Posts by Bridgette
Visiting the Bellaire Library
I had fun at the library. My favorite part was meeting Ms. Teas. For those of you who don’t know, the park is placed on the land where Teas nursery used to sit. A long time ago, when I was first starting to sculpt, I had a line of gift items that I called Dandelions and doodlebugs. I sold them at the nursery and would come and sculpt in their gift area to bring attention to the pieces. I guess I have come full circle. I love to hear about the history of the place, the houses, and the teas. Mrs. Teas was the fan of the day. I think people enjoyed the adventure. Can’t wait for the next one. I’m so glad we could meet.
Posted onJuly 15, 2017CategoriesUncategorized
Keynote Speaker At The Texas Art Education Association Conference
I am thrilled to be chosen as the keynote speaker for the Texas Art Education Association conference to be held November 2017 at Moody Gardens Galveston.
Throughout my career as an artist and a writer it is as important to me to share information and create a learning experience through the creation of my art as it is for me to create the art itself. At the 56th annual conference I will be speaking about the educational initiative title STEAM. I’ll share how others have used , Science, Technology, Engineering Art and Math in an interdisciplinary learning experience and how I have done that in my own studio.
Of course the Alice in Wonderland project title “Move One Place On” has the STEAM education in spades.
I’m delighted to be presenting and can’t wait for November.
Making Friends With The Deceased- Being a Part of Family and History
When I’m not sculpting monumental Alice in Wonderland characters, you may often find me making friends with the deceased. That is what someone told me years ago. It took me aback, but I realized that is what I do. I create posthumous sculptures, and like the video for Texas Country Reporter states, I get to know my subject very personally and at special times I’m now realizing, I get adopted into a family. I can feel that now as I work with my new sculpture of Norma Zenteno, an incredible musician who died of breast cancer. The “feeling like family” and becoming friends also extends to those four-legged critters as part of the Norma project I’m sculpting Kippy, a rescue dog from Barrio Dogs. I feel the warmth of family in this new commission, and this weekend I felt the warmth of family as I visited an old friend.
I sculpted Patsy over 11 years ago in 2005/2006. Looking back it was an interesting time of transition. I had just built my new studio behind my home, began a regular blog on my website, and was writing a book on the process of sculpting the deceased- still unpublished.
A few years ago I began to receive invitations to a family party on the Patren Ranch. This is a ranch that has been in Patsy’s family for over 100 years. David, Patsy’s son and his wife Becky live on the property. David is also a musician so besides visiting the sculpture of Patsy under a large old oak, where “tree Whisky” hangs, there is always great live music. Though it is a long drive home, I had to stay late, just to hear David play his fiddle and see the family begin to join in on the revelry. If you know me, you know I’m all about the music, either dancing or joining in on harmony, it is one of those other favorite things that I do. The rolling hills and the old refurbished family home, now a museum complete with the German history of the area leaves me feeling nostalgic and sentimental. Clusters of Blacked-Eyed Susans crop up in wild areas, and crickets hop over my sneakers on patches of dry mowed lawn as I wonder the fields. An olive grove was put in by Patsy’s husband, Howard a few years back and I’m tickled to go see the progress. I ramble past the new old “kitchen” building. Howard tells me they are building it from reclaimed wood. I hear it will be the “music” building. I have longed for property for which to grow my business, and for which to grow historical relevance and pass on to the family. While walking through the main house, a charming young man grabs my hand, shakes it hard, and says, “I’m Cody, Howard’s grandson, I’m so pleased you are here.” His intensity, charm, and warmth radiate from him. I watch later as it spreads on stage with his singing. I know very few people invited to this gathering save for Howard, Patsy husband and Jennie, Patsy’s best friend who posed for the sculpture. But the family embraces me like I’m a relative who has been away on a journey. With the tight schedule of the Alice Project, I have been away and have not been able to attend a Patren Ranch party in a while. It is good to be back.
