Business
I Need A Couple Of Women To Help
I’m looking for about 3 volunteers, women, with I pads that can help at a young women’s conference titled Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Mathematics. This conference is for junior high girls.
You would be downloading 123D catch and working with a group of girls to scan a couple of things during the two presentations. The date is February 22nd. There are two sessions beginning just after lunch, each about 50 minutes long. We will not be scanning the entire time. There will be a general introduction to 3D technology and the last part we will be scanning. If you are interested, please contact me ASAP. I want to meet everyone before hand, will do something fun at my studio- say Wed. evening of next week. At that time we can get to know one another and be sure we all know the software.
You May Lose Your Copyrights And Not Even Know It
I wrote this post a while back and it was brought to my attention again as I saw a post by the Association of Medical Illustrators. I can’t say I have new information to post on this subject. If others find links and want to send them I would be happy to add them to this posts update. I am so busy I can’t research it. But for any artist, writer etc who makes money from their work this is a HUGE deal! Please pay attention. Here is the old article from my blog.
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I know that the digital world is changing how we read and how we distribute books. I have a few problems with this. The first one is… my general mistrust of Google. Why should this lovable company who changes their artwork every day to make my searching enjoyable, be mistrusted?
I think they are getting too big for their britches.
belong to them. Artists and writers beware.
Left and right artists are making waves about what Google is trying to do. According to my research they are infringing on the rights of artists and photographers as indicated in this recent article By Larry Neumeister
“Artists Sue Google Over Copyright Infringement.” They are also the backers behind the Orphans Work Act. If you do not know about this and are an artist, you absolutely must learn. I mean it. Stop what you are doing and research this. What happens with this will change your income for the rest of your life. I have written about it before in an article for Best of Artists and Artisans, and there are links in the article for further information. If we are not careful, Google will become the God and keeper of all.
In a nutshell, Google wants to take the books that are out of print and make them available. Sounds real sweet, but watch out for that wolves teeth. As my southern friend says, “Katy bar the door.”
First of all, if I write a book, and it is out of print, what gives them the rights to reproduce that book without permission? They are also proposing that this be done with artwork, have a depository of artwork that people can come and browse and use. If artists do not claim their artwork and step up and say, “No, you can not use it, or this belongs to me,” then well tough poop for you. This puts the burden of copyright ownership on the artists. As it stands right now, artwork is copyrighted the moment it is created. I don’t have to search for my artwork all over the place. I don’t have to go to a Goggle provided website and pay to have my work protected and say it is mine. It is mine. PERIOD! For more information on this please read the article that I wrote for Best of Artists and Artisans 2008.
I may be lulled to enter blindly into the idea of digital books lovingly created and made affordable and accessible through Google, but I have a genuine mistrust of them. And what is sad is that I feel like they are my own child. I nurtured them. I still do. They are a part of my everyday life. Yet, they have too much control.
I am never one to spread discontent. However, in this case, I will stand on my soap box, behind my artists table and computer. I’ll give a very suspicious glance at Google as the writer/artist in me speaks, no shouts loudly. “ARTISTS AND WRITERS BEWARE! There is a wolf in sheep’s clothing!”
So what are your thoughts?
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Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer and educator as well as a public speaker. Her blog can be found at https://creativesculpture.com. She is also the owner and creator of the God’s Word Collectible Sculpture series Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter twitter.com/creategodsword Facebook http://www.facebook.com/bridgette.mongeon Listen to The Creative Christian Podcast or the Inspiration/Generation Podcast Click on Podcast Host Bios for a listing of all podcasts Listen to the Art and Technology Podcast
Looking For Interns-ASAP
I have several projects coming up, and one in house right now. I’m looking for interns to work in the studio. Can work evenings or daytime.
I have tried to outline what the process of being an intern in my sculpting studio consists of. I have also given links to projects so students can become more familiar with the process.
I have a large Internet presence and often create “project blogs” for my clients to follow along with the sculptures as I create them. They are also a great educational tool. I’ll list some posts below, but if students are interested they can visit the project blogs to see how I work.
This is a digital model of the intended sculpture.
