Cats All Over My Desk
There are pictures of cats all over the artists desk. She has combed the internet, the zoo photographs and other areas to find inspiration for the Grambling Tiger! She sits in her office upstairs from her studio with a desk covered in cats. The artists personal deadline for having this 3D sculpted model of the Grambling Tiger is Monday the 18th of June. She is trying to stay ahead of the game. Still waiting for some information from Grambling State University.
ART STUDENTS For those art students reading this blog the artist wanted to share a bit about her process and materials.
I have recorded in a previous post that I use digital technology in the preparing of these traditional sculptures. Here are two articles that I wrote about this for Sculptural Review in 2007. Mongeon, Bridgette. “Exploring Digital Technologies as Applied to Traditional Sculpting.”
Sculpture Review. (Winter 2007) 30. pdf
Sculpture Review. (Winter 2007) 32. pdf
Mongeon, Bridgette. “The American.” Don’t forget to see the previous post It really does explain some of the processes and how I started using digital technology. I have lots of posts on my personal blog about how I use digital processes for presentation, sculpting and armature building in the traditional process of sculpting, something I call tra-digi art. Here are some blog posts to refer to on my personal blog.
- Here is a post about creating this presentation of an astronaut
- And a post about the reference material for this presentation
- I’m finishing up another project now. The blog for the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center is listed to the left. here is a post from my personal blog about the digital process on this.
This is the sculpted piece. Compare it to the digital presentation below.
“Move one place on. ” Created with Daz, Poser and Zbrush.
- The Ultimate Frisbee sculpture is one of my favorite sculptures. I created this last year. It was commissioned by a father for his son’s graduation. There is much on my personal blog about the creation of it. If you search for Poser or zbrush on my personal blog you will obtain lots of information about this process. Here is a link to one of those posts.
- Here is another project I was working on this week. This is on spec and probably won’t come down the wire for a while. It is an interactive life-size sculpture of The Mad Hatter Tea Party. I love it.
Want to know more about my work with tra-digi art?
Check out the interview about my tra-digi work that was done by a graduate student in Austria. It has several parts- below are the links. An Austrian student interviews me on comparison of digital and traditional sculpture. Here are his questions and my answers.
- An Austrian student interviews me on comparison of digital and traditional sculpture.
- What makes sculpting in clay appealing to you? An Austrian student interview cont.
- Does your thought-process in digital sculpting programs differ from your thought-process in traditional sculpting? An Austrian student interview cont.
- In which medium (digital or traditional) do you feel more secure and why? An Austrian student interview…cont
- What do you miss in the digital sculpting technology? An Interview cont.
- Which medium enables you to work more spontaneously? An Interview cont.
- Faced with a choice: Which input device would you prefer – Tablet or haptic device? An Austrian student interview cont.
- Is it easy for you to identify and judge 3-dimensional shapes, distances and proportions on a computer screen? An interview cont.
- In which medium is it easier for you to concentrate? An interview cont.
Must See-3D Printing of Ceramic And DIY
As you may know, if you are a regular reader of my blog, I am both a traditional and a digital sculptor. I entered into digital technologies a few years back and studied bridging the gap between the traditional and digital studio as my MFA. I wrote “Digital Sculpting With Mudbox: Essential Tools and techniques for artists” with Miguel de la Flor a few years back. We did this, not just to feature Mudbox, but there is a chapter that focuses on scanning, printing and milling. I believe this is one of the first printed books for artists that tell you exactly how to do these things. I am working on another book that will feature these processes, a how to. It will also contain artists and their work and process along with being a reference book of vendors.
I have been interested in 3D Printing and have especially been interested in 3D Printing in ceramics. There are many posts on this blog about Solehim at the University of Washington and what they are doing with 3D Printing of ceramics. However, they are using the SLS process and very expensive equipment. This is something that I could not replicate in my own studio.