The story is told that Patsy’s
grandpa had a still. Grandma didn’t believe
in drink, so her grandpa
would hide the whiskey bottles
high up in the trees.
The workers could be found taking
more than a rest under one of these old trees
Howard and I sit by the new pool, as the sun sets over the rolled up bales of hay in the field, me dangling my toes in the water and talking as I watch the family dogs jump in and sit on the pool ledge slightly submerged in the water. I am sure this was built for them. They bound out, sniff me and Howard, and then chase after their mates clearing the small stone fence like graceful equine jumpers. It is a playful ritual that is repeated several times during our visit and endears me to the family, and property all the more. I sip a frozen margarita and Howard and I talk about the last ten years and my career. It forces me to reflect on my accomplishments. I’m glad I brought him a copy of my book. I’m extremely thankful for all of the commissions that have brought me to this point in my life.
Later, a young woman gathers around my prime seat in front of the stage, my space where I have parked my things for the last several hours. She says, “I need a chair like that. It looks so comfortable.” I tell her it is my camping chair and stool. “Do you go camping a lot,” she asks. “I love to,” I say. Her reply makes me laugh, ” Well I am not a camper but I like sitting and that is a fine chair for that.” Not long after that I pack up my “fine chair” and prepare for my long drive down the back country road to Houston.
The music, the family, the incredible refreshing property that is Patron and the memories have refreshed me. I think of all the people who have referred to my sculpture and said, “I’m so glad we have Patsy to visit.” I have become a part of a memory, a part of the history of this family and this property through my work. I’m so very honored. Thank you, Patsy.
Look Past The Whimsy To The Love
Today I went to Evelyn’s Park. I have not been there since the grand opening April 22, 2017. The grand opening for me was exciting, but also a little bit sad, I had hoped my sculpture would be there for all to enjoy.
Today I went to the park, and especially the memorial garden. Many may not know that there is a special place in the park. It is on the south-east corner of the park and is called Evelyn’s Memorial Garden. You will know it because the pathway changes. It goes from pea gravel to gray brick. In the middle of this memorial garden, there is a spot that is filled with brown mulch and empty. That is where the sculpture of the Mad Hatter tea party will go.
I was delighted that the hard work of the Rubnestein family and foundation had finally come to fruition. It was a long road for them, and they worked hard to get the park to this point. No one, but them and those who dedicated themselves to getting the park done, knows how hard that was. I wanted to go there today and think about that. I wanted to think about Evelyn and how thankful I am that I have been a part of creating a memory in honor of a woman that will be cherished by many. A memory that two boys began, because they loved their mom. I’m thinking back to the dedication plaque
I think we are all so caught up in the idea of the whimsy of the sculpture, and the hidden objects, that somehow the love, the true meaning of this sculpture has been overlooked. Today I went to Evelyn’s Park and talked to Evelyn. On my way. I was overwhelmed with the need and sorrow that I did not bring a rock. I am not Jewish, but my best friend is, and I grew up surrounded by the Jewish culture. Because I also create many sculptures of deceased loved ones I have studied death and the traditions surrounding death. The Jewish traditions surrounding death are some of the most endearing. But my urgency for a rock came from a simple custom combined with my absolute love of rocks. I collect them from wherever I go. Rocks line my window sills. In the Jewish tradition, it is customary to bring a rock to the grave of a loved one.
In article I found on my Jewish learning they quoteRabbi Simkha Weintraub, rabbinic director of the New York Jewish Healing Center . “They say that by placing the stone, we show that we have been there, and that the individual’s memory continues to live on in and through us.”
I don’t know where Evelyn is buried, but I want to celebrate her life. I have studied her as I was also commissioned to do a sculpture of her for the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center. I have been celebrating her life all through the last few years by creating this sculpture. Her children have celebrated her by creating this park, and by commissioning me to do this sculpture for the park in her memory. I do know she was an amazingly strong woman, and I hope I can have her strength, courage and business sense as I proceed in my life. I have decided that I may go and walk this pathway once a week until the sculpture is placed. Don’t be surprised if you see random rocks in the midst of the empty spot. I will be culling through my personal collection and placing them there to honor Evelyn and her memory.
