtyard Gallery

I am pleased to have just negotiated an agreement with Courtyard Gallery in La Conner, WA to represent my artwork.   Although it has a population of less than 1000, the Town of La Conner has a very rich history, with many historic buildings located along the waterfront, along the hill area, and also throughout town. Located just one hour north of Seattle, La Conner is a destination spot for many tourists and locals alike. Bordering the Swinomish Channel makes La Conner

Persuasion by David Varnau displayed in gallery’s front window

accessible by boat as well as by car. Many boaters arrive from Canada and the San Juan Islands and dock within walking distance of the gallery. With its many gift shops, galleries, restaurants, and hotels, La Conner is the place where you can go and stroll the streets, take a deep breath and enjoy the moment.

When I first glimpsed the video produced by the City of Olympia announcing the kickoff for the Percival Plinth Project, I was tickled to discover that it features Joie de Vivre as the backdrop for the video.

I am pleased to announce that  Joie de Vivre (edition 1) was just installed at Percival Landing in Olympia, WA.

The sculpture will be on display there for one year as part of the juried sculpture loan program for the Percival Plinth Project.  The little girl that inspired the life size piece was my granddaughter, Abigail, who was 4 years old at the time that I sculpted her.  Coincidentally, Abigail was born in Olympia not far from the location of the sculpture.

Viewed from Percival Landing with rotunda of the State Capital visible in the distance

A beguiling, open-hearted and upbeat child, Abigail is the heart of the message presented by the sculpture.

Yoga Bliss

More than sixty artists’ works were selected for the Juried EAFA Art Exhibit on Mercer Island.  Some of the artists are from as far away as Anchorage, Alaska.  I was honored at the awards ceremony to be presented with Second Place prize for Yoga Bliss!  Michelle Usibelli, who was juror for the show, said she selected Yoga Bliss for the award because “this impressive sculpture draws the viewer in to the ‘story’ with its beautiful portrayal of strength and elegance.”

Be sure to attend the Edmonds Arts Festival on Fathers Day Weekend.  Visit the Three Dimensional Juried Art Gallery.  While there, you will see one of my sculptures on display, Hot Yoga.  The festival runs June 17-19.  Friday and Saturday 10:00 am- 8:00 pm, Sunday 10 am – 6 pm.  700 Main St., Edmonds, WA

Hey, if you are in town, check out the Evergreen Association of Fine Arts Exhibition at the Mercer Island Community Center.   Artists’ Reception is Thursday evening, June 9, from 6:30 – 8:00pm.

Yoga Bliss

The show runs from June 6-July 22. My sculpture entitled Yoga Bliss was juried into the show. Nice to get some exposure on Mercer Island!  Interestingly, there happens to be a yoga studio by the name of Yoga Bliss on Mercer Island.

Unclad 2016: The Fine Art of the Figure is the annual show celebrating the nude figure in art.  For the first time, the annual show is being held in Edmonds, Washington.  It includes the work of over 90 artists from the local area and beyond.  Two of my sculptures have been accepted into the show:  Embrace, which is cast bronze, and Allure, which is cast leaded glass.

Embrace

Allure

UNCLAD 2016 will be held at the Edmonds Yacht Club at 326 Admiral Way, Edmonds, Washington on Sat & Sun, March 19th & 20th from 10 am to 5 pm.

At the suggestion of Denise Cole, owner of Cole Gallery, I recently had a new patina applied to a sculpture that I had cast last year.  The sculpture is entitled Embrace and now has a traditional patina.  Denise liked it so much that she invited me to install Embrace just outside the entrance to the gallery.  I recently was riding my bike by the gallery and noticed the afternoon sun on the sculpture in a way that I felt really made the sculpture glow.

I am pleased to have completed the casting of my new work, Eternal Longing.  It is a gravity defying bronze work that speaks to the dynamic interplay between two souls.

In creating Eternal Longing, I was inspired to capture that fleeting moment where the masculine and feminine are joined.  Here, the feminine is portrayed as spirited, reaching heights to which the masculine, earthbound, can only cling.  He is invited to join her, to bridge the divide between heaven and earth.  How telling it is that our hearts yearn for lasting connection with the Other, yet find that union and sense of wholeness to be but transitory.