Raymond Gibby
Bronze sculptor, 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.
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.
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.