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ARTIST'S STATEMENT
As a sculptor, carver, and designer, I choose to combine the highest level of carving, sculpture, artistry, design, and discipline into meaningful and masterful art that shares a relationship with nature. Within my sculpture I strive to create the real and natural qualities that the subject has and what, I feel, we as people, need to see. I work in a manner that requires great vitality, perception, interpretation, and absolute state of the art execution. My desire is to breather a potent life into the piece in order for it to be compelling and engaging to fellow humans.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
James Toner was born in Chicago, IL, December 8, 1947. From his childhood days, Toner displayed an interest in carving and designing in wood.
Self-educated, his knowledge of historical and contemporary design and interpretation, as well as his own artistic ability and design sensibility is evident in all work that he creates. His mastery of craftsmanship distinguishes his work in simple accent, involved bas-relief and pierced relief, and three-dimensional sculpting and carving.
Toner has been commissioned by individual, corporate, institutional, and community-based clients to create sculpture, architectural detail and ornament, furniture, and award-winning communicating art. His extensive background with commissioned projects has required developing skills beyond those needed in the studio. He is experienced in working collaboratively with designers, architects, and project managers, as well as private clients; interpreting blue prints; and successfully addressing the varied structural, environmental, and aesthetic concerns of his clientele.
His work has been sold nationally and internationally and is in important private and public collections. In the last few years, he has integrated bronze castings into his repertoire, as well as multiple-edition furniture, which are represented currently by fine art galleries in Seattle, Los Angeles, and Tucson.
SELECT AWARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COLLECTIONS
2003 Commissioned dining table: "Enchanted Moment;" Carved linden wood
base depicting Northeastern forest flora and fauna; Hudson River Valley,
NY
1999-2003 Multiple, theme entry door commissions (Carved mahogany): private
and corporate clients; Southwestern US
"Legends of the Forest" 12 foot carved circular pierced-relief surround:
compliment to 1993 carousel, Hillstreet Investments Gallery, Everett,
WA
2002 Awarded commission from state-wide competition: life-size carved linden
wood crucifix; San Isidro Church, Santa Fe, NM
1996-1997 Sculpture commissions (wood): Richard Leon, Houston, TX
1995-1997 Sculpture commissions (bronze): Tatsch Construction Company, Silver
City, NM
1994 Commission 23 wood sculptural pieces: Rocky Mountain animals; Sam's
Town Casino, Las Vegas, NV
1993 Commissioned carved wood operational carousel: "Legends of the
Forest" depicting Northwest Watershed animals in folk tale style;
Snohomish Arts Council Gallery, sponsored by Boeing; Everett, WA
1986-1993 Original furniture designs plus various private commissions: Michael
Posner, Refinement Gallery/Pacific Design Center, Los Angeles, CA
1989 Awarded commission: Icon, Madonna and Child, presented as a gift to
Archbishop Iakovos of Greek Orthodox Church; commissioned by Greek
community of Seattle, WA
1988 Contracted for interior decorative design and architectural elements:
Ray Development, Kauai, Hawaii
1985 Commissioned interior design staircase and entry: Creative
Investments, Tacoma, WA
1983 Contracted to design and create interior architectural elements:
University of Washington, Architectural Dept., Seattle, WA
1981 West Coast Art Director's Award for communicating arts: 12 bas-relief
waterfowl murals: Woodland Zoological Park, Seattle, WA
1977-1991 Owner, Toner Inc., furniture design, custom, and commercial carving
FEATURED IN:
Architectural Digest
Southwest Art Magazine
The Carousel News and Trader
KING TV, Seattle, WA
KOAT TV, Albuquerque, NM
Numerous newspaper articles
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