Come watch

I am doing a demo on sculpture at the gallery I am at in  Louisville, Colorado.  It is on Main Street and called Creations, Art and Gifts and it is the blue house on the corner just as you get to the business district coming from the north.

So many people that I talk with do not know the process of sculpture or the lost wax procedure so I am trying to take as many examples as possible to the gallery so that I can easily explain the process.

I am the featured artist for the month of August so come watch and ask questions and I will try to answer them.

Don't forget to check out my new site at peggycampbellsculptor.com

This is a wax of my moose that I am cleaning, it is called "Tranquil Moment"

Care of Bronze sculpture

Most people never take into consideration the surface of a piece of sculpture and the damage that can occur in ordinary day to day life.  The patina (or surface of a sculpture has occurred due to acids or chemicals being placed on the bronze surface either cold or while being heated.  The different colors occur due to whatever mixture of acids are used.


This outside surface is vulnerable to sun being reflected through glass (such as a large window where the sun shines directly through it).  The surface can also become scratched by rings, watches or any abrasive and must be corrected because with time it can enlarge. 

Our modern cleaning agents can not be used on any bronze...for instance never use windex or dust spray such as Pledge even if you are trying to do the base only.  If it is a Stone base it has been sealed with stone sealer but should need nothing but a feather duster. Feather dusting occasionally will prevent dust from accumulating and as a last precaution salt water or even fresh water tanks put different chemicals in the air and humidity that in the same room can destroy any metal in time.

Usually a piece will need to be checked every few years for scratches or damage or have the need to be re- waxed and buffed...usually the artist will do that for you or a nearby foundry.

Art pieces are a lifetime investment that need to be carefully checked through the years in order to keep its quality monitored.

Stone work

I am trying to develop a piece of sculpture in alabaster (of which a friend gave me and told me to go for it).

It is such a different technique than adding little pieces of clay, you are doing exactly opposite by permanently removing a little here and a little there.

I am usually quite content working in clay but this entire process is very stressful and a slow go.

As you can tell I have layers of clothes on to deter the dust from consuming me plus a face mask and eye protection.  My grinder has been used for metal but by changing blades I can use it on the gentler surface and non forgiving surface of alabaster. (very soft)

This is white with a shade of pink piece of alabaster and will update information as it progresses

You definitely have to have access to the outdoor area because of the dust spread along all surface areas and I am fortunate to have just such an area.