This sculpture has a long history and demonstrates how inspiration can come in bits and pieces. It was started back in 1994 when I worked about 6 weeks (6 hours a week) on the undraped figure from a model. Then it stayed in my garage, unfinished. I even ran it over with my car one time, by accident of course.
I loved the pose but could not bring myself to finish it for some reason. About two years ago I found my inspiration and began a new head, changed the arms and began to drape the figure, (another 6 weeks.) I took fabric and draped the figure, photographed it, removed the cloth fabric from the figure, then sculpted the fabric out of clay using the photos as reference. Another sculptor asked me why I don't just leave the cloth fabric on and make a mold of it. The answer is that I fabricate the fabric out of clay because it allows me to control the composition, where the eye goes, and I love creating drapery. It is a lot of work, but very rewarding. This summer I completely re-sculpted the head,
refined the drapery and am in the process of finishing the surfaces. She will be holding a waterlily which can be plumbed and water will flow from the flower. This was inspired by a series of waterlily themed pastels I created these past few years. Being a Pisces, I am drawn to water and find the water lily serene and inspirational. Inadvertently, I feel my deeper inspiration has come from changes made in my heart and mind inspired no doubt from working with life coach Gaga Barnes. Her teachings have made big changes in my life and I am very grateful to her. The pastel below is called "Enlightenment."
My next move will be to lay the sculpture down and fill and finish all the under sides. Then stand her up, and finish the rest. Whew, lots to do, but I love it.
