Chavant Plasteline Modeling Clay

This is my first experience of working on a large scale piece using Chavant Plasteline. I must say that the expense is well worth it. In the past I have used water based sculpting clay and the need to keep the clay damp and covering and uncovering the piece all the time was a real time consumer. I have also made my own plasteline. This is a mix of dry clay and used motor oil. You guessed it, a stinky mess. That material worked OK for taking up space in resin bonded sand molds but I didn't want to risk the heavy sulfur content during this project. Sulfur in clay is incompatible with the flexible rubber mold materials I will be using.

I have found the Chavant to be nice to work with especially when heated with a lamp. I have also used a heat gun on the sculptures to soften the surface. When it cools it tools well and holds texture nicely. I have a ways to go on this project till I'm ready for mold making but the material has become a partner in the process rather than an element I must struggle with.

I'll start on the shirts tomorrow, with a couple days off for Christmas I still may be finishing the clay at the first of the year. Happy Holidays.

Duluth News Tribune

Thanks to Peter Passi for the nice article in Thursday's Duluth News Tribune. It's nice to have this kind recognition and a "good news" news article on the front page. Well, good news to me. In the article Todd Fedora, Duluth City Councilor, questions whether public art is a good value. I would like to point out that nearly every dollar I am earning is going back into the community and this commission ensures my ability to keep paying my employees. Lester has gotten fond of eating on a regular basis.

Duluth Public Art Sculpture

This is my "lovely assistant" Lester helping move the sculptures. We were able to lift the female figure up on the stand by hand but brains over-ruled brawn. I made an attachment to bolt into the ceiling making this process much easier. Brings to mind the old saying, "strong like bull...smart like tractor".

Duluth Public Art sculpture

Detail of the female officer boots and some tools of the trade. We will take this figure off the sawhorses today and move the male figure up to work on the legs. Good progress now and I'm very excited with how it's coming along.

Duluth Public Art Sculpture Progress

That's me working on the female deputy boots and legs. Because the core of the piece is mostly foam we were able to lift it up on saw horses. It's a little tough to be crawling around on the floor for this work. To the right is my heat lamp warming up the plasteline clay to make it easier to work.

DPA

Working on ears for the female figure. When I see a photo like this I really get an idea of how big these are.
Next I will start on clothing the body, from the feet up.

DPA Project

Making progress on the faces. Thanks to my friends John and Judie for allowing me to photograph them for modeling. Tomorrow I'll be working on the figures from the bottom up. When I am nearly finished I'll go back to the faces to" fine tune" them.