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Gareth Curtiss, Sculptur

Gareth Curtiss, Sculptur

“You ever hear that one about the Emperor of China and the Artist?” Gareth asks me as we “goop” on another layer of rubber over cut up pieces of his latest life size monument (to be unveiled in early June on Mackinaw Island, Michigan). “So the emperor of China had this hankering for an excellent picture of a rooster. He went to the best artist in all of China and asked him to paint this picture for him. The artist told the emperor to come back in a year.

So after a year the Emperor returned and asked for his picture. The artist then whipped out paints and paper and in five minutes had painted the most perfect picture of a rooster. The Emperor was displeased though; having to wait an entire year for a painting the artist could do in five minutes! He ordered the artist’s head removed. Before the guards drug the artist away, however, he convinced the Emperor to come inside his house for he had something important to show his grace. The Artist was granted his request. Inside the house, from floor to ceiling, hundreds if not thousands of drawings and paintings of the rooster were pinned up. The artist had spent every moment of his waking life practicing and studying to paint the most perfect rooster for the Emperor that entire year. He was so good at his subject matter, after a year of study and practice, that he could produce a master piece in five minutes.” Gareth Curtiss looks at me with a razed bushy eyebrow as he finishes. “Yaaaaa, I get the point”, I say after laughing “that is exactly it!” I slap on another glob of the white substance that dries looking like melted marshmallow and is used for doing the rubber forms over the art work. The art work itself is constructed with oil based clay, but to get it from the clay to the bronze is a long process starting with the rubber molds.

“Contrasts, light and shadow, curves and movement, final intent, and letting a voice speak through it” are often words used by Gareth as he is constructing his huge monuments. Symbology in the details to add to the meaning of the piece without letting the details take over. Curtiss’ portfolio and resume’ are impressive; 15 life and over life size public commissioned bronze monuments in 15 different states in the Union plus many, many more commissions not quite on the grand monument scale but not to be taken lightly (no pun intended) all the same. Yet, like the contrasts in his work, these amazing pieces of art, that will be enjoyed by countless thousands of people for hundreds of years if not longer, are all made in the little town three or four miles North (on Hwy 93) of Dickey Lake and about thirteen miles south of Eureka. And in little Fortine, who would have thunk it?

You can see more of Gareth's work at his website: Gareth Curtiss, Sculptur.

Abe Quilling

About the Author: Abe Quilling information coming soon.

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Northwestern Montana is a charming area of quaint towns, millions of acres of state and federal land, hiking, camping, waterfalls, rock climbing, fishing and hunting, skiing and snowmobiling. We offer an impressive collection of shops, art galleries, golf courses, bed and breakfasts, spas, and restaurants not to mention annual events such as the Bull Thing, the Ten Lakes Snowmobile Fun Run, and the Eureka Montana Quilt Show. Enjoy the outdoors and the small town spirit that makes you feel right at home. Stay for a short trip, or meet with a realtor to find out about owning your own little piece of Montana real estate.

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