Commissions

Commissioning a piece

Michael Tine accepts commissions for figurative stone sculpture. A commission is a collaboration at the front and a hand-carving the rest of the way: the idea and scale are worked out and approved with you, and then the piece is cut by hand in stone, the same craft as his personal work. Pricing is provided on inquiry.

He has taken commissioned work for decades. One early near-life-size marble figure, made for a client who had been moved by the statuary she saw in Europe, is in fact what first brought him to Ventura: hunting the right block of marble led him to Art City Studios, and he stayed.

How it works

• Consultation. You describe the idea, the setting, the scale, and the timeline. He is direct about what stone will and will not do, and whether an idea suits carving at all.
• Stone selection. A piece is tied to a specific block. The material is chosen for size and for what is inside it, since a hidden flaw can change or end a piece. He sources stone through Art City Studios in Ventura.
• Design approval. For commissioned work the design is conventional and agreed in advance. Nothing substantial is removed until you have approved the direction, because carving does not allow putting material back.
• Carving. Hammer and chisel, by hand, roughing out to fine work. This is the long part and it is deliberately not rushed.
• Finishing and installation. Surface and finish are chosen for the piece. A finished stone is heavy; basing, transport, and setting are planned as part of the work. On at least one figure he left sections thicker until after transport, then finished them on site so nothing broke in transit.

What he takes on

Figurative work, at scale, in marble, limestone, alabaster, travertine, or soapstone. He prefers to work large; in a big block a broken corner is recoverable where in a small one a hidden crack can take the whole piece. He works without a rigid preconceived design for personal pieces, but a commission is a stated agreement and he honors the agreed design.

Pricing

Pricing is by inquiry only. It depends on material, scale, and complexity. There are no published prices.

Questions

How do I commission a sculpture from Michael Tine?

Start an inquiry through the contact form with the idea, the intended location, the scale, and your timeline. The first step is a consultation about whether and how the idea suits hand carving in stone.

How long does a commissioned marble sculpture take?

It depends on scale and the stone. A substantial hand-carved piece is a matter of months, not days, and the schedule is set with you during consultation.

Can I choose the material?

Yes, within reason. Material is chosen together, balancing what you want against what the stone can do at the scale and for the setting you have in mind.

What does a commission cost?

Pricing is provided on inquiry and depends on material, scale, and complexity. There are no published prices.

Do you ship and install?

Transport and installation are planned as part of the work. A finished stone is heavy and is based and set with that in mind.