Some Customer Comments...The Process...My sculptures are created using different clays – whichever is most suitable for the subject – porcelain for white pups and polar bears, stained clays for colourful pups, and lightly grogged clays for boisterous pups – like Airedales.
Creating a sculpture takes hours of research for dogs which are not Airedales (for Airedales, I just find one of my pups and get them to pose). For all other breeds, I view and print multiple images in different poses to learn their anatomy and colourings. Next, the appropriate clay is stained (coloured) and test fired to make sure I have the best match to the dog’s coat. Once the colour is right, a larger quantity of clay is stained and left to rest and mature overnight. The preparation work is now complete and the sculpting and shaping begins. This takes many hours, over a number of days. The body takes half the time and the head and face the other half. It is fascinating to me how eyebrows, eyes, ears, mouth, head position and body position can impart emotion. I am always watching dogs and people and learning from their tiny subtle movements. With the sculpting and shaping complete, the sculpture rests and dries undercover for two weeks or longer depending on its size. When partly dry, the sculpture is cleaned and smoothed with tiny brushes and sponges. When completely dry, the sculpture is placed in the kiln and fired to 1030C /1886F which takes 28 hours including cooling down. This is known as bisque firing and it turns clay from a friable material into a solid but porous shape. Now the glaze is applied, highlighting saddles, paws and nose. Back into the kiln for a final firing to 1165C / 2129F. This takes another two days to reach temperature and then cool down. The sculpture is now ready for eyes to be applied using china paints. The sculpture is then sealed with a ceramic sealer and is now complete. The entire process taking six to eight weeks. I appreciate your patience! There is only me to do everything! |
Prices for Custom SculpturesAiredale Terriers and Welsh Terriers start at $AUD 345
Other custom sculptures start at $AUD 435 (single coat colour) Price increases based on the number of colours in your furkids' coat Price includes shipping within Australia. Sculptures are shipped worldwide. Prices are in AUD Australian Dollars. Convert to your currency here : www.xe.com/currencyconverter This price is based on 15-20 cm / 6-8 inch sculpture. Larger sculptures can be created, contact me to discuss. Toys, beds or other items can be created for an additional cost. A 50% deposit is requested to hold your place on my waiting list. The balance due once your sculpture is complete and ready to come home to you. Care Instructions for your Sculpture: |