TIANAS PORTFOLIO
Leavitt Studios is comprised of three artists working in various capacities on the different projects and commissions. Each has their specific strengths and particular style. Tiana has brought her design training and multi media education to the studio as the lead designer and architect on multiple commissions over the years. On these projects she has worked with Greg through all aspects of the fabrication and engineering of the artwork. Here you can see some of the bigger projects they created together.Clicking an image will link you to the development and construction process of that particular piece.
The sculpture titled Macromergence is 15 feet high, weighing 6,000 lbs created by Greg Leavitt and designed by Tiana Leavitt for Conard -Pyle Star /Roses and Plants had some prime directives for the artists from Steve Hutton. These were that it should be, energetic, dynamic exuberant, have a sense of whimsy, be interesting from all angles and provide a sense of discovery through repeated viewings. The site itself enjoys a prodigious breeze and the ability to have some movement was requested
Our initial footprint was a 38 foot 5 point star positioned in a key sight point in the newly emerging demonstration garden. In consideration of the work in genetic engineering that is at the core or CPs worldwide success with the Knock Out (tm) rose and others in development, combined with the directives; Tiana went to the core of the flower and to the seed for inspiration. The goal, to represent the magical processes at the heart of germination, the sexuality of flowers and their beautiful reproductive structures? Stamen , ovules, mitosis, the DNA ,the energy of a seed sprouting. And of course the incredible myriad of seed form designs , many only seen in their glorious detail in electron micrographs. Amalgamating these things, making the invisible wonder of the micro world macro became the basis of the sculpture. With a huge footage area to occupy the sculpture needed to have enough weight to hold up to the big sky space of the garden , yet have a spacious complexity and lightness of spirit. The studio where Greg would create this sculpture has equipment capable of utilizing several different processes, including hot forging , cold bending , plasma cutting and of course, welding. The design needed to take these capacities into consideration as well as those of weight and transport. To that end it needed a design engineered such that would allow the sculpture to be fully constructed in the studio and disassembled for transport to be permanently welded at the site .
Through several site visits during construction Steve had the opportunity to observe and participate in all the processes used in creating the sculpture, and there are a few few parts forged by his own hand within it.
The completed sculpture took 12 months to engineer, create and install. It is 38’ wide by 15’ tall and weighs approximately 3 tons. It is constructed of mild steel , copper and bronze. The patina is a controlled rusting process which has been sealed with a clear finish.
Click the images to see the growth process slide shows. Or HERE to go to the projects full page.
Our initial footprint was a 38 foot 5 point star positioned in a key sight point in the newly emerging demonstration garden. In consideration of the work in genetic engineering that is at the core or CPs worldwide success with the Knock Out (tm) rose and others in development, combined with the directives; Tiana went to the core of the flower and to the seed for inspiration. The goal, to represent the magical processes at the heart of germination, the sexuality of flowers and their beautiful reproductive structures? Stamen , ovules, mitosis, the DNA ,the energy of a seed sprouting. And of course the incredible myriad of seed form designs , many only seen in their glorious detail in electron micrographs. Amalgamating these things, making the invisible wonder of the micro world macro became the basis of the sculpture. With a huge footage area to occupy the sculpture needed to have enough weight to hold up to the big sky space of the garden , yet have a spacious complexity and lightness of spirit. The studio where Greg would create this sculpture has equipment capable of utilizing several different processes, including hot forging , cold bending , plasma cutting and of course, welding. The design needed to take these capacities into consideration as well as those of weight and transport. To that end it needed a design engineered such that would allow the sculpture to be fully constructed in the studio and disassembled for transport to be permanently welded at the site .
Through several site visits during construction Steve had the opportunity to observe and participate in all the processes used in creating the sculpture, and there are a few few parts forged by his own hand within it.
