Sculptor Victoria Stautzenberger Begins Creating Portraits

A Texas native, sculptor Victoria Stautzenberger grew up in a family rich in artists and craftsmen.

From early childhood she excelled in art.

Since completing her formal training she resides in Texas and specializes in the nearly lost art of bas-relief.

“In the end people themselves are the most fascinating works of art,” said Stautzenberger.

Asked about her recent foray into monument sculpture, she says she doesn’t know why she didn’t do it sooner.

Gallery exhibits include An Artist’s Christmas in Fort Worth, TX, Chateau Colbert, Maulievrier, France, Beaux-Arts Gallery, Grapevine, TX, and The Milan Gallery, also in Fort Worth.

The sculpted portrait is described by the artist as “a delicate rendering of a child, an elegant portrayal of a woman’s strength, or capturing the proud likeness of a family patriarch in a unique and endearing style.”

“It is essential when one gazes at the portrait of a loved one that the subject’s essential qualities and character, be it mischievousness, elegance, strength, or pensive nature shine through,” said Stautzenberger.

Each portrait is hand crafted in fine detail and each subject’s unique character and expression are captured in a timeless style, according Stautzenberger.

“I take great care to determine the posture, gesture, and subtle demeanor of each person and embody these features into the work,” wrote Statuzenberger on her website.

Three sizes are available, either mounted or on an oval, beveled surface or with the form mounted and ready for framing. The second format, corresponding to the subject’s profile on the oval, is mounted on a black velvet surface and ready for framing. These sizes are standard frame sizes. Stautzenberger’s work is offered in bronze, cast marble and stone, hydrocal, and ceramic. The ceramic works are available with either an antique white glaze or an aged matter stain.

“I handle each portrait with great individual care,” said Stautzenberger.

With some considerations posthumous portraits are available and Stautzenberger does take commissions for those.
All duplicate copies are 50 percent the price of the original.

For photo instructions, Stautzenberger suggests using 100 speed film with a 35 mm camera (with tripod) or 200 speed film with the same kind of camera if no tripod is available. The best lighting is usually outdoors in an overcast sky, but not too dark. Stautzenberger suggests not taking the picture with the sun behind the model as this causes a silhouette, but experimenting to find the model’s best side and at what angle the shoulders look best. On children, you should take care that a fancy collar does not obscure their profile.

For more information, call 817-451-0785 or email her at victoriasculptor@aol.com.

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