Natalie and Richard Survings’ company, Surving Studios. was transformed by the Survings’ experiences in Mexico beginning with their first trip here in 1987 following a devastating studio fire in New York. Natalie was inspired by her experiences at the Vasquez factory in Delores Hidalgo to transform her animal sculpture into tile relief sculptures. Now Surving Studios’ tiles are featured in many of the finest tile showrooms in the states and beyond. Amongst the many Surving Studio installations are Disney Animal Kingdom, Epcot Center, three bridges to Treasure Island near Tampa, FL, the Branson Missouri Airport, the North Carolina State Aquariums, the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago.
Natalie’s methods of using porcelain combined with her spontaneous style of creating animal sculpture earned her an international reputation. Her sculpture has received three awards from the International Society of Animal Artists, has been sold at Christie’s Animal Art Auction, and reproduced in limited edition by Boehm Porcelain.
The jewelry pieces are created in San Miguel each is a unique piece. They are made from porcelain and sterling silver and sometimes beaded with turquoise, amber or just something interesting. There are more pieces to see on the website www.surving.com/green gecko/jewelry. Custom pieces can be ordered direct from the artist and a 40% donation will be made to Audubon Mexico. The San Miguel number is 154-4978.
The Survings have worked together since they graduated from The Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles in 1960. Natalie has been a full time ceramist since 1969.