- My personal blog is https://creativesculpture.com
Some of the project blogs are
- http://www.erjcc.blogspot.com/
- http://www.gramblingtiger.blogspot.com/ This is on of the projects we will be working on
- http://www.prairieviewpanther.blogspot.com/
- http://www.dickhathaway.blogspot.com/
- https://creativesculpture.com/texaspress.html
- http://unitedinspace.com/ This is one of the projects we may be working on
What I need:
* Physically capable bodies to work on sculpting two projects, possibly three. The first is a life-size praying man, the second is a 15 foot tiger that is climbing on rocks. I’m including a digital sketch of what that looks like. I may also have a sculpture of Neil Armstrong for Russia. All of these are bronze that are created in traditional process of sculpting with clay. This is very physical work.
* Knowledge of figurative sculpting is not essential. I will take passion over knowledge any day!
* I would like atleast 20 hours of work per intern, but if they need to do less I will use more interns working less hours. I just need to be sure that I can schedule them.
* I AM READY TO GO TODAY! NEED HELP ASAP!
* A commitment. Please- I have deadlines and need to have people who can honor those deadlines. The internship needs to be important to them.
What the students receives:
* Interns will be educated in the process of figurative sculpting. They will also learn about the lost wax method of bronze casting. I am also open to talking to students about working as a commissioned artist, and the digital process in the traditional studio. All of my interns love the encouragement that they receive working in my studio.
* I can use students for possibly the holiday break and the next semester. If they are interested in a longer relationship that is a possibility.
* I’m happy to provide documents for school credit or letters of recommendation for the interns.
* A paid internship is a possibility. However, I need to see the students abilities first. I also would rather work on a bonus system- payment at the end of a project rather than an hourly wage, but if payment is necessary for the internship with the school let me know. I can work this out.
Here is what students will be doing.
PUTTING TOGETHER ARMATURES
The clay I use is a wax based clay that needs to be melted and put on the foam armature that we put together. Here is a blog post about armature building for the Prairie View A & M Panther http://www.prairieviewpanther.blogspot.com/2011/09/update-countdown-begins.html Or the Evelyn Rubenstein Sculpture for the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community center. http://www.erjcc.blogspot.com/2012/02/pulling-pieces-together.html
ADDING WAX AND CLAY
The sculpture is covered in foundry wax and then wax based clay. The clay is heated up in crock pots and applied. It is a bugger to smooth and interns are often smoothing this out with torches and tools. Some more blog posts about this process http://www.prairieviewpanther.blogspot.com/2011/09/update-sculpting-like-mad-woman-day-4.html http://www.erjcc.blogspot.com/2012/03/working-diligently-thumbs-up-and.html
ONCE APPROVED- THE SCULPTURE ENTERS THE FOUNDRY STAGE
If an intern feels like the above is grueling work then they have not seen anything. The mold making process is brutal. Many foundries actually do this part of the process, but artists must learn this as it can save quite a bit of money. The interns will be taken through the entire mold making process. Because we are working on different pieces, different types of mold making will be used for different parts of the sculptures. The sculpture, once perfected and approved, must be cut up into many, many different sections. You can read about the mold making process on some of my project blogs. The panther had over 32 mold pieces. Here are some of the many posts about mold making.
WAXES
Though this is often another part of the foundry process I use interns to help me clean waxes. This expedites the projects and helps me to be sure the bronze will turn out how I want it. Cleaning up waxes for the foundry processes is an art. Each intern will learn how to use the tools and be working with me and the foundry to create these pieces. The foundry is local and I will introduce the students to the foundry and their process. When they are available they can come to the foundry with me for approvals and to see how the job is coming along.
That is about it.
If a student is interested they should let me know their intent and availability through e mail. I can be reached at this bridgette ( the at sign) creativesuclpture.com. Please put INTERN in the subject line.
Thanks for passing the word I hope we can find some students as I believe this will be a great experience for them.
Bridgette Mongeon
There are also some links on my blog about interns
What Is A Work Station/Studio?
Someone recently asked if they could see how others set up their work station. I have always been intrigued with seeing pictures of other people’s studios as well. In light of that, I am posting my work spaces.
This is where I spend 98% of my life. Yes, I have a life, but I love what I do. The space is divided up into quadrants really. Upstairs is office, downstairs is studio and inspiration. I love my yard and have lots of animal company at the studio while I work. For more on that, look at the pictures below.
Oh yes, there is one more space, but I won’t show it. You see I’m a writer, and I do my best writing in bed. So on with the creative spaces.
Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at https://creativesculpture.com.