With the support and excitement about DIY 3D printers I have really been interested in the works of Adrian Bowyer and Rep Rap. In fact I am determined to make my own RepRap or MakerBot within the next year or two. I have been holding off because there seemed to be a connection between Solheim and my own DIY 3D printer that was missing. I need my DIY 3D printer to print ceramic. That means not using a filament that is often used in FDM but instead an extruder.
Enter Unfold~fab A Belgian Design Studio that is doing just that. Yes, can you believe it? And don’t you love it when someone learns something and shares their experience? That is what they are doing on their blog. They are documenting their experiments with using an extruder, the mix, etc for everyone to try. Go Unfold~fab ! This is a blog that everyone interested in 3D printing in ceramic should be watching. I have many questions for Unfold~fab and have requested a podcast interview to add to my Art and Technology podcasts. Maybe I should hook up with the guys at TXRX, a Houston project-based team of makers that like to bring creative people together. I mentioned my interest in printing ceramic on a recent trip to the TXRX. Rex Baker, at the lab was definitely interested. Together maybe we could replicate what Unfold~fab is doing. I need help. I’m geek, but not quite geek enough to figure all of this out.
In the meantime. I’m going to be adding this as part of my lecture “Bridging the Gap Between the Traditional and Digital Sculpture Studio” at 3DCAMP Houston 2012. Also, if your coming to 3DCAMP 2012, please be sure to sign up for my other lecture. “3d Art – Fabric to Frankenstein.” I encourage everyone to attend.
Anyone in Houston interested in helping out with trying to replicate Unfold~fab in my Houston studio?
Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at https://creativesculpture.com.
She is also the owner and creator of the God’s Word Collectible Sculpture series
Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter twitter.com/creategodsword
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/bridgette.mongeon
Listen to The Creative Christian Podcast or the Inspiration/Generation PodcastClick on Podcast Host Bios for a list of all podcasts.
Listen to the Art and Technology Podcast
Let’s Hear It For Women Working In 3D!
As woman that is working in a male dominated area such as 3D, I am thrilled that this press release crossed my desk, and I am happy to repost it.
SIGGRAPH 2012 Selects Jane McGonigal as Keynote Speaker
(Chicago, IL) – ACM SIGGRAPH announces the selection of Jane McGonigal, director of game research and development at the Institute for the Future (IFTF), as keynote speaker atSIGGRAPH 2012, the 39th International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, 5-9 August 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. McGonigal’s research at IFTF focuses on how games are transforming the way we lead our real lives, and how they can be used to increase our resilience and well-being.
“Jane McGonigal is an ideal keynote for SIGGRAPH 2012 as the perfect illustration of this year’s conference theme,” said Rebecca Strzelec, SIGGRAPH 2012 Conference Chair from Penn State Altoona. “Her vision, vocation, and world-renowned accomplishments truly embody the collision, juxtaposition, and interaction of art and science.”
McGonigal is a visionary game designer and futurist, using alternate reality games to conduct research, build communities, connect with markets, and solve real-world problems from curing disease to addressing issues of poverty, hunger, and a world without petroleum. She has created and deployed award-winning games in more than 30 countries on six continents and directed the world’s first massively multiplayer forecasting game, Superstruct, which brought together more than 7,000 future forecasters from 90 countries. She currently serves as Chief Creative Officer for SuperBetter Labs.
McGonigal’s New York Times bestselling book, Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World, explores the power and future of gaming and reveals how its collaborative aspects are being used to solve some of the most difficult challenges facing humanity. Her personal goal is to see a game designer nominated for the Nobel Prize by 2023.
The New York Times featured McGonigal as one of 10 scientists with the best vision for what’s coming next; she earned Harvard Business Review honors for one of the Top 20 Breakthrough Ideas of 2008; BusinessWeek called her one of the Top 10 Innovators to Watch; and Fast Company named her one of the 100 Most Creative People in business.
