[Artists-making-art] Blind Sculptor

[Jewel]

Wowm, thank you for describing that. One time, I made a chocolate tank
for my now ex-husband...it was hollow and the chocolate was about an
inch tick. I think it is similar to what you are describing for waxx,
because we heated the chocolate until it was melted in a double boiler
(we made our own  by putting a bowl inside a sauce pan with some water
in the bottom of the sauce pan). I found detailing the tank very
difficult so my friend did that work with a butter knife.
~jewel

On 11/30/11, ann at acunningham.com <ann at acunningham.com> wrote:
> One way to begin a bronze sculpture is to start modeling in wax. A popular
> brand used is a casting wax called Victory Brown. You make it soft enough to
> shape by dropping it into very warm water and letting it soften up. Then
> when you remove it, it is easy to push into the general shape you want. Once
> it cools it is easy to come back in with tools to add the details.
>
> Once the sculpture is finished the wax needs to go to the foundry to be cast
> into bronze. At the foundry the sculpture will be sprued, like adding a wax
> funnel shape onto the sculpture where the bronze will eventually be poured
> into the mold. It is then dipped into a slurry which is a thin ceramic
> mixture about as thick as cream. When it comes out of the slurry it is
> covered with sand and dried. The shell mold is build up by doing this a
> number of times. They are careful not to cover the top of the wax funnel
> with shell. When it is thick enough, approximately 1/2" then it is put into
> a kiln with the funnel top pointing down - as the wax heats up it melts and
> all runs out the top of the funnel. The shell is now empty but the empty
> space is the exact shape of the original wax sculpture - plus the funnel.
>
> The mold is taken from the kiln and turned up-right in the foundry - the
> molten metal is ready to pour, the mold is filled up to the top of the
> funnel and cooled for a few minutes then shell and metal go into a bucket of
> water. The shock pops off a lot of the shell from the new bronze sculpture.
>
> When it cools the funnel like sprue is cut off from the sculpture and chased
> with metal tools, to take it back to the intended shape of the sculpture. It
> is sandblasted to remove any bits of shell and to prepare it for a patina,
> the finishing color and protective coat.
>
> Sculptors do different parts of their bronze sculptures. Some take it from
> start to finish but most create the original sculpture and then let the
> foundry finish the rest.
>
> Most sculptors do not send their original wax sculpture through the foundry
> though because if an accident happens during this process the sculpture can
> be lost. This process is also not possible for pieces that are any thicker
> than an inch because of deformities that happen with thick metal. For
> anything getting much beyond that size it is necessary to make a mold and
> pour wax into the mold to coat the sides, like a hollow chocolate bunny.
>
> But the technique above would allow you to create a small wax sculpture for,
> I am guessing here, under a hundred dollars. I am talking about a sculpture
> that used wax that is about the size of a stick of butter, of course you can
> stretch that out in many different directions.
>
> Ann Cunningham
> Tactile Art - a creative way to see the world!
> 303 238 4760
> ann at acunningham.com
> http://www.acunningham.com
> http://www.sensationalbooks.com
>
>
>> -------- Original Message --------
>> Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] Blind Sculptor
>> From: Jewel <herekittykat2 at gmail.com>
>> Date: Wed, November 30, 2011 12:23 am
>> To: Deborah Kent Stein <dkent5817 at att.net>, An exploration of art by
>> and for blind persons <artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
>>
>> I wouldn't know where to even begin to sculpt with metal...how is it
>> done? This guy seems very interesting. It says he uses his fingers
>> because he can't see what the tools are doing....couldn't a blind
>> person use a tool as an extension of their fingers, like a cane is
>> used?
>>
>> Very interesting. Thank you for sharing the link!
>>
>> ~Jewel
>>
>> On 11/30/11, Deborah Kent Stein <dkent5817 at att.net> wrote:
>> >
>> >
>> > Thanks! Is he a blind guy?
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: ann at acunningham.com
>> > To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
>> > Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 7:51 PM
>> > Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] Blind Sculptor
>> >
>> >
>> > here is a link to a sculptor who sculpts in bronze. His wonderful
>> > sculpture is entirely accessible to touch and he is a really nice guy to
>> > boot. Maybe we could see if he would like to join us in Dallas at
>> > Convention
>> > this year. That would be fun.
>> > http://www.nativewiki.org/Michael_Naranjo
>> > Ann
>> >
>> >
>> > Ann Cunningham
>> > Tactile Art - a creative way to see the world!
>> > 303 238 4760
>> > ann at acunningham.com
>> > http://www.acunningham.com
>> > http://www.sensationalbooks.com
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > -------- Original Message --------
>> > Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] Introduction from Jewel
>> > From: Jewel <herekittykat2 at gmail.com>
>> > Date: Tue, November 29, 2011 10:07 am
>> > To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
>> > <artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
>> >
>> > Hey Kistrell,
>> > Former Scadian, actually...I fell off after losing my sight because 1)
>> > no job, so no money for garb and such, and 2) I found it very hard to
>> > participate in scadian activities as a blind person...there didn't
>> > seem very many things I could do and I ended up sitting by the tent
>> > bored.
