Litmus Gallery

Raleigh Sculpture Group

RALEIGH SCULPTURE GROUP offers adults, beginners and experienced artists, a unique opportunity to explore their artistic abilities and expand their art experiences through sculpting with clay.

CONFESSIONS OF A CONCENTRATION CAMP GUARD: Work in Marble, Bronze, Steel, & Oil
LITMUS GALLERY & STUDIOS
312 West Cabarrus St.
Raleigh, NC 27601
Reception: Friday, June 7, 2013 / 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Exhibit Open: Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM & by appointment (919-571-3605 / artvision@bellsouth.net)
Exhibit Closes: Saturday, June 29, 2013
While living in Europe shortly after the US invaded Iraq, Pierce Boshelly befriended an older man who, out of frustration with the war, revealed that he had served as a guard at a concentration camp in Czechoslovakia. These works were inspired by his story.

“UNIFIED THOUGHTS”

LITMUS GALLERY & STUDIOS

312 West Cabarrus Street

Raleigh, NC 27601

Reception: Friday, May 3, 2013 / 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Exhibit Open: Saturdays, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM & by appointment (919-571-3605) / artvision@bellsouth.net)

This exhibit features the work of Saba Barnard and Stephan Twist. Saba is exhibiting her series “American Muslimah” which is portraits of local American Muslim woman, with emphasis on color, joy, and our common humanity. Stephan became interested in photography at the age of 9 and has pursued and developed his photographic art for most of his life. His love of nature, creativity and being expressive is expressed in his special gift for photography.

“Anything Goes Sculpture Workshop”: Saturday, May 11, 10 AM to 5 PM (lunch 1-2 PM)- Do your own thing and decide if you want to create a torso, high relief sculpture tile, 3-D sculpture, rough sketch the pose with clay, or just practice your sculpting skills. This workshop will feature two new models making their modeling debut with our sculpture group. Our male model will pose for the 10 AM to 1 PM session and our female model will pose for the 2-5 PM session. To advance skills in rendering human anatomy, nude models are used for figurative sculpture sessions. Workshop cost (10 AM to 5 PM) is $31. Cost for taking just the morning or afternoon session is $21. Water base clay will be available for sale for $14 per 25 lb. bag. Models, sculpture stand, studio facility, and bisque firing of finished sculpture(s) are provided at no additional cost. These sessions are limited to 8 participants and those wishing to attend must reserve a space in advance. Those indicating a desire to attend will be notified if there is a space for them or if they are on the "wait list". The sessions will be held at Litmus Gallery & Studios, 312 W. Cabarrus Street in downtown Raleigh. Additional questions and/or to reserve a spot in the session: email artvision@bellsouth.net or call 919-571-3605.

Class: Using Maquettes to Sketch the Human Figure in Clay

Date: Saturday, June 1, 2013

Time: 10am – 4pm with one-hour lunch break

Cost: $41 for the class (includes firing), plus $14 for clay if needed

Model: Susan

Instructor: Cris Barnes

Location: Litmus Gallery and Studios

This class is based upon Philippe Faraut's method (as taught in his March 2013 class at Ringling Art College) for creating a proportional clay maquette. The purpose of the method is to increase sculpting speed by defining proportions before the model is positioned. The idea is that it’s more difficult to ensure proportions are correct when you begin with a model in position—you either have to take scrupulous measurements or have an exact eye. Defining proportions based on the model’s body in a basic standing position allows you to get the mathematical part of sculpting done up-front and quickly, allowing you to focus more of your sculpting time on details and esthetics. Basic anatomy considerations pertaining to manipulating the maquette will be covered.

After the maquette is built, participants will go through a series of three interlocking clay sketches with it, working from semi-reclined to open seated to seated inward fold. Each position will build upon the last, demonstrating how the maquette technique can allow you to pre-sculpt proportions and then work with a model to quickly achieve the esthetics and position you want in a finished piece. This class will be briskly paced and should be approached with the perspective of learning to create quick sketches in clay. Class is limited to 8 participants. To reserve a space, email: artvision@bellsouth.net.

FEATURED ARTIST OPPORTUNITY
In order to give artists the opportunity to exhibit their work, Litmus Gallery & Studios provides a space each month for 1-4 artists to host an art exhibit. Selected artists are to work collaboratively to share the areas available for art display, install the exhibit, help advertise the exhibit, and provide refreshments for, manage, and attend the First Friday 6-9 PM reception for the exhibit. All works of art exhibited must be for sale. Works must be original and committed to the show for the entire exhibition period. Litmus Gallery & Studios reserves the right to refuse any work that is not properly presented, requires special installation, or is deemed inappropriate by the Litmus Gallery selection committee.

