A Collaboration – Success For Best of Big Taste
I was so honored to be asked to create an award for the wonderful organization of Big Brother’s Big Sisters Houston. When designer Christina Sizemore of Diliberto Photo and Design got involved it made me even more excited. You see Christina is my daughter and I love collaborating with her. Christina came up with this wonderful design for the trophey for BBBS event The Big Taste Of Houston. When BBBS said they were low on funds, the designer and myself donated a portion of our fees, but how could we create this trophy? BBBS could not afford the cost of a bronze. Well, I have had great experience with different ways of creating things both digitally and traditionally and it got me to think of alternative solutions. I talk about a lot of these solutions in my book coming out in September, 3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing, Scanning, Sculpting and Milling
I have been watching and lusting after my own CarveWright machine for a while. They are a vendor I featured in my book. I contacted them and asked them if they had a woodworker that they might want to work with me on some projects. I was elated when Joe Lovchik came on board and volunteered some of his time to work on this project.
I took Christina’s design and created it in the computer using ZBrush. Joe helped with the text as ZBrush is not great with text. I sent the files to Joe and he competed the trophy in wood and stained to look bronze. He CNC milled the piece and stained it to look bronze ( computer numerically controlled) . Joe even put together a tutorial on the process. Thank you Christina Sizemore Diliberto Photo and Design, and Joe at CarveWright. It was a pleasure collaborating.
I’ll post some more photographs of the event after it happens.BBBS came to pick up the trophy today and they were elated. Can’t wait to see what others think.
Busted- If Someone Were Creating a Bronze Bust of Your Likeness, How Would You Have Yourself Created?
Sharing a new sculpture that I have created and it made me think of how I would want to be remembered. I recently went to the Elizabet Ney Museum. I saw her last piece she created and I could not help but wonder, “Is it a portrait of herself?” I would think that if I or someone else were creating a likeness of me. I would like to be portrayed as more mystical/sensual/playful. I’m not sure how I would capture that, or in what medium. I would want something you had to walk around to see, so that could really try to grasp the emotion and intention. Then I would hope you would no really be sure, but have to ponder the expression. I might also like the portrait to be a younger me. I wondered, how would others see themselves?
A Life-Size Bronze Sculpture Sale
Thanks Amy Freeman of Freeman Design Studios for creating a flyer. I am having a special on this sculpture. The molds are at Shidoni Foundry and I’m trying to sell another one before I have to retrieve the molds. It is a limited edition of 10. My target market is Christian Schools/churches. Since I was sending out the brochure I thought I would also talk abut my book
As the text states.
If you are interested in purchasing one of the eight remaining sculptures in the edition, I am offering the sculpture at a discount for a limited time. The sculpture sells for $33,500. However, I am offering a discount of $5,000 and selling Called to Pray for $28,500 until July 30, 2015.
Of course, I would also love to create any other liturgical or memorial sculptures or awards that you may be considering. I would be happy to give you an estimate and
hope you think of me when that need arises.
Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at http://www.creativesculpture.com.
Follow the artists on Twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter
Influences of Other Writers
(UPDATE: It is these two authors who made me think…
Maybe I should write about my experiences. I then quickly put together a blog post about my relationship with B. B. King. This post snowballed into some cool stuff including this short podcast interview and television coverage that I have also added to the original blog post. Thank you, David and Bill. I’m getting to the age where I do need to write some of these stories down, and your work inspires me. I’m going to compile some essays as soon as I complete these next book projects of going down the rabbit hole with Alice. You guys inspire me. )
If you know me, you know that I am pretty much addicted to books. How many do I read? Well, I read whenever I can. I must read before I can sleep and, I listen to audio books like most people listen to music. So, depending on what I am doing, I can read one book every other week or read/listen to 3 a week. Don’t get too enthused over my accomplishments. I have a love of young adult (YA) and middle grade (MG) novels because I also like to write for that age group. These books can be extremely short, however, remember Harry Potter is not a short book and is in the YA category.
