Spirit of the Ocean Receives the Governors Historic Preservation Award

Hunt Studios is honored to receive the Governors Historic Preservation Award for our work in the complete re-creation of this national historic landmark sculpture. This was a very rewarding project and we are thankful to have had the pleasure of carving such an esteemed piece of history.  You can read more about the project here. Hunt Studios is looking forward to the opportunity to work on other intricate restoration projects such as this and the figure of Neptune we recently completed for the Museum of St. Louis.

Sculpted Double Sink: Farina Pizzeria

We recently produced this custom sculpted double sink for the new Farina Pizzeria in the mission. The sink was cast using Buddy Rhodes GFRC (glass fiber reinforced concrete) mix. GFRC is a very versatile product that can be mixed in a wide range of colors and finished in a multitude of ways. 
We are starting to produce our sculptural tiles in this material also. 
The pizza they make here is exceptional, well worth a visit!

In progress: the sink fresh from the mold, curing before finishing and installation.

The finished piece, newly installed and looking right at home.

http://www.farina-foods.com/intro.php?url=farina-pizza
http://www.buddyrhodes.com/  

http://www.huntstonecarving.com/products.php

Hunt Studios at The Huntington Japanese Gardens

Hunt Studios recently contributed to an award-winning renovation project in San Marino, California at the Huntington Japanese Gardens. 

“The Japanese House” was built in Japan around 1904 and now graces the Huntington gardens with restored splendor. 

Hunt Studios provided the cast architectural elements that adorn the rooftop; traditional Kara-jishi sculptures. 

The proud roof-dogs look out over the gorgeous nine-acre Japanese garden and the many visitors that come to be immersed in its beauty.  The renovation project earned Merit Award honors from both the Los Angles and Pasadena/Foothill chapters of the AIA.

For more information please visit the following links:
http://huntington.org/huntingtonlibrary.aspx?id=512
http://www.architecturaldigest.com/blogs/daily/2012/05/huntington-japanese-gardens-restoration
http://www.californiahomedesign.com/blog/2012/05/14/peek-inside-huntingtons-newly-renovated-japanese-house

Fireplace in Brač Limestone

Hunt Studios recently completed a project entailing the creation of a fireplace in beautiful Brač limestone.  Often mistaken for marble, Croatian Brač limestone has been used for millenia in European building and also makes up the columns of the White House in Washington D.C.  Using time-honored methods, Hunt Studios has taken the work through every stage of the process and we are proud to see off another finely crafted architectural treasure.

After the basics are set out the ornament is drawn in.

The front elevation, approved.  We're ready to begin fabrication.

Here is one of the ornamented panels on the banker next to the carver's reference.  Fidelity is key.

A detail of the carving in Brač.

The internal surround roughed-out.

The final piece dry-fit together before sending off.

Hunt Studios: New design added to our suite of hand-carved tiles

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new piece in our growing collection of artisan tiles.  Designed at Hunt Studios, "Polaris" will appeal to the minimalists and decorative arts lovers alike.  

The design came from a series of creative exercises the objective of which was to "pinch" and pull the surface into a focal point, then arrange the result as a continuous, reciprocating movement.  

Here is the original 3" x 3" sketch made in plastilina that we selected for development.

 

Here is the master tile carved in gypsum at 12" x 12".

The theme represented here, connected to the original exercise, is that of two opposite poles pushing towards their point of contact.  The negative, flat space yields to the line like atmosphere bending around the shock wave of a super-sonic body or aircraft.  Where those lines taper off is where the connection is made to the next tile, maintaining a continuous fluidity. 

Here are the tiles dry-fit with blanks that expand the negative spaces.

 

This design is offered in cast composite material, Stuc Pierre, cold-cast bronze, limestone, and Carrara marble, or perhaps any workable stone of your choosing.  Contact us for specs and pricing info.  www.huntstonecarving.com