She is the vice chair of the planning committee for 3DCAMP Houston 2012 http://www.3dcamphouston.com
She is also the owner and creator of the God’s Word Collectible Sculpture series http://www.godsword.net
Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter and twitter.com/creategodsword
Listen to The Creative Christian Podcast or the Inspiration/Generation Podcast
Click on Podcast Host Bios for a list of all podcasts.
BEWARE-Our Book Was Stolen By This Website
Last week I was collecting information for an up and coming lecture that I am going to do at 3DCAMP Houston 2012. While searching for one of the artists that I used in the book I decided to Google his name to see if any more images have come up. My thought, I would contact him to see if he is doing anything new that I might be able to add to my lecture on fine artists who are using 3D. How surprised I was to see the images that my coauthor Mike de la Flor and I used in the book Digital Sculpting with Mudbox: Essential Tools and Techniques for Artists were being displayed on another site. I was even more surprised to see that our entire book had been copied-word for word on this site.
I immediately reported it to our publisher Focal Press. My coauthor was also livid. Each of the chapters were displayed as individual tutorial on this website. They had no reference to the book or where they got it. There was no credit to the authors, and no links—nothing. Well, of course it would not have any of this- they stole it.
If anyone was going to “give” this stuff away we would. According to our contract, instead of supplying the CD with the book we had to create a way for the files to be downloaded. So, Mike and I created http://www.digitalsculpting.net If anyone was going to give something away we would and we would have done it there.
I hesitate in putting the name of the website because individuals may be tempted to go to their site and drive traffic to them. But I must put the information here so that other will beware. The name of site is what-when-how.com There is actually copyright information on the bottom of their page.
Copyright Information
The-Crankshaft Publishing’s what-when-how.com claims copyrights to documents only created by The-Crankshaft Publishing and it’s staff. Any information used from The-Crankshaft Publishing’s web site must have a link to the URL from which it came from.
Excuse me… you did not create this. And if others use what you stole from me they have to link back to you? Also it is not it’s it is its.
The-Crankshaft Publishing is not responsible for the content of someone else’s work or the source of the information. We claim no rights to documents created by any other organization or individual.
Content on our website falls in two categories::
1. Articles which are written by technical writers ,part of crankshaft’s staff.
2. Articles which are in contract with several publishing houses,on revenue share basis.
Our entire book, which took months of our lives to create was not permitted to be used on this site. There was a great deal of advertisement on this site. I have no idea how long the book was there or how much money this website has made by using our book on their site. My coauthor sent an e mail to them right away and said they must take it down. They sent us a form to fill out? What the heck.
I wish the lawyers at Focal Press would have done it. I think we are entitled to something. It has been taken down, but I think people need to be made aware of the underhanded practices of such a site. You can tell it was there, all you have to do is search Mudbox under their search engine and every one of our chapters comes up. I don’t really want you to do that, so I’m posting a screen shot on this blog taken at 1:00 on Thursday July 5, 2012. The links are broken, but it comes up. To see our chapters on their website, click on the photograph.
So, I’m writing and wondering if anyone else has had trouble with Crankshaft Publishing or what-when-how.com. What was your experience? I’m also wondering who else we can report them to.
Oh yes, and it pays to google your content.
Please feel free to pass this information on.
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Bridgette Mongeon
Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at https://creativesculpture.com.
She is the vice Chair of the planning committee for 3DCAMP Houston 2012 http://www.3dcamphouston.com
She is also the owner and creator of the God’s Word Collectible Sculpture series
Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter twitter.com/creategodsword
Listen to The Creative Christian Podcast or the Inspiration/Generation Podcast
Click on Podcast Host Bios for a list of all podcasts.
3DCAMP Houston Returns In 2012 With The Collaboration Of The University of Houston to Build STEAM
Press Release (Houston, TX—June 24, 2012) 3DCAMP Houston, a local organization supporting education in all things 3D, is proud to announce its return scheduled for Saturday, September 29. The University of Houston College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and the School of Art will host 3DCAMP Houston 2012, featuring a number of expert speakers who will discuss 3D technologies and how they are impacting new and existing disciplines. This year the camp will also feature an art exhibition to showcase the impact of technology on art.
3D technology, once reserved for the likes of sophisticated science fiction films, has advanced to now include a myriad of artistic and scientific disciplines. This year’s camp will showcase these advancements with presentations exploring innovative technologies. From holographic paintings that tantalize the viewer to 3D printers that produce completely formed sculptures, there is something amazing for everyone to experience.