About SIGGRAPH 2012
SIGGRAPH 2012 will bring thousands of computer graphics and interactive technology professionals from six continents to Los Angeles, California for the industry’s most respected technical and creative programs focusing on research, science, art, animation, music, gaming, interactivity, education, and the web from Sunday, 5 August through Thursday, 9 August 2012 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. SIGGRAPH 2012 includes a three-day exhibition of products and services from the computer graphics and interactive marketplace from 7-9 August 2012. More details are available on the SIGGRAPH 2012 Facebook and Twitter.
About ACM SIGGRAPH
The ACM Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques is an interdisciplinary community interested in research, technology, and applications in computer graphics and interactive techniques. Members include researchers, developers and users from the technical, academic, business, and art communities. ACM SIGGRAPH enriches the computer graphics and interactive techniques community year-round through its conferences, global network of professional and student chapters, publications, and educational activities.
About ACM
ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery is the world’s largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting educators, researchers, and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources, and address the field’s challenges. ACM strengthens the computing profession’s collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for lifelong learning, career development, and professional networking.
Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at https://creativesculpture.com.
She is also the owner and creator of the God’s Word Collectible Sculpture series
Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter twitter.com/creategodsword
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/bridgette.mongeon
Listen to The Creative Christian Podcast or the Inspiration/Generation PodcastClick on Podcast Host Bios for a list of all podcasts.
Listen to the Art and Technology Podcast
Big Cat Rescue Is So Inspiring
I am very indebted to Big Cat Rescue in Florida.
Jeff Kremer, Director of Donor Appreciation, has spent a great deal of time with me talking about “big cats” I have to say their you tube channel has been very inspiring and don’t be surprised if you find quite a few of their videos on this blog. They give me feline creativity.
I do love to watch the videos of the casts playing. Often I’ll play the videos just to watch the movement of the big cats. Then I’ll work on my digital sculpture while watching. I’ll be posting many videos from Big Cat Rescue on this blog. The pride that comes in the Grambling State Tiger is more than just school pride. It is the symbol of a very majestic creature.
Because this blog is also about education I encourage you to watch the video below. Grambling State University will soon have a big cat on their campus. It is important to note that there are a lot of big cats that are in danger. The below is an important education for anyone looking at this tiger sculpture and thinking about big cats. Lets help to educate others on the big cats, they are important.
MakerBot Collaboration with Met Museum Puts Historic Artwork In Your Hands
Brooklyn, NY – June 11 2012 – In an historic move, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and creation technology pioneer MakerBot have joined forces to make statues, sculptures, and other three dimensional artworks from the museum’s collection available for anyone in the world to access virtually on Thingiverse.com and physically recreate with The Replicator™ – MakerBot’s third-generation 3D Printer for the home.
A select group of artists, hackers, and educators from the vast MakerBot Community traveled thousands of miles to attend the inaugural two-day ‘hackathon’ on June 1st, 2012. The group toured the galleries of New York’s landmark museum to “3D Capture” works of art using basic cameras and the latest 3D software, creating the foundation for a wholly new kind of public archive.
From Helsinki to Tokyo to Fort Worth, ‘citizens’ of Thingiverse are getting their hands on historic works of art by downloading them from Thingiverse, a MakerBot community website where anyone can share and discover things that can be materialized – as if by magic – using a household 3D Printer like The Replicator™.
In the spirit of the Museum’s commitment to share its collection with the public, those who have not yet visited the galleries will now be able to examine artwork digitally or ‘in person’ by reproducing the artwork on a MakerBot. Teachers can bring history straight into the classroom. Artists can modify, remix and re-imagine classics once set in stone.
The Met MakerBot Hackathon is only the first chapter in MakerBot’s effort to bring art back to life. The company has issued a challenge to its community: Capture Your Town! In the coming months, regular people all around the world will use the same simple process and freely available tools to ‘capture’ artwork, buildings, people, and things in 3D and share them in the Thingiverse.
