• created 2022
• carrara petacchi marble
• 16” H x 13” W x 8” D (40cm H x 31cm W x 20cm D)
• private collection, Sidney, BC, Canada
• Award Winner - Federation of Canadian Artists

This is the latest in my “Rubenesque” series of generously proportioned human nudes. I’ve titled her “Olé”, as she appears to be announcing her arrival with arms raised and smiling face looking skyward. Her hair swooshes behind her as she prances forward, upper torso bent backwards, legs striding confidently and her feet barely touch the ground. Her proportions are unbalanced, but this adds to the joyfulness of the piece. Her tiny feet seem impossibly small compared to her weighty thighs and buttocks. Yet she is completely happy with her body and her carefree attitude is purely evident.

I’ve carved the sculpture from a variety of marble from the mountains above the famous town of Carrara, Italy. The white background is laced with grey/taupe striations that move vertically through the composition. I’ve given the marble surface a smooth, matte finish that is wonderful to the touch and allows the stone to hold shadow successfully.