The Process-Hockett Sculpture – Intuition?
Bound by deadlines of a memorial service I precede with the sculpture. I cannot control the foundry process, they need the time they need to prepare it, and so I work night and day trying to figure out who this Mr. Hockett is. How much of this process is intuition. I often wonder. Photographs, especially when you only have three, only show so much.
The Process-Hockett Sculpture
Creating a sculpture with little reference is challenging at best. Often I can capture the likeness in one direction, however when a sculpture is viewed from the side it might not look like the person at all. I have only three photographs of Mr. Hockett- a challenge. The clay has been added to the sculpture and the hat. Florencia works on putting details on the hat, carving in the vents, smoothing the clay and putting the designated texture.
Getting Back to Work
The stack of books and satchel that I bought are now covered with wax. Florencia will be cleaning the stack of books and covering them with clay, so that I can add the details. Meanwhile the sculpture of Dick sits patiently waiting for me to return. Two commissions have a tight deadline and I’ll get back to Dick as soon as they are complete.
Jeanine is Finally Home!
I was so thrilled to hear that Jeanine arrived safely, and that the parents found the sculpture very peaceful. I am honored to be able to give such a gift and help parents in the grieving of their loved one.
I really learned so much about myself through this commission. I talk about it in the book that I am writing “Bringing to Life the Spirit of the Deceased- A Sculptor’s Journey”. Thank you Jeanine.
How Do We Start?
The crockpots that heat up my clay and double boiler holding the wax are both turned on. First time for the new year.
For those of you interested in the process of sculpting here is how we are beginning on this new sculpture commission.
First I searched around for an inexpensive cowboy hat to use with the new commission. It will be covered with wax and clay to thicken it up enough to cast in bronze. I didn’t want to buy a good new expensive one. I Found this hat at Fiesta grocery store.
The armature that I use for this project is purchased from the ceramic store in Houston Texas http://www.ceramicstoreinc.com/.
I covered the armature with a plastic bag and then sprayed some spray foam into the bag. This is the kind that is used for insulation purposes and you can get at Lowes or Home Depot. It is messy to work with and the bag holds it somewhat in place. The next day I have to cut away some of the plastic bag so that the foam can cure. This foam gives me a lightweight structure for the clay. Once the foam is cured I can shape the head, as you see it now. Before I will put clay on this I will coat the entire thing with wax. This is done to keep all of grit from the foam out of my clay. I am a nut about that. I hate gritty clay! Florencia, my apprentice has helped me a great deal with all of this. She has put the put the wax on and the clay.
Now we begin our dance of me coming in the evening and making a mess while I sculpt and she coming in and smoothing out areas of the sculpture and cleaning up after me. Today she asked me, “just what do you do in here at night.” As she was picking up my mess. I guess I am focused and don’t really notice until either I am done for the evening or my tools become buried in scraps of clay.
A New Life Size Newsboy
Another life size newsboy was ordered. We have been working on it the last few months. I went to the foundry yesterday to take some photographs of the work. This new bronze has a great story with it, that I will have to share at a later date. It is a surprise for someone.
Sample Chapters And A New Relationship
The book chapters that need to go to the printer are done and sitting here waiting for the proofreader. These are just the chapters for the proposal. There are many more to work on. Every spare moment will be spent working on getting the book ready. I am thrilled with the content and incredible things I have learned by writing “Bringing to Life the Spirit of the Deceased-A Sculptor’s Journey”
The sculpture bust posted on December 26th is on hold. I will be making this man look younger. This should be something to document. Stay tuned.
On to Mr Hockett. Blessed, blessed, blessed to be working on this sculpture. I write in my book that I develop a relationship with the deceased through this process. I look forward to developing a relationship with Mr Hockett.
A New Commission
https://creativesculpture.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/Hockett-791474.jpg
I am always blessed to create posthumous sculpture. I would like to introduce to you Stan Hockett
The memorial printed and sent to me states-
We are saddened to share the news of the passing of one of the true Heroes of Faith, Stan Hockett. Stan went to be with his precious Saviour on October 24th, 2006, in his home in Manhattan,, Montana. Stan and his wife, Simone, served the Lord in North Dakota from 1962-1995, first with the American Sunday school Union and then founding the organization that became FaHoCha bible Conference.
There will be a memorial service in North Dakota in the spring of 2007. The date and invitation will be printed in this publication at a later time when the details are secure. Stan was one of the most Godly, loving and caring man that you will ever meet, with faith and trust in God that was unmatched. He was a cowboy and a hero through and through. His legacy continues as one of Godliness and lives touched by his ministry. My life (Jay Deckert), just one of the many touches. There would be no greater way to honor Stan and who he was, than by living our lives to serve and love God with our whole heart. He had a saying that went like this, “We will see you again here, there, or in the air.” This time, Stan, it will have to be in the air. May we all meet you there!
1924-2006
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Signing Off On A Sculpture
Just be sure that everything is the way it should be before the sculpture goes into the bronze process. After that, changes can cost a considerable amount of money. In fact, I have my clients sign off on the project at the final sitting, before the sculpture goes to the foundry.
The fear of capturing the expression of someone and investing your time and money into a process with the results being unsure is something to think about. If you have reviewed the artist’s work and credentials and like the artists work, if you have discussed your fears and expectations and provided the artist with the resources that they need, and if you know the artists process includes your input, then your can be assured that the sculpture will be something you like. With all of that said you must remember, it is art, and even my contract states…
“It is here by understood and agreed that it may not be possible to create the Work exactly as described herein or as depicted in preliminary designs, and the Artist shall only be bound to use her best aesthetic judgment to create the Work according to the style and intent of the design, The artist is hereby free to make design modifications as the work progresses.”
I point this out because there was one commission, a posthumous commission where it was impossible to please the client. I have written about this commission in my book “Bringing to Life the Spirit of the Deceased—A Sculptor’s Journey” and at first I was very irritated with the entire process. But my feelings soon changed. You see I was the 3rd or 4th artist that this man came to. He was trying to capture the image of his deceased wife. Though he said I did the best job in capturing a likeness, the commission never came to a finalization. It was after much prayer and consideration that I believe I understood why this happened.
First I think the man was trying to get the artists to create something that just could not be created. In a way I think he wanted his wife back and expected the sculpture to somehow fulfill this need. The second reason was because I have noticed with posthumous sculpture that the emotion, the healing the grieving does not happen when the client comes for the approval and sees this three dimensional loved one, on the contrary it happens when the sculpture is placed, complete and there is nothing left for the client to do but grieve. Until that time the client can busy themselves with the process. The commission gives them something else to do before having nothing else but loss.
Change What?
First let me explain that in a final sitting with the sculptor there is an adjustment period. Moments when you first see the sculpture and you must stop, take time with the sculpture and absorb it. In the case of creating a sculpture in memory of a deceased loved one this can have many other emotions attached to it.
Please be aware that when you do come to a final sitting it is important to be as explicit in your thoughts as possible. Don’t just say it looks strange, say, there looks like there might be too much distance here, or the right eye looks closed and should be opened more. Then let the artist do their work. You see when you work in three dimensional work the artist might have to translate what you say and see if there is something else that is off. If the face looks to narrow, it could be the placement of the ears. If the eyes look too close, it might be the width of the nose. The artist must assimilate your comments and perform their magic.