Bre Pettis, CEO and Co-Founder at MakerBot as well as Hackathon participant, will discuss this ‘epic’ movement during an upcoming MakerBot community meeting at the Met.
Participants included Tom Burtonwood, Tony Buser, Colette Robbins, Michael Curry, Tom Cushwa, Noah Feehan, Ana Marva Fernandez, Adam Fontenault, Anney Fresh, Micah Ganske, Jason Schapiro, Rebecca Hillegass, Jackie Terrassa, Matthew Griffin, Erol Gunduz, Kacie Hultgren, Sean Justice, Miles Lightwood, Liz Arum, Jason Bakutis, Mike Battaglia, John Briscella, Svetlana Blum-Briscella, Jonathan Monaghan, Daniel James Moore, David Neff, Keith Ozar, Marius Watz, Catarina Mota, Todd Blatt, Dustyn Roberts, Jonathan Dehan, Don Undeen, and Bre Pettis.
https://sketchfab.com/tags/metropolitan-museum-of-art
- Bridgette Mongeon-Sculptor, Writer and Speaker
Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at https://creativesculpture.com.
She is also the owner and creator of the God’s Word Collectible Sculpture series
Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter twitter.com/creategodsword
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/bridgette.mongeon
Listen to the Art and Technology Podcast
Technology In Art
Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon is pretty much a geek when it comes to technology. She received her MFA from Goddard College with a focus on bridging the gap between new digital technology and the traditional art studio. This blog is created not only for the client, students and alumni to be able to watch the process, but also for educational purposes. Ms. Mongeon is a proponent of education and will be sharing some of that through the blog.
Below is a video of how Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon has used Digital Technology in her sculpture studio.
As the above video described, often using programs like Poser helps the artist work out the designs and poses. The preliminary sculpture is still a long way from being approved; however, the committee is moving right along and the designs are helping everyone think through the process.
Ms. Mongeon often speaks about the topic of using digital technology in the sculpture studio. She will be speaking at 3DCAMP Houston in September. 3DCAMP is a local organization supporting education in all things 3D. 3DCAMP Houston is being sponsored by the University of Houston College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and the School of Art. Ms. Mongeon is knee-deep on the planning committee for 3DCAMP Houston as well as a speaker. The up and coming press release for 3DCAMP 2012 states,
” The goal of 3DCAMP Houston 2012 is to encourage and educate individuals about the use of 3D in various disciplines; therefore 3DCAMP 2012 is returning with STEAM, an educational initiative that supports 3DCAMP Houston educational goal of incorporating and encouraging the blending and education of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM). “
3d Art – Fabric to Frankenstein-
3d technology, science and art are combined to create some incredible and sometimes bizarre artwork. Sculptor, Bridgette Mongeon shares the work of different artists, and the vendors and universities who are making some interesting discoveries. Many artists are embracing the new technology, having fun and creating some incredible and sometimes gruesome artwork.
Bridging the Gap Between the Traditional and Digital Sculpture Studio
Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon shares her workflow and resources of incorporating both digital and traditional technology in what is referred to as tra-digi art that she creates in her Houston, Texas studio. The new technology expands the creative process and expedites her work flow.
Presentation For a Park
I have been working on this pitch for a life-size bronze sculpture scene that individuals can interact with. This is a quick sketch of a possible design. Do you want to join the Mad Hatter at his tea party? The idea is that you could go to the park and sit at this bench. Each character is created to interact with a real person. My next part of the pitch is to see if I can pose children with this piece.
MY WORK FLOW
The project has been created using a variety of materials and software. Daz 3D models were very helpful, though often not enough. I had to sculpt quite a few things using ZBrush such as the rabbits clothes, his watch, the benches the table and the table clothes, along with the head of the Mad Hatter. Everything else is pretty much Daz 3D. My work flow is to bring Daz 3D characters into Poser and then once posed bring them into ZBrush. I can change the mesh to be able to sculpt on the figures and it gives me a way to expedite the presentation. As in the past, the actual sculptures don’t really look like the people in the scene once it is physically sculpted. For example, if I can convince my client I would like Alice to resemble my daughter when she was that age. Though it is not an exact replica of the planned life-size sculpture it sure helps my client to visualize my presentation.
