#148, Special Ops Soldier (work in progress)

 

My team and I have been working hard on this special ops soldier sculpture for the past couple of months. This year, the 74-inch clay sculpture will be cast in bronze and installed in a beautiful Veterans Memorial Park near the Eau Claire River in Wisconsin. The life-size sculpture is one of several that will be placed in the large park, which will honor thirteen American wars, ranging from the American Revolution to the Global War on Terror.

#147, Teddy Roosevelt in the Badlands of the Dakotas

This sculpture of a young Teddy Roosevelt was created in honor of the future President's time in the Dakota Territory. During his journey in what is now southwestern North Dakota and northwestern South Dakota, Roosevelt purchased a ranch near Medora, North Dakota and experienced life as a cowboy, rancher, and hunter. On his various expeditions into the Badlands, he wrote about his adventures. Additionally, Roosevelt visited Bismarck to negotiate with cattle barons and Native Americans, becoming a great advocate for conservation in the process. Even after his departure from the area in 1886, Roosevelt never forgot the beauty of the Dakota Territory's Badlands.

Completing this one-third scale sculpture in 2022, I sculpted Teddy standing next to his horse with his left hand on his pistol. Drawing inspiration from a photo of the future President posing for a picture with his horse, I made subtle changes in order to convey him gazing off into the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, prepared for any challenge that might lie ahead. This landscape, with its call for self-reliance and appreciation of hard work, shaped his Presidency.

#146, Love at First Site-life size clay for bronze sculpture

For the past couple of weeks, I have been creating a life-size sculpture, entitled "Love at First Sight," which is the first of many garden sculptures featuring children and animals. 

In my sculpture, a dog is depicted in an act of unconditional love as it licks its human companion, who turns her head with a beaming grin, cherishing the moment that she will remember fondly throughout her life. The dog's joy is further expressed through its wagging tail and half-closed eyes while licking the girl's face, conveying a sense of love and joy. 

This sculpture is intended to be placed in a garden or outdoor area, so that it may bring a feeling of joy and love to all who pass by. I hope that this piece can remind us of the special moments we can share with our animals, and that it can bring comfort and happiness to anyone who views it.