If you go to the park, after the sculpture is installed, look behind this book and dedication plaque. If you see a rock, now you will know what it means, and perhaps you will know that I have been there, or maybe others, and that her memory is indeed continuing to live on, in and through us. We are celebrating the memory of her and finding her love through the whimsy.
Dedication plaque reads…
Once upon a time,
In a land called Bellaire, there were two brothers,
Bo and Jerry Rubenstein.
The boys wanted to do something special,
To honor their mother, Evelyn.
Evelyn would often say,
“The way to make a difference is by giving and sharing.”
And so, in her memory,
The brothers created Evelyn’s Park
And placed within it
Wonderland.
-2016-
My Work In The Museum Of Fine Art- Houston
What artist wouldn’t be delighted to have their work a part of the collection in the Museum of Fine Arts. Well, I can say mine is. Well, not my artwork, but my book. Today the Museum of Fine Arts Houston accepted my book into the Hirsch Library. Chief Librarian Jon Evans and I spoke at the end of last year, and this is the first chance I have had to get down there and bring my book. The book focuses on a lot of fine artists around the world who are using digital technology in their fine art. Last year I found a post on Linked in from Robert Kimberly, an art installer at the MFA. He purchased my book to understand more about one of the pieces he was installing. It was dragon bench by Joris Laarman. I had no idea the MFA Houston even owned a work by the artist that I featured in my book. There are many very prominent artists in this book. I’m honored to have had their acquaintance when writing it. I’m even more tickled that it is now a part of the permanent collection at the Hirsch Library. It may be a small thing to others, but for me, to have my book both in the Albright Knox collection and in the MFA Houston, well it is big.
Now, my next goal is to lecture at the MFA about these artists, their process and how digital technology is being embraced by many fine artists, as well as how it is infiltrating some of the traditional sculpting processes. More on that soon… I hope.
The Opening Of Evelyn’s Park
April 22nd was Earth day but this year in 2017 it was also the long awaited opening of Evelyn’s Park Conservancy in Bellaire, Texas. We had hoped the sculpture “Move One Place On” would be installed before the opening, but it is delayed at the foundry. We did have one metal piece – the dormouse, that will sit on the table. We also brought some of the hidden objects and talked to everyone about the sculpture that is schedule to arrive in November- we think- we are still waiting for a new confirmation from the foundry. This is the spot where the table and characters will be- one the Corner of Bellaire Blvd and Mulberry Lane. Keep watching on this blog or the Finding Alice Facebook page for more information.
Getting To Know Norma
Today was an exciting day as I met with the family of Norma Zenteno. I’ll soon be starting a sculpture of Norma for the family. The sculpture is of a young Norma playing guitar while a dog looks on. The family will be placing this sculpture at the Brown Foundation Plaza on Harrisburg in Houston’s East End. The sculpture honors Norma and the work of Barrio Dogs.
The family and I sat together and talked about the scheduling details, fundraising and contracts, then parted, but at the last minuteI asked if I could see the place where the family was installing her.
Let me back up a bit, If you don’t know my work, I am known for quite a few things in the fine art field. I often incorporate digital technology in my traditional process as I talk about in my last book, I love sculpting children, For a while there everyone referred to me as “the cat girl” because I created the Prairie View Panther for Prairie View University and the very large Grambling Tiger for Grambling State University. I guess recently people know me for the monumental sculpture of Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter Tea party which will be installed in November and can be seen on both the Facebook page and the website.
I am also known for my sculptures of deceased loved one. For many, this may sound like a very macabre thing to do, but I love it. A few years back Texas Country Reporter created a segment on this portion of my art. I love developing a relationship with the deceased; I love helping families and individuals come together around the likeness of a loved one that I create. I love giving recognition to an individual and honoring their life through my art.I have written much about this process of sculpting deceased loved ones, and one day I hope to publish a book about it.
