Daniel’s work as a sculptor and designer springs from his in-depth knowledge of the material properties of precious gemstones and his profound reverence for the natural world and the feats of human civilization. His work guides us through both the echoing corridors of civilizational history and wild beauty of the animal kingdom. The pairing of each gemstone and the subject matter of its carving creates a dialogue between the physical properties of the mineral structures of the medium and the conceptual origins of the works’ inspiration.

Delving into the great stories, figures and accomplishments of history, the varied forms and gestures of nature and even sometimes the evocative musings of myth and fantasy, Daniel’s work is intended as an homage to human accomplishment, imagination and natural wonder. The luxurious, timeless and durable choice of the precious physical medium of the works serves as not only a bridge from the past to the present but also a cultural lifeline into the distant future. The stones themselves not only embody an enduring expression of majestic physical beauty but also a tangible expression of the admiration of the artist for his subject matter and his materials.

The process of carving and polishing these extraordinary pieces is both meticulous and spontaneous. Emergent properties of the crystalline inner structures of the pieces are only revealed as they are uncovered by the hewing of the stones. Unpredictable venation, speckles and areas of opaqueness and translucency give the carvings a prismatic inner life that is brought forth by their creation. The story that the pieces tell is two-fold, encapsulating both the epochal intentions of the artist himself, as well as the primordial relics of the gemstones’ formation. While works in other materials might fade or decay in time, gemstone is a truly enduring medium. These carvings will not lose their luster and will persist in their current form for millenia.

These striking carvings speak to Daniel’s intimate familiarity with their materials and serve as his tribute to the grandeur of nature and human endeavors, inviting viewers to share his awe and marvel at their own place within the tapestry of history, nature and the material world. Already the most successful artist in the history of gemstone art, his recent endeavors have focused on designing and carving some of the largest and most valuable gemstone art pieces ever produced, hewn from Sapphire, Emerald and Ruby. This extraordinary new collection, characterized by its rarity and exceptional quality, is poised to make its worldwide debut, marking a testament to McKinney’s distinguished journey in the world of sculpture and artisanal gemstone craftsmanship.