WHAT HAVE YOU MADE THE LAST THREE YEARS? >>>

Gig Harbor sculptor Mardie Rees knows big. She actually knows huge. For the last three years Rees has created an eight-foot-high sculpture not including his pedestal) of a man named C.W. Lonsdale.

That's right. Three years.

I can hear the questions forming in your noggin: Eight feet? Three years? Who the hell is C. W. Lonsdale?

Ask her. Rees will unveil this piece tomorrow and Jan. 19 at the Real Carriage Door Company in Gig Harbor - the very spot where Rees has worked to complete said sculpture ... for three years!

Because Rees goes big, you will hear live music by the Zizzy Zi Zixxy band, refreshments including 7 Seas brews and Philly Pretzels as well as door prizes at both unveilings.

Lonsdale is the founder of Shawnigan Lake School in B.C. Perhaps you haven't heard of it, but it's quite ritzy. Rees was specifically commissioned to do this work for Shawnigan's 100-year anniversary after a sculpture she created for Saint Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor - now in the lobby of the hospital. Rees has also won a First Honor Award from the Portrait Society of America in 2010 for her piece at Saint Anthony - significant since this award is normally granted to painters.

"The commission of C.W. Lonsdale is the largest scale piece I have completed in my career so far," says Rees. "I really enjoy the challenge of working large-scale and hope to continue to do many more large works and monuments that are significant and meaningful to the people they are created for."

The artist reception/unveilings will be held 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17 and 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. Real Carriage Door Company is at 9803 44th Ave. NW, Gig Harbor.

If you plan to attend, make sure to fill out the form on Real Carriage Door's website.