I’m A Genius! 3D Printing Of The Human Organs?
I’m a genius, or maybe my brain just thinks such radical thoughts that now and again I think like a genius. For those of you who don’t know, my graduate study at Goddard College consists of research that bridges the gap between the traditional studio and new technology. For a sculptor, such as myself, this technology is based on something that I call tradigi sculpting which utilizes both traditional and digital means to create artwork. My research is evaluating digital milling. Digital milling is taking my artwork, scanning it and then enlarging or reducing it to be milled out in foam, wood or stone. Digital printing is another resource and a technology that is quickly growing and changing. It is when a computer and a digital printing machine slowly prints, layer by layer, in 3d. What you end up with is a physical object. Yes, I know it sounds like the replicating machines on Star Trek, but this is not science fiction.
Recently I uncovered the work of both Sebastien Dion from the Center for Applied Technology at Bowling Green University in Ohio and Solheim Rapid Manufacturing Laboratory at the University of Washington in Seattle. Both have been researching and printing in ceramic. Solheim has even printed their ceramic “recipe” in the Ceramic Arts Daily, February 1, 2009, article “The Printed Pot.”
As my research continues, I thought, “It appears that 3D digital printing is all about having the right “recipe”. It is just coming up with the correct binder and the correct material to fuse.” This is where my brain started to go into genius mode and my research landed on what I’m about to share. I know that Science is using 3D printing to help them visualize scientific data. For example space physics simulations or molecular models that help scientists visualize proteins. This allows scientists a way to examine information in a physical way that has never been available to them prior to 3D printing.
Science is also using 3D printing to print a medical implant that fits perfectly with a patient. The reason is that it is created from MRI scan data of a patient. ) Surgeons can also use 3D printing to help them with their surgeries. By having the physical replica of a patient they can practice surgery or see complications. 3D prints are also used in education. How about printing skin in a 3D digital printer? Just think what this would mean to a burn victim. Or how about replicating a bone with 3d printing? And doing so out of bone material to replace a patient’s own shattered bone? Because our bodies are symmetrical a left arm bone could be recreated by using images of the right arm.
If all of this technology and 3D printing is not fascinating enough, I thought, “If it takes just the right binder and recipe, is it possible to print organs?” I was afraid to even say it out loud to my husband, a medical illustrator, who I knew would at least hear my crazy idea and not laugh too hard. But with further research, I turned out not to be so mad after all. Indeed 3D organ printing is happening or at least being studied. Here are some journal articles and videos to prove it. This is absolutely fascinating! Just check out the video with Dr. Gabor Forgacs, University of Missouri-Columbia. He talks about how the bio printer prints out living cell clusters drop by drop that fuse together to create tissue structures. Have a damaged organ? One day they will be able print out the organ needed and do it using your cells! Perhaps the printer will print within your own body cavity. Yes, there is still some headway to be made with this technology, but the technology is here and on it’s way. My crazy thinking is actually genius!
by Bridgette Mongeon
https://creativesculpture.com
At and Technology Podcasts coming April/May 2010
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Learning New Information To Share With Others
I have been very busy working on the Mudbox book. I have also pitched a second book all on my graduate studies of 3D digital printing, milling and scanning as it pertains to the traditional art studio. I’ll let you know as soon as the publisher bites. Meanwhile it is on to finishing the Mudbox book and continuing my studies and research. I have found some great videos on a wonderful site called Guerilla CG. I would highly recommend it.
Since I am now working on retopologizing and writing about that huge word. This video was important to me. As you will learn, quads are better than triangles when it comes to sculpting or animating. So I am learning how to take my artwork that is scanned and retopologize it so that I can change it in Mudbox and then print it out. I have an article about the scanning process that should be coming out soon on my Best of Artists and Artisan’s Sculpture column. I’ll be sure to put the link here when it comes out. Now back to research.
Our Interviews with Creative Christians.
For those of you who do not know, besides sculpting and writing I also create a podcast that is sponsored by my God’s Word Collectible gift line. Inspirations/Generations has added a new segment called Inspirations Creative Christians. We are interviewing creative Christians to learn about their faith, process, inspiration and other things. You can find all of our podcasts on the God’s Word Collectibles website. Or on our God’s Word Collectibles Facebook Fans page.
