#754 "Guinea Fowl"

Original etching "Guinea Fowl"

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

#753 "Secretary Bird" con't . . .

Head study drawing of Secretary Bird from my sketchbook.

Tanzania, 2013

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

#752 "Secretary Bird"

      During the Covid-19 virus shut down I find myself studio bound and 

      incarcerated like never before. I'm taking advantage of this time 

        by revisiting startups and works that were set aside for one reason or 

         another in years past and among the many is a head study of one of the 

                 most interesting birds I have ever encountered afield: 

                  The Secretary Bird.

"Secretary Bird"

10"H 10"W 6"D
 Edition Size 50

This head study is a nightmare for a mold maker and foundry to cast.  

                                                   We spent many hours consulting the foundry and relying 

                                                             on their assistance in the production process. 

This study is the result of an unforgettable trip to Tanzania several years ago with a group of artist friends:  Jan Martin McGuire, James Gary Hines,  John Agnew, Julie Askew, Robert Caldwell, Paul Dixon, Tony Pridham, and Dale Weiler. Trish and I were given our own guide and Land Rover,  spent time consuming hours at water holes in search of closeups and details of various species and returned home with over 15,000 digital images.  The Secretary Bird is famous for its long black head plumes, is a raptor closely related to the osprey and can be found stomping snakes in sub-Saharan African grasslands.  Please type in Secretary Bird in the white blog search box for more info on this subject.   

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

#674 Functional Art . . . "African Elephant Bookends"

Over the years I've created many bookend compositions - over 30 at last count - and most of the designs 

present the subject emerging from mass.   My most recent creation, "African Elephant Bookends", 

is one of my favorite sculptures of functional art.  The work was created in one sitting - 2 to 4 hours - and my intent was to model a spontaneous, loose, and inspired surface while maintaining the general impression, size and shape of the animal.
I will discuss the merits and faults of one-sitting clay sketches and loose modeling in an upcoming blog.

Below, are images of the clay model of "African Elephant Bookends" in progress.

I modeled only one bookend but cast it twice to create the pair . . . below, is an image of the bronze casting of
 "African Elephant Bookends".  Not all one-sitting sculptures are worthy of casting but this one was.

"African Elephant Bookends"

9"H 14"L 8"D

3,600

Go to the BLOG INDEX and Reference Page for more information.  
See post #616

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

#672 Africa Portfolio 1 . . . "Recumbent Giraffe", con't

Please seen the previous 2 posts for more information about this blog.

A Giraffe has only two gaits:  Walking and galloping.  Walking is done by moving the legs on one side of the body at the same time, the doing the same on the other side.  A galloping giraffe is a wonderful sight to see . . .  

the hind legs move up past the front legs BEFORE the front legs move forward while the long neck and head rock 

forward and backward to maintain balance!  The obvious pose for me to choose for my first Giraffe sculpture

 would have been a standing, walking, or galloping Giraffe as I had plenty of reference material

 from my trip to Africa but I chose a recumbent pose with more Giraffe sculptures planned in the future.


Below, Note both legs going forward on the same side while going back
on the opposite side . . . similar to a pacing horse.

Below, are photos of "Recumbent Giraffe" in progress in clay, cast in bronze, and making the mold.

  

It's important for the artists to understand how and in what direction an animal's limbs are folded when they are in a recumbent position.  Typically, the limbs are arranged in such a way as to enable the species to rise with the greatest facility.  By observing wild animals in the field and photographing and sketching them, invaluable information can obviously be obtained.  However, much can be learned by studying domestic animals which are much more readily available to study and scrutinize.  For instance, a house cat has the structural arrangements - supple spine, etc - as a lion.

 Dogs resemble wolves, fox, etc;  cattle resemble bison, etc;  and goats resemble deer, Giraffe, and more.

The artist must know how the skeleton is arranged,
 how the bones articulate and identify bony landmarks and waypoints.
All quadruped skeletons are fundamentally the same but some species have limited mobility
in the reclining position.

Below, is an early work depicting a recumbent cow. . . useful observation and information for modeling wild species.

