Here is a Youtube clip of the dedication for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife monument from last year. This was an honor to be a part. I speak for a few minutes after the 6 minute mark. There are some up close views of the monument through out the video.
![]() Here's the image of what has come of the armature mentioned in the earlier post. An eagle is appearing. It's not a large statue and size is important because it usually can coincide with cost, the bigger the more expensive and the smaller, the more affordable. This size eagle sculpture will work well for military or scout groups and businesses who give them as awards, etc. This piece is only a little over 6" tall. I'm happy with the pose, the design and now comes the details.... ![]() Although it doesn't look like much yet, this simple armature will soon become a bald eagle in some action pose. It is made of brass sheets (sometimes I use copper) which is cut into the shapes needed. You can make out the outline of the bird of prey with wings spread in this image. It has to start somewhere and no doubt this eagle sculpture will develop and reveal itself to me as I go. Sometimes you just have to play with it until whatever it is slowly comes out and you begin to see it. Sometimes a sketch works, sometimes they don't. I'm not sure where this one will go and don't feel the need to sketch it out first. We shall see. ![]() Like an addict, the creative pull to make something is always there calling to me. Although I have the owl sketch started (shown below) my ADHD mind is always on go is now distracted with the idea of sculpting another buffalo / bison is haunting me (see my current "Bison" sculpture in the gallery here). I pitched the idea to my wife who manages the business and she sportively said "go for it". No doubt that something will come and distract me from this idea too, but for now the piece I see in my minds eye is more action based, with a bison running, wind blowing, dusty, with tall grass and more gritty and powerful. I'll have to mess around soon and will post what I come up with. ![]() Pilot is a Poodle / Golden mix and is about 2 years old. One of the smartest dogs my wife and I have ever met and he's become the studio mascot. With all the messy sculpting supplies, shelves with finished bronze statues and cold concrete floors, a fluffy happy friend is good to have around. My father Mark has even asked about sculpting him. When outside he's pestered by a hawk couple who swoop down and "play" around with him. No doubt more pictures of Pilot will be forthcoming. ![]() I love getting a big art commission or creating an amazing new wildlife sculpture that gets praise and recognition but at the end of the day those things don't matter. Recently when on a walk with my children, my daughter asked to "barrow" my phone and she snapped this picture of my son and I on a beautiful evening as we headed home before the wind blew in some clouds. Becoming wealthy or a famous sculptor would be great, but it really doesn't mean a thing without my wife, children, family and friends. I'll count my blessings and appreciate what I have. ![]() My father, myself nor anyone else is holding me to one theme, medium or look. An artist should be constantly growing and developing and not be bound to specific perimeters unless by choice. Although the title "Wildlife Artist" fits me well, I've sculpted other themes and enjoy doing so. The only reason I've not done more of various themes is because I continue to learn and don't feel that I'm "good" enough yet. My father Mark Hopkins has set a high bar for the standard and I need to meet that standard. Practice makes perfect, so I practice. A figurative sculpture I'm working on is pictured here in clay. It's one that I've been working on for many years. It has become a symbol to me of the continued need to learn. One day this sculpture will be cast into bronze... maybe. In the meantime I refine it, study it, and learn from it. ![]() Again, I found myself running / jogging on the paths behind my house that are surrounded my land that is designated as a wildlife refuge and stumbled upon the beauty that nature holds. A hawk sat perched upon a bird house watching attentively. I stopped running, walked as close as I could and snapped a few images including this one when he took flight almost saying "that's too close buddy". What a blessing to see such beauty that inspires this sculptor to create. It's an amazing blessing to be surrounded by such. |
AuthorThese updates are written by Eli Hopkins. Archives
October 2013
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