Merry Christams and a prayer for those who are ill.

Recently I recorded a podcast about traditions. It was for Inspirations/Generations podast that I record with my mother, and daughter. It was about Christmas traditions. You can find the podcast on the God's Word Collectible website, or if you like you can subscribe to it in

In it we talked about reading the Christmas story from the bible and reenacting the scene with the nativity figures. Well my children are grown and my daughter lives in another state, so instead I read in front of Jenna's candle. Jenna's candle was given to me by her mom and I was instructed to light it on special occasions.

Because a good deal of the year I am working on sculptures of loved ones who have died, I have a great compassion for my clients and others who have lost a loved one. This time of year is especially difficult. So I lit the candle for Jenna, and for all of those other children and I read the Christmas Story. I also prayed for those families who have family members who are struggling with cancer and illness. I thought about the children as I sat alone in my studio and read and prayed. May all families feel God's comfort at this time.

Jenna's candle is on a place that might be referred as my alter. It has special things that I like, a picture of my mom and myself, a stone elephant that I mention in my book "Bringing to Life the Spirit of the Deceased-A Sculptor's Journey." And a sculpture that someone created for me saying, "this sculpture represents your spirit. "

May all families feel God's comfort at this time.

A completed sculpture for the University of Memphis

Today I completed, or should I say almost completed the commission of Willard R. Sparks. There is just some minor smoothing out to be done and then he is off to the foundry. I expect he will be going through the mold process by the weekend. His daughter came by and approved the sculpture.  I have really enjoyed sharing not just memories of Mr. Sparks but also her love of animals and other things.  Here are some final pictures. 

Sparks commission- update -moving along

Moving along and trying to finish by next week.  That is if my thumb holds out.  

More pictures on Sparks commissions to come

I'll post more pictures on the Sparks project later today or in the morning. It is coming along and I am sure the family is watching and waiting. Should be ready for approval by next week.

A sculptor's bones O.K.

I guess it is a little strange that I just finished a hand doctor's portrait and I end up at a hand doctor. I should have made an appointment with Dr. Brown, but I didn't want to to take a chance on blowing the surprise. The good news , there is no arthritis. I have some other problems that warrant resting hand in brace when not sculpting and using cream. Just thought the xray was so cool. A sculptor's bones!

The secret revealed!

For about 4 months I have been working with a new secret client. It was a secret because we were creating it for her husband to be given to him at their Christmas Party. The party was this past Saturday. The subject was Dr. Brown of the Houston Hand Center. You know the commercial, with his little daughter, who reaches out for the camera.

Rachel, Dr. Brown's wife, and I have been working on this commission for four months and we managed to pull it off even though Hurricane Ike came in the middle and tried to slow us down.

Rachel graciously invited my husband and I to their company Christmas party. Something quite fun as we don't work for a company and rarely get to go to a Christmas party.I also loved being there for the unveiling.

I also worked diligently to put together a video of the entire process. Rachel was so much fun to work with sending me photographs and letting me tape her voice. It was a blast to have that extra little something to go with the sculpture. The video was played at the party.

Mr. Brown was delighted with his sculpture, and Ms. Brown expressed a desire to have the kids captured as life-size bronzes. We all agree, the Brown's will be keeping me quite busy in the next year or so, but not too busy to take on other work, I'll just be hiring new apprentices.

Here are some photographs from the event.

Sparks commission update-Allways wanting more reference

When trying to capture the likeness of someone it is much more difficult when you don't have lots of reference. The more reference the easier my job. I tried to pull some photographs from a memorial video and they helped some but it is nice to have both profile and front view. Without that the sculpture may look exactly like the subject from the front, but from the side it will look like a stranger. I spent the weekend roughing in the sculpture and have a good start, I may have to hold off on doing any more until I have more reference. If the client can't find any of course I'll do my best. But here is the sculpture as it appears roughed in.