Commisioned Life Sized Grizzly Sculpture

mite5255 · Post by **mite5255** » Thu Sep 10, 2015 11:03 pm

Good idea Frank, you must look after the body once we start getting some age on it, the pain is telling your something

mite5255 · Post by **mite5255** » Thu Sep 10, 2015 11:04 pm

I'm really interested in the burn out kiln build

Jammer · Post by **Jammer** » Fri Sep 11, 2015 7:36 am

In 20# sections, that going to be a big jigsaw puzzle.

F.C. · Post by **F.C.** » Sat Sep 12, 2015 8:27 am

I did a life size sled dog sculpture (Balto) some years back that was done in three pieces (base, body, head). The body was the largest mass and considering the pour cup, gating, vents, etc, it took all of that #20 near to the brim and nothing showed up the risers nor was there any reserve in the pour cup as the last drops of melt went in. But the body filled perfectly and chilled uniformly without any puckers or cold shuts. The fire gods were definitely with me on that one.

F.C. · Post by **F.C.** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 11:06 am

Well, now that this bear's get'n resurrected with new life added, it's time I give it a name... a "Title" as such. The title will help define, focus and portray the character and overall visual outcome of the final work. I've mulled over a few possibilities but thought I'd toss it up to the crew here and ask what your thoughts would be for a title to name this sculpture while moving forward. In a sense, what immediate impression do you feel this piece actually portrays to the viewer written in as succinct of text possible.

My 4 thoughts so far have been: 1) "Clear and Present Danger", 2) "No Reverse", 3) "Stand Off", 4) "Frontier Monarch".

I'd be curious to hear what emotions comes to your guy's minds when you see the posture depicted in this bear's anatomy. If you can't think of anything new or suggestive in titling this piece, then how'bout voting on which of my 4 thoughts would work best in your opinion. If I like anything you guys come up with more than what I've imagined thus far, I'll title it THAT and give ya credit. It can be a serious title or one of frontier humor... just be honest with yourself and your own character and call it like ya see it as if you stumbled on this critter an uncomfortable short distance from ya out on the trail through the woods a loooooong way from any civilization.

mite5255 · Post by **mite5255** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 12:02 pm

Fear Frank, if I ever I can came across something like that I think my first thoughts would be oh f$%k, I'm done this time, but in saying that I have absolutely no experience in critters like that.

Jammer · Post by **Jammer** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 1:12 pm

How about "I only have to outrun you!"
I like "Frontier Monarch"

mite5255 · Post by **mite5255** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 3:50 pm

I do believe if I was there with a family member it would be a case of you run and under no circumstance look back

F.C. · Post by **F.C.** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 9:38 pm

Got confirmation this afternoon that the spray foam I ordered will be delivered Monday, so next week that bear's gonna start put'n on weight. I got between now and Monday to finish the wire tie'n around the lower extremities of that bear, plus stuff'n the hind legs and butt with newspaper to reduce the volume of foam that would otherwise fill the entire leg cavities. The kit I ordered is supposed to cover at least 200 board ft at 1" thickness. That's 12" wide by 200 LF. I should be able to cover that bear 3 to 5 times with 1" layers. Each 1" layer will expand 3 inches. Not that I would build up THAT MUCH of the surface, but just say'n there's sufficient quantity of foam in this kit to adequately fill and build up whatever I need done. Any extra I'll spray in between wall studs in my shop office for insulation so I can then, at least, sheet rock that and be done with it. Or.... maybe do some quick mock up for a couple bear cubs to stand behind this pissed off momma, or perhaps a couple wolves tag teaming the bear from two sides. The attitude of this bear tends to suggest it's under attack and becoming extremely angry. A couple wolves pick'n a fight with this bear would make for a terrific diorama within an outdoor water fountain landscape in front of a casino, don't you think? I just might promote that to my art funding source and see if they want to go the full vision. Will wait, though, till the bear's ready to draw a mold off it. A finished work of art is far easier to promote add-on's to than at this early stage of development.

That's the problem with being an artist... the brain won't stop imagining greater, more dramatic, visions and possibilities. I need to focus... one thing at a time, dammit.

F.C. · Post by **F.C.** » Thu Oct 01, 2015 9:13 pm

Well, progress so far is FINALLY completing stretch'n all that damn chick'n wire over that bear's structure. Gawd, what a pain that's been... literally. Pics, now, show completed wiring with spray paint reference marks added where I need to double & feather together single and double layers of the amount of spray foam I'll apply during the foaming process. At least, now, the anatomy's foundation is where I want it to be. Once foamed, I'll whittle off any excess I deem necessary then prep with automotive bondo the remaining surface prior to its final layering of clay.

So, another step closer...

Found Dreaming