6/23/2023 0 Comments Tom clark iconographer![]() He liked to include natural elements in his work, so he would make clay casts out of leaves he collected, rolling mud over them to imprint them. And he played with surprisingly simple techniques. So his studio was always full of figurines in various states of completion. Either way, he would work on multiple statues at a time. Or maybe it’s just the scattered concentration of genius. Tom Clark Forest Gnome #41 1983 10 1/2 inches Tall Signed Image Credit: Valuable Tom Clark Gnomes But his gnomes were drawn from his rich imagination.Īlso Read 20 Most Valuable Vintage Board Games Worth MoneyĦ. His human statues were based on people he knew and had met, often wearing clothes he had seen them in. His love of art and nature was intrinsic.Īt first, Tom tried his hands at painting, but his true niche was modeling ethereally realistic faces on tiny bodies. After all, he was a college professor with a Ph.D.! Most of his studies – and his classes – were of the religious variety, but he also studied sculpture and English. ![]() You may think Tom’s exceptional skills come from years at art school. ![]() Shen, Tom Clark Creations, Gnome, Collectible, Figurine, Pecan Resin Image Credit: Valuable Tom Clark Gnomes As Tom explains, that’s one over par and two under par … which makes an eagle. One of his funniest pieces is an American eagle nicknamed Par, with one gnome on his head and two under his feet. Tom loved golf, and he also had a cheeky sense of humor. He would also autograph pieces for buyers, and those signed figurines are among the most valuable Tom Clark gnomes you’ll find today. ![]() He loved talking to buyers and telling them cute little stories about his Wood Spirits. Part of Tom Clark’s charm was his way with people. Tom Clark Gnome WIZARD #110 Hand-Signed Only 823 Made w/ COA Image Credit: Valuable Tom Clark Gnomes He says it’s because his house is built of stone.Ĥ. Tom loved the concept so much that he named his 5-acre home The Cairn. A cairn is a Scottish memorial made from a pile of stones that people rolled up the hill and left there. Together, Tom and Joe formed Cairn Studios. This material held its shape better than porcelain, so it could carve finer details. He suggested that Tom ditch clay and use a composite of polyester resin and flour made from crushed pecan nut shells. Joe was an expert marketer and he saw the value in those little statues. VTG Signed Cairn Gnome Balthazar Balthasar Three 3 Kings Nativity Image Credit: Valuable Tom Clark Gnomes And boy, did Good Old Joe start seeing $$$!!ģ. He walked into his former professor’s studio and saw those exquisite creatures that we call gnomes, but that Tom calls Wood Spirits. This authenticity and realism came from Tom’s partner and former student, Joe Poteat. Their beauty lay in their fragility and the careful paintwork, which was often done by hand. Cheaper ones might be crafted from faience or something similar. Complete Set Of Tom Clark Alphabet & Numeral Gnomes Some Signed Image Credit: Valuable Tom Clark GnomesĪntique figurines are typically made of porcelain. Given the care, detail, and quirky stories he invents, they’re worth it!Ģ. In his own words, it takes him one week and thirty years to finish a piece. These (in)famous Toms include a stand-up comic, a Canadian TV anchor, an American Attorney General, a British sports journalist, and the Commissioner of a Professional Bowlers Association.īut to truly appreciate these sculptures, you need to learn a little more about our Tom Clark, a seminary professor with magical hands. Den Mother/Retired Tom Clark/Cub Scouts Image Credit: Valuable Tom Clark GnomesĪ quick Google search will tell you Tom Clark is a fairly common name. Most Valuable Tom Clark Gnomes Worth Money 1. ![]() He was 93, lived a full, rich life, and now his art is worth even more! So let’s look at some of the most valuable Tom Clark gnomes. Two, he recently passed away – on January 14 th, 2022. One, he had exceptional skills, especially at capturing facial features and vivid expressions in miniature. There are two reasons why Tom Clark gnomes are doing well right now. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |