In the process of expanding my talents, I signed up for a bronze sculpting class at a local junior college. I am always trying new mediums and ways to stretch my talents. I was very fortunate to find a talented instructor who willingly shares his wealth of knowledge and experience. I had done a bronze years ago, but I had taken my wax sculpture to a foundry where they did the metal work for me.

I did all the foundry work for Summer Rain. I sculpted it. I made the silicon mold. I poured the wax. I dipped it 14 times in liquid and sand to make the shell around it for casting. I placed it in the oven to burn out the wax. As a class we poured it in bronze. I cleaned off the shell, and finished the metal work. The process of making a bronze is long, hard, dirty work. The last steps were to add colors (or patinas) and choose the base.

My bronze instructor originally told me what I was sculpting might be difficult to cast in metal. He suggested the thin ribbons on the back might not cast easily. He warned me that thin metal areas pull back into thicker areas as the hot metal cools. I knew I was taking a chance that the ribbons would cast. I was hoping my dental lab background had taught me some tricks that might give the ribbons a better chance of survival. So far I have been lucky ... thanks to the expertise of my instructor to choose the right temperature of the molten metal when we pour it into the molds.

My bronze instructor was pleased with my Summer Rain. I was pleased that I managed to make my vision a reality in bronze.

Special Note: My instructor has developed the patinas I use. They are very versatile and work on just about anything. You will find a link to his web site on my Links page under Sculpt Nouveau.