>> >
>> > I totally agree that it is discouraging how much art done by blind
>> > artists is two-dimensional. I think the main exception is sculpting.
>> > That's why I started doing the tactile art I work on now, in the hope
>> > of creating something that, hanging on a wall, a blind person can skim
>> > across and enjoy the beauty of it like a sighted person glances at a
>> > painting hanging on the wall in the same manner.
>> >
>> > On 11/29/11, Kestrell <kestrell at panix.com> wrote:
>> > > Hi, Jewel
>> > >
>> > > I agree with you about wanting to create art which I can still
>> > experience
>> > > after I have completed it, and which I can show to other blind people.
>> > When
>> > > the scholar Simon Hayhoe came to Boston and lectured at Harvard, I
>> > commented
>> > > on the fact that a lot of the art which was created by blind people
>> > was in
>> > > a two-dimensional form that could only be experienced by sighted
>> > people, not
>> > > by other blind people. When I use search engines to look up "blind
>> > artists,"
>> > > the majority of what I find is still painters and photographers, which
>> > I
>> > > find discouraging.
>> > >
>> > > Also, I live with a bunch of SCA folks, so am amused to find a SCAdian
>> > on
>> > > this list *smile*.
>> > >
>> > > Kes
>> > >
>> > > ----- Original Message -----
>> > > From: "Jewel" <herekittykat2 at gmail.com>
>> > > To: "An exploration of art by and for blind persons"
>> > > <artists-making-art at nfbnet.org>
>> > > Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 11:33 AM
>> > > Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] Introduction from Jewel
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >> Dear Kendra and Bridget,
>> > >> Yes, I heard of the blind man who paints. I just don't see the point
>> > >> in doing art that I can't enjoy myself, and that many of the people
>> > >> around me (fellow Federationists and such) can't enjoy.
>> > >>
>> > >> As for the man who illuminated the bible, yes I heard of him. Before
>> > I
>> > >> lost my sight, I did look at the pictures of the art that he did, and
>> > >> it was amazing. What I did could not compare with that kind of work.
>> > >> What I did was mostly commissioned scrolls for members of the Society
>> > >> for Creative Anachronism, a medieval recreation group. I did
>> > >> everything from Celtic knotwork to miniature scenes (one scene, for
>> > >> example, was a marketplace with the main focus on a pottery shop...it
>> > >> was for a man whose main business was pottery). I also painted coats
>> > >> of arms and did illumionations around calligraphied poetry (I didn't
>> > >> do the calligraphy myself, but had a friend do it, as my calligraphy
>> > >> was horrible). I still have my portfolio of scrolls that I did, along
>> > >> with works I did outside of medieval illumination, including
>> > >> prismacoloour ppictures of cats, whales, a zebra, and other
>> > >> animals....see a pattern there? I love animals, and enjoyed doing
>> > >> prismacolour art based on them. Now, however, I can't see to do this
>> > >> work, so I'm seeking other ways to work out my creative need (yes, it
>> > >> is a need, as many of you likely understand).
>> > >>
>> > >> ~Jewel
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> > >> On 11/28/11, Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com> wrote:
>> > >>> Jewel,
>> > >>>
>> > >>> Have you heard the story of the man who handwrote and illustrated an
>> > >>> illuminated Bible? It took him like ten years. I think I saw the
>> > story
>> > >>> on the Today Show. It was very interesting. Having been sighted,
>> > I've
>> > >>> had an opportunity to visually see illuminated manuscripts, and
>> > they're
>> > >>> absolutely beautiful.
>> > >>>
>> > >>> You say medieval illuminations was your specific profession, what
>> > >>> exactly did you do with medieval illuminations in a professional
>> > aspect?
>> > >>>
>> > >>> Sincerely,
>> > >>> Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
>> > >>> Read my blog at:
>> > >>> http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
>> > >>>
>> > >>> "History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
>> > >>> The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan
>> > >>>
>> > >>>
>> > >>> -----Original Message-----
>> > >>> From: artists-making-art-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> > >>> [mailto:artists-making-art-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jewel
>> > >>> Sent: Monday, November 28, 2011 6:47 PM
>> > >>> To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
>> > >>> Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] Introduction from Jewel
>> > >>>
>> > >>>
>> > >>> Heather,
>> > >>> I'm so envious about you doing painting. I don't feel I can do
>> > painting
>> > >>> anymore, because I'm nearly totally blind...besides, what's the fun
>> > of
>> > >>> doing art that you can't enjoy yourself? I used to do professional
>> > >>> painting, though, particuarly medieval illuminations.
