Arye Shapiro

Austin, TX, USA

Website: aryeshapiro.com
Instagram: arye.shapiro

Art Medium: painting, drawing, portraits, contemporary figurative sculpture

I draw, paint, and sculpt from life. I draw in pencil and charcoal, paint in oil, and sculpt in clay. Some of my sculptures have been cast in bronze

Arye Shapiro, figurative sculpture, figure sculpture, figurative fine art sculpture, human form sculpture, human sculpture, realistic figure sculpture, realistic figurative sculpture

Embracing Couple, 13"W x 24"H x 9"D, bronze
Arye Shapiro, figurative sculpture, figure sculpture, figurative fine art sculpture, human form sculpture, human sculpture, realistic figure sculpture, realistic figurative sculpture

You Wouldn't Understand, ceramic, acrylic, wax
female 9"L x 7.5"W x 11.5"H; male 18"L x 10.5"W x 10.5"H
portrait sculpture, Arye Shapiro, figurative sculpture, figure sculpture, figurative fine art sculpture, human form sculpture, human sculpture, realistic figure sculpture, realistic figurative sculpture

Zoe, 9"W x 12"H x 7"D, ceramic, acrylic, wax
Arye Shapiro, figurative painting, figure painting, figurative fine art, art figuratif, human form, human art

Seated Russian Dancer in Red Dress, 18"W x 36"H x 1", Oil on canvas
Arye Shapiro, figurative painting, figure painting, figurative fine art, art figuratif, human form, human art, fine art nude painting

Seated Nude Woman on Brocade, 18"W x 36"H x 1"D, Oil on canvas
fine art nude sculpture, Arye Shapiro, figurative sculpture, figure sculpture, figurative fine art sculpture, human form sculpture, human sculpture, realistic figure sculpture, realistic figurative sculpture

Strive, 3"W x 11"H x 3"D, bronze on black walnut base
Arye Shapiro, figurative painting, figure painting, figurative fine art, art figuratif, human form, human art

Seated female in red dress next to empty chair, 16"W x 20"H x 1, Oil on canvas
Arye Shapiro, figurative painting, figure painting, figurative fine art, art figuratif, human form, human art, fine art nude painting

Nude Woman on Brocade, 12"W x 24"H , Oil on canvas

About the Artist

Arye Shapiro has been producing figurative art since 1998. He creates figure sculptures. drawings, and oil paintings primarily from life, as well as designing abstract art. His respect for people and his familiarity with European art endow his work with individual beauty, subtle grace, and quiet sensuality. Arye (pronounced "ar-ee-ay") hones his skills with figure drawing and artistic anatomy studies. He creates sculpture in clay and bronze to model the physical structure of real people. Then, colors called him and he expanded his oeuvre to include painting from life.

"My figurative art is a vehicle for expressing human emotions and spirituality as well as physical attributes."

For about two decades, Arye coordinated weekly life drawing, painting, and sculpture sessions in Austin, Texas. He has completed his 28th commission. His work for private clients includes life-sized bronze busts of union leaders, a sculpture of a nude couple, a processional crucifix, an exterior tile mosaic for a friary, a painting of a beach in Hawaii, a relief sculpture for a bathroom, and an outdoor wire sculpture of three dancers.

The Process

Arye schedules male and female models for weekly three-hour sessions and often works on the same pose for one to two months. Arye makes a special effort to ensure the model's comfort during these sessions. He often asks the models to pose with an item of personal significance.

Sometimes Arye will also photograph a subject from several angles. He will then use a combination of live modelling sessions and photographs to create the sculpture.