Articles

The Writer’s Prayer
By Sandy Tritt

Open my mind, Lord. Grant me the talent to write with clarity and style, so my words go down rich and smooth, like fine wine, and leave my reader thirsty for more.

Open my heart, Lord. Grant me the sensitivity to understand my characters—their hopes, their wants, their dreams—and help me to confer that empathy to my reader.

Open my soul, Lord, so I may be a channel to wisdom and creativity from beyond my Self. Stoke my imagination with vivid imagery and vibrant perception.

But most of all, Lord, help me to know the Truth, so my fiction is more honest than actuality and reaches the depths of my reader’s soul.

Wrap these gifts with opportunity, perseverance, and the strength to resist those who insist it can’t be done.

Amen. ~ Sandy Tritt

© 1999 Sandy Tritt. All rights reserved. www.InspirationForWriters.com

The Writer’s Prayer may be reproduced if this entire copyright permission notice and web address (InspirationForWriters.com) is included.  If you’d like a glossy ormagnetic copy of the Writer’s Prayer for yourself, or multiple copies for your writer’s workshop or conference, please email Sandy.  There’s no charge as long as the shipping address is within the US.

Gary Staab just e mailed me and said I should check out his website. He has just updated it. God I love this man’s work. I wrote a complete article on him for Best Of Artists and Artisans November 2007. Love the new stuff.

Created for Best of Artists and Artisans Website.
By Bridgette Mongeon © 2009

When apprentices enter the studio it’s not long before they gravitate to my bookshelves searching for resources on further education, or books that will inspire. I am quick to pull a couple of favorite sculpture books from my bookshelf and comment, “You must look at this book,” or “Every sculptor should have this on their shelf.” Though I never have enough art books and am always open to reviewing new books, I thought I would take some time to share with you a few of my favorites, those that I share with my students and apprentices.  

Modeling and Sculpting the Human Figure by Edouard Lanteri
Amazon $10.17

It is my opinion that no sculpture studio should be without Modeling and Sculpting the Human Figure by Edouard Lanteri. The author, Edouard Lanteri was a British sculptor 1848-1917. “The book is a gold mine of technical information, the kind of reference work that should be a lifelong studio companion to the figure sculptor,” as described in the introduction by sculptor, Nathon Cabot Hale.  The first of the Lanteri volumes was printed in 1911, my copy is a reprint with a copyright notice of 1965. 

Using this book as a study guide will offer the sculpting student a wealth of information that would only be attained in many years of study. Modeling and Sculpting the Human Figure covers portrait busts, full figures, measurements, building of armatures, scales and proportions, poses, and much more.  I have especially appreciated the section on draping cloth.  We all know that muslin, velvet and silk look different, but how does a sculptor portray the material in clay?  No beginning sculpting student or established studio should be without this book.

Modeling and Sculpting Animals by Eduard Lanteri
Amazon $11.65

Accompanying Lanteri’s book on Modeling and Sculpting the Human Figure is another book that was an original part of the 1911 edition—Modeling and Sculpting Animals. This book, with a forward written by friend and fellow sculptor Augusta Rodin covers what is in the Modeling and Sculpting the Human figure but in association with animals.  Comparative measurements, construction, anatomy, armatures, and much more are featured with a bull, lion and horse as the subjects. Modeling and Sculpting the Human Animals is another book that should be on every sculptor’s shelf.

Modeling the figure in Clay by Brunno Luchessi
Amazon $14.93

For another self-taught study on the human form, a book that can’t be beat is Bruno Lucchesi’s Modeling the figure in Clay.  In this book master sculptor Bruno Luchessi takes the artist through the entire process of creating a human form from skeleton to skin. Building the sculpture on a wire armature with bones, and then adding on the muscles and skin.  I have often thought that this type of book and training would be of considerable importance to massage therapists as well.  What better way to learn the anatomy and muscles of a client then to create the form from inside out in clay.    A student wanting to hone their skills in artist anatomy would find this book a valuable resource.

From Clay to Bronze by Tuck Langland
Amazon $21.45

For those sculptors who are working toward casting their artwork in bronze, and who may want to understand the process of bronze casting, Tuck Langland’s book From Clay to Bronze is another essential reference book for every sculptor’s bookshelf. Tuck takes us through every portion of bronze casting and even includes a section on the history of bronze casting.  The idea that bronze casting has changed so little over such a long period of time, never ceases to amaze me.

