David Varnau's sculpture blog

Hot Yoga

I am pleased to have six of my bronze sculptures are on display through the month of May, 2014 at Hallmark Realty in Kirkland.  Located on pedestrian friendly Lake Street, the sculptures can be viewed 24/7 since they are placed in the Realty’s front windows.  You will find them at 101 Lake St, Kirkland, WA 98033   (425) 822-1241

As a figurative sculptor, I am fascinated by the ubiquitous display of figurative sculpture in France and Italy.  I have wondered what it is like to be a sculptor where sculpture plays a larger role in the life of the culture.  Recently, while planning a brief visit in Paris with my wife, Donna, who is fluent in French, she suggested that I meet with some local Parisian artists whose works I had said inspired me.  Because Donna is a Francophile and we have been there numerous times before, it seemed like a great way to get a glimpse into the art scene there and also to hobnob with “real people”, rather than only those that cater to tourists, such as those that you meet during the course of going to restaurants, staying in hotels and the like.

Donna translated my email requests to rendezvous with two different French sculptors whose websites I had stumbled on some time ago and with whom I had made contact through Facebook.  To our surprise, they both graciously agreed to meet with us!

Brigitte Teman

The first sculptor was Brigitte Teman, who was trained originally as a dentist in Paris, but who was forced to quit dentistry due to nerve impingement in her neck caused by craning her head while performing dental procedures on her patients.  Her physician told her she had to quit and recommended that, to regain feeling in her right hand, she take a ball of clay and squeeze it repeatedly throughout the day.  While doing so, she discovered that she enjoyed sculpting and her new career took off from there.  Today, she is a successful figurative sculptor whose bronze works are primarily seen in Galerie Mickael Marciano located in the prestigious Place des Vosges in Paris.  Lingering over lunch with Brigitte, as my wife and I listened to her, we were struck by the connection we felt with Brigitte while she shared her experiences as she has risen to recognition in the Parisian art world.

David with Yves Pires

The following day, we visited Yves Pires in his studio, just outside of Paris. His studio knocked my socks off! He has done literally hundreds of very impressive figurative sculptures over the course of his career–quite inspiring (and humbling), to say the least.  Currently, he casts his sculptures in either bronze or in resin.  He says that he likes the slick appearance of the glossy finished resin, feeling that it appears more “moderne”.  Yves was very generous and welcoming. After seeing his studio and discussing his process, he invited Donna and I to join him in his home for a meal.  He and his partner, Estelle, laid out a sumptuous lunch before us–complete with a bottle of French wine. Later that day, I visited the upscale ArtClub Gallery that represents him. It’s right across from the Louvre!

Visit their websites at:

http://www.brigitteteman.com/Bienvenue.html

http://www.yvespires.com

The experience alone of meeting both artists made the trip to Europe worthwhile!  It underscored the fact that, as artists,  we not only learn a lot from each other, but we can connect on a fundamental level that touches our essence because we mirror each other’s passion to create.

Yoga Bliss

Just brought my most recently sculpted piece, entitled Yoga Bliss, to the foundry for moldmaking. Although the piece was originally sculpted in clay, I have made numerous revisions to the wax model that was generated from an earlier mold.  Pictured here is the piece in wax prior to the foundry casting it in bronze.  The sculpture measures 50 inches to the top of her fingertip and is a standing version of the half pigeon yoga pose.

Persuasion

Just back from the foundry with my most recently completed bronze sculpture, entitled PERSUASION. It’s about 30 inches wide and 18 inches tall. In this work, I chose to create an image of a male and female tugging in opposite directions. The image can conjure many questions. Are the figures caught in the eternal tug of opposing intentions? Does each playfully want to show the other his/her perspective? Is she saying goodbye and he is begging her to not leave? Can this be viewed as a metaphor depicting the different sides of ourselves that oppose each other in our psyches?

If you’re in Edmonds, you can see it at Cole Gallery.

Cara Mia

My most recent sculpture, which I took to the foundry to have it molded and cast in bronze has a working title is Cara Mia and is life size.  If she were standing, she would be 5’4″.  Once in bronze, she will be mounted on a steel base that is about 30″ tall to provide the viewer with the same perspective as that seen in the photo.

Cole Gallery

An Artist’s Point of View

Universal Experience

Oct21by colegallery

This week we are interviewing David Varnau in our on-going series on Cole Gallery’s artists. David is one of our newer artists.

Q: When did you start sculpting?
A: I started sculpting 18 years ago. I have worked in the field of prosthetics for over 38 years. Through this, I developed an appreciation of the human form. I am fascinated with the features of the human body that a brief glimpse of which can transport us, creating those transcendent moments in our lives where the world feels whole and life seems so complete.

