Kansas Limestone
This wonderful project began when the clients purchased my donated services in a silent charity auction, and the idea we came up with was a life size sculpture of each grandkid when they turned five years old. Each grandkid got to choose their own subject and pose. The grandmother got to choose a brief text that each kid wrote out by hand, and I then blew them up and carved the script in the kid’s handwriting. Isaac was the first.
Clay was a big fan of Thomas the Tank Engine so he posed playing with his trains. I loved this because my own daughter was a big fan, and Ringo Starr was Thomas’ voice, and I am a huge fan of the Beatles. I loved the connection.
Peter was also a train fan. He was a funny, relaxed kid who had seen the posing and photography process and the sculptures and he was all about it. Ran all over showing me everything. Five years old is such a wonderful age. I hope the clients ‘ memories are aided by these sculptures. The grandfather puts hats on them in the winter, etc. It was really col to work with an extended family over the course of several years.
Here he is… Thomas the Tank Engine!
Kansas Limestone
Clay was a bit unsure about the process of posing for the man with the camera while playing, but he managed to eventually tune his mother and I out and sit this way. It was obviously his playing position. Sometimes pose can say way more than expression.
This close-up of Thomas also shows the nature of the stone itself, and the texture created by the chisel.
I wonder how these sculptures have reflected the characters of the kids as they grew up. Its a form of art that really does unfold over time. Did Peter grow up to be this relaxed?
The stones will have aged and taken on a patina by now. I will make it a point to go visit my clients and to take some better pictures this spring. I often get so wrapped up during an installation that I forget to take pictures. These photos were all taken at my studio before delivery.
Noah was the Soccer Kid. He had the gloves, the knee pads, the whole nine yards. He was the goalie. Even in his poses he was intense. I had to get him in action.
Noah liked this piece and wanted his grandmother to knit him a scarf for the winter. She did.
Isaac was a kicker. And as I recall, he liked his trampoline too. I think a trampoline pose would be a fun one. I like that they share a sport, though. I wonder if this contributed toward a bond or a competition with each other?
Isaac, the determined five year old. Rather than focus on the exact features of the face, I try to keep a more generalized character, especially for the pieces based on kids. Stone, accurately carved, tends to look too frozen to convey active, imaginative, kids at five.
Shown here is the “bridge” that helps support the weight of the arms and ball during delivery. After the piece was installed I cut the bridge out and complete the carving there. A big part of carving is knowing the limits of the material.
It was an honor to work with the family on this project. Thank you!
I really like Clay’s expression. The vein right under his nose… what can you do? You don’t know what the inside of the stone looks like till you get there. Blemishes like this tend to blend in and disappear after the stone starts to patina with age.