The goal of 3DCAMP Houston 2012 is to encourage and educate individuals about the use of 3D in various disciplines; therefore 3DCAMP 2012 is returning with STEAM, an educational initiative that supports 3DCAMP Houston educational goal of incorporating and encouraging the blending and education of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM).
“The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Houston is pleased to help further the community’s appreciation and knowledge of the many aspects of 3D applications in our modern world. The rapid evolution in visualization technology is playing a critical role in advancing many important areas, from medical and surgical techniques to new methods of energy realization and information transmission,” said Mark A. Smith, dean of the college. “With the university playing a critical role nationwide in these developments, it is satisfying as well as natural to help bring this understanding to our community through 3DCAMP 2012.”
Rex Koontz, director of the university’s School of Art added, “Technology, art and design are converging into a significant force on our cultural and economic landscape. The School of Art welcomes the opportunity to work with the cast of 3DCAMP to further the goal of creating synergies between art and technology.”
3DCAMP Houston is an all-day event and is open to the public. It features lectures and presentations from professionals in the arts, architecture, engineering, science and much more. Online registration will open in July at www.3dcamphouston.com
Vendors will be on hand to demonstrate the possibilities and uses of some of the most interesting and mind-blowing 3D technology. “The Third Dimension,” an art exhibition comprised of 3D art, will be open to the public on Friday, September 28.
For more information concerning 3DCAMP Houston 2012, the art exhibition, and volunteer opportunities please visit www.3dcamphouston.com.
Media Contact:
Bridgette Mongeon
Please feel free to repost this press release, with photo credits.
I Just Received The Best Compliment Of My Career!
“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”
Norman Vincent Peale
One would think that it would be about my art, or writing. I guess in a way it does have connections to that. I received this compliment by a member of the Houston Arts Association while lecturing on marketing in the arts. Next Monday is the workshop on the same topic. They have spaces open if anyone is interested. Just let me know you are coming.
“If you want a quality, act as if you already have it. If you want to be courageous, act as if you were – and as you act and persevere in acting, so you tend to become.”
Norman Vincent Peale
Anyway, the comment was as I talked about Norman Vincent Peale someone said, “You remind me of him.”
I do have many of my own goals in life, however, my deepest hearts desire is to help others get past their own stuff and realize their own goals.
To the member who likened me to Norman Vincent Peale, I am so very flattered. I can only pray that I achieve what he has in the ministry to others.
I’m looking forward to working with all of those who have signed up for the workshop. See you next Monday.
“Our happiness depends on the habit of mind we cultivate. So practice happy thinking every day. Cultivate the merry heart, develop the happiness habit, and life will become a continual feast.” ~”
Norman Vincent Peale
What Is An Internship?
I often bring interns into the sculpture studio and office. Being an intern is a win win situation. I obtain help with my projects and the intern gets to learn. A studio intern helps me with my sculpting projects. An office intern works in the office helping me with marketing and public relations. Most of my internships are unpaid. Though they are unpaid that does not mean there are not advantages. Here are some of them:
- Information/education- I’m a talker and often I will talk about new projects, new material, and just about anything the intern wants to talk about while we work. It is an opportunity for an up and coming artist to pick my brain.
- Instruction– Often the same thing an intern is learning, say mold making, other people are paying me to learn in a class.
- Marketing Information– The information that interns receive are not just on how art is done or how to sculpt. I teach marketing to artists, and an intern can expect to learn this, if they are so inclined.
- Opportunities-On more than one occasion I have had requests for jobs that I thought might be very appropriate for an up and coming artists and have passed them on to interns.
- Connections- Besides being in the studio, when the opportunity arises I like to bring interns to gallery shows, introduce them to other artists and art organizations and take field trips to such places as my foundry or manufacturing facility. On other occasions, with long term and dedicated interns I have paid for luncheons and conferences that were pertinent to the interns studio and work in the studio. I have traveled with some interns to conference and shows.
- Perks- I offer all interns discounts on my classes and from time to time if I have one more chair to fill and an intern is willing, I’ll offer them the class for free.
- Personal one on one- sometimes interns are working on sculpture in their own home/studio and want to have some guidance. They are welcome to bring their piece to my studio so that we can discuss it. From time to time interns have used my studio to work on their own pieces.
