New article on Best of Artists and Artisans

be sure to check out my newest article for Best of Artists and Artisans It is on being in love with the human form.

My memories are gone to the dogs!

Working on this new sculpture of the child with his dog and knowing how the dog is aging makes me think of the other dog sculptures that I have done. I have sculpted many animals before. Many were commissions of pets or people and their pets. One would think, “Oh a dog that should be a rather easy thing to sculpt.” But really they are just as intricate and have just as much emotion as the humans.

My first animal sculpture was my own wonderful black lab Conan. It was done just after he died. I remember that when I was sculpting my beloved pet I cried. My husband came into the studio and asked what I was doing. “Sculpting Conan,” I replied. He said, “If it is that difficult then why are you doing it.” My response that was said in between my sobs, “Because I have to.” That was when “Puppy Love” ( limited edition of 100) came into existence. I sculpted myself with my dog. In fact, when he came out of surgery and was on the floor of the clinic, I snuck in and cuddled up behind him in a similar position. The doctor said that his vitals changed when I did this, even though the dog was totally unconscious. I still think that is amazing. The dog was old, and a few days later, after we brought him home I was in this same position, but after many hours of staying awake to help him I literally passed out. He died in our kitchen. I was devastated, as I wanted to be there for him when he died. My husband who was on the floor in front of Conan said that every time I spoke to Conan he would see the fight to live in the dogs eyes. But the fight was too much. He had to go, and he could only do so when I was silent. I know it sounds strange, but what I learned from this event was that it is very important to give our beloved animals permission to go on.

I have owned 4 other dogs since, fostered 4 and had 3 that neighbors owned and I interacted with at my studio. I have never allowed myself to love a dog as much as I loved that one. I wrote a poem to go with this sculpture. I’ll have to see if I can find it.



In grandpas swing (bronze limited edition of 10) I was originally going to sculpt just the children, then I found out the dog was aging and not expected to live. I added the dog, which really did make the piece because the little girl is reading, “If you give a mouse a cookie” book to her brother. The little boy is looking at the book and not paying attention, his cookie balancing from his fingers; the dog smells the cookie. Maybe the piece should have been called “Give a dog a cookie” instead of “Grandpas Swing” Yes the swing really swings! The entire food theme came about because at the sitting the little boy kept saying. “I’m hungry.” It is funny to see how a commission comes together.

The Mr. Hevrdejs had me sculpt his wife and their two Rhodesian ridgebacks. I never got meet the two dogs as they are in their home in California. I was thrilled to have a piece of my work in their collection because Mr. Hevrdejs is a collector of art. In fact they have a wing in the Museum of Fine Art-Houston. Photographs were provided of both animals and I was surprised that after viewing them I had a sense about each of the animals. The same sort of feeling I get when trying to sculpt deceased loved ones. I went to Mrs. Hevrdejs and said. Porsche, she seems like she is one of those dogs that needs a lot of attention and would rather get that then even eat. Symba, on the other hand has a cat like mentality and frankly could not be bothered. Turns out I was right on. I sculpted Porsche waiting for the bone from her master and Symba turned away not really caring.


Playing Ball ( limited edition of 10) was another commission of master and dog. I loved getting to meet these dogs and taking the pictures of them. It is interesting that meeting a dog for a commission is quite similar to meeting a person. You get a feeling about them and you bond. I have learned that one of these dogs passed away a few years ago. I am glad they have the sculpture to remind them.

Jack- ( bronze limited edition of 10)This was my first posthumous dog commission, other than my own dog. Jack passed away. I visited the family and got to view his seating place, his toys and his bowl. The death of the dog was very difficult for the client and in turn having the sculpture come to completion was also difficult, as it sometimes can be when sculpting the deceased. I am sure they love having this piece.

looking for an apprentice... once again

Interviewing for an apprentice again.
If you are interested or you know of someone who might be interested in being an apprentice in an art studio, have them contact me. The complete description is listed below.

Houston Sculptor is seeking apprentice.

