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The Commission: A Brief History

This sculptural format of three-dimensional art has it's roots in 15th century Italy in the style of Luca Della Robia and his nephew, Andrea. His works fall somewhere between painting and sculpture. His portraiture showed a strong understanding of drawing and depicted a sense of depth in a shallow plane. His contemporaries considered him one of the most important innovators of the century.

17th century French Palissy ware depicted biblical and pastoral scenes; and the French Sevres and German Miessen ceramic manufacturies specialized in landscapes and classical portraiture.
I was first approached in 1982 to do a friend's wifes's childhood home in Iowa. Since then, I have completed more than 250 commissioned artworks. Some were for universities, others for hospitals. Many were to preserve some amazing personal childhood memory...some house, some hotel, some collection of pets, or some garden. Some pieces even serve as functional. A collection of bronzed fish fountains pour into a double pond some 50 feet long in a house on the ocean in California. Others, the life-size dogs, have served as guardians at the entrance to homes.

I have been called upon to recreate the best moments of peoples' lives, a daunting task when one was not present for the occasion. There is great joy to see someone thrilled with the work. As varied a collector base as museums and movie stars, dog lovers and architecture freaks, three-dimensionalizing these memories rekindles powerful emotional sensibilities, always positively felt. Nostalgia may be corny, but we all strive to remember when it was all simpler. As to subject matter, the range is endless. It becomes up to you what you might want to have as a three-dimensional memory
The works shown are a small selection of the commissioned projects from the past. I work in all realm of sculpture, all phases of the ceramic arts, oil on canvas, watercolor ink and found objects. I'm not cheap; but I've made it my job to recreate your vision in the second, third and fourth dimension. I take the task very seriously.
Whether a 15th century Renaissance style is called for, or the discerning palette of the Impressionists, all styles, formats and historic references can be included, from world history to your own personal mythology. I create these works for people of vision. And your vision's worth it.