- Experience If you are applying for a job and have worked as an intern I can write a letter of recommendation. If you need a letter of recommendation for school, or other I approach this on a case by case basis. You are also welcome to put your work at B. Mongeon Sculpture Design studio on your resume.
grit does not get into the clay
What is required?
Having a passion for what you do and a knowledge that your efforts can make an extreme difference is more important to me than the amount of experience you have. I can teach sculpting, but I can’t teach you passion.
Studio Interns -In the studio some other things that are helpful but not necessary
A love of sculpture, knowledge of the human anatomy and a desire to grow as an artist
Digital modeling or sculpting in zbrush or mudbox as well as knowledge about 3d scanning is also helpful.
Office Interns
we work on both PC’s and Macs, but the intern computer is mac. A Knowlege of WordPress and microsoft word are the basics.
Hours?
There is not telling. Sometimes I am working on a job, say mold making for a life size sculpture. I know it will take me a week of intense work and at those times I am looking for someone who can help me as much as possible. Other times the work load is much less intense. I have had people come in the evenings, on weekends or through the day. The amount of time and the time of day can be arranged with each intern.
What it is not
- The studio is not a clean environment- work shoes and clothes are necessary, and if you don’t like getting your hands dirty… well the studio internship is not for you, you might be more suited for the office marketing internship.
- Though I love what I do, I spend a lot of time cleaning up messes. Before I can start another project or another part of project I have to clean up the mess from the previous one. This also includes me getting down on my hands and knees in the studio and scraping the clay off of the floor, if I do it you do it as well.
- The studio also has dogs and cats that wander in and out. So if you have severe allergies, you might reconsider.
Where?
My studio and office are located just north of the Heights area, in Houston, Texas It is a very laid back atmosphere and you will often find me taking breaks by the pond or visiting with the creatures that I find on the way to the studio.
How Do I apply?
Simply drop me a line and tell me you are interested. If you are under 18, I’ll have to visit with your parents and have them sign a release form. Please note work with FIre, power tools, hot wax, knives and many other tools. I’d love to set up a time to meet. We can chat, and please bring by some of your work so I can see what you do.
the panther so that it could be reused. No interns so I did it myself.
What are some of the things interns have helped you with?
Putting together armatures
Smoothing clay
Adding wax and clay
mold making
cleaning waxes for bronze casting
Assistance art art shows, conferences, presentations, and the Upsidedown Christmas party
Helping me to organize and clean- One day I will find the time and the intern who can help me clean the back room.
Look up the following blogs to see the jobs that interns have helped with Richard Hathaway sculpture for The TW Woods Gallery Vermont Evelyn Rubenstein for the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center. Prairie View A & M panther
Office interns help with:
Marketing in print and digital, public relations and other areas of the business of art.
Other information
What we do at B. Mongeon Sculpture Design studio
Portraits, life size sculpture mascots, The God’s Word Collectible Gift series, Digital design and technology digital sculpting 3d scanning. Also, My husband is Mike de la Flor and is a medical illustrator, you may see him from time to time. He has the same philosophy as I do about up and coming artists. We both want to encourage individuals. As any successful artist knows you spend a great deal of time marketing your art and sometimes I am up in the office while interns are working downstairs. I’m also a writer, and a host of podcasts which keeps me upstairs just as much time as downstairs.
You are welcome to take pictures of our work together, but permission must be obtained on a case by case basis. Some of my projects I’m not allowed to talk about publicly until they are completed. You can also post the work, but I will need to tell you how to post credits, as my contract states I have to do this.
Judging for Culture Shapers
Culture Shapers is a wonderful opportunity for high school students in the Houston and surrounding area. If you are a student and want to know more, check out their website. I have been honored to judge Culture Shapers since they began, I believe that was 12 years ago. I often try to write something to the students about their process and the judging. Here is this years letter.
I love judging for Culture Shapers.
This is to all of you who participated in the sculpture portion of the competition. There were so many, many wonderful pieces. I have heard it said that because the schools had more time and the sculpture is judged later in the school year, this made it better for both schools and students. It certainly showed in the work.
