Fred Garbotz, Belly Chair. Home, office and garden decor. The Secret Cove, sculpture, St. Augustine, Florida

Fred Garbotz, shown on the left with "Bystander", was born in Rhode Island and grew up on the East Coast. After completing his B.A. in Business Administration at Wright State University in Dayton, OH, Garbotz continued his education at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. There, in the 1970's, he majored in both art and architecture and began his studies under several Midwestern sculptors. His unique and playful style of art was born under their tutelage.

Fred and his wife, Joanne, both left jobs as computer executives with companies in Chicago during the early 80's to go cruising on their 40 foot sailboat. They spent the next 7 years cruising North and South America and the

Caribbean. Fred kept his art alive by bringing along a small oxy-acetylene torch and scavenging for metal at every port. The fact that Fred's work is steadily growing in size may be due to the frustrating limitations that cruising put on his artistic style during those years.

Since returning from cruising, Fred has dedicated 100% of his time and energy to his work and his designs have been steadily gaining in popularity. His works can now be found in galleries and collections worldwide.

Fred's designs range from the whimsical and unusual - such as his He/She and Bad hair Day series - to the distinctive and graceful forms of his Monumental Sculptures.

His mediums have diverged from primarily copper and brass to steel, aluminum, stainless, glass, and whatever else happens to catch his eye or mood.