Richard Hathaway

We made it to Memphis. 10 + drive. Couldn’t leave Houston until Dick and Jenna were completely secure. Which meant not getting on the road until 3:00. It was a long day, but my traveling companion is great and helps keep me awake and alert. Dick fit into the SUV, which I was thankful for. Jenna is kind of tucked into his lap area feet up in the air. That is the way Jenna would travel anyway. I think I can hear here giggling in the back, under the covers.

We counted 63 electric trucks coming in on 59 as we were headed out. I am thankful for them as I was the electric company from Tampa that was at our home/studio the day before I left. Thank you to all of the states that have helped Houston/Galveston area. 59 is one of those roads that you have to go through a lot of little towns. We could not go highway because, well, frankly we were not sure what the towns or roads would be like east of Houston, so north it was. Just outside of a small town a police car stopped me to “remind me to do the speed limit” my traveling companion, Gloria said, “they are going to think we have a dead body back there.” The officer heard her and glanced back and then jumped. She was so intrigued with the sculpture and taking pictures of it that “remind” us was all that she did. I took a picture of the office, but unfortunately it did not come out. I think I was nervous about the possibility of getting a ticket. I did not, Thank you Dick!

Our route was apparently an evacuation route and it felt appropriate to get a picture of the SUV under one of the signs. The other pictures shows Dick and the souvenirs that we bought for him. In Texas he purchased a thimble, and in Arkansas, Arkansas to be exact, birthplace of Clinton. I wonder what Dick would think about that? In hope we bought a key chain toothpick holder. Can you see these souvenirs in the pictures? We are going to give them to the Dick Hathaway auction that is held regularly at Vermont College in hopes of raising money. I think Dick would like that.

More posts next time we get to
WI FI along the way.

Travel mercies!

Bridgette

It will take some time to get to Vermont with two stops on the way. My original traveling companion, besides Dick and Jenna was going to be my daughter, but she could not make it. Luckily I have found a friend to help keep me awake along the way. Went to the foundry today to check on last details and make sure they would have everything ready. I thought I should get a picture of the three of us together.

I know I look like I have the hurricane fog. Yes it is true. I can’t tell you how stressful this last week has been. Went to the bank to get money for the trip. The entire roof was blown off of the bank. In the mall next door the entire side of the mall was gone. Had to stop to get more gas containers for the generator. I feel bad leaving my family in this situation but I am very glad to be leaving Houston and the stress of the post hurricane and survival mode.

Soon we will be in Vermont. Can’t wait to see the changing of the leaves! Dick Hathaway is coming home, along with an angel!

I’m happy to report the studio, the foundry and most of all the Dick Hathaway bronze sculpture are all intact. I spoke to Budget rental car this morning and they said that their SUV’s are intact and that one will be ready for me on Saturday. We are leaving then for the long trip up to Vermont. Unveiling is still on schedule for Thursday the 25th.

We still don’t have electricity at the home/studio so I don’t know if I’ll post again before arriving in the North. Wish us well. I’ll take lots of photographs of our adventures.

Bridgette

Though a storm is raging out in the Gulf of Mexico we were able to finish the sculpture. He looks great.

Spoke to the college about installation and that is underway. All arangements are made to travel. Still hoping the balance of delivering of the sculpture will happen. Those wishing to donate can do so through the T.W. Wood Gallery.

Here you see the sandblasted version of Dick, the foundry man darkening Dick’s glasses, and the patina being put on Dick. All my attention must turn to the Hurricane that is headed toward Houston. Pray that winds don’t damage the foundry where Dick and Jenna are, nor our home.

Between the bronze of Dick and the bronze of Jenna I have been going back and forth to the foundry every few days. Here is a view of the Hathaway piece upon last visit. Tuesday is patina day. I can’t wait.

I have heard it takes three men to lift thissculpture. Not sure how he is going to fit in an SUV but we will do our best.

I have been working hard on the surprise sculpture, night and day to get it done in time to get to the foundry and be out by Christmas. I received my approval today. What a weight off of my shoulders. On to the mold making process.

Busy weekend ahead with final approval of metal on Dick and Jenna, and mold making plus getting things ready for the trip to bring Jenna and Dick home. I could use an apprentice here this weekend, but alas Caroline only come in on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Long after the sculptures are completed and approved, the molds are made, the waxes are cleaned, and the metal is poured, I’m at the foundry approving the metal. Basically I have photographs that I took of the sculpture when it was sculpted. I want to be sure that all of the pieces go back together again, the way they should and textures are matched- a trademark of my sculptures. This is what I am doing this week and next. The two- year long project of Dick Hathaway is coming to a close. He will be delivered at the end of this month, taking the trip to Vermont College ( see video). Baby Jenna will be traveling with him, going a bit further up to Main. Both will be complete next week. When approving the metal I’ll go around the sculpture circling with a marker all of the things that need to be changed by the master foundry man, and believe me Miguel is a master foundry man. The foundry was miserable, no air conditioning and the Houston, Texas temperature was in the 90’s. Here are some photographs of the foundry trip. I’m headed back again next week, and then the patina ( the coloring of the sculpture.)

I posted a new video on you tube and blip.tv about the bronze casting process in creating the Richard Hathaway Memorial project.  Anyone interested in checking it out ?  Here is the YouTube version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYgZZjcHCW4

I thought I would introduce you to Jenna, she is a sculpture that will be traveling on the road from Houston, Texas to Vermont. I need to deliver her to Main. Jenna’s mom is coming to the opening to pick up “her little angel.” I love the idea that we will be coming up to Vermont with an angel. I wonder if Jenna and Dick have met in heaven?