Koh-Varilla's New Studio

I had to bike way up the north side
last weekend
to attend the open house
of the new Koh-Varilla sculpture studio

I met Jeff Varilla about 30 years ago
when we talked until dawn
about our mutual enthusiasm
for the things that hang on art museum walls.

Above is one of his paintings from that era.





Here is a work from 1990
by Jeff's wife, Anna Koh,
a Korean student
he met at the Art Institute






Since that time,
the two have built
quite a career in collaboration
on commission sculpture,
especially for churches.

And now -- they've
built their own, new studio







which includes a gallery
for their work,
(not all of which is religious)











If only they
were commissioned to do
an updated version of St. Theresa in Ecstasy!






I think their collaboration works so well
because
the one (Jeff)
is so meticulous
while the other (Anna)
is so passionate












These are two of the medallions
hang above the entrance to the studio







and now we get to see the works
in progress





They feel so Romantic!











This is their most recent big piece,
that's Mother Theresa on the left





Jeff doesn't do much painting any more,
but
doesn't this feel
like something by Hugo Van Der Goes ?







Their specialty
in recent years
has been M.L.K.

as important to American public sculptors of today
as Abe Lincoln was a hundred years ago









And following in the tradition of ancient Rome,
they do a great job with
portraits of
distinguished old men


















Can you identify
these two American presidents ?

They just did a life-size
standing figure of Hubert Humphrey


(and I hope they get to make some Obamas)







What a sweet little boy.

(they have a son themselves,
I wonder if he will
grow up to be a sculptor)