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.
___________________________________________
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
The Beginning
Welcome to the blog of the process of creating this wonderful sculpture for Grambling State University. Bridgette Mongeon, is the sculptor of this life size bronze mascot. She does her best to keep everyone abreast of what is happening with the tiger. This blog is created so that everyone can follow along.
Many times Bridgette Mongeon up to my elbows in clay, which does not work very well with typing up blog posts, but we will try to keep the blog current.
The rock looks like the state of Louisiana. That was
unintentional, but lets see how that plays out
in the sculpting process.
The Beginning-
Everything is all done in secret. A contact form comes into the Bridgette’s inbox requesting information about a sculpture and she responds. Then there is a lot of red tap to go through, contracts etc. and always a very quick deadline.
“I’m thrilled to be working with Grambling on this project. I love to capture the spirit of an entire school in a sculpture. ”
GO BIG OR GO HOME! Well not really, but that is what it appears. Bridgette presents several designs and sizes to Grambling State University. They decide they are going to have the largest size created for their campus.
From the Grambling State University project blog at Gramblingtiger.blogspot.com
What Now?
I’m working on the few waxes that are here and I expect to receive a call from the foundry that the others are ready. If I am lucky then by the end of the week the foundry will have all of the waxes and they will begin the pouring process of Evelyn. It is so exciting. For the time being, in between working on waxes, I’m resting my hands and preparing for a meeting when I bring back the photograph of Evelyn.
Oh yes, it took us two days to get the studio cleaned up and it is ready for the next project.
You can follow along with this entire process of creating a life size bronze for the ERJCC on the Evelyn Rubenstein project blog located at http://erjcc.blogspot.com/
The Next Step- Waxes
Once all of the molds are at the foundry, they pour waxes. For every mold there will be a hollow think wax created. Because I finished the arms, head and base these are sent back to me first. What do I do with these? The wax stage is one more opportunity to add detail, and clean things up. Remember the rubber molds were in to parts and so there is also the cleaning of seams. Once I feel I have all of the pieces clean and that they go together correctly, we will start our process of bronze casting.
You can follow along with this entire process of creating a life size bronze for the ERJCC on the Evelyn Rubenstein project blog located at http://erjcc.blogspot.com/
I have signed the bottom.
Evelyn will be welded to this base.
The base will then be secured to the
floor of the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish
Community Center.