I was bowled over with the quality of work. I had invited a friend to help judge, Lori Betz from Betz Gallery and Art Foundry in Houston. By the way she is having an opening April 14th you are all invited. She walked in and said, “I thought this age group was high school.” You impressed her. Doing shows, making connections, getting involved with the art community this is an important element of being a successful artist. I wish I would have known this at your age. If you did not place or did not win don’t be discouraged. You have to keep trying and pushing yourself. I have said it year after year, “judging is subjective.” It depends on who the judge is.
In the last round there were some piecesI really wanted to advance. I have never had this difficult of a decision on where to place those final post its to advance the final 12. I have, asked Culture Shapers to get me the names of some of the teachers of the students on certain pieces. I’m just so impressed about your work, and the work that the school is doing I would love to come and talk to you all.
Here are some hints for future contests
1. PUSH YOURSELF
Make sure you push yourself all the way to the end. Many times a judge won’t pass a piece because of poor framing or poor base. Push yourself and if you think it looks like a shlock job on the base, then redo it. There was one piece in particular that I wanted to advance to the final round. I had three other pieces I was deciding on, and I passed over the one I really liked just because of the poor quality in the connection to the base.
2. DESCRIPTION
If something is done intentionally, even a icky base, tell us in your description. Matter of fact, tell us everything in your description. Give us your process, the meaning, the emotion behind the piece. I judge purely on emotion. If a piece gets me emotionally then you got me. I can’t believe how sparse the entry forms are. I even asked if the kids were limited with word count in this field. There has been many times, over the years that the description sold the piece.
3. SIZE
I am not sure that this is a given, but I have noticed this year that all of the pieces are about the same size. I tried to think over the years if all of the winners were the same size and I do believe they are. Now this is my theory. the first round is held in a big room, the lighting stinks, large pieces are placed next to smaller ones, and many times a piece next to yours just overpowers yours. This is unavoidable, though I did ask them to begin to group them by size. It does not help that unlike other ares of judging we cannot see all of our first selections together. Culture Shapers does not like to move the pieces around. It makes it very hard to see where a little yellow post it has been placed by another judge who may have noticed a great piece that I overlooked.
At the end of the final round I have written some thoughts on our judging papers. These are thoughts to the artist. This year I have offered some individuals a internship in my studio.
Let me say that I am always looking for interns to help out here. So keep that in mind.
4. GO GET EM!
Be bold, don’t hold back- your career as an artist is in your hands. Meet people, get to know those in the arts. If you would like further encouragement let me encourage you regularly. You can sign up for my online newsletter on my blog at https://creativesculpture.com/blog.
Congratulations to you all, even entering is a huge accomplishment.
Be creative
Bridgette Mongeon – Sculpture Judge
Finding and Hiring a Sculptor – Compare Apples With Apples
Finding and Hiring a Sculptor – Compare Apples With Apples
By Bridgette Mongeon 2012 ©
15 or 20 years ago the only way to find a sculptor was through a gallery. Now, with the Internet, it is much easier to find a sculptor for commissioned artwork. After finding a selection of artists, what is the criteria that a collector should use to select one artist for a project?
How to find a sculptor
Searching the Internet for artists is pretty simple. A search for “sculptors”, may be too broad, and narrowing the search by using location or subject, or even style: “Houston, Texas Sculptors”, “Sculptor of Children, or realistic bronze sculptor” may assist in the process.
With a handful of artists to choose from, the following questions can help in narrowing a collectors search:
Is the work appealing?
The first criteria a collector should use to decide on a sculptor is how they feel about the artists sculpting style. Many artists website have sculpture galleries where potential clients can explore more of the sculptor’s work. Is the sculptor’s artwork similar to the style desired for the potential project?
Experience
A collector has a choice of seasoned-professional or a budding artist. A collector may prefer the value added to artwork when created by a seasoned and collected artist. Some collectors select a budding sculptor because of a limited budget or a desire to assist the artist’s career. A collector can get a feel for the experience of a sculptor by floating through the sculptor’s website. However, there are still many seasoned sculptors who have not taken to the Internet and do not have Internet representation. A Google name search of the preferred artists may reveal further information. Online articles or interviews may help a collector get a better sense of the person behind the sculptor.
Personality
Getting along with an artist is an essential element of commissioning them to create a piece of artwork for your home, company or loved one. Are they easy going? Are they going to listen to a clients input? How do they work with changes? Do they ask questions? Do they go above and beyond for time and presentations?
Type of work
There are some sculptors who prefer not to sculpt children, or do not like doing posthumous sculpture. Not liking the subject matter has to affect the outcome of the sculpture.
