Just had to add... it is so "cool!" :cool:

Heidi, I just read this and I apologize for not congratulating you before. I didn't realize you had such exciting news. Wow! I'm so admiring of your ability and I am confident that you will do a super job on these commmisions. May they lead to even more!

Alex

Thank you all so much - but don't congratulate me too soon! Whether or not I get to do any more of the other 20 busts totally depends on how well I do with this first one.
So far, it has been a real challenge working from 70 year old grainy, washed out photos that span all different ages - trying to see extreme detail that doesn't exist in the photos. I have a dvd player set up in my studio and am playing his old movies and stopping the frame whenever they show a closeup. It is almost like having him there modeling for me, but even those photos have weird lighting and are grainy - plus he holds perfectly still and doesn't move his head around at all so I can see the forms. Well, wish me luck. It is a good opportunity so I hope I can pull it off.

Oh, I thought I would add one more note about this job and why I am not overly confident that there will be more to follow.

It turns out that I am the fourth sculptor that this man has hired for this particular project because he has not been happy with the likenesses from the other three (and one was from Tussaud studios!) All started with the Bela bust since he is probably the most difficult to do. That really puts pressure on me to nail the likeness.

On an encouraging note, however, this man is semi famous in his country and last week he had a TV interview. During the course of the interview, he was asked about his interests and hobbies and he told them he was a big fan of the classic horror movies and that he was having a life size collection of figures made. He then proceeded to mention me by name as the artist who is making the sculptures for him. He also told me that when it is finished, he wants a photo of me with the bust to give to his publicist as he intends to run a newspaper article about it. I have never had any sort of publicity at all, so this is all very exciting indeed!

When he saw the progress, his response was "I think you are the one that is going to make my dream come true". My response should have been "I think you are the one that is going to make MY dream come true!"

Hi Heidi,

This is a beautiful piece of art!
From the photos you posted so far, your Bella Lugosi looks quite accurate. And even if you don't do all 20, it sounds like just doing this one is garnering you some publicity so this has been a golden opportunity either way.

(If that man doesn't hire you to do all of them, he's blind!!!)

As far as him being dissatisfied with someone from Madame Tussaud's, Heidi, you're right up there with the very best. I hope you know that. It doesn't surprise me at all that he likes your work better than the Tussaud person's.

Such a precious little girl sculpture -- and I'm glad to hear things are really taking off for you!

Heidi, this is terrific news and you deserve every success with the incredible work that you do! (And I hope you get LOTS of publicity.)

Brenda, Michele, and Linda
Thanks so much for your hopeful wishes - and of course I wish the very same for you all as well. I've learned not to get too excited and to take one day at a time. Even if it is foreign publicity, publicity is publicity, so I'll take it for starters and see where things lead.

Let the good times roll!
 

Wow, it looks like this up until now break even at best hobby is about to become full time! Because of this Bela exposure in Mexico, I was asked to submit a quote last week and the clients today approved and confirmed that I will soon begin this new project for them.

It is for nine 120% life-size traditional bronze busts of their country's presidents to be installed at their Embassy in Mexico City. I plan to do an excellent job for them, as this is sure to make or break my career. Wish me luck! It feels great to be able to say that I now have 2-year waiting list. Woo hoo!

Omigosh Heidi-- that's tremendous! What exciting news -- Congrats!!