Margaret
 

This one's been in the works for a while, but thought I'd go ahead and post it. Just needs the bases finished, and they're ready to ship.
Difficult project. This is a lifesize bust of the client's ancestor made from just one ancient grainy photo from 1860. It was her wedding day.
The bottom photo is the original ceramic version, just fired and waxed. The top is one of the bronze casts with a traditional ferric nitrate patina.
Quite a difference in appearance between the two. Makes it hard for clients to know what to order ahead of time.

Wow!

Heidi,

It fascinates me to see how you re-created her from just an old photo! She looks so alive, especially in the bronze version.

Heidi,
To be able to make this out of one 148 year old photo is simply amazing and really shows off your gift. Your work is always a learning experience to look at. Very fine work!

Thanks Claudemir, Alex, and Carlos!
Not the best likeness I've done (which is why you don't see the reference photo), but with that much missing information, it was hard enough just trying to make her look human let alone make it look just like her. Most of it is a guesstimate and the back is completely made up with a braided hair bun and hairpins of the era.

I'm in awe of your abilities; how satisfying for you to be able to transform a photo into something this beautiful. The client must have been over the moon
Margaret

Heidi,

I am amazed that you were able to get all the necessary information for this lovely bust from an old photo! Lovely...

Thank you Enzie and Margaret! Yes, the clients are very pleased, and I am just relieved that they are finally finished. I started making them in March!

I have to second what Carlos has said. Really beautiful!

David, I'm sorry I missed this reply. Thank you!

I just got this feedback email today from the mother of my client and wanted to share. I shipped one of the bronzes to her in Australia in September but hadn't heard anything other than it arrived safely and had been thinking that they were dissatisfied with it somehow and were reluctant to say so. I couldn't have been more wrong. This letter really made my day today (Christmas day). Definitely makes all that work and frustration worth while when the piece is so appreciated by the client and they let you know it.
___________________

"Oh my, oh my, dear Heidi! After waiting for so long I was able to open your carton. Yesterday was Christmas Day so my mother and I were able to meet 'Margaret Anne' for the first time. Your work is wonderful, absolutely beautiful. I'm so impressed. My 88 year old mother looked at her and started to cry. It was such an emotional time and I can't thank you enough for the care and trouble you went to in making her perfect in every detail. I just love her, and so does my mother - we all do. Over the last year Michael forwarded emails of her evolution, but still I was overcome seeing her sitting before my eyes. You've done a fantastic job. It's more than ever expected. Throughout the day I had to keep going back to have another look. Michael took lots of photos as I unpacked the box and there she was! That first look took my breath away. This person was real once and died so tragically young, now she will live forever thanks to your talent and Michael's interest in the first place.

For now she has been placed a coffee table in front of a low window looking out onto our garden. The table is a slab of bush wood smoothed to a silken-touch. There she sits with her melancholy thoughts - I think the expression is perfect given her history. It's hard to believe this is the result from one faded old photo. It's just brilliant and I thank-you so much.

Now I'm going to have another look - probably my 100th!."

I can't wait to see you at the Mesa League next month. Your work is so strikingly present, I have been counting down the days.

Don't those letters make you sometimes think that taking money is only a byproduct of the job!!!

Happy Holidays!

What a wonderful letter, Heidi!

Thanks Debra and Alex,
Debra, glad there will be a familiar face there at the presentation/demo. It is my first public anything I've agreed to do and I'm nervous as heck about it.

Heidi--

I imagine that your "forensic" success resulted from so many past projects from life coming to your aid in this one, enabling you to fill in the blanks. Many congrats on such a satisfied client!

--TE

Heidi,

Astounding! What you've completed takes considerable talent and interpretive skills. Fortunately you have much experience and observation behind you to evoke a credible and engaging 3-D portrait from an antique photograph (I know I would be quite challenged)! Well done!

Garth

I know this thread is old, but I thought I'd post one more photo here of another variation of this bust I made recently This time, cast a copy in almond granite to have for a show I'm doing in Newport Oregon next month. I've given it an antique finish and think it suits this old fashioned gal rather well. Amazing how the same bust can feel so different depending on what material it is made of and finish that is applied to it.

Thank you so much for posting this update, Heidi. It really is interesting to see how much difference the material makes. That must be one of the fun things about sculpting.

Heidi,
Just found this string. What a beautiful story! How wonderful this bust is. I love looking at your work.

Glag that you updated it Heidi, or I would have miss your stunning work and the well deserved letter. Thanks!

Such an interesting story and beautiful piece. . . this latest finish does suit her well! Heidi, thanks for sharing these images and the letter - so touching!

Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments Tom, Garth, Alex, Patricia, Sara, and Terri! Glad to see you guys are still here and still painting bautifully. Been so busy with my day job, and other things, have barely sculpted at all in the past couple of years. Really do miss it and need to shift priorities.

Heidi,

Your work is beautiful, and I love the finish you chose.

Day job: yes, necessary, but so is beauty!

Best regards