>> > >>>
>> > >>> On 11/28/11, Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com> wrote:
>> > >>>> Heather,
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>> Nice to meet you. I always wanted to be able to paint as my uncle,
>> > mom
>> > >>>
>> > >>>> and brother have the ability, but I can barely draw a stick figure,
>> > >>>> smile! My sister is an amazing photographer, but since having a
>> > baby
>> > >>>> and getting married while a senior in high school, she's quit doing
>> > >>>> it. I've been trying to encourage her to get back into it, but she
>> > has
>> > >>>
>> > >>>> some crazy idea that she has to give up on all her dreams.
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>> We're not terribly far away as I'm about 3, or 4, hours away
>> > >>>> (depending on how fast you drive) from one another. I'm in Omaha,
>> > >>>> Nebraska. KC has a huge art community, and so does Omaha, which is
>> > not
>> > >>>
>> > >>>> widely known for some reason. No farmers and cornfields in Omaha.
>> > We
>> > >>>> have an annual arts festival each summer in our beautiful downtown
>> > >>>> area along with art exhibits in various locations throughout the
>> > year.
>> > >>>
>> > >>>> We also off the Beemis Center, which host artists from around the
>> > >>>> world supporting the arts as well as providing artists an
>> > opportunity
>> > >>>> to work on their material. We also have a huge music and theatre
>> > >>>> community catering to many, many tastes.
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>> Welcome, and hopefully we can work to build an awesome community
>> > here!
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>> Sincerely,
>> > >>>> Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
>> > >>>> Read my blog at:
>> > http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>> "History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
>> > The
>> > >>>> Expected One- Kathleen McGowan
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>> -----Original Message-----
>> > >>>> From: artists-making-art-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> > >>>> [mailto:artists-making-art-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Heather
>> > >>>> Kirkwood
>> > >>>> Sent: Monday, November 28, 2011 12:57 PM
>> > >>>> To: An exploration of art by and for blind persons
>> > >>>> Subject: Re: [Artists-making-art] Introduction from Jewel
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>> Hello Jewel,
>> > >>>> Glad to meet you. I was also excited to hear about this list. I
>> > >>>> haven't been able to make it to a national convention in years I'm
>> > >>>> very sorry to say, so I missed the exhibit.
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>> I live in Kansas City and worked as a journalist for more than a
>> > >>>> decade. A few years ago I had to quit working because of various
>> > >>>> medical issues. The up side was it gives me more time to work on my
>> > >>>> artwork. I do mostly acrylic and watercolor painting, although some
>> > >>>> more crafty things here and there. I have some photos of some of my
>> > >>>> artwork on facebook. The photos, however, aren't that great. I
>> > don't
>> > >>>> have the equipment to do really nice professional shots.
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>>
>> > https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.40809269878.48618.564064878
>> > >>>>
>> > <https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.40809269878.48618.564064878
>> > >>>> &t
>> > >>>> ype=1> &type=1
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>> Heather Kirkwood
>> > >>>> Director of Outreach, Vice President
>> > >>>> Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome Network
>> > >>>> One South Road
>> > >>>> Oyster Bay, NY 11771
>> > >>>> 1 (800) 789-9HPS
>> > >>>> www.hpsnetwork.org <http://www.hpsnetwork.org/>;
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>> Personal blog: www.heatherkirkwood.blogspot.com
>> > >>>> <http://www.heatherkirkwood.blogspot.com/>;
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>> Search the Web at www.goodsearch.com
>> > >>>> <http://www.goodsearch.com/>;
>> > and
>> > >>>
>> > >>>> choose the HPS Network as your charity!
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>> HPS New York Conference - March 16-18, 2012
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>> --- On Mon, 11/28/11, Jewel <herekittykat2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>> From: Jewel <herekittykat2 at gmail.com>
>> > >>>> Subject: [Artists-making-art] Introduction from Jewel
>> > >>>> To: artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
>> > >>>> Date: Monday, November 28, 2011, 10:04 AM
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>> Dear list,
>> > >>>> My name is Jewel. I am 26 years old and live in Raleigh, North
>> > >>>> Carolina. I am very happy to see this list started and will look
>> > >>>> forward to the potential startup of an artists' division.
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>> I heard about the possible division at the national convention,
>> > where
>> > >>>> I enjoyed the art exhibit and hands-on fun. (I was the one that
>> > made
>> > >>>> the clay elephant). I very much enjoyed talking to Mrs. Cunningham
>> > and
>> > >>>
>> > >>>> the others, and hope that you will all be on this list as well.
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>> Here's to a great list,
>> > >>>> Jewel
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>> _______________________________________________
>> > >>>> Artists-making-art mailing list
>> > >>>> Artists-making-art at nfbnet.org
>> > >>>>
>> > <http://us.mc1612.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=Artists-making-art@nfbn
>> > >>>> et
>> > >>>> .org>
>> > >>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/artists-making-art_nfbnet.org
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>> > >>>> Artists-making-art:
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>> > >>>
>> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/artists-making-art_nfbnet.org/hkdawn%4
>> > >>>> 0yahoo.com
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>>
>> > >>>
>> > >>> _______________________________________________
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>> > >>>
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>> >
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