7450 Highway 128, Philo, CA 95466, US
My Christmas present this year from my wife, Dinah, and our good friend Alexis was truly spectacular. Two smiling, soulful dolphins gliding through the waves whose base is a Grecian urn. This vessel is decorated with rosettes and stylized Dolphins and waves like those found in the ancient royal palace in Knossos, Crete. It is a true masterpiece of design and execution -- a dazzling achievement by a supremely gifted and visionary artist,
Thanks, Alexis, for once again making my Christmas so special! Jim
Many of my totems are special requests. Sometimes they feature a particular animal, like the dolphins, in Jim’s totem and other times the animals are special pets that we want to honor, celebrate and remember. Either way I try to tell your story – what’s special to you about the animals – in your totem.
OH MY GOODNESS!!! You have me in tears here! Both of us! The little toes on the man's toes...the expressions...the dots on bottom toadstool...you are a TRUE Genius! WHAT A TALENT!!!! We are both beyond ecstatic! This is coming at such a perfect time...much more than you could ever know!
Many times I am capturing a special memory or moment for someone in a sculpture. These highly personal sculptures mean so much to the people who commission them.
You've brought back memories of us picking up the wonderful totem you made for us of our cats Neptune and Nutmeg. It has a place of honor in our living room where it's one of the first things we see when we walk in the door.
Our boys were only a couple of years old when we moved in here and commissioned the totem from you. They're now healthy big five year olds who basically rule the house. We expect to have them with us for many more years, but the totem will always remind us of the love and joy they give us.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent!
Lee Ann
Neptune and Nutmeg thankfully survived a wildfire that took their home and everything in it. I was so honored when Fred and Lee Ann asked me to help them start rebuilding their art collection with a totem that celebrated their beloved cats.
I know they have surrounded themselves with many new treasures but I'm glad to know that their totem remains a favorite piece.
What a wonderful tribute! We love our totem and it sits proudly on our hearth at Lake Nacimiento. Sadly, Sal passed away today.
All of these precious friends will be cherished and remembered always and your beautiful totem will bring a smile to everyone’s face. Thank You Alexis
Pam
Pam’s totem was so heartwarming because during the time I was building the totem we lost Olive, the pug on the top. The big lab on the bottom, Cooper, had already been gone a few years before I started the totem and shortly after Pam and Dan took the totem home, the last pug, Sal, passed on too. The totem became a true memory keeper for all of these treasured dogs. Now it’s a happy reminder of lives well lived.
Totems hold our special memories in a way that brings back those deep feelings of joy and delight that our beloved pets gave to us every day.
I was totally blown away by Alexis' spectacular totem that my wife Renate had commissioned as a surprise gift. All my memories of wonderful pets, as well as current ones were captured in the most realistic sculpture conceivable. Alexis captured not only the physical aspects of our pets but also their spiritual side in the most wonderful way. One can almost think they are going to emerge from their stone like forms back into real life. Gordon
I love to be part of creating a special surprise! It’s so much fun to whisper in the background, making plans and being sneaky. We almost got caught when Gordon and Renate made a surprise visit to the studio. Luckily Renate was able to distract Gordon while I managed to cover the totem in progress before Gordon got a look at it.
Ayaz and I think the totem is just perfect! It has settled into its new home and seems happy in the space. Everyone who sees it is fascinated by its color, movement and creativity.
Thank you for creating the perfect piece for us. It makes me happy every time I see it.
Warmly,
Martie
Martie picked her own set of animals for this special memorial totem to her son, Brendan. Each one has a special and personal meaning to her. It was such an honor to build this special sculpture for her to celebrate her son.
Each of my commissioned totems has a special story with it. They don’t start out that way but rather the stories evolve through the building of the totem. They all bring delight by capturing happy memories and become touchstone pieces that take you on a journey through your memories of wonderful times with your favorite animals, past and present.
And future animals… ? Well they’ll need a totem too!
Feel free to reach out to me if you’d like to discuss a special totem for you.