Presentation Specifications: All 2D work must be completely prepared for hanging with wire. Wire must not be frayed and must support the weight of the piece. No “saw tooth” hangers may be used. Maximum framed size cannot exceed 50” in any direction. 2D and 3D art cannot exceed 50 pounds.

Liability: Exhibiting artists retain ownership of all work exhibited at Litmus Gallery & Studios. Works are exhibited at the risk of the artist. Although the utmost care will be taken in handling all art work, Litmus Gallery & Studios will not be responsible for damage or loss from any cause. Submitting a work of art shall imply an agreement on the part of the artist to the conditions set forth here.

Sales: Sales will be encouraged. Litmus Gallery & Studios will retain a commission of 30 % on all sales. The artist is committed to the sale price placed on the art at the time of delivery.

Installation of Art: Arrangements for installation of art should be made one week prior to the month that the art is to be displayed by calling (919) 571-3605 or emailing artvision@bellsouth.net. Artists are responsible for installing their art and labeling installed art with the name of the work, size, medium and price.

Removal: Unless sold, all artwork must remain on view until the close of the exhibition. Unsold works should be picked up 4-7 PM on the Monday prior to the first Friday of the next month or by special arrangement.

Inventory: Exhibiting artists are to provide an inventory of all art being exhibited that includes the title of the work, dimensions, medium and price.

Applying: Artists interested in exhibiting their work should email artvision@bellsouth.net expressing their interest, months they would be interested in exhibiting, best phone contact number, and three (3) attached photos that show examples of their work that are labeled with the title of the work, dimensions, medium, and price.

Selection: Artists selected for an exhibition at Litmus Gallery will be emailed the “Featured Artist Form” to complete. The form can be scanned and emailed back to artvision@bellsouth.net or mailed to: Litmus Gallery & Studios, 312 W. Cabarrus St., Raleigh, NC, 27601.

Studio Spaces: $130 - $300

Call 919-571-3605 or email artvision@bellsouth.net to check on availability.

COMMISSIONING A TORSO SCULPTURE

DESCRIPTION OF TORSO SCULPTURE:

The clay torso sculpture created is a representation of the trunk of the body. In addition, it includes a small part of the neck but not the head, a portion of the arms above the elbow, and the legs above the knees. A client can be sculpted in either a standing, seated, or reclining pose. If a standing pose is selected, the completed sculpture will be approximately 12 inches in height -- ideal for displaying on a coffee or end table, bookshelf, or pedestal.

PROCESS:

It normally takes two 3-hour sessions, scheduled on different days, to complete the sculpture. Occasionally, depending on the complexity of the pose, an additional session may be required. During each 3-hour session the client will pose nude for 20 minute time intervals separated by 5-minute breaks. Upon completion, the sculpture will be air-dried for several weeks and then bisque fired. Once fired, a clear acrylic matte finish will be applied to seal the surface. Felt will be placed on the base of the sculpture. If a client is not available to pose in person, a torso sculpture can be completed using just photos.

SCHEDULE:

Sculpting sessions are normally conducted during afternoons or evenings, Sunday through Thursday. However, sessions can be scheduled at other times to fit a client’s schedule.

LOCATION:

Sculpting sessions will be held in the artist’s studio located at 312 West Cabarrus Street in downtown Raleigh. Litmus Art Gallery and several other studios are located in the same building.

COST:

The cost of a commissioned clay torso sculpture as described is $375.00, which is due at the completion of the sculpture. If the completed sculpture does not meet the client’s expectations or for any other reasons the client does not wish to proceed with the purchase, the client may decline the purchase without additional financial obligation. If the purchase is declined the completed sculpture will become the property of the sculptor. Clients will not receive any payment for the time spent posing for the sculpture.

*Information and prices on additional sculptural options are available upon request.

SCULPTOR:

James (Jim) Fatata is an accomplished artist who specializes in figurative sculpture. His works have been juried into numerous art shows and exhibitions. You can see examples of his work by visiting Litmus Art Gallery and his studio at 312 W. Cabarrus St. in Raleigh, NC or by viewing his work on the web at www.litmusgallery.com or www.tristatesculptors.org.