In walking this one path of my creative journey, I have found that there are some incredible things that happen. It has been a while since I created a life-size sculpture of a deceased loved one. I had almost forgotten about the connections and unusual occurrences that happen when beginning this creative process. It is strange, unusual, wonderful and incredibly inspirational.
That is what happened today. On the way to the destination for the sculpture, I began to get a “feel” for a part of the sculpture. There is a thing that happens during these types of commissions that I can only describe as a “knowing.” Though it has happened over and over again with countless posthumous commissions, it never ceases to excite me. In the case of Norma, it is like she is walking beside me, causing things to happen or showing me how things should go. She solidifies our connection and is in the details, and slowly I get to know her and develop a relationship with her even though we have never met.
I’m delighted with what transpired today. I can’t wait for our next meeting when we prepare some photo reference for the project. The family will be a part of this sitting, a loved one is taking her place wearing clothes similar to Norma’s so that I can get a feel for this. I love this. In creating posthumous sculpture, I have found that those sculptures that have the most life are those that have a strong emotional connection brought on by the interaction and sharing by those who knew and loved the subject. Somehow, their energy and love is fused within the clay. It is very exciting. I can’t wait for the up and coming sitting. I’ll share that soon. In the meantime. I have a new friend. She is not on this earth, but I’m having a great time getting to know her, and watching the light in the eyes of her family as we bond.
Feel free to help to infuse this sculpture. Share your stories to help me bond with Norma. These stories, help me to connect to Norma. Your love and memories are transferred to the clay and bring Norma to life. The Zenteno family has set up a website to begin to receive donations for this sculpture. Thank you for being a part of the creative process.
This is the documentation of Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon who created the Norma Zenteno Sculpture and Kippy for Zenteno Spirit and Barrio Dogs. You can find the process blog for this project at http://normasculpture.blogspot.com/
Local Press About Alice
Much thanks to the Buzz Magazine for the wonderful article. Thank you Jodan Maziner Steinfeld.
Life Is A Magical Adventure…
Life is a magical adventure…
Throughout my life, each morning, I have purposely planted my foot into the intent of an adventure. Grant it, now that I have been doing this for so so long, my feet crack a bit more before the full movement, but my heart steps with the grand conviction that, over the years, has seeped into every one of my pores.
Today is the day, where I will accomplish one of the biggest steps in the treasure hunt that is my life. If there is a certain task set before me, I do it knowing that this one task is going to add to the others. It is like flipping the dial on the secret decoder ring that I coveted as a child. They all go together to become one grand clarification. I’m excited about meeting others as I truly feel that they have been sent, placed in my path to help me to find the rest of the secrets that are my treasure hunt. Or, I may be the secret giver in my rendezvous. I might not know what the secret is that I am supposed to share. It may be a word, an action, or just simply listening at the right time. My path of treasure huntings crosses another person. We are all looking for the magic that is a part of life. I’m honored to be a part of their journey.
If I wake up sick, I try not to be concerned as I might be fooled to think that this day is not a part of the great adventure. But I try to remember that when I am well, I will see the magic all the brighter because of the day that tries to shroud. Words and treasures may be harder to see and find, but they are in this day as well.
If there is an obstacle in my way, I try to examine it. Was this part of the magical journey, am I to go in another direction? Will the tools I use and the people I meet to get through this obstacle be a great part of the adventure and give the entire thing so much more meaning?
If I don’t meet anyone, I listen for the words. These are outward words or ones I hear in my thoughts. Many have forgotten the magic that is in the silence. They have missed the greatest tool to help them find their treasures. They don’t realize that there are magical creatures that wait between asleep and awake to help you with your journey.
I try to play often, as this will release those treasures very quick. It is a very important part of the magic. I am also trying hard to remember to stop the adultness and play with the grandchild. These little messengers, though little, hold great treasures to my journey. If I am busy, I will miss it.
