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Just a Little Information About the Artist...
Joni
Hamari
I was originally from the High Sierra of Northern California, growing up in the small town of Bear Valley. I believe that Bear Valley is where a great deal of my "training" took place. In my youth I was surrounded by the Mountains, Rocks, Trees , Birds and Animals, all of which were my teachers. Though I was not aware of it at the time, that part of my life has strongly affected the steps I have taken.
A very strong interest in Wildlife throughout my life, led me to the field of Wildlife Rehabilitation, in which I was active for several years. "Rehab" has been a source of irreplaceable knowledge for me. I suppose this is where my greatest inspiration and understanding has stemmed from. The birds are my "first love" of nature. I have seen and studied birds and animals in a way that could never be taught in a classroom or learned in a book. In my mind I can visualize, feel and sense these creatures, giving me the ability to recreate them in my own time and style.
My interest in Art and Sculpting began as a very small child. And became quite evident when I began sculpting in Stone at the age of fifteen or sixteen. I recall it was exciting to work with a "real" Sculpting medium, something besides school plastiline or Ivory soap! That first Sculpture, an Eagle, took Best of Show at the local Fair and was subsequently purchased by the Art Judge. Exciting stuff for a kid!
But There is Always Another Way.....
Beginning around 1996, I branched out into several sculpting mediums, allowing myself even more options and opening so many more paths to me. It seemed for every idea I had for a new piece, I had to figure out the best medium to create it in!
Over the last several years, my interest had turned strongly to Bronze Sculpture. I found that Bronze offers an increasing amount of flexibility in form and composition that cannot be achieved in other art mediums. It offers durability, strength, and wonderful detail reproduction- a fantastic art medium. My work ranges from Wildlife to Figurative to Western...often with a story and a bit of humor in the mix.
Several Years ago, I became serious about Wood as a new medium to explore. The response has been tremendous. We are now creating Furniture as well in a variety of Woods....
Stone. I still love to work with stone. Much of what I create is in Serpentine, Soapstone or Alabaster. It lends itself so well to smooth, flowing, or highly polished pieces. It is a messy job, but the results are wonderful! Soapstone remains my favorite, the colors are unending, interesting and unpredictable.
Sculpted paintings...when I started painting, I began to move the paint on the canvas with my hands...building the paint deeply, sculpting it, building it into a dimensional sculpture. Before the color is ever applied, there is a ‘bas relief’ sculpture there on the canvas...A beautiful way for me to combine the sculpture and paintings. More than impasto, it is a sculpture on canvas...
So many times I have been asked where I trained, how did I learn? I have never had a lesson. For some reason I have been given this gift, to create , and I am Grateful, For that is something that cannot be taught-
I believe each day in life is a learning experience- when we cease to learn, we cease to live our life to our potential.
In the Gallery in Cave Creek, we also carry the work of some very talented artists, with original Clay sculptures, Jewelry, Oil Paintings, Pewter and a few Antiques and Silver as well, as I enjoy a rather Eclectic Collection...Come in and Enjoy!
Enjoy the Site!
Joni Hamari.
Copyright © 1999-2006 [Hamari Fine Art
and Design]. All rights reserved.
Revised: December 11, 2008