More Research At The Zoo
My photographer of choice for any project is Christina Diliberto at Diliberto Photo and Design.Be sure to check out her blog post on the project to see some of her amazing photographs of the cats.We entered the zoo as early as possible in hopes of catching the cats in action before it got too hot. The keepers did everything they could for us, letting the cats out a little at a time and entertaining them to help us to get good reference photographs. The day time temperatures here in Houston have been in the 100’s, making any cat feel a bit lethargic, so coming early was necessary.
Photographic reference is taken of the cats at the Houston Zoo.
We spent time talking with the keepers. Chris took many photographs. While I paid close attention to the details, anatomy and differences in the cast, all the while picking the brains of the carnivore keepers. I think we have about 500 photographs, and a wealth of information that can be used as reference.Though we are working on a “panther” we spent time taking pictures of all of the cats and not just the black leopard. The anatomy is not that different from cat to cat, and the keepers and I spent a great deal of time in comparisons and discussion. I’ll go into more detail about the term “panther” but first let me share with you some shots from the zoo. Of course, I agree with Christina’s choice, but here are a few more I like.
For me it is in the detail. “take pictures of the bottom of the feet.” Chris has worked with me long enough to know what I want. I hardly have to say anything.I like this last picture because it seems to be so symbolic of life. Sometimes you just have to find your footing! Chris said she was sorry she couldn’t zoom in and focus quick enough. I still love it.
My photographer of choice for any project is Christina Diliberto at Diliberto Photo and Design.
Photographic reference is taken of the cats at the Houston Zoo.
Research- Houston Zoo
It is amazing how much research goes into each sculpture project. Even if it is of a human, I spend a great deal of time trying to get to know my subjects. You could say I am becoming very intimate with the big cat. I have worked with the Houston Zoo on other projects and was delighted that they would climb on board and assist me in this project as well. They are very excited and hope they are invited to the unveiling.
I’d like to introduce to you Josh Young (carnivore keeper) and Samantha ( Sam) Junker (senior keeper carnivores.)
And of course Ivy is their black leopard- see future posts about the term “panther.”
How Big Is It?
That is a good question. Here is a sketch. Now, B. Mongeon Sculpture Design is not responsible for the pedestal, that would be the landscapers decision. But I’m for having a short pedestal. I am sure there are many students, visitors and alumni who will want to have their picture taken next to this massive sculpture. Hmmm. I wonder who will be the first? I hope you will all send your pictures to me Bridgette ( the at sign) creativesculpture.com. I would love to put them on the blog.
This is from the Prairie View A&M Blog created for this project.
New Photographs Of Interactions With Professor Hathaway. I LOVE IT!
These came into my inbox. I get so excited when someone sends me pictures of interactions with my sculpture of Professor Richard Hathaway. How cute are these? If you go to the sculpture you will notice that Dick’s foot has the patination worn off of it. I hear this is because little children like to climb on his foot and ride it. Some how I think that would make Dick smile.
Someone also sent me a video of a dog barking at a statue trying to get the statue to throw the stick. I wish I had one of these with Dick. O.k. Vermonters. Here is the challenge with all of your dogs- a video of your dog with Dick.Many thanks to the person who sent these to me. You made me smile!
Solar Sintering? Wow, 3D Printing is Even More Cool
Markus Kayser talks about SolarSintering Project on his website.
He states
“In a world increasingly concerned with questions of energy production and raw material shortages, this project explores the potential of desert manufacturing, where energy and material occur in abundance.
In this experiment sunlight and sand are used as raw energy and material to produce glass objects using a 3D printing process, that combines natural energy and material with high-tech production technology.
Solar-sintering aims to raise questions about the future of manufacturing and triggers dreams of the full utilization of the production potential of the world’s most efficient energy resource – the sun. Whilst not providing definitive answers, this experiment aims to provide a point of departure for fresh thinking.”
Markus Kayser – Solar Sinter Project from Markus Kayser on Vimeo.
New Panther Poses For Client
Preliminary Poses for the Prairie View Panther.
Thinking About Big Cats
As I work on the designs of the college mascot for Prairie View A&M University, I am thinking about big cats.
Unveiling For a New Sculpture by Bridgette Mongeon- Can’t Say Who
will be unveiled next week. Stay tuned for who this i.
This is a new sculpture that I will deliver from the foundry on Monday and is going to be unveiled next week. You will have to wait until then to see who it is of.
Ultimate Frisbee is Coming Along
Digital presentations are good for getting the message of a design to some clients, as was the case with the Ultimate Frisbee Player presentation. But, in reality there is much work to be done in the clay. More reference photographs were needed before I could proceed with the sculpture. So I hired a young man who was about the size of model to jump up and down in my studio yard, while I video taped him. Yes, video taped him, because I could not click the shutter quick enough to get the photographic reference that I needed on the folds.
Once the piece was complete it is approved by the client. Many clients don’t realize that most sculptures will be cut into pieces for the mold process. The artist goes to great extent to make things perfect for the client, but must redo the work once again when the sculpture is cut apart.
Piece to see about making a mold.
Together the client and I go over the different figures and I learn that securing the figures as we were intending could be construed as a foul. So, we change the design a bit.
Miguel comes to the studio from the foundry and gives me some pointers on the mold. It is a tiny piece and a mold will not be difficult but there are some things I am questioning and I enjoyed his opinion.
Then it was off to cutting apart the piece and making the molds. Which I did outside in the heat, because we are temporarily using my studio as a nursery for 3 feral cats who have given birth and dropped off their kittens on the porch. Everything that is lost ends up at my house/studio. The kittens are enjoying the studio and arrangements are being made to help them, but so I didn’t kill little kitty brain cells, I opted for creating molds outside on the studio porch. Sure hope the kittens are gone before the Prairie View A & M big cat is in there.
Soon we will see the waxes of the Ultimate frisbee player.
One Last Look at The Prairie View A&M Poses
My client, Prairie View A & M had some revisions and wanted an adjustment to poses. These were sent to them today. We are behind about 3 weeks on our deadline. Once we have these approvals I’ll be working closely with my vendors. Synappsys Digital Services is going to enlarge and mill this out for me in foam creating a large foam armature. I am trying to secure an apprentice to assist me for the next three weeks of very long days. I actually only have two weeks to sculpt this to get back on schedule. I am not sure that is physically possible, but if I score and secure the intern/apprentice I hope to get, I think I will be fine. Tired but fine!
These are digital sketches. Created using a 3d model found in Content Paradise and using Carrara to pose it, Mudbox and Zbrush to work on the some of the detail. It is impossible to get exactly what we want to see in a large sculpture.
There are several reasons. Just as it would be difficult creating a small maquette in clay that would be enlarged to a big cat. A sculptor sculpts to the eye and how it is viewed. The eye sees things differently large than it does small, and some things just won’t translate. That is why my client will be asked to approve the final sculpted piece before it goes to bronze.
To see these images larger, just click on each. I can’t wait to get the armature back and work on this.