Monday, January 21, 2013

Art Therapy

Three months before his passage from this earthly life, GTF acquired some fragments of antique tortoise shell from a life-long friend who had caught a sea turtle many years before sea turtles were placed on the endangered species list. The whole carapace hung on his friend's wall for many decades before falling to the floor and breaking into pieces.

Greg's cancer had metastasized to the brain causing double vision. He'd decided to undergo some additional radiation to the brain on the chance it might help the double vision. As a gambler, he declared that he'd play a 50/50 odds hand! Sadly the radiation did not help the double vision. Never one to whine or wallow, ever positive GTF could always find the silver lining within any situation!

Greg thought he'd return to his earlier days of jewelry making and create some shell pendants. He started experimenting with the tortoise shell fragments; trying different methods of cutting, carving, grinding, and polishing.

We were both astounded when he discovered that doing small, highly focused work actually "tuned out" the discombobulating effects of his double vision! GTF's art was always inspired by Mother Nature's gifts... and the pieces he created from the tortoise's shell represent a continued sharing of her blessings!

These tortoise shell pendants are some manifestations from Greg's final months of ART THERAPY when he created the most finely detailed works of his life!



Seahorse


Water Dragon


Fleur de Lis


Sea Turtle


Butterfly Clasp


Crescent Moon


GTF's 'Pendant Posse' at his Life Celebration Event




Thursday, December 27, 2012

In loving memory of Gregory Thomas France.
Missing you sweetheart...

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Rest in Peace GTF... my dearly beloved friend, husband, and co-creator.

As a dear friend whispered in GTF's ear just minutes before his passage to the REAL Enchanted Forest:

"How in happy hail are we supposed to carry on without you?"




Saturday, September 8, 2012

Mac Farms Florida 
custom designed and carved gate sign. 

Deadhead cypress wood is deeply hand carved with the company logo and tomato vines. The hand sculpted wood 3D heirloom tomato (with copper vine and leaf) further honors Mac Farms delicious locally grown produce.

Selective hand tinting allows the beautiful wood grain to shine through.  Sealed with oil polyurethane suitable for outdoor weather, this custom sign will live to be an heirloom as the tomatoes that Mac Farms grows.

Created with Love, Honor, and Respect for Jennifer & Andy McAlexander of Mac Farms Florida.




Thursday, July 5, 2012

SEALIFE custom art bath vanity cabinet is constructed of naturally green colored deadhead cypress and warm golden heart pine.  

Dolphins and sea turtles of hammered copper with sea horse knobs joyfully celebrate Florida marine life. 

The Sealife vanity cabinet lives in the guest bath of a Key Largo cottage.




Friday, June 8, 2012

Monday, May 7, 2012

Bay Heron custom art screen door is handcrafted from ancient deadhead cypress wood reclaimed from a Florida Panhandle riverbed.  A pure example of Mother Nature's rich gifts!

The fired copper lower panel stile enhances the natural green, gold, and caramel graining of the cypress wood and brass screening.  

Spalted hickory wood 3D heron and 'live oak' tree limb sculptures are dimensionally hand carved & set.  Hammered copper leaves (that will naturally, with the passing seasons, oxidize to a mysterious turquoise green) mirror the copper in the lower panel stile.

As with life... this custom art screen door is destined to live, adapt, patina, and become more beautifully expressive as time marches along!

GTF & the DAme extend our heartfelt appreciation to KB & CB; whose talented gracious souls inspired our creative communion with Mother Nature's exquisite offerings!




Sunday, April 29, 2012

Turtle Reef is a reflection from GTF's underwater reef diving expeditions.  

A 3D scenic collage of shells, copper 'deep sea flora', and hand-painted chase & repousse aluminum swimming sea turtles.  

Each individual element thoughtfully created and positioned one-by-one.

Adhered to metal mesh background and framed in rustic deadhead cypress wood. 

30"W x 14"H.  Suitable for outdoor display.
 Turtle Reef against water background
 Turtle Reef against stucco background
 Left Turtle detail
 Center Turtle detail
Right Turtle detail

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Seahorse Bouquet of fired copper with chase and repousse detail arranged in a custom label wine bottle; mounted on a pecky cypress panel.
Created specially for Debbie, a seahorse lover!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

 Happy Easter!
 
Bay Heron, carved from beautiful spalted hickory wood, resides peacefully amidst natural treasures found along the shores of Florida's Choctawhatchee Bay... oyster shells and driftwood, plus a copper palmetto.  Framed in rustic deadhead cypress. 
Created specially for Tom and Joy!
approx. 20"W x 24"H x 2"D


Saturday, April 7, 2012

MacFarm Friends Ladybug, Bee, Butterfly, and Hummingbird are hammered copper garden friends;  fluttering forth from a custom label wine bottle mounted on a spectacular pecky cypress wood background.
GTF created this piece to honor Jen's (of MacFarmsFL.com) recent birthday.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Happy New Year!
Reflection Sphere ~ one of a kind meditation ball encrusted with coin, crystal, pearl, silver, and mirrored ornamentation... conducive to deep thoughts and shining conversations!  
Approx. 6" diameter.


