How to Give the Timeless Gift of Art

Photo credit: Negative Space/Pexels

The holiday season is all about giving to the ones we love. Sometimes though it can feel as though we’re just giving something … to give something. Clicking “Buy Now” on Amazon may get the job done, but is it just us, or is there a certain emptiness to giving this way?

Giving art is different in every respect – especially when you are gifting your loved one with a custom, one-of-a-kind piece created just for him or her. It delights the art lover with a singular work, conceived of and created with their unique personality or story in mind. It supports artists, investing in the continued creation of beauty to enhance our experience of the world. And an art gift lasts forever; high quality art can be passed down through the generations and live a life of its own well beyond the act of giving it. It’s hard to say that about most popular gift items, many of which are built to last only a short time before they become obsolete or break.

“Matrix,” a recent commissioned wall sculptor by Miami Artist Gary Traczyk.

So how does one go about giving an art gift? There are any number of online resources for art shopping (Artfinder and SaatchiArt are some popular examples), but for a truly special present, the best route is to work directly with an artist whose style you (and your lucky recipient, of course) admire. Stainless steel sculptor Gary Traczyk is an artist who embraces the opportunity to work with art lovers who have a certain aesthetic or concept in mind. Even simply communicating key attributes of your giftee can allow the artist to conceptualize a piece that will thrill the recipient with a custom work of art, born out of the artist’s unique vision and talents.

To get started, simply strike up a conversation with the artist. You can communicate your desires, whether you have a fully formed idea or just a vague notion of what you’re looking for. You can talk budget, timeline and mock ups (something many artists provide so clients can get a more tangible sense of what the finished piece will look like), as well as ask any other questions you may have.

Because you are an active participant in the process, the final commissioned work of art will be deeply personal, sure to become a cherished source of beauty and joy in your loved one’s home and life.

Keep in mind, the artistic process takes time – especially when it is as hands-on and intricate as stainless steel sculpting. Gary Traczyk’s sculptures generally take several months to complete. It’s never too early to plan ahead for a milestone birthday, wedding, anniversary or even Christmas 2021 gift.

Contact Gary at kineticsteel@me.com, by calling 305-510-2319 or simply fill out the form here.

How Miami Sculptor Gary Traczyk Stays Inspired, Part II

Following up on on our exploration last week of how Miami artist Gary Traczyk refuels his artistic creativity, here are some additional commissioned projects that have brought him out of his usual process and challenged him to grow.

After being approached at an art show by a YPO global leadership community member, Traczyk took a departure from his characteristic kinetic work to complete this commission for the group’s Los Angeles chapter.

“The client needed a symbol of the organization that included a pyramid and had triangles. We went back and forth, and I came up with this design,” Traczyk says.

The artist carefully calculated ratios and resurrected other high school math skills he hadn’t used in years. “The entire thing was completely out of my comfort zone, and I loved that.”

The end result was sleek, strong and apparently perfect. “But there’s also a box full of metal that did not work,” the artist shares. “And that’s totally good with me. The challenge is where the growth is at. When I’m challenging myself, that’s when I’m growing, and when I fail, that’s when I’m growing.”

Another favorite piece was born of a request from a friend who was affiliated with the Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency (an organ donation non-profit). The cause was personal for Traczyk, whose close friend had just received five life-saving transplants to replace congenitally defective organs.

“I was very motivated to create something to honor my friend. I had him in the back of my mind the entire time I was creating this.”

Traczyk hung symbols and messaging associated with the cause in his studio and stared at them for hours until he could envision the piece. The finished work comprises two lithe, partially painted forms that seem to embrace and lift one another skyward in a gravity defying dance.

Then there was this prize sculpture he was asked to design for Speaker Jeannette Nunez, now Lieutenant Governor of the state of Florida, in recognition of her support for research at the University of Miami.

“It pained me to create because I went to Florida State,” Traczyk jokes, “but it ended up being very cool trying to reimagine the UM logo. I had the idea to turn it into a goal post.”

Traczyk is currently expanding his portfolio of wall sculptures and is constantly seeking to challenge himself with new projects. Contact the artist with ideas and requests.

Follow Gary on Instagram @kineticsteel.