Here is a description of our first Creative Christians podcasts. If you would like to listen, just click on the links.
October 2009
Creative Christian Interview- Brad Stine Part 2
Christian Comedian Brad Stine talks about his creativity as a child, his creative process and the importance of creativity in the Body of Christ Part 2 (Inspirations_Creative Christians 0045 45 minutes)
Creative Christians Interview- Brad Stine Part 1
Christian Comedian Brad Stine talks about his creativity as a child, his creative process and the importance of creativity in the Body of Christ Part 2 (Inspirations_Creative Christians 0045 31 minutes)
September
Creative Christian Interview- Strand of Pearls
Kellie Copeland Swisher has been a creative Christian her entire life— working at Kenneth Copeland Ministries, making movies, developing children’s curriculum and her recent creative endeavor of Blue Grass Gospel singing group Strand of Pearls. In this interview she shares her thoughts on creativity and her inspiration. (Inspirations_00043 55.47 minutes)
July
Creative Christians- interview with actor, speaker and award winning author Donna VanLier
This is the first podcast of a new series called Creative Christians. Here we will interview many different individuals on their creativity process, their faith and the struggles and inspiration. The first creative Christians Segment is with Donna VanLiere Speaker, actress and award winning author. (Inspirations_0037 43 minutes)
3D Printing In Ceramic! So Cool!
Too cool, 3D printing in ceramics! Yes. I love this idea. I love where the technology is going. Check out Ceramic Arts Daily article The Printed Pot. Solheim is on my list for interviews.
3d Printing In Sand And Metal!
I was invited by Bob wood to the proMetal shop here in Houston. We have another engagement for Bob to come to the studio as soon as my schedule frees up a bit.
I was thrilled to be able to see the process of printing in sand. Yes, there you have it… 3D printing in sand! As usual this technology was first developed for manufacturing as you see by this casting of this fly wheel thing.
I’m also putting some pictures up of their 3D digital printing in metal. This is another part of of the company. The skull was created that way. Yes, they say they can print in bronze or gold! I’ll be describing this process in an up and coming book.
The sand is like the investment cast on the mold. and it is printed in this huge machine that Bob Wood and I are standing in front of. If this process can be perfected to get smooth surfaces it can really take over the investment casting of bronze casting. The lost wax method would literally be history, and there would be no more storing all of those molds! YEAH TO THAT! plus once the art is computerized it could be made to fit piece to piece. In other words, the seams would be put together like a puzzle. in the computer aiding in the welding together. So cool. The possibilities of this are incredible.
I have to get through the Mudbox book first. But am chomping at the bit about starting this other book. It will cover all of the new technology of output from the computer, as well as getting items into the computer— Digital scanning. So excited!
The Documentation Of Creating a Life-Size Newsboy Sculpture
This part of Bridgette Mongeon’s blog documents the entire process of creating a life-size sculpture from start to finish. You are welcome to follow the links below, of course they will go backwards. But if you want to start from the front and go back, follow this chronological order.
Students and Teachers.
There are study materials, questions and educational material for much of the process. They are listed below.
Archives from sculptor Bridgette Mongeon and
The Texas Press Association Newsboy sculpture
To read previous journal entry click on the desired date
August 26, 2004
The News
I receive the information that I have been awarded the commission of the Newsboy for the Texas Press Association. In this journal entry I share some of passion for sculpting children and the photo of the Jesse Award created for the Houston Chronicle
Students learn about • Art and History
• Geography
August 27-30, 2004
Thoughts on The Project
• The beginning of the thought process concerning the sculpture
Students learn about • The difference between newsboy and news carrier
• The death of a newsboy • The history of newsboys in America and the Spanish American War
August 28
The Beginning
Students learn about • The first newsboy
August 31, 2004
How I Pick a Pose
• An artist’s reference, Picking a pose
Students learn about • The call of the newsboy events that happened in the last 125 years.
Sept 2, 2004
The Meeting
• Meeting with the Texas Press Association • Deciding on a pose
Students learn about • History of the lost wax method
September 5-7, 2004
Beginning the Small Sculpture
• Working with a model and roughing in the small newsboy sculpture
Students learn about • The history of knickers
September 8-10, 2004
The Sculpting of the Small Newsboy
• Roughing in the face of the small newsboy
Students learn about • Scaling a sculpture • 3D figures of sculptures
September 11-17, 2004
More Research on Clothes
and Sculpting of the Newsboy
• Researching newsboy outfit, zippers, and suspenders.
