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  • The Museum
    • Mission
    • Vision
    • Values
    • Code of Ethics
    • Artist Compensation and Attribution Standards
    • Anatomy Set in Stone
    • Galleries + Collections
    • The School of Mosaic Environments
    • Founder Field Notes
  • The Founder
    • About Rachael Que Vargas
    • Artist Statement
    • Curriculum Vitae
  • Portfolio
    • Public Art
    • Commissioned Artworks
    • Mosaic
      • Mosaic in Marble
      • Mosaic in Glass
      • Mosaic in Bottle Caps
      • Mosaic in Ceramic
    • Jewelry
    • Sculpture
      • Abstract Sculpture
      • Figurative Sculptures
      • Kinetic Sculpture
      • Narrative Sculpture
      • Masks
    • Functional Art
      • Fences, Gates and Trellises
      • Art Furniture
      • Masquerade Bell Lanterns
      • Luminaries
    • Early Work
      • Installation Art
      • Mixed Media 1995–2001
  • Press
    • Book
    • Magazine
    • Newspaper
    • Exhibit Catalog
    • Television
    • Radio
    • Podcast
    • Websites and Blogs
    • CD, DVD + LP
  • Contact
  • Help/FAQ
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Shop
    • Shop Mosaics
    • Shop Jewelry
    • Shop the Archives (Vintage Works)
    • Shop Fire Pits
    • About Hudson Valley Fire Pits
      • Fire Pit Gallery— Residential Design
      • Fire Pit Gallery— Hospitality Design
      • Fire Pit Gallery— Liturgical Design
      • Fire Pit Gallery— Custom Designed Fire Features
      • Fire Pit Gallery— Fountains + Pools
      • Press for Hudson Valley Fire Pits
      • Where to see Hudson Valley Fire Pits
  • 231-584-2710
Little Miss Exuberance, 2003 Steel, Granite and Copper Sculpture

Figurative Sculptures

Several different series of figurative sculptures are show on this page.

Steel and Stone Figures—

Steel figures made with stone or tile insets, using jewelry techniques to incorporate stone elements into steel line drawings. The idea was an extension of the Scrap Iron Fence I created with Kenneth Morrison in Chicago, in which we used salvaged sections of cast iron radiators.All of these figures were inspired by, and built around, stone shapes from the cast-away pile at a local stone vendor’s. Because the stone is polished on one side only, the back is decorated with copper.

The Dancers—

The Dancer Sculptures are done in two styles: a powder coat enamel version in bright colors, and a wire brushed steel version with textured copper heads. In creating these sculptures, I worked from photos of dancers and abstracted the image down to the simplest possible lines. The goal was to capture the essential gesture so precisely that the mind completes the movement—making a still image almost appear to be in motion.

Line Drawings in Steel—

Essentially these are just cheerful doodles rendered in steel. Inspired by children’s drawings, neon signs, and cartoons as well as my own drawings.

Salvaged Metal Collage—
Cut and welded collage made from salvaged car bodies, roofing copper and aluminum sheet.

Little Miss Exuberance, 2003 Steel, Granite and Copper Sculpture
Little Miss Exuberance, 2003

Little Miss Exuberance, 2003Steel, Granite, Copper74″ x 27″ x 12″Collection

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Akimbo, 2003 Steel, Granite and Copper Sculpture
Akimbo, 2003

Akimbo, 2003Steel, Granite, Copper80″ x 38.5″ x 12″Private Collection Back

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Lookout, 2003, Granite and Steel sculpture
Lookout, 2003

Lookout, 2003Granite, Steel35″ x 24″ x 12″Private Collection

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Signal, 2003 Steel, Granite and Copper sculpture
Signal, 2003

Signal, 2003Steel, Granite, Copper61″ x 27″ x 12″Private Collection Detail

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Sentinel, 2002 Stone and steel sculpture
Sentinel, 2002

Sentinel, 2002Granite, Steel32″ x 40″ x 8″Private Collection

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Curious Child, 2002

Curious Child, 2002Granite, Steel36″ x 34″ x 8″Private Collection

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Lightning Moon Man, 2003 steel and mosaic sculpture
Lightning Moon Man, 2003

Lightning Moon Man, 2003Steel, vitreous glass20″ x 16″ x 7.5″Private

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Big Horse Pull Toy

The figures below are one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by, and built around, stone shapes that catch my eye from the cast-away pile at a local stone vendor’s. Because the stone is polished on one side only, the back is decorated with copper.

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The Dancers— Steel + Copper Line Drawing Sculptures

The Dancer Sculptures come in two styles: the steel and copper version shown here and a powder coat enamel version.

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The Dancers— Dynamic Line Drawings in Steel

The Dancer Sculptures come in two styles: the powder coat enamel version shown here and a steel and copper version.

In creating these sculptures, I try to capture the essential gesture so precisely that the mind completes the movement—making a still image appear to be in motion. My goal is to create engaging characters which anyone can relate to and enjoy

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Garden Sculptures

These three sculptures are early examples of sculpture based on line art drawings. The Guardian sculpture is one of the few I’ve done which combines lines and planes.

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Animal Line Drawing Sculptures in Steel

Abstract Bull, State 11. 2005. Steel. Dimensions variable. Private Collection

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Folk Art Mermaid Sculpture

A Mermaid and her Fish, 2006Recycled steel,54″ H x 37″

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Atlas “World Famous”

Atlas: World Famous is my first large-scale sculpture made using the newly operational plasma cutter to create metal “collage.”

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Aluminum + Copper Fish Sign, 2005
Big Metal Fish Sign

Aluminum + Copper Fish Sign, 2005Recycled Aluminum, copper and plywood.51″

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  • Mosaic

    Mosaic (7)

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    Mixed Media Artwork (21)

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    Jewelry (57)

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    Fire Pits (8)

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