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Collection

Bronze Art

Each of my bronzes is a composition that is inspired by an emotion, mood or experience. In some ways it has evolved from my desire to create art that allows symbolic characteristics to be incorporated into the animal forms. I find the tactile nature of working directly with an elemental substance to be both therapeutic and rewarding. The clay is forgiving and allows my imagination and hands to create in a very visceral way, unencumbered by tools of the digital age.

Creating Bronze Art

The art of bronze making with the ‘lost wax method’ of casting goes back many millennia. It is an ancient art form whose multi-step process has changed very little over time and as such retains a certain authenticity of process. I sculpt what I know, or wish to know more deeply.

DISCOVER
SHOP COLLECTION

Living On The Edge

Phoenix Rising

Rockstar

Windhorse

Devotion Stallion

Escape

Devotion Mare

Devotion Foal

Beachcomber

Born of Sable Island

SHOP COLLECTION

The Lost Wax Method of Bronze Casting:

Of Fire and Metal

Bronze Ingots weighing 15 lbs.
Bronze Ingots weighing 15 lbs.
Liquid black "Tuffy" is used to make molds around the clay sculpture.
Liquid black "Tuffy" is used to make molds around the clay sculpture.
The Wax Room. Molds have a hard plaster of Paris casing on the outside.
The Wax Room. Molds have a hard plaster of Paris casing on the outside.
Close up of clamshell type mold. Liquid wax is poured into the molds to create a wax sculpture.
Close up of clamshell type mold. Liquid wax is poured into the molds to create a wax sculpture.
The wax sculptures are then broken down into pieces and "sprued" or vented to allow for easy pouring of bronze later.
The wax sculptures are then broken down into pieces and "sprued" or vented to allow for easy pouring of bronze later.
Each wax piece is "chased" and detailed to make sure it matches the artist's clay rendition.
Each wax piece is "chased" and detailed to make sure it matches the artist's clay rendition.
The wax sculpture is then dipped in "investment" - first the glue then sand.
The wax sculpture is then dipped in "investment" - first the glue then sand.
The sand and glue are repeated until the wax is well covered in the "investment" or ceramic casing.
The sand and glue are repeated until the wax is well covered in the "investment" or ceramic casing.
The bronze ingots are heated in the 1200 C furnace and brought to molten form.
The bronze ingots are heated in the 1200 C furnace and brought to molten form.
The investment pieces are placed in an oven at which time the wax sculpture melts away (is lost), leaving behind an empty mold ready to receive the bronze.
The investment pieces are placed in an oven at which time the wax sculpture melts away (is lost), leaving behind an empty mold ready to receive the bronze.
The graphite crucible containing liquid bronze is then removed from the furnace using a pair of giant steel lifting tongs and taken to the pouring area. Graphite is the only material that can withstand the heat of molten metal.
The graphite crucible containing liquid bronze is then removed from the furnace using a pair of giant steel lifting tongs and taken to the pouring area. Graphite is the only material that can withstand the heat of molten metal.
The molten bronze is poured into the empty investment molds and then cooled. The investment is then cracked away with a hammer leaving behind the raw bronze sculpture.
The molten bronze is poured into the empty investment molds and then cooled. The investment is then cracked away with a hammer leaving behind the raw bronze sculpture.
Each bronze piece is then welded together, chased with sanding and grinding tools.
Each bronze piece is then welded together, chased with sanding and grinding tools.
The details are then added as per the artist's original clay and any extras such as ropes or wire are then added by the metal artists.
The details are then added as per the artist's original clay and any extras such as ropes or wire are then added by the metal artists.
A palette of patina pigments awaits the raw bronze.
A palette of patina pigments awaits the raw bronze.
The patinas are permanently burned into the bronze using fire - this is the last stage before the bronze is mounted onto its base of stone or wood. 
The patinas are permanently burned into the bronze using fire - this is the last stage before the bronze is mounted onto its base of stone or wood. 
The leftover liquid bronze is returned to the ingot molds for use again.
The leftover liquid bronze is returned to the ingot molds for use again.

Phases of creating Escape

Phase 0) The Inspirational Story & Photos
Phase 1) Armature using wire and pipe
Phase 2) First layer roughing in skeleton
Phase 3) Muscles are added
Phase 4) Mane and Tail are added
Phase 5) Mane and Tail Detailed along with Rope, barbed wire and base