Reflection (detail)

Q: What are your favorite mediums to work with?
A: I like to sculpt in water based clay because I can generate an image more quickly than when sculpting in oil based clay–making the piece feel more “immediate”. I generally choose to have my works cast in either leaded glass or bronze, but favor bronze because of its nearly indestructible. I tell collectors of my bronzes that the artwork can be passed to their great grandchildren without concern about it being substantially damaged even if it is subjected to a flood, earthquake, or house fire.

Q: What do you want people to get from viewing your work?
A: What both intrigues and excites me is to successfully create an image that, at first glance, grabs the viewer’s attention and carries your eyes along the dominant lines of the figure. In each sculpture, you are invited to discover the gesture or action line embedded in the work. Go ahead; view the work from other angles. With 3-D art, it is particularly satisfying for me to succeed in captivating your interest from all sides of the piece. I endeavor to render certain details or features so that they all contribute to the mood of the piece. The gesture of the figure’s hand, the twist of the body, the tilt of the head, even the turn of a foot. Each of these is carefully sculpted to convey the message of the work.

Q: Where do you get your inspiration?
A: My artistic mission is to generate allegories in bronze and glass that mirror the narrative of our lives. This, in turn, provides you the viewer with a glimpse of your own reflection. My sculptures have a great variety of poses and subjects. Some are lyrical and lighthearted, some are grief struck and still others are uplifting, even stirring. But all speak to the human condition and the spectrum of our experience through the compelling beauty and the singular expressiveness of the human body. I have created allegories in bronze that explore such topics as bondage and liberation, defeat and triumph, temptation and surrender, playfulness and rebirth. I find these subjects to touch us at our core and I believe that they resonate with us all as universal experience.

Dance for Joy

Q: What artists are you inspired by?
A: I am inspired by Rodin, Michelangelo, and Bernini. One current day sculptor that inspires me is Martin Eichinger.

Q: What is a favorite recent work that you have produced?
A: I have two recent pieces: Dance for Joy and Persuasion. Dance for Joy is on display at Cole Gallery and Persuasion is currently being cast.

Q: How do you think Cole Gallery differs from other galleries?
A: Denise Cole is a very discriminating gallery owner and is very selective in what she chooses to exhibit. ColeGallery is one of those galleries that draws you in and invites you to linger and savor the joy of sublime art.

You can view more of David Varnau’s work on Cole Gallery’s website.

This entry was posted in Denise Cole’s Posts and tagged bronze sculpting, Bronze Sculptures, Cole Gallery, David Varnau, northwest artists.

It was so nice to be able to share my art with so many visitors to my studio today.  I clocked in 94 lovers of art for the first day of the two day tour.  The weather was great and allowed people to enjoy the garden as well.  What a joy to share it all with neighbors, friends and the wider community!

Dance for Joy

I am glad to be represented by Cole Gallery in Edmonds.  Gallerist, Denise Cole, is a very discriminating gallery owner and is very selective in what she chooses to exhibit.  It is one of those galleries that draws you in and invites you to linger and savor the joy of sublime art.  Denise has chosen to show a number of my works, which show well there.  Here is my latest piece that she has  selected to display.  Entitled Dance for Joy, the sculpture greets you currently from its central location as you enter the gallery.  If you are in town, check it out!

I am pleased that two of my sculptures have been juried into the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park, which is an impressive 20 acres of outdoor art at Roche Harbor on San Juan Island. The sculpture garden is an idyllic setting with 100+ unique sculptures selected by an impartial jury of art experts having the goal of pleasing the viewer while striving to expand cultural horizons. Open all year from dawn to dusk, it is a photographers delight. A great place to picnic. Come and Enjoy!

My sculptures on display there and available for sale are: Firedancer and The Blessing.

Firedancer

Firedancer depicts a performance artist who, although a fire performer with the expected dramatic flair, surprisingly kindles a quiet, fiery passion within her.

The Blessing

Blessing conjures an image of liberation. The figure is both awestruck and grateful that the possibilities before him are immense. It evokes that renewed sense of promise that life offers.

See the EDGEWISE Exhibit, which features work by the 2013 EDGE Graduates. Developed by Artist Trust, the goals of the EDGE Program are to provide artists with the relevant and necessary entrepreneurial skills for achieving their personal career goals and to build community by supporting peer support and exchange. Now that we fifteen artists have finished our 8 intense weeks of education, we are pleased to display our work as part of Edmonds ArtsWalk.

As a recent graduate of the EDGE program, five of my sculptures are on display in the show.  The ArtsNow Gallery is located in the Edmonds Conference Center on the northwest corner of 4th and Bell in downtown Edmonds.