Artist Gainey- Wood Sculptor...any info?

[adamhad'em]

Hello All,

I'm new to the blog and am driven by my interest in a wood carving I aquired some years ago that is signed by Artist "Gainey" in 1990. I know nothing of it's origins and am hopeful somebody here might help inform me of who the artist is and what the value of this piece might be. Presently it sits on my front porch and I'm not sure it's the safest place for such a gorgeous piece.

This carving is of a Bald Eagle (my best guess) and appears to a single piece carved from redwood. It stands 32" high and has a diameter of 24". The base is 6" and is in it's origional "tree" form w/ bark still intact.

Any information on the artist would be most welcome. I have no plans of selling this piece, but I am also interested in knowing what value it might have.

I considered sinking a loop head screw deep into the base so I could affix a cable to attach the piece to the foundation to prevent an late night rebel rousers from running off w/ our "watchman". I'm concerned this might devalue this piece if, in fact, it is a collectors item. Perhaps moving it to a more secure place would be more prudent.

[fritchie]

Hi, Adam, and welcome! I hope you get an answer to this question. I can't make any real suggestions, but I don't think a cable of some sort attached to the bottom side of this piece would devalue it. I doubt any such attachment would protect it from theft, though, unless you also rigged it to an alarm.

[JAZ]

Hi Adam,
I agree with Fritchie that a chain or rope probably wouldn't prevent theft (My car was stolen in broad daylight from right next to the Museum of fine Arts in Boston, on a busy street. If someone wants it, they'll find a way to take it.), so maybe it's not worth the risk of drilling into it. I personally would never impact anyone else's art.
Have you tried a Google search for the artist's name? It would be helpful if you posted a picture of the sculpture. Maybe someone here will recognie the style of the sculpture.
If it is in fact valuable, I'd vote for your idea of moving it to a more secure location.
JAZ