Skip to main content

Now: Time for Wax

Image
By
Though my post is a little late, cut me some slack. It's raining and gorgeous outside, and we've been enjoying it. Might sound crazy, but I am so glad this summer is over. 
Tomorrow we head to Baer Bronze to check the metal. Before that, Mike had to go out there to check the wax: 
Mostly, this blog is going to be in photos. Because the photos are awesome and speak for themselves. When I look at this wax, I'm not sure what the purpose is. Here's what I know: Mike's pieces are cast using the Lost Wax method, which means the piece is cast in wax first, remolded, and then when the bronze is poured the wax is burned away. Hence, the lost wax method. 
This is an amazing shot. What I like about this broken wax piece is the detail you can see. This is pretty much what the bronze will look like. You know, minus the attachments on the bottom. 
There are some of the pieces that had to be removed and cast separately. The wolf is one of my favorite figures from this piece. 
Oh look! Another shot of the wolf. Check out the stance of this guy. He's ready to attack. 
If you haven't noticed, several of the boys in this piece look similar. That is intentional. My son did a lot of modeling for the figures, because Mike needed someone young, a teenager. This piece speaks volumes about war and battle. 
Blaine is the master wax-guy. He knows what he's doing. It's fascinating to watch these guys work. 
This gives you an idea of how big the figures are. Even though I have no artistic talent or experience whatsoever, I know it takes a lot of work to create something this small and lifelike. 
This green stuff is slurry. Baer Bronze puts several coats of this on, and when it dries they pour the liquid metal into it, and that's what replaces the wax. 
The reason I'm showing so much of this is because I think people can appreciate the process and work that goes into creating a sculpture. Sculptors have so many steps to go through. I'd be interested in the print making process. Maybe I'll look that up this week. 
Until next time, enjoy your week! Visit a museum, look up an artist, or get involved! 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Among the Italians, with Giulio Monteverde

By
The first time I saw a statue by Giulio Monteverde it stole my breath. As I watched my husband scroll through images of his sculpture on Google yesterday, I knew he was the next sculptor I was going to talk about. He was born in the very small province of Bistagno, Italy, and attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome. He was also a senator, but I think that's the least of his achievements. The Boy Columbus, from Wiki Commons The first piece I want to talk about is The Boy Columbus. It's obvious at first glance that Monteverde has a way with subtlety and form that knows how to just ignite your interest and imagination. Columbus has been caught in a moment of formulation, as if he's staring at a point he can't really see because he's concentrating on something else entirely. Thought This next piece, called Il Pensiero which translates in English to Thought , is a striking and powerful multi-figure sculpture. An allegorical masterpiece with a glimpse at one...
Post a Comment
Read more

Montmartre Cemetery, Paris, France

By
Mike has been doing a lot of research about the Armenian Genocide, and one of his most recent sculptures is of an angel that will be used as a memorial for a gravesite. In the past few years I have lost many people I love, most recently a young, 20-year-old girl who I was very close to. It's been heartbreaking, and I decided to do this post on the Monmartre Cemetery in Paris because of the way we use art to help in our grieving process. I could've picked from several cemeteries, and though the Staglieno is my favorite, I'm saving that for another day when I can really put together a lot their most gorgeous pieces. Tombs at the Monmartre Cemetery, picture from Ila Chateau The tombs alone in this place are amazing, building up a miniature city of the dead, clearly protecting the bodies and souls of those who've gone before. There are beautiful plants and flowers, well-kept and beautified out of respect.   Didsbury Monument, "Douleur" I can't ...
Post a Comment
Read more