Business
A Wonderful New Photographer and Press Release
I have a wonderful new photographer her name is Georgina Longoria. We are working on some editorial pictures and other creative endeavors together. A few of the photographs that she has taken for me. These were taken in the cemetery.
Welcome to The Studio Layne
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!
Interviewing Again For An Apprentice
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.
A New Article About My Work- Newsboy
There is a new article about the newsboy that can be found on this link
It is a pdf, scroll to page 4 North Carolina Press Association newsletter. (This link no longer available.)
Here is quote from the article written by Brian Rapp,
Rusty Carter, Horaces’ son and president of the Tribune’s parent company, Atlantic Corp.
“A lot of times you never know what you’ll get with a sculpture unless you buy it off the shelf, but it turned out better than I ever expected. We’ve already gotten an extraordinary amount of comment about it from all over the region.”
The New Website Is Up!
I have finally uploaded my new web site! Complete with bells and whistles! Please feel free to float around it and let me know what you think. The front page has revolving pictures on it, the navigation now goes to the new forum and blog and the gallery is a new application as well. We hope to add video in the near future.
There is more to add, but for now this is sufficient.
Now I am busy trying to add modifications to the forum to make it easier to use and to keep all of the spam bots out! It is a major undertaking because it is in code. I have also finally found software to help me create my monthly newsletter and maintain the mailing list. I expect my first newsletter to go out in August. The computer/web/forum/newsletter/listserver stuff hurts my brain. It feels much better when I am in the studio just creating!
Welcome To My New Apprentice
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.
A New and Improved Website?
I’m always amazed at the amount of time that some office and marketing things take. I am in the process of revamping my web page. Who would have thought it was so big with 180 plus pages, some that many people cannot get into unless they happen upon them.
The process is a total restructuring of the design, new content, an update on artwork a forum to help individuals with their creative endeavors and more interactivity. I hope it is done pretty soon as it is taking up entirely too much of my time. It is however something that has been long due as the site has been the same for quite some time. One can tell by the copyright notice on some of the pages, many pages say 2001!
Goodbye Florencia- I’m Looking For a New Apprentice.
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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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.
Artist Carves History in Bronze
I have been working on creating some new pages to my web site. The newsboy gallery can be found by clicking on the Newsboy category
And I have uploaded pictures of the newsboy placed in Austin. There are no pictures of the number two in the edition, as my client has not given it to his father yet.
I have been sending out press releases about creating the newspaper to match newspapers in history. I’m hoping to sell out the edition of the newsboy, there are eight left, and creating newspapers throughout history. I really would like to see one of these in Buffalo, N.Y. and also one in Washington.
The press release follows.
Newspaper Headlines Through History are Being Carved in Bronze.
Is it not interesting to think about which newspaper headlines stand out in the history of our country? What newspaper headline would stand out in the publication of your own newspaper?
In 2005 Texas based sculptor Bridgette Mongeon was commissioned by the Texas Press Association, to capture an important time in newspaper history—the age of newsboys. You can almost hear the cries of, “Extra! Extra! Read all about it…” from the mouth of the bronze newsboy who is caught in full stride as he hawks his newspapers on the street corner. The artwork, originally created for the Texas State Capitol building, presently resides outside the offices of the Texas Press Association in Austin, Texas. A table-top bronze of the Newsboy was also created as a limited edition art for home or office.
In January of 2007, Ms. Mongeon was contacted by a client wanting to know if the life-size bronze newsboy was part of a limited edition, and if it was available for purchase as a gift for his father, a former newspaper publisher. He inquired if the newspaper that the Newsboy was selling could be recreated to resemble his father’s newspaper capturing the year they were awarded the Pulitzer Prize. The artist created a bronze Newsboy to the client’s specifications, and it became number two of this edition of ten. It will soon be presented to his father. The story of the Pulitzer Prize winning paper is intriguing, but cannot be revealed until after the surprise bronze is presented.
The idea of carving and capturing history in bronze so intrigued Ms. Mongeon that she is committing to do the same thing for the remaining editions of the bronze Newsboys and is presently seeking newspapers and placement for the remaining eight life-size bronze sculptures.
Upon request, the new masthead and headline are painstakingly carved into the front of each paper. There are several papers in the sculpture that need to be changed, there is a newspaper the Newsboy holds, several under his arm, and a stack at his feet. The back of the newspaper remains the same, a subhead line that reads, “In Memory of Skinny and Others.” This was created from a historical article that the artist read about how newsboys would take out an ad in the paper if one of their own died. It is the artist’s way of posthumously recognizing the contribution of the newsboys.
When the artist is asked if there is a specific newspaper in history or place that she would like to see one of the bronzes installed she replied, “I live in Texas but was born in Buffalo, New York. I would love to see a Newsboy placed in my hometown, and if I could pick the place, I would love to see one near the Albright Knox Art Gallery. To have one in Washington D.C. would also be great.” The Newsboy is not Mongeon’s only newspaper related art sculpture. She was also commissioned by the Houston Chronicle to create a small sculpture of Jesse Jones that is given as The Jesse Award to outstanding individuals at the Houston Chronicle.
A writer as well as a sculptor Ms. Mongeon has a heart for journalism and communication and has created an online journal of the entire eight-month process of creating the life-size bronze Newsboy and small Newsboy collectible. The journal extends from research to casting and placement of each of the pieces in the edition. She has added an educational section to help students and teachers learn and teach about art, journalism, history and even politics, all relating to the bronze Newsboy. The journal is rich in online resources for further education. The sculptor expresses a desire to be involved in the education of the children in each area that the Newsboy is placed. “The Newsboy is not only a symbol for the newspaper industry, it is a symbol of the strength of children. These newsboys and girls changed history with their newspaper strike of 1899, which affected the child labor laws. Just because you are small doesn’t mean you can’t make a difference, and this is an important concept for children to learn,” state Ms. Mongeon.
The Newsboy journal can be found at the artists’ web site located at www.creativesculpture.com. If you are interested in one of the remaining editions of the Newsboy and have a headline to match, Ms. Mongeon would love to hear from you and can be reached at her contact form. Then together the publisher and artist will carve history in bronze.
This article/press release can be used word for word. If you would like to interview the artist or require more information for a story please contact the artist.
The Winners Of a Student Art Show That I Judged
I am very involved in Culture shapers. It is an organization that has been put together by some of the businesses around Houston. They award very wonderful cash prizes to art students. I have judged in Culture Shapers since the beginning 7 years ago and love it. The prizes are pretty hefty $5,000 being the top prize. I judged over a month ago and the banquet was last night. Students and their parents were fluttering around wondering who had one what. Here are some of the pictures I took of the some of the winners in my sculpture category. I always tell the students that judging is subjective. What one judge may put as number one or move up, another might not. If you did not make it into the top 10 of culture Shapers, don’t be disheartened. Try again, maybe another contest, another area, but most of all keep creating!
What I would change about Culture Shapers or my wish list.
A. The student work must show. I would love to see all of the winning pieces hang in a gallery for a while.
B. I would love to see a judges night, where the judges could display their work- real professional artists, and students could come and view it. A panel of judges would also be available for a question and answer period. (this is important to encourage and motivate the students and to give them more exposure to the real thing)
C. There are a few things I would change about the judging, but I’m working on that