Brian Keith's Studio Blog

2011-12-07T10:58:00.001-08:00

For the last 100 years the California Art Club has put on the "Annual Gold Medal Juried Exhibition". Three of my sculptures have been selected for this year's 101st Annual Gold Medal show which will be held at the Autry National Center(first year the show is at this museum). Here is a sneak peak of my three pieces. (My typed words are hiding the excitement of how honored I feel!)

National Sculpture Society 'Love' sculpture exhibition

2011-10-13T12:30:00.000-07:00

New York, New York – The National Sculpture Society is pleased to present LOVE. This on-line exhibition features the works of 61 members of NSS. My "Kissing the Face of God" sculpture was accepted as one of the sculptures on 'display'.

http://www.nationalsculpture.org/Exhibits/Love/index.cfm/fa/c.index

Kissing the Face of God bronze live auction

2011-08-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

My "Kissing the Face of God" bronze sculpture will be going up for auction at the Fabric of Freedom 2011 Gala. In addition to the bronze, the prized lithograph of Kissing the Face of God painted by world renowned artist, Morgan Weistling, will be be part of the auction. This is a great opportunity to give to an incredible organization that helps women who were formerly enslaved in prostitution and to own two highly acclaimed masterpieces.

All of the proceeds of the sale will go directly to International Princess Project. The Gala is a great event to consider being part of. Tickets are currently on sale, yet will sell out quickly. Other items will be auctioned off as well. Fabric of Freedom Gala 2011

Sculptor Member of the National Sculpture Society

2011-08-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

I received some great news today. I have been elected into the National Sculpture Society as a Sculptor Member. This is extremely exciting to be part of this organization and I feel very honored to have been "voted" in by the best sculptors in the world. This is something that I was hoping and praying that I'd be blessed to be part of. Yet at the same time I knew that because of the extreme competition to get in and the high standards it takes to get a vote that it may be a few more years of submitting my work to get approved. And if you have ever received a "thank you, but we are sorry to inform you" letter, they usually arrive as a single piece of paper in an envelope. This arrived as such. So I was quite surprised when I opened the letter which informed me of my election. "You have been elected as a Sculptor Member of the National Sculpture Society(NSS)."

Thank you NSS. Thank you Lord for your grace and generosity. And thank YOU for your support of my work. Now, how is that for an acceptance speech just for getting into a club/society.

Soli Deo Gloria

Back to 'Gethsemane'

2011-06-22T14:34:00.000-07:00

Finally returning to work on "Gethsemane" sculpture in the midst of working on the Nacogdoches, TX monument of Karle Wilson Baker. This piece is nearing completion which has spanned several years of work. Quite a challenging pose for my models.

Recent news about Reign of Grace

2011-05-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

Innocence, Strength Carved in Bronze newspaper article

and

Making of Reign of Grace video

Karle Wilson Baker tribute

2011-05-15T16:00:00.000-07:00

I am honored to have been selected to sculpt a tribute to Karle Wilson Baker for the city of Nacogdoches, Texas. What a privilege to portray the legacy of this incredible woman and poet.

Reign of Grace bronze sculpture

2010-10-11T16:21:00.000-07:00

REIGN OF GRACE, bronze ed. 50

24” x 8” x 11”

You never know what a day holds. How a moment can change the direction of your heartbeat. Several minutes that bring on a flood of emotions for years to come.

In 2005, I went on a trip to India alongside my wife, twin brother, and his wife. On one of the days we visited the ‘red light’ district to offer hope to those who were trapped in a horrific life. 20+ women and their children sat just inches away trapped in the sex slave trade. To the left and directly in front of me stood their pimps.

What followed was a message proclaiming a 2000 year old story that became life to many of those women that day. My sister-in-law stood in front of these priceless women to tell the biblical story of the woman at the well, and then told of a man who loved them so deeply and with such intent that He gave up his life for them. It was freedom to those who took it, even in the midst of their 'prison'.

And then the next day I watched as 11 women were set free from sex slave trade. $1000 would buy each woman out of slavery and give them a new life. That is when the heart of Shannon (my sister-in-law) was moved to action. These women needed a place to stay and allow DIGNITY to be restored, and even created. International Princess Project(IPP) began. Please visit www.internationalprincessproject.com

This sculpture was inspired by that day and the dignity of women who are priceless in the eyes of their Creator. It is the first piece in my new “UMBRELLA SERIES”. 50% of the proceeds of this piece will go to IPP to help bring restoration to those who are immediately in need. This will be a limited edition of 50 bronze sculptures.

Another study

2010-07-30T14:17:00.000-07:00

While working on my latest limited edition, "Reign of Grace", I am honing my knowledge and understanding of human anatomy. Here is a study of the hand of Christ in another sculpture I have in the works. (clay, life-size)

"Oceans Wide" - Marlin Sculpture

2010-07-05T11:43:00.000-07:00

photography by Brian Baker

Thought I would share photos of my latest piece, "Oceans Wide". This started off as a private commission, but will be available as a limited edition of 14.

As someone who collects or follows my artwork, I hope you enjoy viewing this piece. More so, I hope to tell of how the love of God is as vast as the oceans.

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." -Ephesians 3:17-19

Lost Wax? Huh?

2010-06-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

Many of my clients/collectors will ask how a sculpture is cast into bronze.
After all the work I put into it, the sculpture is then brought to my foundry of choice, Monterey Sculpture Center. That is when the bronze work begins...

Here is a video of the process...
Video on Lost Wax technique for bronze casting

Update and a couple of studies

2010-06-09T14:14:00.000-07:00

I am eager to finish up on a limited edition sculpture that was inspired by my trip to India in 2005. It is the beginning of a new series of bronzes. Until the next post which will include pictures of the finished clay, here are a couple of quick anatomical studies. I have been working on a small study every day to keep the skills up. Very much like a pianist doing his scales. Thank you, Bridgman for your expertise in anatomy.