For anatomy reference, see posts #616 and #655

Go to the BLOG INDEX and Reference Page for more information.  

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

#671 Africa Portfolio 1 . . . "Recumbent Giraffe", con't

Please visit the previous blog for more information about this post.

There are some events that occur in the field that are branded in your memory for the rest of your life . . . 

in Africa, my first sight of a Giraffe in the wild remains one of the most profound animal encounters I've ever experienced.

While driving on the dusty road from Ngorogoro Crater in Tanzania to the south end of the Serengeti, we went over a rise and a Giraffe was to our left, less than 20 feet from the Land Rover.  "Twiga, said our guide in Swahile" as he stopped the truck . . . a blazing sun, low in the west backlit the magnificent Masai Giraffe (Twiga) as the magic of Africa enveloped me.  The animal advanced slowly, swinging its head and neck from side to side to keep its balance . . . looking as though it was moving in slow motion.   Without raising the camera, I simply soaked it all in . . . knowing that Africa in all its glory,
the grand, long-awaited adventure and subjects for untold future sculptures lay ahead.

Below, are photos taken of Giraffe in Tanzania.

Shown below,  are images of the clay model that was created in one sitting outdoors after our return from Africa.
I don't cast most of my one-sitting  (typically, 2 -4 hour) clay sketches but this one, I deemed worthy of bronze.

More about Giraffe and modeling recumbent animals in next Wednesday's blog.

For anatomy reference, see posts #616 and #655

Go to the BLOG INDEX and Reference Page for more information.

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

#670 Africa Portfolio 1 . . . "Recumbent Giraffe"

In October, 2013, Trish and I traveled to Africa with a group of 9 internationally known artists to sketch, photograph, paint, observe, and experience the amazing wildlife in Tanzania.  The purpose of the trip was and is to raise awareness and funds to combat the African poaching crisis where thousands of elephants are slaughtered annually for their ivory tusks.  

To learn more about the trip, please go to blog #477, posted Nov. 10, 2013 through #497, posted Jan. 19, 2014.
https://www. Post #477

Last weekend Columbine Gallery in Loveland, Colorado hosted the first show for the group of 9 artists -
Artist Ambassadors Against Poaching  [AAAP] - and a generous portion of the sales went to our anti-poaching efforts . . . "Ivory Orphans" which cares for the young elephants after the adults are killed for their ivory.  More shows are planned.

To learn more about the art show at Columbine Gallery to raise funds for "Ivory Orphans", see the previous 3 posts.

http://www.columbinegallery.com/african-wildlife-trust.html

The focus of this blog is the Giraffe;  a favorite subject depicted in one of the new works in Africa Portfolio 1. 

The new bronze sculpture was introduced at the Columbine art show in Loveland, Colorado last weekend.

Below, are photos of the sculpture, "Recumbent Giraffe"

Below, are photos of Giraffe taken in the field in Tanzania.

Next Sunday's blog spotlights the creation of "Recumbent Giraffe".



For anatomy reference, see page #616 and #655

Go to the BLOG INDEX  and Reference Page for more information.  

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

#659 Africa Portfolio I

Please see the previous 2 blogs for information about this post which spotlights Columbine Gallery's
"Weekend for Elephants" art show this past weekend and new works influenced by my trip to Africa in 2013. 

Columbine Gallery in Loveland, Colorado presented an art show - "Weekend for Elephants" - this past weekend to raise funds and to create awareness of the ivory poaching crisis in Africa.  Monies raised from sales will go to "Ivory Orphans"
. . .  Tanzania's orphanage for young elephants who are misplaced due to the slaughter of adults for their ivory tusks.

Below, are images taken at the "Weekend for Elephants" art show at Columbine Gallery.

Below, are fellow AAAP members and artists, Jan Martin McGuire and James Gary Hines.

Below, is an image of a new work inspired by my trip to Tanzania in 2013, entitled "Recumbent Giraffe".

