Sculpture
Armature-Part 2
I have been using digital processes with my traditional sculpting processes for a while. A process I call tra-digi art. I was thrilled to create a book on part of this topic called Digital Sculpting In Mudbox: Essential Tools and Techniques for Artists.
It still feels strange to do so much work on a sculpture and not getting my fingers dirty in clay. But here I sit in my office, above my studio, working out details of Evelyn. The pose has been decided on, but there are some details of this pose that need to be worked out.
1. In what position are her feet? What is the missing information that I don’t have in my reference photograph?
2. How will she stand within her placement at the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center? She is going in the lobby, but we need her to work well in the lobby design and, still be secure. That means she has to be secured to the floor and perhaps a third point. I’m considering hiding that 3rd place of securing in her right elbow sweater folds.
I will not be creating this armature in the traditional process as mentioned in part one, instead I will be creating the basic armature of her within the computer and Synappsys Digital Service In Oklahoma will take my 3d file and then mill out an armature in foam. Then, I will cover the foam with clay and add my details. You can see this milling part of the process in the video showing Jenna in the previous post. You can also see how we used a foam armature if you take a look at the Prairie View Panther Project Blog. The Prairie View Panther was a large 11 foot panther that was created in bronze for Prairie View University in Prairie View Texas.
In the next post you will see my process of working up the digital sketch of Evelyn for her armature.
Creating an Armature- Part 1
to the enlarged Newsboy sculpture
piece, point by point. This will
not be the process used to
create the armature of Evelyn.
Instead new digital process
will be used by the artist.
Traditional sculpture has changed for some over the years. When it comes to creating a sculpture for a client, many start with a small maquette, or small sculpture. This is usually done to try to obtain a pose and work out the movement of a piece. An example of creating a maquette can be seen in my Newsboy blog, and is shown on this page.
In the case of the Evelyn sculpture we are not going to create a maquette. Instead, we are going right to a large sculpture. The reason for this is that we know the pose. It has been decided on, and there is little to figure out in this sculpture project.
life-size sculpture
of the newsboy.
Going from a maquette to a large sculpture in the traditional process can be very, very time consuming, and up until adding digital technology to my process, it was one of my least favorite things to do. There is some detail about this traditional process in my journal of creating the newsboy. The process consists of measuring up the sculpture, point by point, creating an armature, made up of rebar, and or pipe, chicken wire, spray foam and then of course clay. It is time consuming and not a very creative part of the process, but it is necessary.
New part of my creative process
Over the last few years I have been incorporating both traditional process of sculpting with digital technology. You will see this in the up and coming posts about the armature. I call this tra-digi art. I love it, it expedites my process, gives me more control over my tools, and when these tools are used to help to create a pose, as the example of Jenna in the video below, it helps my client to visualize the piece.
Here is a video that describes how I have used tra-digi art in the past. Check back to see how we are using this with Evelyn.
The Pose
The pose of the sculpture to be created for the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center- Houston has already been decided on. It will be the exact pose that you see of her hands on hips, sweater, suite and pearls. This pose was already decided on by my client before I came into the picture, but I love it. I think, it has a personal meaning to me as well.
I didn’t know Evelyn, I wish I had. I hope I can as I work on this project. Some tell me I develop a relationship with the deceased through my posthumous sculpture. I know it sounds a bit strange, but in hindsight, I guess that is what I do. I learn so much about them. It is important to me to do this, as I want more than a likeness, I want their essence.
What this pose tells me….
Back in the 80’s I was reprimanded for this pose. Yes, a man once told me a woman never puts her hands on her hips. I disagree. This pose says, I’m confident of myself, I’m friendly, but… don’t cross me, I know what I am doing. Perhaps, back in the 80’s with the man who said it to me, it was threatening to him. I’m overjoyed to see this pose that demonstrates not only strength but grace at the same time. Wow, how she does that is so impressive. I hope I can transfer that to the clay.
Often, when working on posthumous sculpture I get a “feel” for the person. This is most likely drawn by the comments I hear from others. That is why I count on the stories of others, and visiting with others about Evelyn.
What I feel about Evelyn today
Empowered.
Strong
Creating a legacy
I’m honored to work on this sculpture, and look forward to getting to know Evelyn a bit more.
A Wonderful Project For 2012- Finding Evelyn Rubenstein
I am very pleased to announce that I have been asked to create a life-size sculpture of a very influential woman of Houston. The Jewish Community Center has been renamed as the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center. It is my job to capture not just the likeness of this woman, but the spirit and essence of someone I have never known. I’m up for the challenge, but unlike many of my other posthumous sculptures, it is difficult to find information on Evelyn. I count on family and friends to assist me with this process. For me posthumous sculpture is a cocreation between myself and those who know and love my subject. It is their stories that assist me with that etherial part of posthumous portrait sculpting. So if you knew Evelyn, please share your stories. You can do so through comments or by contacting me directly
The life-size sculpture will greet individuals as they enter and leave the ERJCC.
Here is an article in the Jewish Herald Voice describing the entire new renaming.
A Sculpting Project for the New Year and The Jewish Community Center of Houston
Some of my friends in Houston may have noticed that the JCC is no longer called just the Jewish Community Center, it has a new name- The Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center. Here is an article in the Jewish Herald Voice describing the entire new renaming. I am thrilled to finally be able to announce my newest commission of Evelyn Rubenstein for the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center. I always love doing posthumous sculpture, this one is a treat, as I have the honor of sculpting a very strong and influential business woman! She will be in this stance, from a family photograph, even with this suit on. My contract was received last week, and I’m beginning the process of working on the armature—
digitally in the computer. The life-size bronze sculpture will greet individuals as she stands inside the front door of the building. More updates to come.
Panther- The Unveiling
What a great ceremony for the unveiling. They did a good job installing it and we are so glad it is done. I’m also elated that the school says it is female. We did not actually “show” the gender. Having it female adds some specialness to this project, you see it was all women who worked on it. Here I am with two of my girls who helped me on the piece- Shirley, and Allison. I call them my Towanda girls. Lots of female energy in the piece!
I was wondering what the sculpture would look like at night. I was a bit concerned that it was being lit from below and it really should be lit from above. I had to fight to keep the eyes the way that I sculpted them and I did so for this reason. The sculpture has intensity.
We did it! I can’t wait to hear what others think about the piece. Please feel free to send me your comments, or post to the blog. And go back to the beginning of this blog to check out the progress, from start to finish. Oh yes, If you pose with the sculpture send me your photographs and I’ll be sure to post them on the blog.
I would like to thank photographer Bill Petty for sending me these photographs.
Panther- I Found This Video Of The Dedication Of The Sculpture
Some Recent Work- The Panther
Thanks to Bill Petty for these photographs. This was installed last week, and there are lots of posts on this blog about how it was done. If you like you can also check out the Prairie View Blog set up for this project.
Prairie View Blog Will Be Updated
As many know I have been working on a huge project with a very tight deadline. I have created a bronze panther for Prairie View A & M University. Today it was installed and dedicated and the crazy schedule of working very, very long hours to make the deadline now ceases. I will be updating the blog with all of the details of the project. For more details check out the Prairie View Panther category on this blog or the clients blog at Prairie View A&M Panther Blog!
The blog for the process of the prairie View A & M panther project can be found at http://prairieviewpanther.blogspot.com
Panther Delivery
Some people take a “first glance” and an early photo opportunity. Then we make a panther fly. The panther is mounted on the pedestal. It is almost ready for the unveiling.
