Sculptures by Grazi

I will be taking a break from networking here due to family concerns. Please forgive if comments are given but not returned for a while. My artwork is also stalled but hope to regroup in a month or so! Wish you all my best!



***I TRADE COMMENTS FOR COMMENTS ON MY WORK! ***

******** I OFFER PAID GIGS! ********

"IMMORTALIZE" YOUR LIFE-SIZE BODY IN PLASTER:
     I WILL PAY YOU $150     
     to model while I apply plaster to your body creating a
     shell in which later I pour new plaster, to create a positive
     image of you! This would then be mine to resell.
Or, I can make one for you for $400 your cost, including your modeling time. (I normally sell these for $1000 after all the work I put into it!)
     
    "IMMORTALIZE" YOUR PREGNANT BELLY- CAST IN PLASTER
     I WILL  PAY YOU $200
     to model while I plaster  your body creating a
     shell in which later I pour new plaster, to create a positive
     image of you! This would then be mine to resell.
Or you can purchase one, as above.

*FREE OFFER***********************************

   "IMMORTALIZE" YOUR NUDE BODY IN CLAY
      Trade two 3 hour modeling sessions -
      You get a 16 inch, ready to hang, glazed
      ORIGINAL porcelain sculpture of you
      in your favorite pose.
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"IMMORTALIZE" YOUR NUDE PHOTO IN CLAY
*******AND SAVE ON TRAVEL*********
     
      For $300, I can sculpt, right from your photo!
      I would require a high resolution bodyshot.
      You get a 16 inch, ready to hang, glazed
      ORIGINAL porcelain sculpture of your favorite photo.
 
   
   "IMMORTALIZE" YOUR FACE IN CLAY
       For $300, I will apply silicone on your face to create
       a mold impression,  then press clay into the mold,
       sculpt hair covering the ears, and present you
       with a glazed and fired porcelain sculpture.
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  PURCHASES:
     Artwork:
     All artwork in my port is for developing my talents and
     not necessarily for sale!
     Your pictures provide visual instruction material for my
     creative advancement, for which I am
     immensely grateful!
     I do not have a website (yet) for selling my artwork.
     
MONEY IS SECONDARY - YOUR APPRECIATION IS MY REWARD
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PLASTER PROCESS:
For modeling of plaster, since this is a "hands-on" effort,  we meet beforehand, and check out my studio with your significant other. My references of other models and their phone numbers will be provided. After this, there will be no males besides myself for the sessions. Female-only chaperones are welcome and encouraged...

Plastering is messy and FUN!(bring old clothes). "It's like a day at the spa" for your skin. Models really enjoy the process.
Plaster casts, neck to thigh, take 3 to 4 hours, start-to-finish, but I use an adjustable mat to take the load off your feet depending on the pose, and this includes prep and cleanup. (I have had no complaints about being too long! It goes by fast.)
For pregnant casts, my female assistant and I will prep your skin, apply the plaster, and then clean up any plaster remaining on you. (Other castings don't require an assistant.).There is a private bathroom and shower in the studio you can use once all the plaster is off.
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GRAZI'S BIO:

I am Gene "Grazi" Phillips living in Palm Desert, California. My work has evolved from humble wheel thrown pottery, to hand sculpted bas reliefs in high definition, in all sizes, applying glaze or paint to my carved porcelain or plaster to enhance the surface character. The making of plaster casts is an exciting alternative to clay, where I can actually RECREATE your body, full size!
I am forever learning, with an insatiable drive to get better and better at what I do. What drives me most is never being 100% satisfied with my work. Perfection is always eluding me!!

DESIRE IS THE KEY TO MOTIVATION, BUT IT'S DETERMINATION
AND COMMITMENT TO AN UNRELENTING PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE -
THAT WILL ENABLE YOU TO ATTAIN THE SUCCESS YOU SEEK.
                                                                -Mario Andretti

When I sculpt, I am driven by the flow of the powerful natural curves of the feminine nude. I am drawn to mythological and whimsical as well as natural life forms.
I use either live models, or the pics from models here on MM, with permission, to create in clay the allusive “feminine mystique”.
I sculpt only models that intrigue me with their mind, not just "perfect" bodies.
I try to capture their attitude, self-composed, self-assured, maybe with a calm peaceful poise, or empowered, bold, or allusive and seductive- caught in space, motion and time.

