Aug 5 2000
Page 1
We have been commissioned to sculpt a one and one half
life-size monument of the Seminole hero Sam Jones . So visit our web
site and our studio for updates now and again to see the progress on
this and other pieces . Click on the thumbnails for larger pictures .
The first picture shows the sketch of Four Souls This Maquette
pictured August 5 , 2000 . The next picture show the Cooley's making
a stick figure 1 1/2 life -size armature from 3/4 inch steel rebar
this was taken Sept. 12 , 2000 . By the time we finish with the metal
armature the modeling clay,rubber molding ,& the plaster mother
mold, these structures will have to withstand a tremendous weight.
Any foundation always takes time and planning . The 4th picture is
Jim Billie and Leslie Billie and their two sons Micco and Kawocko
critiquing Four Souls Oct 7, 2000 This picture #5 below were posted
Oct 13 , 2000 is the first wire mesh on the panther.
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
Picture number six shows Brad Jr. hammering a sheet of
aluminum into a bird form . #7 showing the beginning of the wind
taking shape. These pictures of the Four Souls were entered Nov.
17,2000 are the most recent of the Monument .Picture # 8 is the
latest picture of Bradley working on Sam . Dec. 1 ,2000 James Billie
,Mondo Tigger ,Patsy West ,Esther McCulloch all came up from the Big
Cypress Reservation to view the progress on the monument and made a
change in it. Picture #9 shows the new looking Maquette in clay. And
picture # 10 shows the latest picture of the armature of the
sculpture with the arm down.
#6
#7
#8
#9
# !0
At long last we're working in clay this Dec.7,2000
..Picture #11 show the beginning process of applieng a base coat of
clay to the log that the panther is standing on. Here's my chance to
use up all my old clay(some of it as old as my children) . That's one
good thing about this clay , you can us it over and over again ..
Picture # 12 may not look much like a Panther yet but you have to
admit it looks a lot better than it did back in Oct 6 2000 . #13
shows Linda and Mike cutting and warming the clay for Brad and Brad
Jr.. These pictures were entered Dec 22 ,2000 , picture #14 show a
group of school children on a hands on art field trip to our studio
in the suberbs of Lamont Fla.What a great enthusiastic group WE
always enjoy the school groups . At long last the complete sculpture
has been covered in clay with the exception of the Bird Clan. As you
can see in picture # 15 .
# 11
#12
#13
#14
# 15
Picture #16 shows Brad Jr. and the progress on Sam.
This week Jan.12,2001 we have concentrated on the Bear Clan.After
some serious cutting on the bear we replaced the clay and made some
progress .However after these pictures were taken we again removed
the clay and some steel off his rump This is how sculpting goes ,you
put some on and take some off .,You keep doing this untill you get it
right. This week of Jan 19 ,2001 we have continued cutting and
welding,each time we do this it usually starts a fire . The type of
foam we use is very flamable and when it starts it usually catches
the clay on fire , We know this by now and are prepared to put it out
quickly. I'll be glad when all the welding is done. Jan 27 I'm a day
late with my update. .Picture #17 shows The chairman of the Seminole
tribe, James Billie after landing his helocoptor on site for a
progress update. These pictures entered Feb 2 , 2001 .We have
concentrated on the faces of Sam this week ,The small and the large
one. recieved equal time. All so that we have changed the modals face
from the original back in Aug.5 to the present one .As you can see in
picture # 18 we go from one to the other of these pieces trying to
keep them all at the same stage .Up until recent years I was not sure
if my God given talent was a blessing or a curse . Artists aren't
like athelets that will not play unless they recieve nine million. If
we do not get paid we will do it for free, that is the curse. But
when we get to do something we love to do and get paid for it thats a
blessing. Picture #19 was posted Feb 16 , 2001 show another weeks
work on the maquette .The detail are a slow proces .However Sam Jones
is beginning to look like panther clan. Unlike the other chiefs of
that time that wore the dutch boy type hair cut, all the descriptions
and one existing drawing , we find. that he had long flowing white
hair.. It's Sat.24,2001 worked on the panther maquette all week
seepicture# 20
#16
#17
#18
#19
#20
#2
#3
#4
#5
#7
#8
#9
# !0
#12
#13
#14
# 15
#17
#18
#19
#20