Anyway, I download quite a few free audio books through my library and a program called Over Drive. Recently I downloaded the book “Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls” by David Sedaris. I have been listening to this book, and it is influencing me. Not since the reading of “Five Quarts” by Bill Hayes have I been influenced by a writer in this way. The influences of these two men are not because of the content of the book but the style of writing. With Five Quarts, I love how the author documented history, but did so by telling his personal story. Five Quarts gives the reader vignettes of different things in history about blood. It also tells the author’s personal story of the influence of blood as it pertains to such things as his sister’s monthly cycles or being a gay man. I loved this type of writing. That style of writing combined two important things. One is history and research, which I love. The other is the profound things that happen in one’s life; simple things that when told in a story can make your soul sing.
With the work of Sedaris, I was simply impressed with the idea of essays. Profound life adventures that did not have to be woven together in a book, but in the idea that they are a collection of essays. I also liked the humor of Sedaris. I long to pull in humor into my most recent work and especially would like to reflect on that in a book that is germinating about aging.
My writing is quite diverse. In fact, I have been praying,
“God, I wish I had a diversified literary agent.
Please help me find one.”
I hate looking for publishers; it is one of the activities I detest the most. I wish I had one agent that could work with all of the parts of me. Yes, I know I have to share my earnings with an agent. But if having one meant I could just keep writing and sculpting and not spending time crossing the hurdles of finding publishers in so many different areas, I would happily hand over that cash.
For example, here is only a sample of the books in various stages of completion. Talk about a range of audiences and topics.
1. A New nonfiction book I’m writing about the Alice in Wonderland sculpture project (Working on this one. )
2. A book of poems, riddles, and rhymes to go with the 150 hidden objects of the Alice in Wonderland project (Working on this one. )
3. A young adult novel that entails the subject of sculpting the deceased (I completed this one. I need to revise. )
4. A nonfiction book on sculpting the deceased.- Documenting five commissions (I completed this one. I need to revise. )
5. A book of children’s poems. (Working on this one. )
6. Another book of children’s poems. (Working on this one. )
7. A children’s book on the learning styles and their differences. (Complete)
8. A book about finding God in my garden. (I completed this one. I need to revise. )
9. A book about a Christian being married to an atheist (I completed this one. I need to revise. )
10. A book about marketing in the arts (I completed this one. I need to revise. )
11. A children’s book similar to Dr. Seuss book, “Oh, The Places You’ll go.” Christian in nature ( Complete.)
12. A middle-grade novel about the adventures of sleep. (Germinating)
13. A children’s book about going to sleep. ( In works)
14. A humorous book on aging. (Germinating)
15. A coming of age novel about a girl who struggles with the desire to create art, her faith, and a dysfunctional family. (Germinating)
Well… enough of talking about writing, back to the actual writing. Someone I feel more free knowing I can simply compile essays of my experiences, written with humor, and a bit of history and education. You guys rock for passing this freedom on.
Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at http://www.creativesculpture.com.
Follow the artists on Twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter
My Book on 3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft is Now Available on Amazon
I have been waiting on this for a while. My new book on 3D Technology In Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing Scanning, Sculpting, and Milling is now available on Amazon for Pre order. I’m already starting on a new book. This new book is similar to this book, however it follows one job right through. The job is creating a monumental bronze sculpture of the Mad Hatter’s tea party for a Texas Park. I do not yet, at this date, have a publisher for the Finding Alice process book. You can follow along on the new book and project on this blog or the Finding Alice process page.
If you would like to follow the conversation on these topics or have your own artwork you would like to share. Please do so either on linked in or Facebook.
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Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at http://www.creativesculpture.com.
Follow the artists on Twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter
Celebrating Space Flight-
Happy International Day of Human Space Flight- April 12
Some of you may know that I am all about space. I’m especially about space when it concerns this sculpture that has been under negotiation for a while. I have been asked to create a sculpture of Neil Armstrong to go to Russia. It is on hold until all of the money is raised, but land awaits for the sculpture.
So when I hear that this is International Day of Human Space Flight- I get excited and hope that this sculpture project will one day come to fruition.
I’m happy to hear that the General UN Assembly, in its resolution of April 7, 2011 declared 12 April as the International Day of Human Space Flight
Today- April 10, 2015 there is an event
International Day of Human Space Flight in Houston
Honoring cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin and astronaut John Glenn
Where they will be honoring the first Space explorers to orbit the Earth and all of those
who have been going to space for 54 years.
