Sculptor/Painter

Artist Michael Tieman Releases his 18 inch 'Courage' in Bronze
and the 'Courage' Butterfly necklace in Silver

CANNON BEACH, OREGON – Artist Michael Tieman has completed the 18" clay master of 'Courage' to be cast in bronze and the newly completed butterfly necklace from 'Courage' cast in solid silver. 'Courage' is a bronze sculpture standing in tribute to all of those who have, who are and who will battle Cancer. Up to fifty percent of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to Cancer Support Services.

"The sculpture 'Courage' is available in three sizes," says artist Michael Tieman, "the original 36" size, already cast in bronze, the 18" maquette size which I have just completed in clay ready to be cast and a nine foot heroic size. The 36" sculpture is being purchased mostly by individuals and civic organizations who then donate it to a local Cancer center. People have also asked for the smaller size for display in their homes in tribute to a loved one who has or is battling Cancer. The nine foot heroic size is more for a courtyard or entry area in a Cancer center or corporate office building. In addition, the price of each piece includes a minimum 25% tax deductible donation to a Cancer Support Service of the purchasers choice. Cancer Support Services is the organization within the Cancer center or hospital that takes care of the Cancer patient on a day to day basis. The money will go to the care of the individual in the Infusion Unit through the purchase of new chairs, tv's, or blankets. All of which is to to make the process more comfortable."

Each of the three sizes of 'Courage' will be available in bronze, in limited editions. The 18" bronze sells for $5000 of which $2500 is a tax deductible donation to a Cancer Support Service of the buyers choice. The 36" bronze sells for $10,000 with a $5000 tax donation. For information on the nine foot heroic size, please contact Michael Tieman at mt@courageforcancer.net.

Since the unveiling of the sculpture, there have been many requests for the butterfly necklace that is on the sculpture "Courage".

“Butterflies were a favorite of my sister Connie; she said they brought her peace, freedom and hope. At the cemetery after her internment ceremony, her husband John who brought several Mylar butterfly balloons, walked to the little lake alone and released the butterflies as he had promised her. We all silently watched as the wind suddenly came up and the butterflies took flight. Slowly they rose into the air and maneuvered themselves up and around the clouds, staying in sight and staying in the clear blue sky. Up and up they drifted, slowly they left our sight and sailed to the heavens. So of course I had to have a butterfly on ‘Courage'.”

Tieman has made a mold from the original butterfly on the clay model and the necklace will be available at the end of August. Cast in sterling silver, the butterfly is approx. 1.5" wide and fitted to a silver chain, like the one on the bronze sculpture. A percentage of the proceeds also will be donated to a local Cancer center.

Please contact Tieman for more information on any of the 'Courage' pieces, including the hardbound book The Building of "Courage", a diary in text and photography that takes the reader step-by-step through the building of the sculpture from the initial sketches all the way through the final clay and including the foundry stages to complete the bronze.

About Michael Tieman

As Michael Tieman sees it, “The role of an artist from the dawn of time has been as a visual storyteller. The stories my paintings and sculptures tell are ones of confidence, strength, passion, playful sophistication and the celebration of life.”

Tieman has sketched and painted since childhood and has spent almost four decades as a working artist, both as a graphic designer and a fine artist. Following the encouragement of a friend and gallery owner, Michael recently expanded his talents into sculptures cast in bronze. Tieman's sculptures are unique in that they are a combination of traditional figurative sculpture and his Impressionistic painting style. “I create my bronze sculpture as a three dimensional painting; texture is the impasto brushstroke, color is the play of light and shadows across the surfaces, and detail is the free style movement of the impressionist style. My ladies have a face with a chiseled jaw and high cheekbones, producing great shadows, and the athletic body and proud confidence of an Amazon warrior. ”

Member of; Pacific Northwest Sculptors, National Sculpture Society, International Sculpture Center , International Society Acrylic Painters, Oregon Society of Artists, and the Cannon Beach Gallery Group – (Board Member since 2002, President-2005, 2008, & 2009).