The Foundry- The Fine Art Foundry of Texas
One of the most important elements to a sculpture is the foundry. The foundry is what makes my work into metal. It is a very interesting process that I will be sharing on this blogs I create John. When an artist starts a project they must obtain quotes from a foundry. Then the job is awarded to a foundry.
Shidoni Foundry in New Mexico is working on my Alice in Wonderland Project. They specialize in very large sculptures and are perfect for that job.
I am happy to be working a little closer to home with the sculpture of John Turner and delighted to announce that The Fine Art Foundry of Texas has been awarded the casting of the sculpture of John Turner. I have a long working relationship with The Fine Arts Foundry of Texas and their main worker, Miguel is the best in the business. Miguel has cast multiple projects for me. Below is a sample of the many pieces of work that Miguel has done for me. Keep following along with this blog to see the foundry process.
Richard was a professor, lover of the arts, and an all around intriguing man.
Texas Press Association. It is a limited edition of 10. 1 resides at the Texas Press
Association another is in North Carolina and a third is in the North West.
By Dallas Baptist University.
Notice the sign language symbol in her left hand. It means I love you.
Why John?
I was delighted to be with John Turner and his family the day that city council of Frisco, Texas declared John Turner day. It appears, that John is continuously being honored for his accomplishments and contributions.
The Dogs
What do I know of John?
He does not sit still. He told me repeatedly about the 80,000 miles he has taken on his journey with his dogs since 1953.
How many dogs?
Here is a list of John’s Seeing Eye dogs and the date he met his dogs:
1. Villa November 21,1953
2. Inky February 15, 1964
3. Pepper May 1, 1977
4. Gordy April 7, 1979
5. Steffie January 4,1989
6. Corinne September 20,1993
7. Robyn March 29, 2003
8. Eben May 23, 2014
We are honoring each of these dogs by putting their names and footprints that are left in the sidewalk as John walks on. These dogs gave John his freedom.
The sculpture will be of John at a quick pace. He is on the go. These dogs gave him that freedom. All of his guide dogs were trained at The Seeing Eye, Inc. in Morristown, NJ.
Their web site is www.SeeingEye.org. I have asked The Seeing Eye Inc for more information on their dogs and facility, perhaps they will give us some guest blog “dog” posts. It sure will help me. It will add more passion to the piece. I can’t help but wonder, what does the dog look like who is aware and walking and doing their job. Are their ears perked, tail high or low? I suppose each dog is different, but knowing dogs I would assume that a seeing eye dog has a certain personality. I can’t wait to hear more about it from the SeeingEye. This will help me with the sculpture.
Receiving Inspiration
In an interview today someone asked me how I capture the essence of someone.
That is exactly what I am after. I don’t just want a likeness I want the spirit of the person. Often when creating a sculpture I don’t get to meet my subject. In this case I did get to meet John. I could see his spirit. John Turner has a tremendous amount of spirit.
The essence comes from a few other places. The first is through the loved ones that know the person. That is why I ask you to send me your stories, thoughts and ways you have been touched by John Turner.
I received some photographs today. I’m thrilled to have them. The pose with John, his dog and his brief case is very similar to the pose I had in mind. I can’t wait to get started.
Two Sculptures At Once- Getting Started
I have been absolutely overwhelmed with the latest commission, of a monumental sculpture of Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter Tea Party. It has received a great deal of attention in the media. We are still not done, but I’m taking time to start on the sculpture of John Tuner. Can’t wait to share about John. If you are interested in this Alice in Wonderland Project for Evelyn’s Park in Bellaire, Texas, just outside of Houston, follow along on the Finding Alice Sculpture Facebook page.
This is a recent segment from PBS on my artwork.
Speaker Seeks Additional Venues in California July 2016- 3D Technology and Fine Art.
Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon has been on a curious adventure. She has a new book about 3D Technology in Fine art. The book has been a number one new release on Amazon. She also has and a new commission of a monumental Sculpture of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party where she is using many of the processes she writes about in her book.
She is coming to California for a book signing at SIGGRAPH, a computer graphics conference and is seeking a few other venues to share her fascinating topic and book titled “3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing, Scanning Sculpting, and Milling.”
Ms. Mongeon’s introduces attendees to the wonders of technology in fine art:
* 3D Scanning for digital preservation of art.
* See the work of some of the 80 different artists around the world that Mongeon shares in her book, and hear about their processes.
* Learn about advances in digital technology as it pertains to such things as medicine, engineering, and art.
* Watch how Mongeon creates the monumental scene of the Mad Hatter tea party using 3D scanning, sculpting, milling, and 3D . Learn about some of the inventive ways she is hiding 150 messages in the scene.
This lecture is perfect for
* Fine artists interested in learning more about digital processes
* Makers using 3D printing, scanning and milling
* Educators wanting to know more about STEAM education- using Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.
Mongeon will be at SIGGRAPH in the Anaheim California area July 24 and 27. She is seeking speaking/ book signing opportunities for the week of the 24th while in the area.