Students learn about • The newsboy strike of 1899 • the history of the zipper
September 18-26, 2004
A Sewing Pattern for Knickers
and Sculpting Continues
• Roughing in the small newsboy, finding a vintage 1929 newsboy clothing pattern
Students learn about• How artists use proportion and measurements.
September 27-October 3, 2004-
The Creative Process
• Article Printed in the tribune • International newspaper carrier day
• Creative thinking process
Students learn about • History of the sewing machine
• Sewing a 1929 pattern for the newsboy
October 4-11, 2004-
Sculpting Tricks and More Research
• Sculpting tricks
Students learn about • Motivation with their art
October 11-18, 2004-
Sewing a Vintage Outfit From An Old Pattern
• Sewing the outfit for the model • The final pose
Students learn about • Leisure time of a newsboy • Old toys
October 19-25, 2004-
The Finished Small Newsboy Sculpture
• Finishing the small sculpture • Receiving approval
Students learn about • The importance of folds and how to create them.
October 25- November 1, 2004-
Preparing the small Sculpture for the Foundry
• Preparing the small newsboy sculpture for the foundry
• A visit to the capitol building
Students learn about • Elizabet Ney and the history of Texas art • The Texas State Capitol building.
November 2-8, 2004-
Reviewing the Process of Creating
an Original Work of Art
• A review of the previous three months of progress.
• Information about copyrights and limited edition bronzes
Students learn about • Copyrights
November 9-12, 2004-
The Beginning of the Sculpting
on the Life-size Newsboy
• Beginning of the life size newsboy sculpture • Creating the armature
Students learn about • The Penny Press • Yellow Journalism • Newspaper production at the time period of our newsboy
November 13-21, 2004
The Beginning of the Sculpting
on the Life-size Newsboy cont.
• Roughing in the large newsboy sculpture.
Students learn about • How to enlarge a sculpture
November 29- December 6, 2004 –
The Future Journey of our Newsboy
• The future journey of our newsboy
Students learn about
• The State Preservation Board
• The Texas Capitol building
• Texas Legislature • The Texas Senate
December 7 – December 13, 2004-
Frustration Of the Creative Process
• The future journey of our newsboy
Students learn about
• Newsboy Strike • The zipper
December 14 – December 21, 2004-
The Morphing of a Sculpture
December 22 – December 27, 2004
-Working Through the Holidays
December 28- January 3, 2004-
Huge Strides In the life Size Sculpture
January 3-10, 2005-
Now WeAre Getting There
First small newsboy bronze • Head is added to the life size sculpture
January 11-17, 2005-
Details on Life-Size Sculpture Come Together
January 18-21, 2005-
Adding the Hand to the Life-size Sculpture and
Sculpting a Newspaper
January 22-29, 2005-
Sculpting is Complete on the Life-size Newsboy
January 31-February 7, 2005-
The Mold Making Process
February 8-14, 2005
Mold Making Rubber and Fiberglass
February 15-21, 2005-
Pouring the Wax
February 22-28, 2005-
Working the Wax
March 1-7, 2005-
The Dip. Learn about the next step in the bronze casting process – the dip.
March 8-15,2005-
The Metal Pour
Students learn about • The Bronze Casting Process
March 16-April 11, 2005-
Putting the Metal Together
April 12-May, 2005-
Correcting the Metal
May 2005-
Completion of the Newsboy Sculpture
The newsboy sculpture is complete.
May 8 2005
Newsboy Life Size Editions.
Learn about the editions of the newsboy number one and two.
November 29, 2006
The Newsboy Placed
Bridgette visits Austin Texas and sees her sculpture installed. It is her first time seeing it.
November 28, 2006
Another Life-Size Newsboy To Be Created
For $20,000 the artist sells reproductions of the newsboy. Another paper has purchased a newspaper. They are going to pay the extra $2,000 to have the newsboy headline changed to something of their liking.