Adopted!
Sold :)  Enjoy 'em Debbie!
 
Copper Palm Islands ~ palm trees of fired & oxidized copper bend and sway atop oyster isles.  Framed in rustic wood.
Each 12"W x 28"H.  
Click to zoom.
Individually priced at $150 each + S/H.


 Sold 

 

Friday, December 2, 2011

Merry Angelic Sisters: Faith (white/silver cross), Joy (gold/star), Noelle (blue/silver trumpet), Hope (red/copper heart) and Grace (green/peace).  Each carries the talisman denoting her special gift for the Universe.

Mounted on posterboard with built-in easel backs, the Angelic sisters are  3D mixed-media individuals expressed in fabric, paper, wire, ribbon, paint, beads & glorious glitz, and all are imbued with their own particular delight!

The Sisters wish is to watch over and bring you happiness each & every day!  (FYI "Sister Merry Joy" begged that her hair be styled in "I Dream of Jeanie" fashion!! We debated... "Joy" ultimately won ;)

Each is approx. 8"H x 6"W. 
Sister Merry FAITH (Cross)
Adopted :)

Sister Merry JOY (Star)
Covenant Hospice fund drive

Sister Merry NOELLE (Trumpet)
Adopted :)

Sister Merry HOPE (Heart)
Adopted :)


Sister Merry GRACE (Peace Dove)
Covenant Hospice fund drive




 HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!




Thursday, December 1, 2011

Custom art screen door of burgundy stained cypress, brass screening, beautiful fired copper lower panels, and heron sculpture of spalted hickory wood.
Contact us for help designing your custom art screen door for porch, patio, pantry or outside shower door art. Click to zoom.
Heron closeup



Wednesday, November 30, 2011


Rebirth Butterfly hand carved wood painted in iridescent shades of blue, green, and gold... with sparkly black glitter and copper wire antennae hanger. Artfully finished on both sides for 360 degree viewing!
Approx. 8"W x 6"H.  Zoom for detail.

Adopted :)

Copper Rose & Dragonfly framed in iridescent blue, green, and copper painted frame.  Approx. 9"W x 28"H.

Zoom for detail.

Under Sea Kisses... dimensional 'underwater' scene of silvery kissy fish (shaped from recycled aluminum cans) swim amidst pearlized oyster shells and copper seagrass.
Approx. 8"H x 14"W.  Zoom for detail.


Saturday, October 1, 2011

Custom Art Screen Door for a tomato greenhouse.  Stained dark green and inset with a painted wood carving of vine ripe tomatoes and ladybugs.  This screen door is constructed of cypress and measures 36" wide x 72" tall.  Click photos to zoom.

YOUR custom screen door(s) can be sized for porch, pantry, or cabinet; constructed from a wide choice of materials, art, and stain colors (including wildlife carvings, fired copper panels, etc)!  A portfolio is available for design inspiration and we're delighted to work with you in creating exactly what you desire! 


Contact www.artzyfartzystudio.com for a custom quote.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

A beautiful SoWal Sunset painted impressionistically on canvas then photographically echoed in the lenses of rhinestone embellished glossy black carved wood Wayfarer style sunglasses. 
This is a custom creation for cherished friends, inspired by a favorite sunset photograph they snapped on one of their regular visits to SoWal.  Now they can enjoy a beloved Gulf of Mexico sunset even during snowy winters up north!
Thanks 'A' for being an artistic muse!!
14" H x 48"W
Click to Zoom.


Friday, September 9, 2011

SOLD!  Thx Margo & Corey :)

Next Generation II was created as a prayer for the continuation of the many Sea Turtles that nest on the pristine SoWal beaches along the Emerald Coast of Florida.  Hammered aluminum sea turtles swim out to sea amidst ribbons of crystal clean Gulf Coast waves.


Approx. 27" H x 27" W.
Click to Zoom. 

Friday, July 29, 2011

"Super Sweet 16" 
trio of pop-art portraits for one very beautiful niece!  Happy 16th Birthday C.J.!
8"W x 10"H.
Everlasting... the United Methodist Cross & Eternal Flame is a perfect symbol of honor for my parents 60th wedding anniversary and faith.  Carved wooden cross and fired copper double-flame incorporates a heart symbolizing their love and devotion to God and each other.
16"W x 25"H.  Click photo to zoom on detail.
 

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Custom built Hillbilly Shack for a very special and welcoming couple!   GTF and I had lots of fun getting back into the 'home building bidness' with this li'l gem!

Thursday, June 30, 2011

ADOPTED!  Thanks SFS!
Moonlight Fleur de Lis is a multi-dimensional painted wood sculpture imbued with the mysterious beauty of moonlit nights.  Shades of metallic blues & silver with touches of lacy black scrolling and gold highlights are over washed with shimmery metallic pearl.  Glass beads and iridescent brilliants evoke Heavenly Dreams! 
29"W x 35"H x 2"D.

Click to Zoom on all the detail.
Moonlight Fleur's new home!