If you are interested, please contact the artist through her website.
Recent Speaking Engagements
National Sculpture Society
3D Printing World Expo
Penn State
Crucible
Young Women in Math and Science
Recent World Wide press on Mongeon’s work
*Bridgette has been listed as on of the 25 influential women in 3D printing.
*She receives national attention for her work with 3D and fine art.
*Her recent work of the Mad Hatter Tea Party continues to gain momentum and attention.
* Houston PBS created a segment about the Bridgette Mongeon as artist.
* Street Stories CW 39 came in and did a segment on the Mad Hatter Project.
* KHOU Houston gave Alice her debut. Several segments aired live and then later on in the day.
Houston Public Broadcasting and Bridgette Mongeon
For artist Bridgette Mongeon having Houston Public Braodcasting come to her studio and film was like old times. When she first began her career they came to her studio and created an artist documentary segment. It won an award. Now, all these years later they are back in her studio.
Just in case you would like to compare the very old channel 8 segment here it is. This was produced by Manny Santos and won the best artists documentary award.
Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon Is Mad As a March Hare When It Comes to Bringing Literature to Life.
Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon is completing the sculpting on a monumental sculpture of Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter Tea Party. As a lover of literature, she would be thrilled to find more patrons that could help her to bring to life children’s literature.
“I want to encourage literacy, inspiration, family and community, and wonder through these works. There are many wonderful books in the public domain from which we can choose- The Wizard of Oz, Brothers Grimm, Peter Rabbit just to name a few.” States Mongeon.
Follow along with the Alice in Wonderland’s sculpture on Facebook.
Alice Gets Bigger And Smaller Not With Mushrooms And Elixirs But With Technology
Many of you have been following along with my very busy schedule of creating the monumental sculpture of the Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter Tea Party for Evelyn’s Park in Bellaire, Texas.
You may also know that I had a new book that came out last November called 3D Technology In Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing, Scanning, Sculpting, and Milling. I’m proud to say it has been a number one new release on Amazon. It seems that from starting the sculpture last July, to the book release in November, it has been a whirlwind of activity in my studio.
You may not know that I have used the same digital technology with the Alice Sculpture as I have written about in the book. It is fascinating, and I can’t wait to write a new book on the process of sculpting Alice.
The Whirlwind Continues
I’m thrilled that my publisher, Focal Press is jumping on board. With the new Alice in Wonderland Movie coming out we have an entirely new promotion strategy for the sculpture and the book. I’m thrilled when Focal Press has asked me to come to book signings, be a featured author, etc. This is a great way to start off my first solo book. I have longed for a publisher that could work with me as a team, and Focal Press is doing just that. Thanks to everyone for jumping down the rabbit hole with me.
Bridgette
Continue to Fall Down a Rabbit Hole
did a wonderful photo shoot for press photos.
The studio has been so very, very busy. Those watching along on the Finding Alice Facebook Page can see just how far we have come. We are over 1/2 through the process of creating a monumental scene of Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter Tea Party. The interns that are working in the studio are a marvelous group and have done a great job. I could not have done this project this quickly without them. Of course incorporating digital technology with traditional technology is also important. I’m using the same processes that I recorded in my book 3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing, Scanning, Sculpting and Milling. I can’t wait to write a new book on creating this project. So far, The Mad Hatter, March Hare, Alice and her chair and the Cheshire Cat are complete.
The client came by and gave his approval of the main characters.
Christina Sizemore of Diliberto Photo and Design came by and did a marvelous shoot of both the approval and some press photos for the finished pieces. We also had a gathering at the studio to show family and friends the sculpture. Thank you to all who participated, brought food and drinks and dressed up for the occassion. Alice and the Hatter where also in attendance.
Evelyn’s Park also had a gathering at the studio, bringing the Mayor of Bellaire. People are still dropping by for a photo opportunity before the sculpture is cut up and into mold.
MEDIA WEEKS
The last few weeks have been a media frenzy.
* Ruben Dominguez from Fox 26 came to film a segment for the news.
* Street Stories CW 39 came in and did a segment that made me giggle.
* Channel 13 (ABC) Houston came out and did a feature on Evelyn’s Park and the Art for a piece on parks in Houston. Look at the bottom of this page and see the video.
* KHOU Houston gave Alice her debut. Several segments aired live and then later on in the day.
park, the city council and the mayor. The evening hours Bridgette
Mongeon and her interns invited family and friends. Over 130
people took part in this private viewing of the clay.
* Houston PBS created a segment that is expected to come out in April
* Local Houston Magazine also came out and shot some photographs for an article to come out.
The Houston Chronicle also was out shot images and the Leader was putting something together.
I was also featured on Women in 3D Printing and listed as one of the 25 most influential women in 3D printing.
WORK CONTINUES
The studio has 58 days to get these pieces into mold, but we are still not done.
We have the table and benches along with the hatter’s chair and the pedestal with the book, and we are still hiding things in the scene. Still we celebrate all that has been accomplished so far. It has been a great trip down the rabbit hole.