December 7, 2006
Another Order For a Small Newsboy
For $1,350 plus shipping Bridgette sends the small newsboys to newspapers all over the country. It makes a great gift for a recognition of accomplishment.
January 12, 2007
A New Life Size Newsboy
See number two in the edition of the bronze newsboy at the foundry in bronze.
May 2005- Present-
The Life Size Limited Edition
The placement of the first in the edition of ten life-size bronze Newsboys and the remaining sculptures as purchased complete with their headlines changed to reflect times in history.
March 23, 2007
Artist Carves History In Bronze
A press release about how sculptor Bridgette Mongeon has a limited edition bronze sculpture in which she creates headlines in her bronze newspaper that match her clients inspiration.
May 21, 2007
An Update on Number Two in the Edition of The Life Size Newsboy Bronze
The artist is honored that the headline for number two in the edition for this paper winning the Pulitzer for their fight against the KKK.
November 27, 2007
Newsboy Goes to Canada
Often people will purchase the small newsboy figurine for awards. Learn about the story of the O’Brien family and their contribution to the industry in this post.
May 19, 2009
It Is Getting Moldy Around Here- LOL
Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon searches for all of the molds of the newsboy to send to the foundry.
May 22, 2009
Body Parts About The Studio
June 12, 2009
Wax Newspapers
Bridgette changes the paper that the newsboy holds to reflect a paper in the history of each collector.
July 10, 2009
Newsboy Commemorates Journalism … Again!
Number three in the edition is sold. This time the newsboy will sell his papers in the North West.
July 21, 2009
The Newsboy Will Ship in The Morning!
The sculpture for the Tri-City Herald ships to Kennewick, Washington. Of course the artist changed the paper.
July 17, 2009
What is a Metal Check?
Sculptor Bridgette Mongeon travels to the foundry. She repeats what she has done so many times before.
Sept 5, 2009
Recent Media on The Newsboy Sculpture
A Third Newsboy is Placed in Kennewick WA
September 5, 2009
Television Coverage of the Unveiling of the Newsboy Sculpture
Unfortunately the link was removed as of May 2020.
Television coverage of the unveiling of the Newsboy sculpture.
Here is a link to the television coverage on the Newsboy sculpture.
Recent Media on The Newsboy Sculpture
‘Newsboy’ sculpture unveiled
By Dori O’Neal, Herald staff writer -September 4, 2009
When it comes to hawking newspapers, the first thing most people think of is the paperboy from yesteryear.
You know the one. He sported a Gatsby hat and wool knickers and stood on street corners waving the latest edition while hollering, “Extra! Extra! Read all about it!”
The Downtown Kennewick Merchants Association thought the same thing and paid homage to that historic newsboy by adding its latest public sculpture — aptly titled Newsboy — to the corner of Dayton Street and Kennewick Avenue.
The unveiling was Thursday and kicked off Kennewick’s monthly art walk festivities.
The 4-foot-tall bronze was created by artist Bridgette Mongeon of Texas. She has two other similar newsboy sculptures on display in Austin, Texas, and in North Carolina, said Tim Dalton, executive director of the merchants association.
“We wanted to add a piece of public art like this to our collection because of the historic aspect the newspaper has played here for many, many years,” Dalton said.
The statue is a block south of the Tri-City Herald which has been in downtown Kennewick since 1948, when it moved into a former cannery.
The sculpture depicts a young man holding a newspaper high over his head. The newspaper’s flag reads “Tri-City Herald” above the top story about a Grapefest celebration.
“Grapefest started in 1910,” Dalton said. “It’s not the most continuous festival in the Tri-Cities but it is the oldest so it seemed appropriate to have it be the lead story on the newspaper.”
Several dozen people gathered Thursday for the unveiling as Mark Blotz, president of the downtown association, touted the volunteerism that went into the planning of the project.
Nicole Stewart, 33, lives across the street from the sculpture’s new home and likes the idea of having a piece of art to look at from her kitchen window each day.
“It’s truly awesome,” she said. “Not many places offer this kind of outdoor art.”
Brothers Daxton, 6, and Clayton Doty, 11, thought the sculpture was cool, but didn’t find it inspiring enough to sign up for a paper route, they said.
