The Bright Lights Exhibition and creating a Veterinarian in water clay

New Albany Indiana's Arts Council has several exhibitions about sculptor Barney Bright (who created "The Search, a monumental sculpture at the New Albany Free Public Library) as well as those who worked with him.  I attended the opening of the "Bright Lights" exhibit which is at  Spring Street.  It is a group show of people who worked at Bright Foundry or merely had work cast there.  The show is a who's who of area sculptors as well as well known painters.

This painting is by Robert Jackson. He worked at Bright Foundry back in the 80s.  He has done a great deal of art in the city, working in various capacities including set painting for Actors Theatre of Louisville,KY.

This striking print is by Mary Lou Hess.  She was one of a group that acquired "The Search" for the Library in New Albany.

I begin work on the water clay version of a Veterinarian holding a puppy (the mother dog stands next to the doctor, watching). I begin by blocking in the clay using the smaller castilene model as a guide.

I use skewers to stabilize the heavy water clay.  Later I use a wire tool to cut open different areas of the sculpture and hollow it out.  I then stuff moistened paper towels into the cavity. This helps to lighten the sculpture so it doesn't slump.

I work up the features of the sculpture with loop tools and now refer to the original photo reference of the Veterinarian instead of using the smaller maquette.  I have worked up the puppy the doctor is holding and place it at the end of his arms.  I will then work the hands onto the puppy and doctors arms. Notice I use pillars of clay to support the arms.

The arms are a bit drier than the clay of the puppy  so I wrap them with damp towel paper to get them moister. I have added additional support under the pup as well.

I have removed the supports under the arms but the support under the puppy remains.  I will leave that until the clay is fairly dry.