A TRIP TO FIND THE NEXT GREAT GEMSTONE SCULTURE -
Picture this—four seasoned gemstone hunters, armed with keen eyes and a deep reverence for nature’s hidden treasures, scouring an exhibition like alchemists in search of gold. The air was thick with anticipation, our time dwindling, yet the perfect specimens still eluded us.
Then, in the eleventh hour—just as we were ready to close our crate and call it a journey—there they were. Tucked away in a corner of the exhibition, beyond the shimmer of polished jewelry, we stumbled upon a showcase brimming with the mesmerizing hues we had been chasing all along. Deep, translucent tourmalines, glowing with an inner fire, beckoned us closer.
The miner, a rugged Brazilian with years of stories etched into his hands, leaned in and shared something extraordinary. These stones, he revealed, were the last of their kind to be released for artistic creation. The mining region had been claimed for technology, its bounty now reserved for industrial purposes rather than artistic ones. This was it—the final harvest of a geological masterpiece, never to be unearthed for sculptors again. Fate, it seemed, had saved the best for last.
And now, these rare, luminous gems have arrived at our studio—intact, glorious, and ready to be transformed into something breathtaking. Hand-selected with a mix of intuition and experience (and perhaps a touch of providence), they are destined for an exceptional commission, one we hinted at in our last newsletter. This project will unfold with the kind of magic that only nature’s raw beauty can inspire, and we can’t wait to share its evolution with you.
But that’s not all. Spring has awakened in our studio, and with it comes something truly special—the launch of our latest catalogue, WILDLIFE AWAKENS, featuring our beloved Classical Gem Bear Collection. Launching April 16th, this collection offers collectors the rare opportunity to own a Sopel Classical Bear Sculpture—a piece of untamed artistry, carved from the earth’s own bones. Perhaps it’s the perfect gift for a significant other—or for yourself, because let’s be honest, you deserve a masterpiece.
For those eager to lay eyes on the collection before it reaches art galleries, simply email us at studio@sopel.com with the subject line "Classical Bear", and we’ll make sure you’re among the first to experience it.
May 2025 bring you inspiration, prosperity, and joy in abundance. And remember—art is a wellspring, a never-ending invitation to pause, behold, and connect with something greater than ourselves.
Until next time, let the wild awaken.
Lyle Sopel Studio