The sculpture cost $22,000. About $10,000 was raised by the merchant association through fundraisers. The Herald donated $3,500 with several businesses and private citizens donating the rest, Dalton said.
Blotz hopes to see every corner in downtown Kennewick with a piece of public art one day. The downtown area now has eight pieces.
“To have one on every corner would be wonderful,” he said. “We’ll see how it goes.”
My Precious Mom and Cohost- Now Resides in Heaven- Press Release for God’s Word Collectibles
We are saddened that Barbara Ingersoll, one of the cohosts of the Inspiration/Generations Podcast that was known as Graham and was mother to cohost Bridgette Mongeon, grandmother to cohost Christina Sizemore, has gone to be with the Lord. Barbara was getting quite a following since the conception of the podcasts in 2008. The podcasts were born out of fervent prayer between the three women.
Barbara reports in one of the first podcasts, “Four years ago I fell and broke both of my hips so that has put an end to physically active ministry for me, but though I am in my 70’s and disabled, it does not put an end to the work of the Holy Spirit through me or through anyone really. That is one of the reasons why I wanted to do this podcast because I can’t do active ministry, but I can do this, talking on the phone and that is easy for me.”
Barbara suffered from osteoarthritis and several other ailments through her life. She lived almost every day of her life in pain, yet God sustained her and strengthened her faith. The three women discussed just before Barbara’s death that the Generational podcast can continue through the many journals that Barbara has written over her lifetime. In one of the last entries Barbara states, “ I proclaim to all the earth and all powers and principalities that these are healing podcasts —no matter where you are in your walk with the Lord… However far you have come in your journey.”
Before her passing Barbara participated in over 38 podcasts. Her last interview was with Ruth Graham, together they talked about healing hurting women. That was a yearning for Barbara throughout her entire life. In her younger days she developed support groups for hurting women and then trained leaders for support groups. She did this throughout western New York and Canada. The transition from life to life everlasting held its own blessings and are recorded in a podcast titled “What happens at Death.” Where the two cohosts report on the conversations and visitations that their mom and grandmother had from those who went before her. This part of death was a touching and healing process for all. On Thursday Augusts 20, 2009 a memorial service was held for Barbara. This too has also been added to this list of podcasts as her life and ministry were celebrated by many.
There is nothing more honoring for Barbara’s life to have her ministry continue to help women. To have her past, her fortitude and struggles make a difference in someone else’s life. We ask that you continue to pray for the Inspiration/Generations podcast, become a regular listener and share the links with others.
You can find the podcast at http://www.godsword.net and read the bios of the hosts. The site tells you how to subscribe in Itunes. You can also find the podcasts on the Gods’ Word Facebook Fans page.
If you would like to make a donation to the Inspiration/Generations podcast ministry you can do so through the secure servers at Pay Pal or by sending a check to God’s Word Collectible Sculptures Inspirations/Generations Podcast PO Box, 10562, Houston, Texas 77206. We would also like to encourage you to support our sponsor. God’s Word Collectibles.
The Newsboy Will Ship in The Morning!
Today was the day that we put color on the life-size newsboy sculpture that is headed to Kennewick, Washington. As I mentioned, the shipping company is picking it up in the morning.
The color on a bronze is referred to as the Patina. This sculpture has a traditional patina.
The client asked to see all of the papers that we created representing the Tri City Herald. There are some under the newsboys arm, one in his right hand and a stack at his feet. All have the headline and masthead of the client’s newspaper.
Upon arriving the sculpture has been sand blasted. It looks less shiny than it did when we were here just last week. The sculpture, once sand blasted is ready to receive the patina.
To create the patina the foundry man first heats up the sculpture and then sprays and brushed on different chemicals. He will rub back areas that are supposed to be lighter. I like to alternate color, shoes dark, socks light, pants dark, shirt light etc. Though once placed outdoors the traditional patina will continue to darken. The foundry puts a protective coat of lacquer on the sculpture one the entire patina is complete.
I’m including some close ups of the detail in the shoe. Yes, it is a sculpted shoe. And my signature and copyright on the piece is in the inside of the newspaper that the young man is holding under his arm. Of course there are other things in the newspapers that carry a story, but that is for another post.
Tomorrow the sculpture is crated and shipped. I can’t wait to see the newsboy placed.