Since moving to Oxford I completed several pieces that had been in progress for about 2 years. The stimulus was ArtsWeeks, an Oxforshire-wide festival of hundreds of art events and exhibitions.
1. Testing the Water
These images are of the original wax. The small scale was important. I had worked on larger scales from 1/2 to full life-size, but had been intrigued by David Finn’s book on the small modello that Michelangelo used as a reference for the David. It is truly tiny, and yet the monumentality, conveyed in every line and mass is extraordinary. I felt challenged to work on a small scale and attempt to achieve monumentality.
The model was Eli Goldstone, and she is also the model for ‘Shy One’ below.
The hollow wax is an intermediate copy, taken from the mold, and needed to be refined and finished before casting in bronze.
This one and two others were cast at Morris Singer Foundry.
There are residual marks left from the casting process that will be removed by chasing the bronze.
After chasing, which may involve much detailed refining of the surface, the sculpture is patinated, by adding chemicals to the surface which has been heated with a flame.
It was wonderful watching the dark undercolour turn bright green as the chemicals were added.
More heat, and the patina develops.
The transformation never ceases to amaze me.
I particularly like this image which can seem ambiguous when seen independently.
I put it on my business card, and some people have assumed she was life-size, sitting on a pier by the water, with a sunset behind. If only!
The finished sculpture mounted on granite and exhibited.
2. After the swim
Modelled by Gestalta.
http://gestalta.co.uk/
The hollow wax.
Raw bronze, for chasing.
After patination. I chose a warm reddish brown.
Mounted on marble.
In exhibition.
3. At Water’s Edge
This piece is perhaps the most sensuous of the group. The model had a great love of swimming and inspired the water theme of the whole group.
The unfinished wax original.
The patinated bronze.
Mounted on marble.
I found that having her legs coming off the stone was an interesting effect.
4. Shy One
The title recalls a poem by Yeats:
TO AN ISLE IN THE WATER
by: William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)
SHY one, shy one,
Shy one of my heart,
She moves in the firelight
Pensively apart.
She carries in the dishes,
And lays them in a row.
To an isle in the water
With her would I go.
She carries in the candles,
And lights the curtained room,
Shy in the doorway
And shy in the gloom;
And shy as a rabbit,
Helpful and shy.
To an isle in the water
With her would I fly.
The model was Eli Goldstone. Those who know her might find the title ironic, but people do have many sides. And her graceful beauty was inspiring.
5. Reflection
I have made a number of wax sculptures from modelling sessions with Natasha Staples, a highly talented singer, and film and stage actress, who also enjoys modelling for artists. This is the only piece from our work together that I have completed and cast in bronze so far.
I chose a light bluish-white patination.
6. Ella Rose
Ella Rose is widely known for her photographic modelling and has worked for a number of painters. I’m proud to be the first person to produce a sculpture of her. She also kindly introduced me to the artist Robbie Wraith, a painter of astonishing talent and virtuosity.
http://www.ellarosemuse.co.uk/
Andrew Freidin 