About Raymond Gibby

Discovery

CHILDHOOD

Raymond Gibby grew up in Southern California in the foothills outside of Riverside. As a child, he developed a love of the outdoors and wildlife. His father taught him about craftsmanship through doing construction work during the summers and as a wood shop teacher. Gibby’s grandfather was a prolific landscape and wildlife oil painter from Utah and greatly added to his art understanding. After four years of high school art instruction, Gibby received further art training from professional artist Judy Eriksen. She, as well as his high school art teacher, encouraged him to make art his career.

EARLY CAREER

Gibby began his sculpting career shortly after landing a job as a metal worker in a lost wax art foundry in Springville, UT. While there, Gibby was befriended and tutored by many prominent artists. A few became close mentors and friends. He created his first wildlife bronze with a small loan from his father in law. Gibby sold his first piece and created two more from that initial sale. Working 12 hour days for six years, for the foundry and on his own work, it wasn’t long before he was selling and growing his works into a portfolio that was being noticed by galleries and notable clients. His works are now seen in private and corporate collections across the nation.

RISING FROM THE ASHES

In 2009, Gibby’s studio and bronze foundry was destroyed in a fire. Most of the early molds from Gibby’s career were destroyed. With tremendous support from family, friends, galleries, and past clientele, Gibby was able to rebuild a new portfolio of bronzes from the ashes. From that experience Gibby learned about the importance of endurance and the value of strong relationships. Much of Gibby’s themes in his current portfolio was influenced by the humbling experience of loss and reliance on others and God to rebuild.

FOUNTAINS OF INSPIRATION

There are two main fountains of inspiration by which artist Raymond Gibby derives inspiration to create his figurative and wildlife bronzes. First, he draws upon his childhood memories, from the times that he was growing up in the hills outside of Riverside, California. His second main source of inspiration comes from the raising of his own family of seven children with his beautiful wife, Aimee Gibby, in the mountains of Utah.

LESSONS ABOUT HUMANITY

Using wildlife subject matter as a medium of expression, Gibby attempts to depict aspects of human behavior to share lessons about humanity. Gibby says,”because animals are always truthful in accordance with their natural instincts, they become a great tool for crafting a message about some theme of humanity. Most of my artwork depicts animals, but they are about people. With my art I hope others can connect to their own life’s situations and find encouragement plus instruction”.

HONORING OTHERS

Beyond wildlife, throughout his career, Gibby has offered his abilities to observe and create, to help others pay respects to legendary and loved people utilizing his figurative work. Gibby says, “ It is an honor to be involved in paying respect to those who have done so much for others. I do my small part, but by doing so; I can serve so many who want to honor an individual in a meaningful way. For a brief moment I come into the greatness of that person’s life and become a front-seat witness to all that that person has done. It is usually a very sobering and humbling experience. I learn so much each time that I have the opportunity to sculpt an individual. I do my best to depict their lives within the expression and placement of the clay.”

PEOPLE ARE A GIFT

Gibby recognizes the origins of his abilities. There have been some amazing people who have tutored and nurtured his abilities throughout the years. “Each of these people have been a gift to me and my career”, Gibby expresses. The greatest contributor to his abilities is God, having given him a desire to learn. It has always been within him to try to get better in this particular discipline, and as he has tried to do his best the ability to create with success has always followed. Gibby states, “The desire and power to create is our divine heritage. It is within every man and woman. Although I use clay for this purpose, there isn’t a person on this earth that doesn’t create in some way. I encourage every person to find that medium of creation in their own lives and try to use it to bless others.”

Raymond Gibby