#562 The island studio in Canada: "First Season Promise"

Every summer we spend time in Canada at the cabin/studio located on an island on Lake of the Woods in Ontario.  

During our time there last month, most days were rainy, windy, stormy, and on some days, 

cold enough for a fire.  Although we typically spend the summer days outdoors . . .
photographing, sketching, fishing and exploring the enormous lake by boat, 

the bad weather meant solitude and quality time in the cabin studio on the island.   

As the owner of a Brittany bird dog, I'm never without a model and subject matter and the fall-like weather was the perfect time to model a sculpture entitled, "First Season Promise".   The work depicts an English Setter and although similar 

to the Brittany, I paid special attention to their differences.  For design purposes, I modeled the 

English Setter because of its long tail . . . Brittanys have a short tail among other different characteristics.

Years ago, I created a sculpture similar to "First Season Promise" using the same breed, pose, and theme . . .
only a few were cast before faulty mold material - a product we no long use -  liquified and failed.  

Shown below, is a photo of our Brittany and silhouettes comparing the English Setter, (top) to the Brittany.

Shown below, are two views of "First Season Promise". . . the clay model in progress.
Working in the field with a beloved hunting dog inspired the sentiment I hope to convey with this sculpture.

Although I had computer access and books about dogs at the cabin regarding The American Kennel Club's 

official standard of every breed, my intent while creating the new work was not to present the AKC ideal of 

an English Setter but to present an eager, young dog bringing it's first retrieve to it's master in the field.

Important characteristics of the English Setter are the slightly domed head, the elegant fold of the low hanging ears, 

the long, square muzzle, the feathered tail carried in line with the back, and a slightly wavy coat.  

The English Setter was bred to "sit" when they discovered game birds so the hunter could 

shoot over them.  The dog would then retrieve the downed bird. 

Below, is an image of an original etching entitled, "Eager".

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Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish