Fine Art Sculpture

Fine Art Sculpture:

I've been doing sculpture since I was a child, well....since I found I had a talent for it.

I am self taught and  along the way, read some books about sculpture to learn more.

So I learnt the hard way... by finding out what worked and what didn't.

There are many different types of sculptors out there, from modern to some that work in metal, or wood to name a few.

But I have always concentrated on a certain type of style.

And I am a stickler for detail... which does get in the way when I am trying to attempt to do any modern art.

I seem to always be drawn into putting more detail into my art than I need to, and I have learnt through discipline, how to control this.

Well.... most of the time anyway.

So...... fine art; fine art sculpture in fact. Seems as though this style seems to lend itself into every area of art that I do.

Sculpture started off with people trying to capture the likeness of nature as best they could whatever era they were living  in at the time.

"The sculptor does not work for the anatomist, but for the common observer of life and nature." ~ Bayard Ruskin

And not only in painting; where there were wonderful works of paintings by the great artists of their time.

Today, in fact, fine art sculpture is still as important as it was centuries ago, the only difference is that there are many more different styles. Modern art has made an impact with people and has it's place in the later part of human civilization.

If you are like me... and lean more towards fine art, you are among many friends there...

Fine art sculpture is, in no means easy for an artist to reproduce. The reason being....

Making the effort to reproduce something from nature itself is complex, and requires allot of thought and study of the main intended subject of sculpture at that particular time.

I love nothing more than to see other sculptures depicted from nature. The animals that are reproduced with thought and appreciation to nature and all it stands for are wonderful. 

I also follow these rules when I am sculpting a piece from nature, and if you make a mistake! it will be found out, after all.......... true nature will show you up if you get it wrong.

Are you one who has fine art sculpture in your house, or in your office for example. Do you have those times, where you just have time to stop and "smell the roses" as it were....

And you can't but help turn your gaze upon your sculpture and not only admire it, you find yourself studying it.

I do this all the time, and always will.

Fine art sculpture has solidarity about it that attracts the eye. One of the oldest forms, which you still see today, is the casting in Bronze.

Most of my sculptures are cast in bronze, like the one that I have featured here on this page.

In fact I learnt the process of casting in "cold-cast-bronze" myself, or as it is also called, "resin bronze".

This process in much cheaper than having a sculpture cast in hot cast bronze at a foundry, and more affordable for the public to buy.

"Winter Winds" ~ Artist: Andrea Balch

Let's talk a little more about this sculpture I have featured here and how it lends itself to fine art sculpture.

As the title depicts... the harnessed horse is standing in the middle of winter. It's full think coat protects him from the cold as the winds are blowing against him, with is his mane blowing in the wind.

Did I have this short story in mind before I started this bust sculpture, or after? 

I can't say for certain as it was a few years ago since I did this sculpture now. I would say that the story began with this idea in mind, and developed along the way. Just like a good novel.

Fine art gives us detail and intrigue, it gives us a story that we can read... just by looking at it. Because we have become so good at reading the natural signs of every day life, and fine art itself, is no different.

Almost like a body language, you can see how the horse is feeling, by it's head slightly bowed, ears flicked back, listening the sounds around it.

The story is born....

And do you think that this story telling makes a better sculpture when an artist is actually in the process of sculpting it? sure it does! it gives it a purpose, and a soul.

Whether you are doing sculpture now, or considering to sculpt, or even a sculpture collector. Next time you see a fine Sculpture, consider all of these things that have gone into creating this sculpture standing right in front of you.

As a sculptor collector, you might just see your sculptures in a different light.

And if you want to sculpt, or just are in the process of learning this wonderful art.

Finding the meaning and story to a sculpture you are going to do, is like if you were going to send a breath of your own air over it, and by doing so, your sculpture comes to life.

Well... in many ways it does, you, with your beliefs in creating your own sculpture, will achieve a more life-like result.

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