A friend and painter owns a local gallery. She and I are teaming up to create a bronze sculpture / painting set of a raven. It's a theme we both want to do, there seems to be a market for and what we agreed upon. The night I'm posting this I'm taking what I have so far (seen here in clay) and will work on it outside her gallery while she paints. This collaborative effort is new to both of us but we both look forward to it and find an element of excitement and adventure in the idea. She'll get the sculpture exclusively for a while and we'll see how it goes.
Artists, no matter their medium, paint, song, and so forth, usually feel a kinship. This young lady is a singer, but also performed as a living statue early in her career. She and I would have very little in common on a personal level, yet I feel a connection and appreciate what she says and thought it was worth posting. Go here to see more about how I perform as a bronze sculpture. Now that I'm back in the studio after a great 4th of July vacation with the family, I'm preparing for several upcoming events. First, this Friday, the 12th, I'll be sculpting outside of Independence Gallery in Loveland. Then on the 13th, I'll be performing as a living statue during a BBQ event downtown Loveland. THEN... the following weekend, I'll be attending the Boulder Art Fest, in beautiful Boulder, Colorado. So many things to do. I still have to start the raven sculpture that I'll be working on during this Friday's event. Oh... and the 13th is my big 38th bird So I'm stepping away from bronze - from clay, from elk, eagle or any other kind of sculpture, and sculpting in general - by leaving the studio for a few days to relax at the lake in Alabama for the 4th of July holiday. I'm grateful for our independence and those that laid the foundation to give us the freedoms we now enjoy. I also appreciate sitting at the lake, riding the jet-skis, playing human (redneck) shuffle board (an inside joke) with cousins and uncles. Hopefully, if all goes well, this time tomorrow the family and I will be with loved ones, eating good food, watching exploding gun powder and preparing for a few days of nothing. My brain is fried and the creative juices need to be replenished. What better way than to laze around, indulge, and stuff my face all in the sun. You'd expect that summer time would bring some calm and relaxation, especially for a "self employed" artist. Not quite the case for me. Between "performing" as a bronze living statue, art shows, a planned vacation with the family to a reunion in the deep south, and numerous other projects that all are important - I'm getting a bit overwhelmed. OK... so this elephant needs to be eaten. One bite at a time is what they say. So I'll start there. Now, which part looks the tastiest? As some of these other "projects" mentioned begin, I'll be sure to keep updates posted as some of them are very cool. Last year my wife and I were able to attend the Navy SEAL Foundation's fundraiser in Denver. I donated a bronze eagle sculpture titled "Above the Clouds" that can be seen on the commissions page of my site. Being there at that event was a supreme honor. Both my wife and I refer to it as a "spiritual experience" that edified us. We left better people for being with such noble, good and amazing individuals. This organization is one of the best, taking care of the families of those SEALs who paid the ultamite sacrifice. I've been in contact with them about the donation of my newest eagle sculpture, "Defending Liberty" and so far is sounds like everything is ago for them to use it. What an extreme honor to be of something so worthwhile. It's a small thing I'm doing, but grateful to do it none-the-less. Please research them and consider giving to them. Bronze sculpting is messy. It really doesn't matter which part of it you do, it's a mess from start to finish. Although many of my sculptures are cast at an art foundry and they do almost all the work, we have to, too often, do some of the gritty stuff here at the studio. That's where I've been the last few days; in a room, literally grinding away at bronze, wearing heavy leather clothes, a dusk mask, massive thick gloves and so forth, for the protection of both the inside and outside of my body. It's hot, hurts and tiring. I'm not complaining, just stating the facts. I only sculpt what I am inspired to create...unless of course it's a commission and then the work / pay needs to be the inspiration. The survey ideas on the home page are ones that I want to sculpt. Even so, what people like is always not what I think they'd like. It's a surprise to me that the idea of a running strong buffalo is winning. I'd love to create such a theme as a bronze sculpture. The idea get's to my inner-most artist, but it's not what I expected those visiting my site to like. You never know. The phone rang recently and I was asked to perform at two different events here in Colorado. If you live out of state... come on down! Otherwise those in the northern Colorado area will get a chance to see me July 2nd and July 13th. In the picture here you can see the preparations I'm making to get ready, obviously for another performance. I don't have to get ready this early. My face is the only part I "paint" as the clothes and accessories are all ready painted and permanent. Summer heat takes a toll as does the paint on my baby face. For more information about what it's like to "perform" as a living statue go to this page of the site. My newest piece, a bronze eagle sculpture titled Defending Liberty, has arrived from the foundry. They sent me pictures of it completed but seeing it in person is that much more fulfilling. If you haven't watched it's process, below I've somewhat chronicled the evolution, or process of this eagle sculpture. The patina (color) isn't too crazy but still adds to the piece. I'm happy.
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AuthorThese updates are written by Eli Hopkins. Archives
October 2013
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