(GRAGG BUILDING, THE FIRST HEADQUARTERS OF NASA)
2999 South Wayside Drive
Houston, Texas, 77023
You are cordially invited!
11:00 AM Reception and Refreshments
11:30 AM Honoring Ceremony
Mayor’s office of Houston, Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Houston,
astronauts, cosmonauts, Russian-American organizations in Houston
For more information about today’s event contact:
Kindness without Limits: Phone: 281-370-1464; Email: ruhouse2010@aol.com
For more information about the Neil Armstrong fundraising and project:
Check out the United In Space website.
Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at http://www.creativesculpture.com.
Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter
I love Lucy and Have Offered to Recreate the Sculpture For Jamestown New York
Late last night a friend posted something on my personal Facebook page about the ” I love Lucy” sculpture in Jamestown New York. Many are upset over this. I guess they thought I could help. Being from Western New York and loving Lucy I immediately began commenting on this thread and went to the Facebook page started about this sculpture. I have offered to recreate the sculpture, if the town of Jamestown is interested. I will donate a portion of my fees. I will create a blog about the sculpture so that others can weigh in and see the progress as I have done for so many of my sculptures – The Texas Press Newsboy, The Dick Hathaway Sculpture, Called to Pray- Dallas Baptist University, The Prairie View A & M sculpture and the Grambling Tiger. Of course, many know that I am presently working on my Magnum Opus. I am creating the Monumental sculpture of Alice in Wonderlands Tea Party in honor of Lewis Carroll’s 150th anniversary . I will be tied up with that for about six months, but I can begin on the Lucy project by the end of the year. I will even help to raise the funds for the sculpture.
Please feel free to pass on this post or post it to any place that is commenting on this sculpture. This will help me to help the town of Jamestown. If anyone is interested they can contact me through my contact page on my website.
Some thoughts about the existing Lucy sculpture
—Every time I do a sculpture I have my client sign off on the clay before it goes to the foundry. If a client has suggestions I will work on the sculpture until they are satisfied. I can’t imagine the artist went to metal without an approval.
—I do not fix other artists work. I have things in my contract that say people can’t change my artwork without my knowing and giving approval. I would never ever touch another person’s artwork. Plus, I would love to have my own interpretation of Lucy.
— Some have suggested melting down the original sculpture. I would not suggest this or do it. If the town is not satisfied they should give the sculpture back to the artist, and just create a new one. They could actually suffer repercussions if the town melted down the bronze. It is still a work of art from a man. I feel it is better to just recreate the Lucy sculpture.
Making “Magic” Happen
For those watching this process of creating the Alice in Wonderland Sculpture, who are not sculptors or artists, please let me share a bit of information. An artist knows their craft. They may have the basics down, for example, this is how I put clay on an armature, this is how I sculpt an arm, this is the proportions of a human. However, one can work on a sculpture and know all of the craft but not have “magic” happen. There is a point when working on a piece of art when the art becomes friendly and alive- this is the magic. One does not have to finish the sculpture for this to happen; there is just a point if you are luck, where you just feel like one. Please note this magic does not always happen. It is that “magic” part of the creative process for which we strive. This week the Mad Hatter and I made magic happen.
Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at http://www.creativesculpture.com.
Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter
Speaking At The 150th Anniversary Of Lewis Carroll
many artistic interpretations of this story was very inspiring.
I am very honored to be speaking at the 150th Anniversary meeting of the Lewis Carroll Society of North America on April 18th in Austin, Texas. I’ll be sharing information about the monumental sculpture that I am creating of Alice In Wonderland’s Mad Hatter Tea Party. I’ll also be sharing some hints on how to find some of the 150 elements that will be hidden in the sculpture. Of course, I’ll be entertaining suggestions for hidden items as well.
If you have not visited the Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas At Austin and seen the wonderful exhibit of Lewis Carroll this is a great opportunity to do so. There are original manuscripts, artwork and much more. The lecture is free and open to the public. However, if you are staying for lunch or dinner you will need to preorder that. The entire agenda for the meeting can be found on the Lewis Carroll website. There is an online pdf of the full agenda including the speaker biographies.