Though Tuck does designate some chapters to such things as materials, armatures and modeling, most of the book focuses on the process of reproduction. In-depth segments on making molds, casting, and even using other materials besides bronze for casting your artwork are covered.  Then Tuck takes the reader through the entire bronze process of waxes, investment, burning out, chasing, and even patinas and mounting.  I especially appreciate the color pages on the process of creating patinas.  Coloring a bronze using chemicals is called patination and is a true art in itself.  With a copyright of 1999 you know that the resources that Tuck lists are problaby still available and his suggestions of further reading are a way to continue your sculpture library.

For the small investment of $60.00 from Amazon (this could be less if you are buying used books), and the commitment of time and study of these materials, a beginning sculptor could, upon completion know that their study was at the same level as working under a master in a four year university. The only thing missing is the feedback from the master. 

Created for Best of Artists and Artisans web site
By Bridgette Mongeon © 2009

Camille Allen from British Columbia, Canada loves babies. She learned the art of making dolls from her husband’s grandmother, Clara Allen. Though her dolls are life-like, they certainly aren’t life-size. Instead, they are miniature babies created in clay.

Her first creation was so small she found it would fit inside an egg and now she has a line of “Egg Babies.”  She says, “I think the fragile newborn baby is complimented by the egg shell, reminding us of how fragile new life is and how gently they must be treated and cared for.”

Later she put one of her miniature babies in a sea shell. “The shapes of and textures of different seashells either echo the soft curves of babies, or they provide an interesting contrast to emphasize them. Some “Shell Babies” have pearls in their navels or are holding a pearl, like two little treasures found in one shell,” states Camille.

The miniatures babies are made of polymer clay. Camille explains, “It is soft, but it can hold the tiniest detail, even fingerprints. Once I have completed a sculpture, I then fire the clay with heat to harden it. Sometimes the babies are cast into a mold and made into other materials like Resin or Porcelain or Silicone.”

Camille does not take commissions, instead shesculpts limited edition or one of a kind miniature babies that come from her heart instead of a photo. She has sold to people all over the world, and has even had her babies featured on the Montel Williams television show.

Some babies are available for sale on her website: www.camilleallen.com. All babies vary in price, but here is a rough estimate of the price ranges: Resin Limited or Large Edition Babies: $99 – $400. One of a kind: $1500 – $4000+ (US dollars). She is expanding to different lines of babies that will be available in more price ranges. She also has an email list for anyone who would like to see photos of new babies as they are created.

I asked Camille for some tips on sculpting as well as more about the process.

“Starting from a lump of clay, and tiny tools including toothpicks, sculpting a life-size or miniature baby begins.  It takes many, many hours of patient concentration to form a realistic baby and finish with fine details – including wrinkles and fingernails. The babies have soft English mohair to imitate fine baby hair and are blushed with paints for realism to enhance their tiny wrinkles and creases. 

A life-size baby takes me months to complete. Miniature babies take several days to several weeks, depending on how complex the sculpture is. It depends on how patient I am feeling, and how long I can concentrate at a time. Sometimes my eyes get tired sculpting in miniature, so I take many breaks. It is very time-consuming work.

I work with “Prosculpt” almost exclusively now. It has a good consistency and blends well. I try not to overwork the clay’s “skin,” trying to push the masses instead of dragging the skin layer very much. This helps keep a nice smooth outer layer. I use a 3 in 1 tool from www.artdolls.com for almost everything, except the baby’s nostrils, which require a toothpick or a needle if the baby is very tiny.

Troubleshooting babies faces: If the baby looks “old man-ish” the eyes are too high up in the face, also probably the upper lip is too long. If it looks like an alien, the eyes are probably too far apart, or too big. If it looks like an animal/dinosaur – like it has a muzzle/snout – then the nose/under the nose area is too big or protruding.

That is the process in a nutshell or should we say an eggshell or seashell.  Her work touches the heart and fascinates the eyes while evoking an element of awe.

It was the day before Mother’s Day, 24 years ago when the little sweet child was handed to me. Throughout her life my daughter always had a hard time getting out of the house on time, and that first day was no exception. Fourteen hours of labor, and four hours of pushing, I thought it would never happen. It was my wedding anniversary when I went into labor. I delivered her at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. The next day was Mother’s Day!

I remember that first feeding, it felt so blissful, until…horrors upon horrorsI fell asleep. When I awoke, I remembered I had a baby, I remembered I was feeding her, but there was no baby in my arms. Yes, I actually looked over the side of the hospital bed, each side, and then under the covers. I was terrified, how could I be a fit mother if I would let my child fall on the floor the first day. There was no child. I rang the nurse. “MY BABY IS GONE!” I screamed. The nurse entered frantically, ” It is o.k.” The nurse worked hard to calm me down. “She is in the nursery. When we came in to check on you you were fast asleep, no one could wake you, I think that long and difficult delivery finally caught up with you, and so we brought her back to the nursery.”