Dipping The Pieces of Evelyn
I ran by the Betz Art Foundry today after receiving a message on my phone. “We are dipping.” Dipping is the next part in the bronze process. Before the foundry could dip they had to gate up each of the pieces. The waxes need pour cups to pour metal into and gates that will help the gasses escape. Each piece is coated and dipped many times covering both inside and out. This creates a ceramic shell. The ceramic shell is where the bronze will be poured, but I’m getting ahead of myself. Next post the burn out and pour of Evelyn Rubenstein.
Looking for 3D Artists and Fine Art
I am giving a lecture at 3DCAMP Houston about art and technology. I’m also one of the committee members for 3DCAMP Houston 2012, and I’m gathering information for a book. I’m presently looking for 3D artists using some sort of digital 3D to create artwork in a physical form. That means creating in 3D, output using 3D tools such as cnc, or rapid prototyping, or incorporating 3D in the physical work somehow. The things I have learned about the technology surrounding 3D is that creative people are forever surprising me. Artists are pushing the tools to create work that has never been created before.
How about the vendors?
I’m also interested in talking to vendors about the tools and services they have to offer that directly relate to the fine art audience. Though 3DCAMP is looking for vendors who work in all areas that use 3D.
If you have artwork and can share your process with me , as well as your vendors please contact me with some links to your work. This information will be used for:
- A lecture at 3DCAMP Houston and other areas
- A possible book
- Articles and possible podcast interviews.
We are also interested in finding artwork for an up and coming art show for 3DCAMP Houston. The prospectus will be on the 3DCAMP Houston website soon. If you are interested simply subscribe to the 3DCAMP website newsletter and we will be sure you receive the information as soon as it is posted.
About 3DCAMP Houston 2012
3DCAMP is an all day conference of professionals and students and those who have an interest in 3D. We all come together to learn and share about everything 3D. 3DCAMP 2012 is coming back with STEAM, supporting the educational initiative of incorporating and encouraging the blending and education of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) . We are very excited to have both the University Of Houston Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics as well as the School of Arts as our hosts for 3DCAMP 2012. September 28th is the art show that is open to the public. September 29th will be the all day lectures. You can see some of the speakers and topics on the website. 3D technology covers a wide area, including science, archeology, medicine, art, engineering, math, and much more. Attend 3DCAMP and pick your desired interests and see some incredible stuff.
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Bridgette Mongeon-Sculptor, Writer and Speaker
Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
She is on the organizing committee for 3DCAMP Houston 3DCAMP Houston
Her blog can be found at https://creativesculpture.com.
She is also the owner and creator of the God’s Word Collectible Sculpture series
Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter
Facebook – Personal
Facebook- Creative Endeavors
Listen to The Creative Christian Podcast or the Inspiration/Generation Podcast Click on Podcast Host Bios for a list of all podcasts.
Listen to the Art and Technology Podcast
Which Way Do We Go?
To expedite the process several quick sketches are put together for Grambling State University to look at. At this point in a project it is important to find the desired direction of a client. They might not even know what they are looking for, these quick sketches, help us to narrow down our direction.
Some of our thought process is this.
- To make the sculpture look large if we place it above, climbing on sculpted rock it will enhance the height.
- It is necessary to have a sculpture that others can interact with. I love this type of sculpture. As an artist I want people to interact with my work. I can’t wait to see pictures of people interacting. When the sculpture is done and placed this blog won’t stop. I will post what you send me. Please be sure to send the names of the people interacting. A school mascot is meant to be interacted with. Having large pedestals for sculptures suits some purposes, but for this… can someone say photo op?
- Grambling State University says they want an open mouth, a growl.
From the Grambling State University project blog at Gramblingtiger.blogspot.com