This job consists of working in a real art studio with a master sculptor as well as in the foundry for bronze casting when necessary. Work is figurative. Your duties would include anything from smoothing clay, helping to make armatures for life size sculpture, assisting artist with working waxes for the bronze process and clean up. The work can get dirty. Desire for art and a commitment is the only prerequisite.

This is not a paying internship however there are sometimes bonuses involved and the learning experience and exposure are invaluable. The artist's studio is located just north of the 610 loop off of shepherd. Hours are flexible, we can work around your schedule if you can committed to at least 5-10 hours a week. Upon completion of the summer the artist would be happy to write a letter of recommendation for the student for college or job.

If you would like to see some of the artist work or look at how other apprentices have helped check out the blogs listed below.

http://www.creativesculpture.com/blog/
http://www.dickhathaway.blogspot.com/
Artist's web site is located at http://www.creativesculpture.com

Please contact Bridgette through her contact page on her website
And put Intern/Apprentice in the Subject headline. Be sure to let me know when you are available and your desire. If you are under 18 we will need to meet at my studio with your parents and they will be required to sign a consent form.

She is learning

The new dog, we should really find a temporary name for it, has learned the process. We are always here. Shadow would be a good name as she goes up and down the stairs following me. Our offices are on the second floor, the studio on the first. Thank God she has learned not to jump up every time I am downstairs and need a tool on the shelf, or to warm my coffee in the microwave. Or upstairs when I run from my computer to the accounting computer. She so wants someone to play with her, and Emmy could not be bothered. Our retriever that passed away was the great foster uncle. HE would play with the puppies and tire them out.

I guess having someone around all the time is good, but we really work a lot here and only play on the way to the house.

Hubby said, "she has not jumped into the pond yet." No she has not. I wonder why as she appears to be a lab. But all dogs that come here consider the pond their personal watering dish.

Still no home for her, on the upside She has been a good resource for the growth pattern of hair for my little dog sculpture.

The pets, have our number.

At least that is what my son suggests. This is why,

On Christmas morning we found 4 kittens on our doorstep. We have been feeding them and the mom and trying to learn about how to take care of the problem of ferrel cats and the endless cycle of reproduction that seems so cruel.

Then we noticed this lab eating out of a dumpster. My husband noticed she had rope wrapped around her neck, and chest and legs. it was so sad. I coaxed her over with a turkey hot dog. It took some time to get the knots out. Now we are trying to find a good home for her. She looks to be about a year old.

Our home does seem to attract those animals in need. I think we have fostered 5 dogs in the last 3 years.

A new work in progress.

I have been working on this new commissioned sculpture of a little boy and his dog. I was not actually commissioned to sculpt the dog, but when I saw they two together in a photograph, and heard that the dog is aging... well it pulled at my heart strings. Besides the photograph of the little boy whispering in the dogs ear is to say the least so cute. Here a quick roughed in sketch of what I am going for. The dog and boy are two pieces. That way the parents can place them around the shelf. You must remember David. He is the other child in the family. I love that the mom had miniatures made of the children.
Now that I look at them together I can see the placement. Maybe David is not looking down at his toys, but at his brother and his dog. What fun!

I am excited about the new year- but accounting hurts my brain

I am excited about the new year. Even if I am still a little foggy from the flue. We are setting up an e commerce site for my collectible series. For those of you who have not seen them you can find them on the God's Word web site. Setting up an e commerce store that works with the accounting system, changing the accounting system to a new computer and on a PC none the less. I am a mac girl. Is making my little brain hurt. All in all, we are excited about this new endeavor for 2008. The site should now be functional and I plan on spending a lot of my time marketing the site, and the artwork. I am also creating a few new pieces for the collection. Creating for God's Word Collectibles is really the only time I get to create out of my head. Everything I do is by commission.

Happy New Year!

I wish everyone a wonderful 2008!

My new year started with the flue, but I am coming back around... slowly.

The Skirt article is postponed, and will not be out in January.