"Nothing happens without first, a dream" - Carl Sandburg

A brief history:

I grew up in the rural South, spending much of my childhood drawing, painting and sculpting. Throughout my adult life I continued my artistic endeavours and have, at one time or another, explored all types of media. In the late 1980's I developed an interest in ancient art and began restoring artifacts in the early 1990's. Shortly after I began collecting, I was lucky enough to meet world renowned Pre-Columbian expert Paul A. Clifford. Paul was my mentor for many years and a good friend. He introduced me to several reputable art dealers and helped me build my personal collection. He also encouraged me to start restoring. Sadly, he passed away several years ago. This site is dedicated in his honor.

During most of my life I worked at a large corporation as an Illustrator and Multimedia Specialist. After spending 25 years in the corporate world, I broke free in 2003 to pursue my goal to become a full-time art restorer. I'm now happily and successfully realizing my dream to be a professional restoration artist. Life is short, follow your bliss!

Contact Info: I have numerous regular clients and my restoration business grows almost entirely by word-of-mouth referrals. New clients are welcome to contact me with any questions you may have. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Joey Hartley

Email: joey@ancientartifax.com
Phone: 828-322-2942

		Me at work Here is where I spend the vast majority of my life, restoring and creating art in my little corner of the basement. Being quite reclusive, I seldom leave the house and (outside of email) have little interaction with people. As you can see, I don't work in a sterile, spotlessly clean restoration laboratory. I work in my basement studio... my sanctuary. "All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible." - T.E. Lawrence
		My little helpers Restoration apprentices hard at work. Hector and Maya keep me company during my long work hours.

My art:

I create because I must. Being a true artist, I have a strong desire to create art and do so on a regular basis. I am completely self-taught and have had no formal art training. These days I'm doing mostly sculptural pieces. Below are just a few of my recent works.

Garden Sculptures in Steel and Stone:

A group of more recent garden sculptures for display outdoors, where they will rust and develop a patina that will change over time.
These large original sculptures are created from purchased steel along with 'found objects'; farm equipment parts, wine barrel hoops, etc.

The sculptures above are not currently for sale.

"Forms in Steel" series:

Initiated in 2009, metal sculptures. After nearly 30 years, I'm once again trying my hand at metal sculpture. This series will be comprised of stylized human forms and are suitable for display outdoors, where they will rust and develop a patina that will change over time.

The sculptures are inspired by the drawings of my good friend Kevin Godsoe. A well known Canadian artist, Kevin's paintings and drawings are in many private collections, including my own.

"Untitled 1,2 & 3"
2009 - Welded steel - Each approx. 26" tall - $125 each or $300 for all three.

The "Impaled" series:

I began this series in August, 2008. I hope, if time permits, to continue this series. Future works might include figures, both male and female, in single figure versions as well as in groups of two or more. Each is a unique, original, one of a kind sculpture.

"Impaled 2"

2008

Mixed Media: Clay, wood, metal. The male figure is terracotta clay with a dark bronze metallic finish and matching base.

With the stand - 10.5" tall x 2.5". Figure alone is 5.5" x 2.5"

Sold, Private collection Hawaii.

"Impaled 1"

2008

Mixed Media: Clay, wood, metal. The female figure is terracotta clay with a bronze metallic finish.

With the stand - 9" tall x 2.5". Figure alone is 5.5" x 2.5"

Sold, Private collection Hawaii.

"Truth in art is found in the pain it shelters." - John Updike

The "Flayed" series:

I began this series in 2003, and so far, have created over 25 pieces, almost all have now been sold. The "masks" are individually sculpted in terracotta clay. Incorporated with the clay is metal, wood, various pigments and other materials. Each is a unique, original artwork and are made solely for my own pleasure and enjoyment. If you wish to own one of these, only a few are currently available. Prices for pieces in this series are as listed.

"Rogers Revenge III"

2008
14" x 25"
Mixed Media: Clay, wood, metal (recycled nails, barbed wire).

$450

This may be the last sculpture I create in the Flayed series.

"McNailed"

2006
18" x 25"
Mixed Media: Clay, wood, metal (recycled nails).

$750 - SOLD

This sculpture is now in a private collection in Hawaii.

"Rich Art's Reward"

2006
12.5" x 16"
Mixed Media: Clay, wood, metal wire & large fish hooks.

$150

"Self II, Double-crossed"

2004
18" x 18"
Mixed Media: Clay, metal, wood. Shadowbox framed.

NFS

The "Kinetic" series:

I created this series in 2003. These are movable (interactive) sculptures.

