#90, video: from miniature to monument-Paganini sculpture

This is a video I put on youtube about a year or two ago showing a time lapsed video of sculpting a small scale sculpture of Niccolo Paganini. I've often thought of doing more videos of sculpting, especially relief, but sadly I haven't taken the time. I hope you enjoy this. :)

#89, "Into the Evening"

"Into the Evening", resin bonded sand, 21in x 11in x 2

For the last several days I've been working a lot at the studio getting ready for one of the largest sculpture shows in the US, Loveland Sculpture Invitational. Since the show starts next week, I figured I'd wait until the last two weeks to get ready for it. Wow, will I EVER learn? Into the Evening relief summarized things a bit. This will be one of 12-14 or so artworks I'll have in my booth. Although I'm feeling a little behind and somewhat stressed I am excited that I'll be showing a consistent body of work, which is a first for me. 

#88, mounting relief sculptures to MDF board

A client had purchased one of my sculptures that didn't have a base on it and asked me if he could base the piece himself. I said "sure", but after a few weeks he was uncertain how to go about doing it and he was in another country with the artwork so I had to describe the process on an email. The process below is how I base 3d sculpture as well as relief sculpture. To begin, the artwork needs to have either nuts welded to the bottom of the sculpture or in the case of reliefs I drill and tap using a 13/64" drill bit making sure not to drill all the way through the relief (yes, I've done that!). Using a 1/4-20 tap I thread the hole and insert a set screw. The set screws are not threaded all the way in, but protrude about a 1/2" from the backside of the relief. This will ensure that I can mark the board accurately. The relief is placed on the board evenly and positioned how I would like it to sit permanently. I press down with a good amount of pressure and carefully rocking the relief on the set screws in order to mark the tape clearly. Once the holes are marked on the board, I will drill precisely where the hole marks are using a 9/32" drill bit and countersink with a 1/2" bit. The relief can now be secured to board and framed.

I've inserted (3) 1/4-20 all thread set screws into the back of the relief in order to mark the MDF board that will hold the relief in a frame. The blue tape helps me to see the mark that the set screws make on the board.

The relief is lowered on the board and placed as evenly as possible. 

The set screws mark the board exactly where I will need to drill in order to secure the relief to the board.

#87, Anastasia relief

"Anastasia", 28"x14"

Anastasia was sculpted earlier in the year and today I spent most of the day casting it. Cast in urethane resin I decided to try adding more pigments to the mix as I have been struggling with the reliefs not reading well without over head lighting. Although quite a bit bolder than what I normally would do I think I'm happy with it. 

#86, Confidence relief

Confidence, 24"x 11.25" x 3", resin

For the last 4 weeks I have not been at the studio due to what started as panic attacks and after getting this under control the dr. found a large 1.1cm kidney stone. NO FUN!!! SO, I haven't created much art for the last few weeks, but I did manage to mold and cast this mid-relief. Although I usually focus my efforts on the clothed figure I decided to create a nude to change it up a bit. What I like about the clothed figure is the contrast the drapery has against the usually smoother skin. With the nude sculpture, there is no option to play with this contrast. 

#85, Warmup

This sculpture was initially blocked out in 2011 and finally completed and cast in bronze in 2013. One of the few pieces that had been put on the back burner while I was busy with commission work. The sculpture was originally going to be called Rosin box and I put a video with the same title on youtube. However, as I neared completion, I decided that I didn't like the rosin box where her left foot was placed in. The sculpture had life and energy without this ackward looking box so I took it out and called her Warmup.

#84, Golfer

This is the third golfer I've sculpted and although I'm happy with this one much more than the previous golfers, I still have a lot to learn.