The challenging complexity involved in the creation of

take-away sculptures - and because there can be only one

- make these pieces among the most prized in the art world.

There is simply no way to reproduce a stone or marble

sculpture.

The second method of sculpting is called Adding On.

All other forms of sculptures fall under this category. This

includes bronze, Lucite, plaster, and pretty much anything

else the artist's eye can come up with.

With the adding on method the artist begins with a

vision; then they take clay and "add it on" to a metal

framework, creating a clay or wax model of their vision.

Once the artist has decided the model is `just right'' they will

begin the process of creating reproductions of this model.

Bronze sculptures are the most popular of media

among "addition" sculptures. With most bronze sculptures

once the working model is perfected a clay model of actual

size is made using a larger metal frame and more clay.

After the actual size model is detailed and ready "the lost

wax process" begins.

In the first stage of the lost wax process the detailed

model is used to create a cast image of the sculpture. Wax

is then hand poured into this casting; the hand pouring

is what determines the final thickness and weight of the

bronze sculpture.

When the wax cools the image is dipped into a liquid

ceramic. This ceramic when hardened can withstand the

extreme heat of molten bronze. But before the bronze is

poured into the ceramic, the wax must either be

melted or evaporated away. Thus the term "lost wax"

process. Once the wax is "lost" molten bronze is poured into

the ceramic cast and presto! You have a bronze sculpture.