Gary
 

This took me forever and a day to complete - and a whole lot of muscle power, but at long last this 150% life-size bust is finally finished.

He looks like a stern, serious fellow - but this lovely man is my wonderful husband, so this bust is now a personal treasure of mine (and so is he of course).

Made of fired ceramic on a mahogany base, bronze coating patina. 28Hx 19W x 17D

You never cease to amaze me Heidi, it is incredible. How does he feel about having his double sitting around the house?

Thanks Mary,
He took pride in designing and making the base for it - turned out really nice I think.

He is also glad, as am I , that I can now toss the last one I made of him in 2000. Speaking of which, I thought it would be fun to post a picture of it. It is completely awful, so don't laugh. It's about 60% life size.

It's good to be able to look back at your older works and see that you are making progress. Gives me encouragement to keep at it and hope that in another 4 years, I will be ready to toss this new one for a much better one in its place.

Wow, do you need to take tons of photo references at several angles, or does he sit for you, and you move around him? Other than the difficulty of seeing the details on such a dark piece, I'm sure the one in 2000 still looks good with a completely different expression. But what's important about this piece is that you are always willing to improve and not settle. Congrats.

Hi Jimmie,

I knew going into this one that he would not be a very cooperative model. He is the type of guy that can't sit still for any length of time doing absolutely nothing so I took a series of photographs like I do with my real clients.

I did manage to get him to sit for me once, but after 5 minutes, he had such a look of complete and utter boredom on his face that I felt sorry for him and dismissed him. He did make the comment at one point when nearing completion that he would be glad when I was finished with this one so I would stop staring at him all the time.

Two things you can never go wrong with.....One: Viewing for pleasure, one of Heidi Maiers' sculptures. Two: Marrying a guy named Gary. Well...most of 'em anyway. The way to be sure is to get ahold of one that doesn't know exactly HOW to spell Gary.....you know the guys that add "e" or two "r's" or something weird like that. :)

Truly, Heidi.....your work just sits me down and makes me gawk. I have even needed a kleenex a couple of times while viewing your work....it's THAT emotional. Thanks again for sharing your work.

~Geary

Heidi, this is really neat. I love the finish on it and his expression looks real and natural. He has a real presence. I was surprised to see that it was ~150% of life size. Don't know if am remembering correctly, but do you normally work smaller (sometimes MUCH smaller)? If so, how did you find working on a grand scale?

Also, could you possibly post a shot from the angle that he's looking towards?

Thanks Geary and Terri,

By the way Geary, how does one pronounce your name? Is it

Heidi,

Ths is really a WOW piece. I don't know how you do this! From a personal standpoint, I really appreciate your sharing of the process as much as the result. I could never do what you do.

Hi Heidi,

This is really wonderful. And to my uneducated eye it does seem like you've made remarkable strides since 2000. I also would like to see a shot from the direction he's looking towards, if you have one.

Holly

Heidi, this is so strong and intense, a terrific piece!

You should put him in a toga and sculpt a modern Julius Caesar, he's got that aura of nobility about him.

Chris, Holly, and Linda - your comments are sincerely appreciated.

Chris, I'm sure that anyone who can paint as well as you can could also sculpt if they gave it a try - like me though, I'm sure you are having too much fun doing what you know and refining your skills. I am also reluctant to start out in another medium with so much to learn. I think I could do it if I put in the effort, but really, I just don't have the time or the desire. I will admit though that I have have had the itch to start drawing again since joining this forum.

Holly, I don't have an exact reference for this angle, but this one is close - a little different head position and angle. Don't sit there comparing them or you will no doubt see where I am off!

Linda, that sounds like a hoot! I can just picture it perfectly. Of course, chances of getting him to put on a dress are slim to none - even for a good cause ;)

Hi Heidi,

Thanks for posting the close-up. Although I was curious to see more of a frontal shot of the actual sculpture, as I was interested in how you did the eyes. No biggie though, if you don't have any photos. I suspect we'll see more of your excellent work in the future!

Holly

Oh, sorry Holly - I misunderstood.
Here is a more frontal shot of the bust and some eye shots. His eyes are so deeply set under his heavy brow ridge that it's hard to see in the shadows. They're a little easier to see in this in progress shot.

As a fine point on my earlier statements I just want to echo Chris' comment. I just don't get it. I could spend a month trying to do a piece of clay sculpture and I guarantee you it would only turn out to be an ashtray....just like all my pieces in school whether I was trying to throw a pot or mold a head or something. I'm serious! ;C

You are awesome dudess.

~Geary

PS....oh.....and it's Gear with a "y". Like I was made up of gears. :sunnysmil

Heidi,

I'm increasingly amazed at your sculpures, they have an old school quality to them that is so pleasing to look at. I particularly like the patina on this one, and it must be an imposing figure to see. Did you talk to it like it was your husband in the flesh while you were doing it? I've drawn and painted mine many times and I always end up telling him all kinds of things I might not normally say. :sunnysmil

Jean

Geary, Geary, - ash trays? Gosh, I hope you don't smoke! Especially after your close call. Really though, I am always surprised at what I can accomplish if I put my mind to it and I don't think any one here is any different. Just look at those beautiful graphites you have been producing. Wow!

Jean, you made me grin. Talking to your painting :D
I don't think I've done that yet, but I will admit to giving it a pat or a big bear hug from time to time!

Thanks Heidi. It's interesting to see how you modeled the eyes, and his eyebrows are wonderful too.

Holly

Heidi,

As my ceramic professor at ECU, Art Haney used to say - "I'm dazzled and amazed!". Of course, he never said it to me! I was just a mere ceramic minor and none of us were sculpting in clay!

You have given great tribute to your husband and the color and texture as well as the amazing likeness is just beautiful.

Sincerely,

Denise