The focus is not really her physical body, but the ability of her flowing curves to transcend your mind's eye to appreciate the power of the composition, transforming any arousal of the physical nude state into feelings of pure admiration and "awe" of feminine natural beauty.
Using actual clay dug from the earth, I shape and carve the clay, then glaze and harden the piece by different firing methods. I use vibrant color to complement the nude state rather than leaving the clay or plaster in "raw" form, without added color. "Purists" might consider this a violation of sculpture, but I have only received high compliments from this technique.

The finished clay work, becomes the result of the risk of unpredictable natural outcomes from the firing process. Physical effects occur such as black carbon spots, specks,  crack lines, and natural surface crackling.This insures that each piece has a unique character from the consequence of natural variable forces of chemistry and heat, altering and transforming the clay.
They are not "store-bought-perfect" for this very reason! Those sculptures not destroyed by the unique individual process  become survivors - one of a kind in beauty and character, and an empowered visual art form that hopefully will be valued and appreciated on its own merits.

GRAZI'S  PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES:     

I live in the California desert , with 19 years of ceramic art experience. I have worked with body and face castings now for about 8 years.
I have my art exhibited in galleries throughout the Palm Springs area, recently selling at street fairs and restuarants.

I had a (way too expensive) Gallery on prestigious El Paseo (Gems and Treasures) and presently have about 50 works of art hanging in several galleries in town and up in the mountains of Idyllwild. I have won ceramic competitions from my sculptures and unique process of glaze techniques.

My claim to fame is that I have two of my mermaid sculptures  in the home of MICHAEL GODARD, the most popular and best selling artist- painter in the world today!
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PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES:

MODELS outside MM I have had the pleasure to work with:
Christa Renee' (also mentor and biggest fan)
Amy Olson

MODELING AND BODY CAST:
Faye Davis
Chambria Morrell 
Katherine Kay

FACE CAST:
Jillian Wilkerson
Mattia Boucher
Cindy Romano Modeling and Talent agency , two models
Madison Mac Farlane
Yvonne DiMora
Beka Mata (FULL HEAD CAST)

MODEL MAYHEM MODELS:

Psiuthurism Model #807449
SCULPTURE FROM PHOTO

Liz Ashley Model #26159:
SCULPTURE FROM PHOTO by VisualVenturi #497084

Mosh Model #219654
SCULPTURE FROM PHOTO by Michael Woodward #128

Jodi James #507013:
PREGNANT TORSO/BELLY CAST

Miss Stefanie Marie #874944:
MODEL FOR DRAWINGS, SCULPTURE AND
BODY CAST


CREATIVE PROFESSIONALS I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE
TO LEARN FROM AND WORK WITH:
Aryna Ryan, Creativity Instructor, Mentor
Lori Groen, Makeup artist
Arnold Capitanelli, Singer, Songwriter, Composer and Playwright
Mike Neal, Singer,Songwriter, Artist, Actor, Playwright
Carl Sternberg,Creative genius
Christy Paul, Owner, Naked Noodle Restaurant, Indio
Suzanne Armstrong, Home Health Board and Care Service
Pattie Babrowski, Art Buyer
Sherry Grana, Art commission of memorial plaque
De Anthony Photography
Rountree, Spiritualist
Ned Reidy, Minister, Spiritualist, Mentor

You can email me at claycoins@aol.com for list of phone numbers or drop me a line.

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NOTABLE GALLERIES AND RECENT VENUES:
P.S. Wine and Art,  Palm Springs CA.
Gems and Treasures, El Paseo Palm Desert CA.
Gerry High Gallery, Cathedral City CA.
Dore’s Art Garden and Metals Gallery, Mountain Center CA.>
Angel and Nature Expressions, Idyllwild CA.
Artspresso, Idyllwild CA.
Naked Noodle Italian Restaurant, Indio CA
College of the Desert Street Fair , Palm Desert CA.
Soroptimist Club, Palm Springs CA
AAA Home Care, Rancho Mirage CA
Desert Art Center, Palm Springs CA
Riverside County Fair, Indio CA 14 awards and a Best of Show