How Miami Artist Gary Traczyk Stays Inspired

It’s hard to imagine a person who has not been depleted by this trying and tumultuous year. Gary Traczyk is, however, one such soul. While most of us have been nibbling our nails down to the cuticles and wondering how we’ll dig our way out of the 2020 abyss, he has taken a different approach.

“It’s so important to stay positive, to see the good,” he says during a phone interview on November 4.

As of this writing, the presidential election is still inconclusive, but Traczyk has not become a puppet to the minute-by-minute updates. He’s gone on living – savoring long meals with family at local restaurants, taking on overtime shifts at the fire station – enjoying regular life.

“I’m happy with everything that I have and I want what I have,” he says.

You see, Traczyk is not a brooding artist, locked up in his studio and waiting for an inner muse to surface. The sculptor is quick to crack a joke and quicker to win new friends thanks to the genuine interest he shows in listening – really listening – to people.

And – in addition to his fascination with the work of celebrated metal artists Jose De Rivera, Alexander Calder and George Rickey – it’s this upbeat, extroverted personality that has fueled his continual evolution and inspiration as a creator over the last 23 years.

“It opens my mind when I talk to people and we bounce ideas off one another. I love people.” He laughs and adds, “I mean, I’m also a firefighter and paramedic, so it’s not like I can hate people.”

From his early days as a sculptor more than two decades ago, Traczyk has thrived on interacting and even collaborating with other artists. In fact, his very first co-creation project was with the now-famous Brazilian pop artist Romero Britto.

Traczyk had only just decided to begin showing his sleek, fluid, balanced and dynamic stainless steel sculptures after several years of work when he met Britto. The two were introduced through a mutual friend from Traczyk’s high school, and the young men soon struck up a friendship. When the idea of combining their unique talents came into the conversation, it seemed a no-brainer.

“I mentioned it would be nice to add a contemporary motif to his very playful and colorful pop art, so basically I sculpted these pieces of stainless steel on granite, and he was to bring them to life with color.”

The resulting works were stunning – fun, energetic, seemingly alive. They were presented at a gala for Operation Smile prior to being placed in Britto’s gallery, where they sold quickly.

The pair had hoped to complete a larger series of the pieces, but the Brazilian painter was pulled to other projects as his fame suddenly skyrocketed.

Regardless, the collab had set Traczyk’s creative juices flowing faster than ever.

 “Sharing ideas takes you out of your rabbit hole and makes you think out of the box,” says Traczyk. “You’re vulnerable and you start seeing things from a different perspective, getting out of your comfort zone and becoming more open minded.”

The artist soon discovered that exchanges even with non-artists had a similar motivating effect. He began to love the challenge of bending his art form (no pun intended) to achieve various aesthetics, often prompted by ideas or requests from his circle of friends, and even veritable strangers.

Read more about some of his favorite and most challenging projects in the next installment – coming soon.

In the meantime, follow @kineticsteel on Instagram.

Miami Artist and Firefighter Selected to Sculpt Prestigious McGraw Education Award

Miami, Florida, Oct. 15, 2020 – Local Sculptor and Miami-Dade County Firefighter Gary Traczyk has been chosen to design and create the prize sculptures for the 2020 winners of the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education awarded by the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education in Philadelphia – one of the most coveted education awards. 

Traczyk, whose stainless steel sculptures have been exhibited at Art Miami, SCOPE Miami, Art Basel Miami Arts Week, Art Palm Beach, Art Hamptons, and SOFA Chicago among other prominent shows, was selected after a nationwide search because of his striking work and unique ability to craft moving ­– or kinetic – art.

“We were drawn to Gary’s extraordinary work, which combines timeless – and kinetic ­– visual elements,” said Michael Golden, Executive Director of Catalyst @ Penn GSE. “His artistry evokes inspiration spiraling outward to transform the world of many, reflecting the shared mission of the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education and the McGraw Family Foundation.” 

The artist and public servant has long been affiliated with educational institutions, including Miami’s National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts (now YoungArts), to which he donated sculptures for auction ten years in a row; and the Visiting Artist Program developed by the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, through which he has served as a volunteer educator. 

“To me, education opens doors to freedom. It’s everything,” Traczyk said. “When they reached out to me, I was overwhelmed with happiness. It’s a total honor to be involved.”

