My letter to the editor in response to The Peninsula Gateway’s Articles:

“City right to move forward with pier statue” 2/14/2012

“Despite artistic differences, statue plan moves forward”  2/15/2012

How can it be called art if not created by an artist?

The age old question “What is art?” misses an important point. Better phrased, the real question is “How can you call it art if it was not created by an artist?”

No matter what the process used, a work of art either reflects the intent, technique, and abilities of the artist, or it is not art at all. Recently, the Gig Harbor Arts Commission requested that a maquette (small model) of the proposed Maritime Pier sculpture be presented to the city council. Members reviewed a model, computer-carved, from a historic photograph using 3D modeling software.  This fabrication technique does not reflect the spark of an artist.

The artistic merit of the model and the use of 3D technology in its fabrication was largely dismissed as irrelevant given that the maquette was “just the model”, and wasn’t the actual life size work.  In reality, the maquette IS the work of art and represents the artist’s vision, passion, and talent from which the larger sculpture is derived.  As a modern day traditional sculptor, I embrace technology and use it to enlarge my work and accurately preserve my original intent. But utilizing technology to replace artistic intent is akin to fraud and cannot be called real art.  The community and any donors to the project should be saddened to know that the alleged “legacy” sculpture was not sculpted at all.

Sincerely,

Mardie Rees
Gig Harbor Sculptor

I’m featured in a slide show of contemporary figurative artists!

http://www.youtube.com/user/MardieRees#p/a/f/0/d31StZYwT9Y

You can also find me hear along with a number of other Figurative Artists: www.figurativeartist.org

I’m on Page 40 of International Artist Magazine – August/September 2010
- I’m in this magazine after receiving “First Honor” from the Portrait Society of America Competition

I’ve been talking with Gig Harbor Life, The Gateway, and the Tacoma News Tribune about my award.  It is important for people to know that good sculpture is still happening! Check out these articles:

“Gig Harbor Sculptor is finalist…”- Arts Blog in News Tribune

“Gig Harbor sculptor makes an impression” – News Tribune

International 2009 -2010 Art Renewal Center Salon Competition

Finalist in Sculpture: “Truth Beloved”

http://www.artrenewal.org/pages/contest.php?contest=2009-2010%20Salon&page=Sculpture

The Art Renewal Center® is proud to present the award winners and finalists in our sixth International ARC Salon™ Competition.
This year we had well over 1700 entries with outstanding results.

Mardie Rees was selected as one of the finalists in the 2010 International Portrait Competition hosted by the Portrait Society of America, taking place in Washington D.C. Over the last twelve years this competition has grown to become one of most prestigious events in the field of portraiture today. Over 1,300 images were entered in this year’s competition, and only 16 artists were selected as finalists. Her portrait bust, Truth Beloved, was judged on skill and technique, as well as, aesthetic and emotional content.

Mardie Rees, along with her husband, Jeremy and sixth-month-old baby, Jasmine flew to D.C. to attend the 2010 Art of the Portrait Conference and the Award Ceremony Banquet for final judging. Her sculpture was on view at the Hyatt Regency Hotel over a four day period, allowing the judges and attendees of the conference to view the work. Rees’ work was the only 3-D sculpture out of the 16 finalists (the rest were paintings) and all the pieces were beautiful and well executed. Mardie Rees was awarded “First Honor”, at the banquet on April 24th. Rees says it was a great honor and privilege to be recognized along with the nation’s leading portrait and figurative artists.

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Dear Friends,

April is going to be a busy and exciting month!

I was selected as one of the finalists in the 2010 International Portrait Competition hosted by the Portrait Society of America, taking place in Washington D.C., April 22 – 25th. Over the last twelve years this competition has grown to become one of the most prestigious events in the field of portraiture today. Over 1,300 images were entered, and only 16 artists were selected as finalists. My portrait bust, Truth Beloved, was judged on skill and technique, as well as aesthetic and emotional content.

I, along with my husband and sixth-month-old Jasmine, will be flying to D.C. so I can attend the 2010 Art of the Portrait Conference as well as attend the Award Ceremony Banquet for final judging. My sculpture will be on view at the Hyatt Regency Reston in VA during those four days.

I am very excited about this opportunity and the chance to meet internationally known artists in the field of portraiture. If you are in the D.C. area and would like to see the show or want to attend the award banquet please let me know and I would love to see you!

All the Best,

Mardie Rees

P.S. See some of my work in an upcoming group show in Seattle! (Details Below)

(Mardie Rees with husband Jeremy Broderick after speaking at the Award Ceremony)

On November 6th, I was awarded the 2008 Margaret K. Williams Arts Award by the Pierce Country Arts Commission, in the ‘Career’ category. I was the first one to receive the award in this category. I was nominated by the Gig Harbor Rotary Club and selected through a jury process. The award ceremony took place at the Tacoma Art Museum.
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