As the client reviews the work that the sculptor has done, if the potential project is different from anything else in the sculptor’s portfolio, ask the sculptor how they feel about it. They may not have a sample similar to the potential project, but the sculptor may be waiting for the opportunity that your project holds.
Their workload
Some sculptors may be an absolute perfect fit, but their schedule may not fit into the time frame of your project. If the collector hopes to get the work completed in a designated amount of time, this may be a prime factor on who to use.
Location
This may or may not be an issue for a collector. If a collector wants to watch the project and visit the artist studio for approval, then having a local artist might be something that they desire. But there are advantages to having an out of state sculptor, as well. One advantage is that the sculptor may not have to charge sales tax on the project. With a hefty commission, this could be a considerable amount of money.
In some cases, location is not a problem. Sculptors work with collectors all over the world. Files, photographs and videos can be sent to the client for approval. A blog on the progress is also a solution, that way, the collector can follow the progress of the sculptor.
Presentations
The sculptor will want to narrow down your thought process before trying to create a final design. If the client requires preliminary sketches, how many are expected?
Is a pencil sketch of the life-size sculpture sufficient? Some collectors prefer a clay maquette. A clay maquette has the same look, as the large sculpture but is a small tabletop version. Some artists create maquettes as part of their process of sculpting, others will charge for the maquette. Some artist may provide pencil sketches and still others may provide digital models giving the collector a 360 degree view of the potential project.
Price
Artists charge different prices. The actual cost of creating a bronze is costly; the sculptor’s sculpting fee adds to the cost and will determine the different prices sculptors charge. If a collector wants to compare estimates from different sculptors, be sure each has the same information, that way you are comparing apples with apples.
Here are some thoughts and questions to get a collector started on the process. The artist may help the collector figure out someone of these details.
- Is the collector looking for a life-size sculpture, a larger monument, or a small figurine?
- Be descriptive when asking for a portrait bust. There are several sizes including shoulder and neck or larger. Some portrait busts include the chest.
- It is important to give each artist a good description of what the collector would like. Include the size of the sculpture or figure. Don’t just say, “I want a life-size sculpture of my son.” Say, “I’m seeking a life size sculpture of my son at the age that he is now, which is 15, he is 5’ tall and slender in build, I’m attaching a photograph for you to see.” What clothing does the figure wear? The good rule of thumb is the more mass on a sculpture the more bronze it will take and, therefore, the more the sculpture will cost. So, if the sculpture is of a man and he has a beard and a cloak, that is more money than a clean-shaven man in a suite. Are there other elements to the sculpture? Remember more bronze equals more cost. Is the figure to sit on a bench? Will they be riding a bronze bike, swinging on a bronze swing, or balancing on a bronze log?
- Where will this sculpture be placed?
- Is it going to be installed indoors or outdoors?
- Will the sculpture be flat on the ground, if not, do you envision a bronze base, wood or marble?
- In addition to the above items you may want to ask the artist, does your prices include all charges? Such additional costs may consist of:
- The artists expenses for travel. Sales tax or other taxes Installation
- Shipping, crating and delivery. If you need prices for this, please be sure to give the artist the shipping address, so they can calculate it properly.
Payments
How does the artist receive payments? What are their payment terms?
Contracts
Does the artist have a contract? Once you specify all of the above they will send you a contract to sign.
Editions
Is this a one of a kind sculpture? May artists will reserve the right to pour editions of their bronzes. Of course, not all bronzes are marketable. An edition of your Uncle Joe may not be of interest to an artist, but an edition of a child reading a book may. The contract will state if this is a one of a kind or a limited edition bronze. You can specify a one of a kind, but the price may be higher. Often the artist weighs what they will charge for a bronze, compared to what they will charge others for future editions. The edition may not sell out right away, but they may over the life of the artist. You might also specify how many will be in the edition and what you would like to collect. Some collectors want to collect only AP’s Artist Proofs. Others want to collect the number 1 in the edition. Many collectors have no preference at all.
Having a clear communication between yourself and the sculptors that you may hire helps you to compare apples to apples. Understanding the nuances of the process keeps you informed.This article will help you to start asking the questions necessary to see your own creative thoughts come to life.
By Bridgette Mongeon is a commissioned sculptor, writer and speaker on the arts.
https://creativesculpture.com
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