Shelley Buonaiuto & Michael Buonaiuto

My husband and I work in three mediums: clay, bronze and resin. Some of my work is representational and some is stylized. The subject is usually the human figure, and usually two or more figures in relationship. I focus especially on women, the elderly and a diversity of races, and an emphasis on positive and loving interactions.

For the past 30 years my husband and I have worked using a technique of combining porcelain and stoneware clays for a variety of earth-toned colors, without the use of glaze. These figurative pieces are fired to ^10 in a gas kiln with high reduction. I also work in a ^5 clay and glaze.

My bronzes and resins are sculpted originally in Classic Clay. The resin pieces tend to be highly representational and detailed. Michael casts the original in plaster or silicone and the pieces are cast in resin and handpainted with acrylics. The bronzes are cast in a local foundry and I assist in the chasing and patina work. Our latest bronze was selected to be displayed in the Santa Fe Capitol Building.