Can you walk me through the steps of how a particular craft sculpture in your collection was created?

Sure, I’d be happy to walk you through the creation of one of my favorite pieces—a bronze sculpture titled "The Reaching Flame." This piece came to life through a combination of patience, skill, and a respect for ancient techniques. Let me start from the very beginning.

First, the idea began as a series of quick sketches. I wanted to capture a moment of upward motion, like a flame stretching toward the sky. Once the design was locked in, I built an armature—a wire and wood skeleton—to support the clay. Over several weeks, I applied oil-based clay by hand, layer by layer, shaping every curve and texture with metal tools and my fingers. This stage is where the soul of the piece emerges; every thumbprint and stroke carries intention.

When the clay model was complete, I made a rubber mold of it. This involved applying liquid silicone in several coats, building a hard plaster shell around it for support. Once cured, I cut the mold open and carefully removed the clay original. Now I had a negative space ready for wax.

I poured molten wax into the mold and let it coat the interior, spinning it to ensure an even layer. After cooling, I removed the hollow wax copy, refined its surface with heat and fine tools, and attached wax rods that would later form the metal channels for pouring bronze. Then came the "investments"—dipping the wax in a ceramic slurry and sand, creating a hard shell. This was repeated six times.

Once the shell was dry, I placed it in a kiln to burn out the wax, leaving behind a perfect cavity shaped exactly like my original sculpture. At this point, the shell was glowing hot, ready for the pour. I melted bronze ingots in a crucible to over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, then carefully poured the liquid metal into the shell’s cavity. The metal flowed through the channels, filling every detail of the flame’s form.

After the bronze cooled and the ceramic shell was chiseled away, there it was—a rough bronze casting, still attached to its rods. I cut those off, ground the seams, and welded any tiny imperfections. Then began the long process of patina. I heated the bronze with a torch and applied chemicals to create a deep, warm, golden-brown surface, layered with hints of green that mimic how the metal would age naturally.

Finally, I sealed the sculpture with hot wax to preserve the patina, and mounted it on a polished black granite base. The entire journey, from a vague sketch in my notebook to the finished piece in your home, took about four months. Every time I look at "The Reaching Flame," I remember the heat of the kiln, the smell of the wax, and the quiet moment when the sculpture first emerged from the shell. It’s not just an object; it’s a story of transformation.