"Encounter"

2003
Approx. 14" tall x 10"
Mixed Media: Clay, wood, metal. The mask is rotatable along the horizontal axis.

$250

"Janus"

2003
Approx. 12" tall x 6"
Mixed Media: Clay, wood, metal. The two masks are joined and rotate on a central shaft. One side is smooth, the other is textured.

Sold - Private collection

The "Marka" series:

I began this series in 2005. I've always loved the highly stylized masks of the Marka tribe of Mali, West Africa and I own a small collection of vintage Marka "Initiation" Masks. With typical elongated faces and almost abstract in form, these are my interpretation of traditional Marka carved masks. These works are primarily terracotta clay with metal, wood and other organic elements. Pricing for the "Marka" series sculptures are as listed.

Marka #4

2006
approx. 22"h x 5" x 5"d
Mixed Media: Clay, metal, wood, deer antlers (European Stag).

Sold - Private collection

Marka #3

2006
approx. 20"h x 5"w x 4"d
Mixed Media: Clay, metal, wood, African porcupine quills & whitetail deer antlers (from one of my Father's hunting trips back in the 1970's).

Sold - Private collection

Marka #1 & Marka #2

2005
approx. 19"h x 7"w x 5"d
Mixed Media: Clay, metal, wood & African porcupine quills.

Sold - Private collection, Charlotte, NC

Earlier Works:

During the late 1980's and early 90's I was doing mostly airbrush paintings. I was intrigued with the technical aspects of airbrush painting and worked for several years in this media. Below is a small sampling of my work from that period. Several other paintings are available, as well as many drawings. Additional info upon request.

"Macaws at Dusk"

1993
approx. 30" x 30"
Ink on illustration board. Custom matted & framed.
$450

"Wrapt"

1990
approx. 24" x 36"
Ink & pencil on illustration board. Custom matted & framed.
Sold - Private collection, Atlanta GA

"Sentinel"

1992
approx. 20" x 20"
Ink on illustration board. Custom matted & framed.
N.F.S.

"Falcon's Crest"

1991
approx. 24" x 36"
Ink on illustration board. Custom matted & framed.
Sold

Unframed Painting & Drawings - On Sale - Studio Liquidation

A good friend of mine, artist Kevin Godsoe (http://mypage.uniserve.ca/~artx/index.htm) was recently talking about his early work. That inspired me to dig through the storage areas of my studio. There I found numerous paintings and drawings, many of which I'd forgotten about. Below are some early (and more recent) unframed pieces, most of which have never been shown. As time permits I'll be adding more examples in a variety of mediums, sizes and price ranges. Some may be uncompleted works. All are signed originals. Most are currently unsigned, but they will be signed and dated if purchased.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Keep in mind, many of these are airbrush paintings and as some of you may know, the beauty of airbrush art cannot be easily conveyed in photograpghs. The vibrancy and depth of color is, of course, best when viewed in person. Prices are as listed. Discounts may apply with purchase of multiple items. Shipping cost not included.

Please excuse the quality of my photos, they're not very good reprensations of the actual artworks.

"The Basics" - circa. 2003
A group of 3 airbrush paintings.
Each is 20" across x 30" tall. Ink and pencil on illustration board.
$900 for the three. Not for sale individually.

"Mystique"- circa. 2003
Unfinshed painting, similar to those above.
20" across x 30" tall. Ink and pencil on illustration board.
$75

"Robot of Dawn"- circa. 2000
Airbrush painting.
15" across x 20" tall. Ink on illustration board.
$100 for the completed piece. The uncompleted drawing is included with purchase.

Robots of Dawn

"Across the Bay"- circa. 1995
Airbrush painting. Sunset study
17" across x 7" tall. Ink on illustration board.
Sold, Private Georgia collection.

Eve

"Dudes"- circa. 2004
Freehand airbrush painting, male study.
30" across x 20" tall. Ink and pencil on illustration board.
$100

Dudes

"Warrioress"- circa. 1992
Airbrush painting, unfinished.
16" across x 20" tall. Ink on illustration board.
$40

Eve

"Five Faces of Eve"- circa. 1998
Airbrush painting.
16" across x 10" tall. Ink on illustration board.
Sold, Private collection.

Eve

"Adrift"- 2003
Pencil on paper
Approx 24" x 18"
$40

Adrift

"Take Flight"- 2003
Pencil on paper
Approx 24" x 18"
$40

"Ritual"- 1998
Pencil on paper
Approx 18" x 24"
Sold, Private Oklahoma collection.

Take Flight

Misc. Pencil Drawings- circa 1998 to 2003
Pencil on paper
Each approx 18" x 24"
$40 each, others available