Below, is a photo of Columbine Gallery owner, John Kinkade.  John and his daughter, Alyson joined
the AAAP artists in donating the "lion's share" of proceeds from sales to "Ivory Orphans" animal orphanage in Tanzania.
Their generous contribution which includes financing the entire show and promotional considerations will forever be recognized and appreciated by all.   The fight against poaching continues and AAAP and Columbine Gallery have very exciting plans for future efforts. Thank you, John, Alyson, and Ren!

For more photos of the weekend go to: https://www.facebook.com/photo


Next Wednesday's blog will focus on the field work in Africa and the creation of "Recumbent Giraffe".

Go to the BLOG INDEX on the right for more information.

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

#658 "Weekend for Elephants" . . . con't

Please see the previous post for more information about this important subject.

Columbine Gallery is hosting an art show, "Weekend for Elephants", in Loveland, Colorado this coming weekend for the
9 member artists of Artists Ambassadors Against Poaching.  Proceeds from the show sales will go to "Ivory Orphans" . . . the first sanctioned elephant orphanage in Tanzania which cares for an elephant's young after the adult is killed for their ivory.   The funds will assist in combating the out-of-control ivory poaching crisis that is wiping out the remaining African Elephants.




 Please go to the links below for additional information and to view all of the artist's works available at the show.

http://www.columbinegallery.com
http://www.WEEKENDFORELEPHANTS
http://www.columbinegallery.com/african-wildlife-trust.html
http://www.ivoryorphans.org

I will be exhibiting 10 Africa-themed sculptures . . .  subjects include African Buffalo, Cheetah, Lion, Giraffe,

 and African Elephant . . .  4 of the10 sculptures depict the African Elephant and are shown below.

 Trumpeting Elephant Bookends
15"H 16"W 5"D

Trumpeting Elephant Study
18"H 8"W 8"D

Motivated Study
11"H 14"W 7"D

Elephant Fragments
14"H 26"W 8"D

Upcoming blog posts and commentary will present images of the African experience
 and focus on the creation and casting of my first African Portfolio.

Go to the BLOG INDEX on the right for more information.

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

#657 "Weekend for Elephants" at Columbine Gallery

Next weekend, Columbine Gallery in Loveland, Colorado is hosting a "Weekend for Elephants" coinciding with

 the 32nd Annual Sculpture in the Park which takes place across the street from the gallery.  The art show spotlights the work of the 9 members of Artist Ambassadors Against Poaching who traveled together to Tanzania in 2013 to experience the magnificent African wildlife and to photograph, sketch, and paint them in their natural habitat . . . the inspired and outstanding works presented next weekend are a result of their trip.


http://www.columbinegallery.com
http://www.WEEKENDFORELEPHANTS
http://www.columbinegallery.com/african-wildlife-trust.html
http://www.ivoryorphans.org

Proceeds from sales at the art show go to Ivory Orphans - the first sanctioned elephant orphanage in Tanzania that takes care of animals rescued due to poaching.  The hope and message of Artists Ambassadors Against Poaching and of Columbine Gallery is to bring awareness and funds to assist in the ivory poaching crisis which is decimating the remaining African Elephant herds.  AAAP is grateful for the generous support and contribution of Columbine Gallery and for the interest and support of collectors . . . come by and see us and see the art next weekend!

Shown below, is a photo of the members of the internationally known AAAP group of artists in Tanzania . . . they are:  

Sandy Scott (USA); Tony Pridham (Australia); John Agnew (USA); Jan Martin McGuire (USA); James Gary Hines (USA);  Robert Caldwell (USA);  Paul Dixon (South Africa);  Julie Askew (England);  and Dale Weiler (USA).

I will be showing ten new Africa themed works.  Below, is a new sculpture entitled, "Cheetah Chase".

For more information about the trip to Tanzania, go to blogs #477 - posted Nov. 10, 2013 through blog #497 - 

posted Jan. 19, 2014.   Upcoming blogs will focus on the creation and casting of the new sculptures that

 will be shown in Columbine Gallery's "Weekend for Elephants" next weekend.
http://www.477InFieldAfrica

Go to the BLOG INDEX on the right for more information.

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