I was crying.

I thought the nurse must think I was horrible, How would they ever let me leave the hospital with her? I certainly did not feel much better with her reply. I might not have let her fall on the floor crashing and causing irreparable brain damage, but I did let a total stranger take my child from my sleeping arms. What kind of mother was I? I know the nurse meant well but I was humiliated, and I simply blurted out, “I don’t believe you.” I said, “I want to see my baby.”

The nurse was smiling when she came back into my room, how could you not smile when you are carrying such a beautiful child. She put my bundle back into my arms. I should have apologized to the nurse, but I was still mortified and embarrassed by my own behavior and my apparent neglect.

I examined my Mother’s Day gift again. After the nurse left, I whispered to my baby, “I know you are my baby, they did not switch you.” Why I would think they would switch my baby, I do not know. Perhaps I had seen too many movies. “I know you are, not by the bracelet on your wrist, but because of those horrible marks on your head from the forceps delivery.” I stroked the marks, thankful for their identification, afraid, that adding to my chance of dropping my child, and having a stranger take her away I might also add not being able to recognize her to my list of horrors in those first hours of being a mom. “You sure were stubborn.” She sure was a sight with those red marks. But a beautiful sight. This sweet bundle just looked back at me, assured that I was the perfect mom. She trusted me, and she had this incredible ability to make all of my fears fade. At that moment, the room, the hospital, everything, even my husband, everything out of the small circle of her and I, the entire world simply disappeared. It was the strangest experience that I have ever had, I have never had one like it since. Everything simply disappeared but her and I.

Prior to this delivery I prayed at the church alter. I looked up at Father Lon and said, “Would you please pray for my baby?”

“For a healthy baby and a safe delivery,” He stated.

“Yes, that would be nice, but would you also pray that my baby, and my labrador retriever Conan, will get along? He is really a member of the family and I’m a little worried.”

“Hmmm,” Father Lon said, “I think there is a prayer about the lion laying with the lamb, let me see what we can do.”

We called our new baby and first child Christina. The name was picked by Conan, that same labrador. While reading baby names out loud, Conan’s head tipped to the side with intrigue as we read that baby name from a book. This was probably more due to the fact that the dog’s best canine playmate was named Nina, and this name sounded close to Christina, but the name took.

That first day in the hospital I saved her baby blanket that she had been wrapped in, took another from the supplies under her bassinet and sent the “smelly” one home with her father. “Let Conan smell this,” I said. “They say it might help introduce the baby. Tell him she is coming home soon.”

We were alone again. My favorite radio station played big band. I phoned them, ecstatic that it was going to be Mother’s Day, and it was my first day with my baby. “I’d like to request a song please.”

They asked, “What would you like?” I hadn’t thought of what song I wanted, I just said, “Anything that you want, as long as it is dedicated to this sweet thing in my arms.”

Not long after I heard the announcer. “Here is something for a special little baby that came into the world just in time to make her mommy a mother on Mother’s Day.” I listened intently to what they had chosen for my child.

“Aint she sweet, see her coming down the street. Now I ask you very confidentially aint she sweet.” It was the old song “aint she sweet?” by Gene Austin 1927. My toes wiggled under the sheets. I looked at her beautiful eyes, lips and nose, as I sang her song along with the radio, one of the many songs I would sing to her throughout her childhood. “Just cast an eye in her direction, Oh me oh my, aint that perfection? I repeat, don’t you think that is kinda neat, I ask you confidentially aint she sweet?”

I’m happy to report the lion did lay down with the lamb or should I say that the cherished family pet soon learned that his nose was an equal height to the high chair, and this new smelly, squiggly family member loved to throw food over the side of her high chair and giggle when Conan would quickly retrieve it and then, as if on command, he would put his nose back up, barely resting on her tray and look at her longingly. It caused an instant rapport. Yes, there was a period of time when Conan had a regular diet of Cheerios and baby food.

My baby was married this year, and I’m sure her husband agrees with the song that was played on her “birth” day. I can’t help but think it won’t be long before she is having a baby of her own, and Mother’s Day will become something that she no longer celebrates for someone else but is celebrated for her. Until then, I still find her incredibly sweet, and confidentially, she is still my baby girl and perfection.

Copyright 2009
Mongeon is a writer, sculptor, and speaker https://creativesculpture.com