Bridgette Mongeon is a sculptor, writer, illustrator and educator as well as a public speaker.
Her blog can be found at http://www.creativesculpture.com.
Follow the artists on twitter twitter.com/Sculptorwriter
Artist Is Searching For 3D Printer to Promote in A New Book
Bridgette Mongeon, is the author of the new book 3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft: Exploring 3D Printing, Scanning, Sculpting and Milling – Focal Press Sept 2015 and the host of the Art and Technology Podcasts. She is embarking on a new sculpture and book project and is searching for the perfect home 3D Printer to review and promote in the book and in the creation of a high profile monumental sculpture.
The sculpture is a monumental bronze of Alice In Wonderland’s Mad Hatter tea party. July 4th 2015 is the 150th anniversary of Lewis and Carroll’s story of Alice in Wonderland. The media opportunities on the project alone are monumental.
The artist is also creating a new book project associated with the monumental sculpture tentatively called Finding Alice- Incorporating 3D Technology and Traditional Sculpture in Creating a Monumental Bronze Sculpture. Finding Alice is similar to her previous book but instead focuses on one sculpting project and the technology used to create the art.
Just how is 3D printing being used in a monumental bronze sculpture? The artist is creating 150 elements that will be hidden in the bark of the sculpted bronze table, benches and nearly 20 foot scene. These items will be created using a combination of 3D scanning, sculpting and 3D Printing and then embedded into the clay before the artwork is made into a bronze. More details about this project can be found in this post.
The Duration of this Arrangement
The artist is searching for a 3D printer for the duration of the sculpting of the project which is approximately 12 months. The printer will need to be available March 2015 and preferably come pre assembled, unless there is someone in the Houston, Texas area that can put the printer together at no cost.
What is the artist looking for in a 3D printer?
- Good Communication with Technical Support
Creating a monumental bronze sculpture, and writing a book is not a “quick” task. That is why a clear channel of communication with the manufacturer of the 3D printer and their technical support team is essential. Reviews and tutorials need to be written and clearing a channel of communication can help the artist reach her “monumental deadline “of the sculpture project and clearly write the details of the 3D printing process.
- Ease of Use
Because the author/artist will be writing extensively about using the printer it is important that the 3D printer work properly. Of course with all technology—things happen. That is why the first criteria in this project is good communication with technical support. - Type of 3D Printer?
In writing the 3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft and creating her 3D printed artwork the artist is aware that designs need revising and often more than one 3D print is required. That is why the artist would prefer to have two 3D printers to review. One fused deposition modeling printer and another printer that uses stereolithography. With the stereolithography printer it is especially beneficial if the 3D printer also use castable resin for further experiments and promotion. - Great Resolution Each of the 3D printed pieces will be embedded into the clay. The deadline to complete this project is tight and therefore the best resolution with the least amount of post processing is preferred.
The Promotion Opportunities
- Inclusion in Mongeon’s book Finding Alice
- Inclusion in the media press that features the combination of new technology with age old sculpting for creating this legacy of a story.
- Possible inclusion in the next edition of 3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft—if the publisher Focal Press requests a follow up edition.
- Inclusion and mention on Ms Mongeon’s book tour- Providers of the 3D printers are welcome to supply their own printed collateral material for distribution. Mongeon is scheduling a book tour with universities, maker spaces and communities dealing with 3D Technology. She is a returning speaker at 3D Printer World Expo, was the cochair of 3D Camp 2012-2013 and is involved in the educational initiative of STEAM which encourages the combination of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math in education.
- Add space on the book’s accompanying website.
- A podcast episode with the host of the Art and Technology Podcast featuring the companies 3D printer and artist that use it.
If you are interested in this arrangement please contact the artist through the contact form on her website.
Other information about Bridgette Mongeon
FINE ART/WRITING/SPEAKING
Sculptor’s fine art website
BOOKS
Digital Sculpting With Mudbox: Essential Tools and Techniques for Artists.
NEW BOOK
3D Technology in Fine Art and Craft: Exploration of 3D Printing, Scanning, Sculpting and Milling. Sept 2015
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ART AND TECHNOLOGY
Art and Technology Podcast