The completed sculpture took 12 months to engineer, create and install. It is 38’ wide by 15’ tall and weighs approximately 3 tons. It is constructed of mild steel , copper and bronze. The patina is a controlled rusting process which has been sealed with a clear finish.
Click the images to see the growth process slide shows. Or HERE to go to the projects full page.
The Demonstration Garden includes a series of sculptures atop ten foot posts that serve as a fence for the roses to climb on. Working with Gregs initial concept Tiana and Greg created the series of ten. Video below.
Tree Railing Sculpture
The Herons of Heron Hill. Feng and Shui are a complimentary pair poised above a terraced water feature in a wonderful private garden. Contemporary and abstract , enjoying the nature of line and form , they are 9 feet high and six feet across from the wing tips.
A custom fireplace sculpture just perfect for the owners historic home.
Custom design for a well respected Daffodil experts property.
This piece is an entrance gate with a tree arching over the driveway. It was designed by Tiana as a commission for a private residence in Delaware. Greg created copper clouds and tree tops and the tree bark is formed from deftly layered steel “scales” The tree is 18’ high with copper tree canopies . Within the gate there is a semi- translucent cast glass sun/moon disc. The gate has a masculine Japanese feel with mountains ,rivers, and bonsai like trees. in the foreground along streams edge there is some floral work., and on the side a clematis vine growing onto the house with another glass insert.
This commission was for Doylestown Hospital. The three part sculpture is installed in the pond as a beautiful, uplifting source of inspiration for the Cancer Center and the Hospital patients to view and enjoy. It consists of two 7 foot high cranes dancing, and a third in flight suspended above a tree. All are set on large boulders. The sculpture is funded by donations and will become a part of the Doylestown Hospital Community Arboretum consisting of 7 healing gardens, connecting pathways, pond overlook, bridge, bird blind, etc.
TIANA DESIGNED THESE THREE GATES THAT SURROUND THE POOL AND PATIO AREA OF THE CLIENT. THE INTENTION WAS FOR THEM TO HAVE A PLEASING PROGRESSION AND HARMONY . STARTING WITH THE MOST STRUCTURED AND FORMAL BETWEEN PATIO AND POOL COMPOSED OF LILIES AND SCROLLS. THEN LOOSENING UP WITH A STYLIZED GRASS IN THE ARCHED DOORWAY AND CONCLUDING WITH THE GATE LEADING TO THE WOODS. THE THIRD ONE HAS THE MOST ORGANIC FEEL WITH GRASSES BLOWING IN THE WIND AND CATTAILS FOR STRUCTURE.
The David Burke Prime Restaurant is located in the Foxwoods Casino. As it is a steak house , the requested design theme was bulls .
Tiana designed a 12’x9’ gate for the entrance to the restaurant based on a stylized horn theme that was reutilized by the interior designers for the etched glass panels surrounding the bar. There is also a dramatic 25’ sculptural railing showpiece around the entrance with the theme of running bulls derived from visual reference to the cave paintings in Lascouix France and a railing that encloses the private dining area. The slide show has the progression of the design process to finished drawings and then follows through the construction and installation. The slide show is long so please be patient while it loads.
Tiana designed a 12’x9’ gate for the entrance to the restaurant based on a stylized horn theme that was reutilized by the interior designers for the etched glass panels surrounding the bar. There is also a dramatic 25’ sculptural railing showpiece around the entrance with the theme of running bulls derived from visual reference to the cave paintings in Lascouix France and a railing that encloses the private dining area. The slide show has the progression of the design process to finished drawings and then follows through the construction and installation. The slide show is long so please be patient while it loads.
Commission for a LEED building, corporate lobby using recycled components. This was 24 feet high 15 feet wide .
This was a commission for a series of sculptural window panels to provide security and beauty leading along the path to the homeowners urban garden. They wanted an aquatic theme that would flow from one to the other and introduce you to what was to come.
There are a lot of false starts as a designer with projects that do not get funded for one reason or another. Below are some of the proposed designs over the years.
