Sculptures
I have always enjoyed working in 3D and most years I have produced something, usually in fired clay. Until recently however, I had never produced anything in bronze, partly because of cost, but also because I thought that the process was rather complicated - my only knowledge was based on the detailed explanation given of the lost wax process which I study each time I've visited the Muse' Rodin.
Staying in Ireland a few years ago with artist friends, Mary Ann Gelly, - an excellent figurative sculptor, filled in some spare time that I had by giving me a lump of prepared wax then guiding me through the complicated process with the words " get on with it" in her lovely soft Irish/American accent. I left the roughly finished seated figure with Mary Ann who very kindly took it to her sister-in-law, Tan Dufort, who has a foundry. The resulting piece was then taken back to Ireland by Mary Ann and spent a couple of years sitting outside on her window sill, happily weathering. I finally collected it last year, cut off the filaments and fettled the figure. The resulting figure you can see below. I find it very pleasing that I have made a bronze sculpture, but I am still none the wiser about casting; maybe next time I'll be in a position to follow the process more closely.
Staying in Ireland a few years ago with artist friends, Mary Ann Gelly, - an excellent figurative sculptor, filled in some spare time that I had by giving me a lump of prepared wax then guiding me through the complicated process with the words " get on with it" in her lovely soft Irish/American accent. I left the roughly finished seated figure with Mary Ann who very kindly took it to her sister-in-law, Tan Dufort, who has a foundry. The resulting piece was then taken back to Ireland by Mary Ann and spent a couple of years sitting outside on her window sill, happily weathering. I finally collected it last year, cut off the filaments and fettled the figure. The resulting figure you can see below. I find it very pleasing that I have made a bronze sculpture, but I am still none the wiser about casting; maybe next time I'll be in a position to follow the process more closely.
This stone carving was a first for me as well. I had the block sitting in the garage for ages before I finally decided to carve it into a figure - based on drawings I did of Jack. A very enjoyable process, if a little difficult with the builder's tools that I used - and it is definitely a summertime, outdoor activity for me.