The South Florida artist cuts, grinds, sands, polishes and bends stainless steel bars into fluid geometric forms that dance with movement at the touch of a hand. The McGraw prize sculptures will be mounted on granite and fitted with personalized plaques detailing winners’ names and fields. Traczyk has been enlisted to create prize sculptures for award recipients annually through 2022.

The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize recognizes outstanding achievements in education in three categories. Past recipients include Alberto M Carvalho, current superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools (2016) and Chris Anderson, head of the non-profit organization TED (2017).

In education’s most challenging year ever, this year’s three prize winners will each accept one of Traczyk’s one-of-a-kind kinetic steel sculptures and a $50,000 award at a virtual ceremony at 4 p.m. EST on October 21. Those interested in attending virtually can register here. 

About Artist Gary Traczyk:

Gary Traczyk is a South Florida kinetic stainless steel sculptor whose work has been commissioned and exhibited by galleries, individuals and institutions across the United States and internationally. When he is not melting steel with white hot torches, he can be found instead fighting fires in his role as an active fireman and paramedic for Miami-Dade County.

The sculptor has collaborated with notable artists including Romero Britto, and his work has been featured in Celebrated Living Magazine American Airlines; Art Daily News International; Miami Herald; NBC Television; Southwest Art Magazine; Palm Beach Florida Weekly; Malibu Times, ArtBlend Magazine, Castle Rock Entertainment and HGTV.

About the Award:

The McGraw Prize in Education, established in 1988, celebrates innovation in education by recognizing outstanding individuals and their efforts to elevate human potential in education.

Honorees are chosen by a distinguished panel of judges made up of thoughtful and influential members in the international educational community.

Custom “Matrix” Wall Sculpture Collab with Patty Madden

After four months of meticulous planning and intense creation, sculptor Gary Traczyk just completed “Matrix,” a Patty Madden-designed 7-foot by 7-foot custom stainless steel wall sculpture. The finished work is now on display in the designer’s home.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with such a talented artist,” says Traczyk. “This was the most challenging, the most time-consuming and the most rewarding piece I’ve ever created.”

Designer Patty Madden admires “Matrix” in her home.

The intricate work – titled “Matrix” for Madden’s vision that inspired the piece – is only the second wall sculpture Traczyk has taken on.

Madden, a sought-after South Florida wall and upholstery designer, approached Traczyk about the project after seeing his other stainless steel wall sculpture in a prominent commercial building on South Beach.

“I always welcome challenges and collaboration,” says Traczyk. “But initially looking at her drawing – which was stunning – it seemed impossible to translate to metal.”

For weeks, Traczyk agonized about how to bring the concept to life, using stacks of boxes as proxies for the grid, and drawing scads of Escher-like diagrams with pencil and colored highlighters (though he insists he doesn’t draw).

Then, in another first for the artist and firefighter who usually works on pure intuition, Traczyk enlisted the help of friend Alex Martinez for his expertise with computer-aided design programs. This was a key step in figuring out the feasibility of Madden’s drawing, making necessary adjustments and engineering a map for the sculpture’s successful execution.

Patty Madden’s original design (center right) amid Gary Traczyk’s numerous sketches for the eventual “Matrix” wall sculpture.

“I really stepped outside my comfort zone,” Traczyk said. “Alex helped me with all aspects of this project.”

The labor of love unfolded over four months and incorporated a colossal 440 linear feet of 1-inch, 3/4-inch and half-inch square stainless steel tubing.

Traczyk cut each piece to a precision length and welded these lengths together at hundreds of perpendicular junctions, building as many as three layers of metal throughout the large-scale piece.

“I’ve never used so much metal in a project,” says Traczyk, who has been creating stainless steel sculpture for 23 years.

The Miami artist then used an abrasive water jet to cut and smooth dozens upon dozens of 1 1/4 and 1 5/8-inch stainless steel disks to a flawless finish before bonding them to the sculpture, adding ornament to each of the intersections.

“The most gratifying moment of all came when I hung it on the wall and saw Patty’s face filled with so much beautiful emotion. It was just neat to see her dream come to life.”

Traczyk thrives on artistic growth and looks forward to creating new commissioned wall art pieces in the near future.