To reiterate: Once the life casts are completed, a duplicate of the scene that I am trying to create has to be re-created in wax using the life molds. When the wax scene is completed, it has to be cut into manageable sections that will be made into investment molds. Some of these mold sections will have areas that join to other areas making it a complete fiurative sculpture. The areas that join together have precise areas that need to be captured in the mold. Press molds will have to be utilized to capture multiple all important facets of the molds surfaces.
nOne of the hardest areas to cut into sections is the gaffer. She is upright in a dynamic position which makes it difficult to counter its weight. In the summer months it makes it even harder to cut and mold because the wax has to be transfered to my fabrication studio for mold making. Every step of the way the outside temperatures create an environment where the wax can melt and shift positioning. It becomes a battle of time and working and transferring things quickly. Shown here, the arms are cut, fitted with joinery, set up for casting, cast and press molded.
There are 26 total investment molds that have to be made from the several areas of this wax glass blowing scene. Some of the molds will need metal outer jackets to keep the mold together when taking them out of a hot kiln and pouring hot glass into them. The molds seen below are of the assistants arms, hands, torso and head. Once the molds are completed, the wax has to be steamed out (lost wax process). The molds then have an empty cavity which glass can then be pored into. The molds then have to sit to become bone dry.
After the wax is completed to mimc the original model/ scene, the wax has to be cut into sections the will be cast in parts to then be reassembled in glass. Shown above: The wax has wood inserts that will be inserted into the finished glass allowing it to be joined together.
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Dean AllisonDean Allison is a studio artist working with portrait sculpture and the figure with glass. His studio is in Pittsburgh PA. Dean is working on a commissioned sculpture for our new space in the Newark Arts Common. Follow Dean as he works to create this new significant work of art. Archives
September 2020
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