I read, or listen to audio books that may be a part of that treasure hunt. When I hear a phrase, I wright it down in the hopes of remembering it, deciphering it and finding its place into the entire enterprise of magical days.
It is strange to think that others do not live this way. Some might say that I have a Pollyanna attitude or that I am not in touch with reality. Others might say that life is dismal and I am betraying it by my thoughts.
I think…
When you open your inbox expecting some miracle or adventure-every-day, when you search for the fascination and possibilities in each encounter, it makes life so much more fun. If others think I am bewitched, befuddled or betrayed, let them think so. However, you may find me looking on with amusement, as I take your words, turn the decoder ring and mark in my notebook for further clarification on this as part of my grand magical and wondrous adventure.
Seeking Literary Agent- Nonfiction
There is no doubt that there has been madness in this last year as I am finding my way out of the rabbit hole. I have been on a curious adventure of creating a monumental bronze sculpture of Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter Tea Party, complete with 150 hidden objects to honor the 150th anniversary of the endearing story. It was more than serendipity that I use both traditional sculpting and digital technology in creating Alice and that my new book, “3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing, Scanning, Sculpting, and Milling” came out in November 2015 just a few months after signing the contract for Alice.
3D printing and 3D Technology are hot topics and Alice in Wonderland is loved by many. Put these things together and it is a Wonderland of adventure that the media is eating up. Now that I have completed the sculpting of the project, and we have set the unveiling for March 2017, I’m ready to begin writing a book I tentatively title, “Finding Alice: A Curious Adventure of Fine Art and Digital Technology.” In this book, I’ll document the creating of the monumental bronze that will be a coveted dining experience for all who visit Evelyn’s park in Bellaire Texas, outside of Houston.
I intentionally pushed the limits of combing traditional sculpture with digital technology in the entire creation. You could say Alice has gotten large and small more times than in the book, and she has done it not with elixirs and mushroom but with technology. This adventure of technology will culminate with a 3D scan created at the park after the installation. This scan will make a virtual reality tour of the sculpture experience that anyone from anywhere in the world can visit. When they do, it will continually promote my new book.
“I can’t wait to find the hidden objects. Will there be a list somewhere?” I am asked this question often. My response, “You will have to get my book.”
Marketing
Marketing is a hobby of mine, and I’m delighted that some of the major digital companies have agreed to do some co-marketing with me on the project and the technology. The marketing will begin very soon. I hope to have a publisher for this new book by the time this media goes out, and the whirlwind of media happens on the unveiling of the sculpture in March 2017.
Building upon speaking at maker spaces, colleges, national art organizations and 3D Printing World Expo, I’m already booking lectures for next year surrounding the topic of fine art and 3D technology. My hope is that this book, as my other, will be purchased not only as a coffee table book and for those who are intrigued and love Alice, but also as a textbook.
I would like to find a representative for this book project and the other books that I am creating. Being a writer and a sculptor who loves marketing is three full-time jobs, finding an agent helps to relieve me from that pressure and lets me focus on what I do best.
I’m attaching a list of some recent publicity on the project and my art, with links. You need to see this sculpture in person to understand the magnitude of it. I’m looking forward to talking and will be putting together a book proposal as soon as the last pieces of Alice goes off to Shidoni foundry in October. I await your response.
Bridgette Mongeon
RECENT MEDIA
Houston Life- 3D Technology in Fine Art – September 9, 2016
Local Houston Arts Magazine– September 2016. Cover and page 46-47
30 Most Influential Women in 3D All 3DP June 9th 2016
Houston Public Broadcasting – Arts Insights Video April, 22, 2016
Houston Artist Creates a Wonderland CW39 February 2, 2016
ABC Houston Houston City Parks “Hidden Gems”: Inside Some Must see- Green Space February 15, 2016
CBS Houston Alice in Wonderland in Evelyn’s Park February 16, 2016 Segment 2
3D Printing is a Trip Down the Rabbit Hole 3D Printing Industry – Italy July 8, 2015