Interns, assistants and apprentices

Introducing my newest apprentice. This is Layne she is a senior at Lamar High School. She is also on the teen council at the Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston (CAM). That brings back memories. My daughter was on that council when she was in high school. I believe it was the first Teen council. It is a great opportunity for an artist. They put together events and host a youth art show. It is quite a feather in your cap to be able to say that you showed at CAM. My daughter Chris was on Teen council in 2000. In those two years the council hosted two shows. Faux, Foe, Pho and Lather Rinse and Repeat. Someday I must post the funny story that goes with Christina’s artwork.

When I asked Layne, why she wanted to work in the studio she said, “Good opportunity to expose myself to a different type of art, one that I have never done.”

Some exposure. Her first night I showed her how to scrape clay off of the floor. Yes, a mundane task, but it must be done regularly or clay gets tracked into my home. And there can come a point when you can’t walk in the studio because your feet stick. While I showed her how, she helped prepare some sculptures to leave the studio, and mounted a bronze on a wooden base.

All apprentices come in and clean up the mess I made the night before. I work diligently to get things ready for them to work on. Right now it is the life size sculpture of Dick Hathaway. That will be “our” project for the fall/winter. I try to be neat about it, but I guess the creative process takes over.

The clay that I work with is used over and over, so we are always cutting the clay off of the previous sculpture to be melted down, and once cut off we go through each piece to make sure it is clean enough to be put in the pot.

Once all of the mundane chores are done, Layne sets into sculpting the clay satchel that Bryan was working on. I could tell she enjoyed working in the clay, though the tools take some time to get used to.

Welcome Layne!

It seems like I just did this. Bryan has worked out very well, however his work load at his full time job seems to be getting a little hectic and he has notified me that he is not sure how dependable he can be. He will still be coming in, but it may be a good idea to begin the search again. If you are interested or you know of someone who might be interested in being an apprentice in an art studio, have them contact me. The complete description is listed below. I have a couple of interviews already, however I have a huge project that I bid on. If it comes through we may need a few people in here.

Houston Sculptor is seeking fall/winter apprentice.

This job consists of working in a real art studio with a master sculptor as well as in the foundry for bronze casting when necessary. Work is figurative. Your duties would include anything from smoothing clay, helping to make armatures for life size sculpture, assisting artist with working waxes for the bronze process and clean up. The work can get dirty. Desire for art and a summer commitment is the only prerequisite.

This is not a paying internship however there are sometimes bonuses involved and the learning experience and exposure are invaluable. The artist’s studio is located just north of the 610 loop off of shepherd. Hours are flexible, we can work around your schedule if you can committed to at least 5-10 hours a week. Upon completion of the summer the artist would be happy to write a letter of recommendation for the student for college or job.

If you would like to see some of the artist work or look at how other apprentices have helped check out the blogs listed below.

https://creativesculpture.com/blog/
http://www.dickhathaway.blogspot.com/
Artist’s web site is located at https://creativesculpture.com

Please contact Bridgette through her contact page on her website
And put Intern/Apprentice in the Subject headline. Be sure to let me know when you are available and your desire. If you are under 18 we will need to meet at my studio with your parents and they will be required to sign a consent form.

Welcome to my new apprentice Bryan. Bryan has been doing some oil painting and thought that he would like to expand his artistic exposure. He will be in the studio for the remainder of the summer. I wasted no time with putting him to work. We are working on making two molds for bronze.

My apprentice, Florencia must leave the studio for a time. I am hoping she will be back and she has stated she will be in on weekends when she can. I was happy to hear her say that the studio was not only a wonderful place to work, but a sort of creative refuge. I feel that way, and the surrounding area with pond, stream, turtles and fish also aids in that.

I have been sending out press releases to schools, summer is a good time to find a junior or senior student who loves art. Feel free to pass this along to those you know who may be interested.
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Houston Sculptor is seeking summer apprentice.

This job consists of working in a real art studio with a master sculptor as well as in the foundry for bronze casting when necessary. Work is figurative. Your duties would include anything from smoothing clay, helping to make armatures for life size sculpture, assisting artist with working waxes for the bronze process and clean up. The work can get dirty. Desire for art and a summer commitment is the only prerequisite.

This is not a paying internship however there are sometimes bonuses involved and the learning experience and exposure are invaluable. The artist’s studio is located just north of the 610 loop off of shepherd. Hours are flexible, we can work around your schedule if you can committed to at least 5-10 hours a week. Upon completion of the summer the artist would be happy to write a letter of recommendation for the student for college or job.

If you would like to see some of the artist work or look at how other apprentices have helped check out the blogs listed below.

https://creativesculpture.com/blog/
http://www.dickhathaway.blogspot.com/
Artist’s web site is located at https://creativesculpture.com

Please contact Bridgette at
Bridgette@creativesculpture.com
And put Intern/Apprentice in the Subject headline. Be sure to let me know when you are available and your desire. If you are under 18 we will need to meet at my studio with your parents and they will be required to sign a consent form.

I wanted to take a moment and introduce you to my apprentices.

Jennifer worked in the studio through the summer. She was an incredible worker and on the ball. So dependable! Unfortunately she was a high school student and her job is now to study and get ready for graduation. Jennifer helped me with the beginning of a life size sculpture and making the mold of Lucas.

Florencia is Jennifer’s replacement. An aspiring artist and mom she enjoys getting away from the house and getting her hands in clay. She is a great worker. Florencia is learning to work on the waxes, work on a life size sculpture and help me with other things.

Miguel is a constant in the studio, helping with waxes and mold making.

The job of an apprentice… prepare armatures, put clay on armatures, help keep the studio clean, help make molds, clean waxes, and lots of the time they pick up after me. I work late into the evening. My intimate alone time with my subject. I scrape on the large pieces and add to the sculpture. When I am done the apprentice comes in and cleans up all of my mess from the previous nights scraping and helps to smooth out the clay. Smoothing the wax base clay is a physical undertaking. Without the help of these people my arms and hands would not be able to withstand everything I put them through. It probably does not help that in my off time from the studio I do carpentry work and work in the garden. I guess the apprentices help to give my hands some rest.

It is a great opportunity to work with an artist in the studio. I wish I would have had it when I was younger.

Much thanks to the people behind the artist.

My apprentice, Jennifer, had her last day today. I will miss her greatly! She was such a trooper, working diligently to improve my creation. Have fun in Key West Jennifer! A well deserved vacation.

Now I hope I can find someone to replace her. Someone who loves art and wants to learn. I love having apprentices. It is such an informal way to instruct and to learn. For the life of me I don’t know why we don’t have more of that sort of things these days. The lost art of apprenticeship.