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Portfolio for Gareth Eckley - Commissionaportrait
Gareth started cutting and polishing stones at the age of 11. Some early experimentation with gemstone carving started at age 15.
Education was four years at Medway College of Art and Design. While he was here Gareth excelled at hand engraving and learned this skill quickly. This led to him winning two major national awards in only two years. His award winning Jewellery design was considered by his peers to be very original and inventive.
A desire to hone his skills, led him to work as a Goldsmith for Christopher Wharton, a leading Jewellery Designer near London, UK. In 1987 Gareth started his own design studio crafting one of a kind Jewellery.
The desire for a new challenge led Gareth Eckley to move to Vancouver, Canada. He stayed, in this beautiful city for 11 years. Eventually the call of home became too great to resist. Gareth returned to the farm in Wales with his Canadian wife and two young children in 2002.
The fields of Portrait Carving on stone and Custom Gemstone carvings are Gareth's passion. Expect to see him create some amazing work in the future.
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| Birth date |
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04101963
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| Education |
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1979 - 1983 Education, Degree HND, was four years at Medway College of Art and Design, now called North Kent Institute of artand design
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| Awards |
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2006 - British Goldsmiths Craft & Design Council Awards:
Silver Award and Special Sponsored Award - Stone Carvers Senior, for a Portrait Cameo on layered agate.
2006 - British Goldsmiths Craft & Design Council Awards:
Highly Commended - Stone Carvers Senior, for a Portrait Cameoon layered agate.
2003 - British Goldsmiths Craft & Design Council Awards:
Highly Commended - Stone Carvers Senior, for two Portrait Cameos on layered agate.
2003 - British Goldsmiths Craft & Design Council Awards:
Highly Commended - Seal Engravers Senior, for a coat of arms carved on layered agate.
2003 - British Goldsmiths Craft & Design Council Awards:
Highly Commended - Hand Engravers Senior, for a wildlife engraving of a Lynx on Silver.
1985 - British Platinum Guild, Platinum Design Award:
Highly Commended
1984 - British Platinum Guild, Platinum Design Award:
Second Prize
1984 - British Goldsmiths Craft & Design Council Awards:
First Prize - Hand Engravers juniors, for a wildlife engraving of two squirrels.
1983 - De Beers Diamonds Today Competition, Jewellery & Accessories for Women Award:
Highly Commended - for excellence of Design.
1983 - British Goldsmiths Craft & Design Council Award:
Second Prize - Hand Engravers juniors, for a Silver Wedding engraving on a Silver Plate.
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| Selected Commissions |
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2007 - Queen Elizabeth II, England, UK. for a Cameo of Pocahontas.
2007 - Virginia S. Warner – Virginia, USA.
2007 - Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation-Virginia, USA.
2007 - William P. Miles –The Pamunkey Indian Nation, Virginia, USA.
2006 - Lieutenant Governor Garde Gardem, Leuitenant Colonel Geordie
Elms, Vicky Gabareau,
2005 - Tiffany, Cartier, Birks,
2004 - Griners Jewelers ltd, Florida, USA
2004 - Tim Coffin, Virginia, USA
2004 - Oakley, Adelaide, Australia.
2003- Tim Lawrence, Maryland, USA.
2003 - S. Dyer, Wales, UK.
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| Group Exhibitions |
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2006,2003,1985,1984,1983 - Exhibited at the British Goldsmiths Craft & Design Council, Craftsperson and Designer of the year award winners show at Goldsmiths Hall, London.
1985 and 1984 - Exhibited at the British Platinum Guild, Platinum Design award winners show at the Design Centre and at venues around the UK.
1984 - Exhibited at the De Beers Diamonds Today award winners show at the V&A Museum, the Design Centre and throughout Europe.
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| Solo Exhibitions |
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Not Applicable
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| Artist's Statement |
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Cameo Portraits were very popular in Europe in the 16th century. Gareth wants to bring these jewels into the 21st century, with a fresh, modern design, innovative carving style and bold use of materials.
My goal is to create life in my carvings with a level of realism that moves people emotionally and is unmatched by others.
When I carve a portrait I feel that I invest part of myself into the stone. I love the moment when the Cameo comes to life before my eyes. I find it exciting to see the character and personality of the person captured in a gemstone. People have been deeply moved when they first see their own image as a Portrait Cameo.
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| Statement |
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I usually work from photographs for the Cameo Portrait. Send me your favourite photographs of the subject for the cameo portrait. Digital images can be emailed, while printed photos can be sent by mail. I can arrange a personal visit if required, where I will take a series of photographs and show examples of my work.
I prepare an estimate that clearly shows how the cameo would look at different sizes, shapes and gemstone types. The cameo portrait will be set in a Gold, Silver or Platinum frame that can be accented with diamonds. The final quote will include the cost of the cameo and the metal frame. A price range is offered with a number of options to choose from.
Allow 8 weeks for your cameo portrait to be completed. A deposit of 50% is due at the start of the order with the final balance paid before delivery.
Digital photos during the carving of the Cameo and these are emailed to you for you to check progress. Photographs of the finished cameo are sent for your approval before the payment of the final balance. |
| Travel nationally |
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Yes |
| Travel internationally |
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Yes |
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| Prices |
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| Portrait Format: |
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Head and Shoulders |
From £ |
2000 |
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$ | 3600 |
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Half Length | From £ |
2500 |
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$ | 3000 |
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3/4 Length | From £ |
3000 |
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$ | 5400 |
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Double Portrait | From £ |
2200 |
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$ | 3900 |
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Group Portrait | From £ |
2500 |
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$ | 4500 |
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Animals | From £ |
2000 |
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$ | 3600 |
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Wildlife | From £ |
2000 |
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$ | 3600 |
The
Prices quoted are for the standard mediums of oil on canvas and bronze
(in
the case of sculpture).
For other media, prices may vary, please enquire
directly with us for more specific quotes.
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| Press Quotes |
Great work. All good wishes Gareth....Sir Anthony Hopkins.
Wow ! You are both talented and generous. Thanks for sharing....Seth Godin.
I just love your work ! It is incredibly detailed and show's so much life.
I cannot wait to be able to call your artwork mine someday.... B. V.
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