Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is presented with the Pocahontas Cameo created by the Cameo Artist Gareth Eckley.
Cameos Old & New 4th Edition. The definitive guide to the History of Cameos. Gareth Eckley is featured inside.
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Gareth is one of a very select group of gemstone portrait artists. Great skill, artistry and experience is needed to be able to create accurate portraits.
He is very passionate about his art and loves to travel to meet his clients whenever possible. He has been creating work for some of his clients around the world for over 20 years.
Gareth feels strongly that for a cameo portrait to work he must feel that he "knows" the subject. It is very important to know the persons name and their nature so that he can enthuse the portrait carving with their spirit.
" I love the moment when the portrait carving comes to life before my eyes. I find it exciting to see the personality of the subject captured in gemstone. I feel that I invest a part of myself in every portrait that I create."
"I really enjoy the collaborative process involved in portraiture. I work closely with my client to ensure that together we create an exceptional gemstone cameo portrait. Many of my previous clients have gone on to become friends."
Please visit my Artist Web Journal where you can see recent information, ask me any questions or leave comments.
Here is my carving set up for wet, water based carving with diamond tools. I have a drip feed water tank on the upper left which feeds water onto the diamond point. The water then drains into a stainless steel drip pan. There is a curved perspex shield to control any spray. I have the photograph of the cameo subject poised just above the shield so I can refer to it easily during the carving to check accuracy.
Here I am carving a white on black layered agate. I am using a sintered diamond point, set within a chuck mounted on my gem carving lathe. The picture shows an adjustable drip feed that allows water to flow onto the diamond point. This helps to both cool the stone and flush away debris as I carve the material.
Gareth lived in Vancouver, Canada for 12 years, where he met his wife and where his two boys were born. He loves to visit friends and family in Canada and the United States as often as he can.
Next: Awards Won by Gareth Eckley
Creating Unique Custom Jewelry for 29 years. Portrait Cameos © Copyright 2010 Gareth Eckley.
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