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MONUMENT & SCULPTURE
PROCESS
From an idea in clay to a monument made to endure.
FROM VISION TO BRONZE
Every monument begins with a story. My process is collaborative from the beginning—developing the concept, researching the subject, shaping the design in clay, and working through each stage until the finished sculpture is cast in bronze and installed in it permanent home.
01
DISCOVERY &
VISION
02
MAQUETTE &
DESIGN APPROVAL
03
MONUMENTAL
SCULPTING
04
CLIENT
REVIEW
05
MOLD &
BRONZE MAKING
06
PATINA &
FINISH
07
INSTALLATION
& UNVEILING
01. DISCOVERY & VISION
Every commission begins with a conversation about the story, purpose, site, scale and goals for the project. Together, we discuss the people or history being represented, the intended audience and the ideas the finished work should communicate. This early collaboration establishes a clear vision and direction for the sculpture.
03. MONUMENTAL SCULPTING
Once design is approved, a full-scale armature is constructed to establish the figure's proportions, anatomy and pose. Clay is then built over the structure and sculpted using the approved maquette, photographs and other reference material as guides. This is where the character, likeness and presence of the final sculpture begins to emerge.
02. MAQUETTE & DESIGN APPROVAL
A small clay study, known as maquette, is created to develop the pose, gesture and overall composition of the sculpture. This gives the client an opportunity to see the concept in three dimensions, provide feedback and refine the design before work begins at full scale.
04. CLIENT REVIEW
When the clay sculpture is nearing completion, the client is invited to review the work and provide final feedback. Proportions, likeness, detail and overall presentation can be refined during this stage. Once clay is formally approved, the sculpture is ready to move into mold-making and bronze production.
05. MOLD & BRONZE CASTING
A silicone mold is made from the approved clay sculpture to capture every detail. A wax copy then created from the mold and coated repeatedly in a ceramic slurry and powder, forming a hard shell. The wax is melted out, leaving the ceramic mold into which molten bronze is poured.
MOLD MAKING
WAX CASTING
INVESTMENT
BRONZE CASTING
PATINA & FINISHING
06. PATINA & FINISHING
The bronze is assembled and refined before the final patina and protective wax are applied, giving the sculpture its finished character and color.
07. INSTALLATION & UNVEILING
Lastly, the completed bronze sculpture is transported to its permanent location and carefully installed on site. Final placement and structural connections are coordinated to ensure is secure and presented as intended.
The process culminates with the unveiling—when the finished work is revealed to the community and begins its life as part of the place and story it was created to honor.
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