NEW RELEASE: Kissing the Face of God

2010-02-12T17:48:00.000-08:00

Bronze, Edition of 50
15” H x 9 1/2” W x 9 1/2” D

Before the Cross

2010-01-25T12:20:00.000-08:00

This bronze sculpture, ‘Before The Cross’, depicts Jesus Christ on the night before he went to the cross, to die a horrific death. I wanted the attitude of Jesus to show through in his intense pose, as he agonized with the Father. The Bible says that he was so troubled that he sweat drops of blood.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me. Yet not my will, but yours be done.”

What cup was Jesus talking about? The cup that signified God’s wrath that would fall on Him instead of man, in order to deal with the consequences of sin.

Jesus agonized that night because He knew the suffering that He would endure. The greatest pain for Jesus on the cross was not physical but spiritual. He would become our sin offering. That means Jesus would bear all the sins of man to pay our penalty. Jesus, who was eternally perfect, and knew a perfect love with the Father, would for the first time, taste sin and be separated from his father. He was now about to take sin upon himself to endure the separation from God that we would have to endure forever if it weren’t for Christ taking our place.

The pose Jesus has in the sculpture was inspired by a sketch I found by the master painter John Singer Sargent. I felt it fully portrayed the agonizing Jesus went through before his horrific death. “Lord. Father. Dad. If there is any other way to deal with this, find it!” But there was no other way.

And so Jesus goes to the cross with a humble spirit, not fighting, but becoming a replacement for us. Jesus showed us ultimate humility.

By His wounds we have been healed.

Kissing the Face of God

2009-11-03T23:06:00.000-08:00

A cat and a former President

2009-10-28T19:25:00.000-07:00

Cal State University San Marcos finally has their cats, and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation finally has their bust of Ronnie!
On Tuesday, I had the honor of having my Ronald Reagan bust received into the Presidential Foundation. I have come to appreciate more and more the great man ol' Ronnie was. (The picture is with Juan Ros of the Foundation in front of the Library)
Today I was also honored to get two cougars sculptures into the Cal State San Marcos collection for public display. Thank you Brian Dawson for this privilege. It was great working with you on this commission! (pictures show the two sculptures of the cougars)

Marlin shown in clay before heading to Foundry

2009-10-24T23:24:00.000-07:00

The Marlin is complete. It will head to the foundry on Tuesday to start the process of being cast into bronze. To get a closer look at what actually happens, please visit the gallery under 'information'. There you can see the casting process. Monterey Sculpture is my foundry of choice. They are one of the best in the world.

Marlin sculpture

2009-10-22T14:36:00.000-07:00

I have been really enjoying sculpting this commission for a neighbor/friend of ours. Since they are avid fishermen they wanted a life-size marlin and tuna depicted in a bronze sculpture. After designing the piece and making a maquette(smaller version), the main sculpture is almost complete and ready to go to the foundry. The final bronze casting will be revealed some time at the beginning of the year. I will be sure to post pictures of that event.

Also, I should have the much anticipated "Kissing the Face of God" completed next week with photos of the clay sculpture to show. I will give more information about the "precast" sale price as well.

Bringing Home Jordan

2009-09-18T23:39:00.000-07:00

My wife and I just returned from China with our new son. Yesterday when we passed through immigration Jordan became an American citizen. We both want to thank our Lord God for his blessing on the entire journey to bringing Jordan into our family. We know God has great plans for him. Here is a video of our Gotcha Day, when we received him into our family.

Visit to Morgan Weistling's Studio

2009-08-31T14:23:00.000-07:00

What a great visit! I just got back from my trip to visit Morgan Weistling at his studio, so that he could check the progress of my sculpture, "Kissing the Face of God". He is not just an amazing friend, but an incredible mentor and a true master at what he does. Spending that time with Morgan working on my piece showed me the immense knowledge and talent that this man has. He will be one of those artists written about in your grandchildren's history and art books. I believe that this time with him not only helped this current sculpture, but will influence the rest of my career.

This sculpture is near complete. Once done, I will post some pictures of it. Very soon after, I will be offering a pre-cast sale price for those who want to obtain one before it raises in price after casting. It will be a limited edition bronze cast.

Found my model!

2009-07-21T09:28:00.000-07:00

Part of the challenge of any sculpture is to find the right model who will pose for the piece. I found mine for this sculpture at church.(one of the many benefits to being part of a local church). "Kimmie" is about the same age Mary would have been, and also has a close match to the look of the girl in Morgan's painting. She came over to the studio last week and did a great job posing, which has given me much to work from. (You can see her holding the pose without the baby Jesus. This was important to be able to sculpt everything that is hidden when holding a baby.) I am almost finished with sculpting Mary. Next, finding a baby model! THAT IS THE CHALLENGE!

Kissing the Face of God

2009-07-20T13:07:00.000-07:00

The first time I saw the artwork of Morgan Weistling was on the cover of a magazine in 1999. It was the oil painting called "Kissing the Face of God". I thought to myself that, "if I could paint like any painter, this is the one I would want paint like." Well, just about 10 years later, and having had the opportunity of a lifetime to study under Morgan, I now have the honor to sculpt this image of Mary kissing Jesus as a child.

"I started to contemplate the awesome privilege that Mary was given, being able to hold God in her arms. At the same time He was still her baby. This cute little child whom she bore was also God in the flesh, and yet she cuddled and kissed him, just as all mothers do with their babies. This thought propelled me right into this painting, which I wanted to be a human representation of divinity.

My prayer is that the viewer will be struck, as I am, with the amazing way that God chose to send his Son into this world - in pure humanity." -Morgan Weistling