Step 1 – Choices

August 2001

Prior to contacting Kevin I thought I had a fairly good idea of what I wanted. He directed me to his site (www.studionove.com) to browse his past works and suddenly I was faced with so many choices it was overwhelming.

Originally I had wanted a torso thinking this was very similar to Hubby's style of photographing me, but then I was torn as I know Hubby adores my face. I wasn't sure in which direction to go - bronze or marble. I wasn't sure which Hubby would prefer. As soon as Kevin said, "marble would be a one of a kind creation and it was his medium", my choice was made. Plus, even though this was August, had I gone in the bronze direction the foundry may not have been able to do the casting in time for Christmas.

Then there was the marble choices, Kevin wrote "Statuario" is a one of the finest Marble for nudes. It is white in a warm, almost skin tone. "Beonco P" is in a range of blue to greenish white - also nice but cold. With a few tricks I know, I can make them all look like they are a hundred years old. Then "Augusto" is "Yellow Sienna"; it is a lovely stone, but a little busy. The "Belgium Black" is just that, black with possibly a few fine lines of white running through it. It's all Lovely.

I decided on white marble thinking it would resemble my pale skin.

 

Step 2 – The Stone

After taking on the commission, Kevin drove to a stone yard in Canada and selected the right kind of stone and of the size required.

Marble weighs 2.8 tons per cubic meter so as you can imagine this is quite an event.

Kevin selected a kind of marble similar to 'Statuario'.

 

Kevin wrote, "When one starts to carve a block of stone, it opens a whole universe of discovery; 200 Million years of it. Marble started out as sand, then lime stone. If gasses passed through it in the last 100 million years or so, this will change the color. What ever minerals that where present, like in this instant iron, one will find this yellowing or rusting as it reveals itself to to us."

"The sample that I chipped off today told me that Iron is present. But we will have to see what the block holds. It is like a Woman of 45, somehow regardless of how many children, or marriages she may have had; magically she is a virgin. I myself have witnessed this miracle more than three times, and it is true! Anyway, inside we may well find the white that we are looking for. If not, then I would go with a patina. I think we will find the white."

Step 3 – Photos

One of my first requirements was that Kevin would be able to work from photos alone. I did not want to have to pose nude in real life without Hubby's consent. The fact that this was a surprise made that impossible, and in any case the distance was against us.

I also requested that Kevin take photos of the whole process. I wanted to present Hubby with a 'making of' diary along with his gift as he was being excluded from all this wonderful excitement.

Kevin needed photos of me in a similar pose to what I had in mind. My next task was for Hubby to take such photos without suspecting anything. If you've visited our links page you will see Dee listed, she is a friend and an artist. I asked her to write requesting a series of photos from every angle, giving the impression that I was a real nude model in front of her. It was hilarious; Hubby totally fell for it. The following day we took a series of photos. You have no idea how difficult it was for me to not keep laughing. :) Kevin received a total of 40 photos in four slightly different poses together with of all my measurements.

Step 4 – Clay Study September 2001 Kevin wrote, "First I will do a study, about half the finished size. I will make two of these. One for you and one for me, then destroy the mold. Hopefully she will meet with your approval. I will be using some other photos that I have found at your web page to help me see all that I need to. Then there is the magic that happens when that good old "Mind - Hand - Material" do their creating thing. I warn you that at first I work "fat". I'm a carver at heart, so I go big then finish smooth. I added a post to insure that she will not decide to move on me. I suffer from "Brick-shit-house" disorder. It's just the way I like to have things. Luckily I'm not into Aeronautics. It looks like she will almost be the same size as the marble sister will be, 15" to 16", so far six pounds of plastalene oil based clay with another, say, another nine to go."

Step 5 – Final touches to Study

Once the study was almost complete I had to decide on the details. For me this was slightly embarrassing.

Kevin wrote, "Today I will be putting the final touches on the study. The study, or Marquette is just a guide in my case. She will be changing a bit - well you'll see. Then I will be making a "waste mold" meaning a mold that is only used once or twice. When she is in plaster I can have her right there with me, and your photos for reference. She is already at full size, so it should go very smoothly. I will send you a copy of the marquette some time soon. I get kind of funny when I'm carving a marble this size; it is always near to me. I draw the line at sleeping with it, although it may be in the room with me. The time is nearing for the details. Soft or hard nipples? Pubic's - shaved? Patina - natural? When I send you a sample of the stone I can do the patina on one side and natural on the other. The patina will make it look older, using coffee, and cranberries just on the pubic."

Hubby is always fascinated by the different appearances of my breasts and nipples, but I know he particularly likes them when they are warm, relaxed and puffy, yet still with a hint of nipple. *Giggle* I wanted my zingies to appear much like they always do, and decided against changing the patina/colour. I felt it would be disrespectful of the marble to change it, and wanted it to remain in it's natural state.

Step 6 – Waste Mold These photos show how one changes from clay to plaster. Kevin writes, "It is usually called a 'Waste Mold' and done in plaster of Paris. One or maybe two copies and a lot of fixing up after words. Being a dentist's son I went with an "Algenet" mold. If you have ever had an impression made of your mouth, it's the same material. This was a first for me at this size. I made a new box that I will be able to use on many other sculpts of different sizes. The holes and pins are so it does not rest on the bottom of the part that holds it together, called the "Companion Mold". One pores the gook in two parts. It makes it easy to halve the two parts, and is flexible. You can fill it up on the in-between with what ever, wax, plaster, or for this time of year Chocolate. Although it would have a lingering taste of the algenet. :( "

Step 7 – Carving

October 2001

Kevin wrote, "That's one hard stone 'A Secco', Mah, a Bellissima, che bella marmo! Translated - Dry, hard, but it's Italian how could you not love it? She's a beautiful little block of heaven! I use saws that cut almost anything, I was using an old friend of mine, but it just was not doing it. So I went and bought a new one, same thing. This Momamea is hard. So I go with some, chip and a chop with the chisel. That's good. It's a new ball game, I Love it, love it, love it. You see I use to never do a study; just go to the stone. The stone will tell what and how she will be carved. Seeing we are not just carving a "Lady" in stone but trying to come close to your lovely form, I'm ever so happy that we took the time to do the study.

A fault in the stone, as it will in the beginning, will set the tone. So you will not be so straight up and down, but dancing. With your right shoulder twisting back, arched back, head back, twisting smoothly, with your right leg up, and out ...I think. :)"

This marble is so different from others that I have carved before. It is one hard!, almost Quartz like. It is wonderfully translucent, not to the point of Alabaster, although it is very white and clear." I will use the big piece that came off and make a little practice sculpt. As one comes into the final finishing zone, I need to know what tools and method will be best to use. By the looks of it I think that grinding will be safer then chiseling, as I would normally be doing it.

I love finding a new type of marble! The stone is worthy of your Beauty, she's a white, and now sound as a bell. It is at the chiseling part that one must move "Piano, Piano" slowly, slowly that is one of the lessens that the Italian's preached, and I try to adhere to. Even a hard type of marble like this one will bruise, or even worse make little cracks. Better to take the time and "Piano Piano" and enjoy moving to the form. I do not ever think of the time/cost when doing a sculpt like this. It is doing your form and the marble justice. I still have the clay one so I made some changes to it just to be safe. My compressor is giving me trouble. The marble is softening up. I wrap her up in a moist towel when I'm not working on her and that seems to help a bit."

Step 9 – Grande Finale

December 2001

Kevin wrote, "As you see she is all but done. She fits on her base just right. The boxes are all ready to go, and tonight I will be putting the last touches. Monday 12/17/01 it will be going UPS.

I have this thing for "Boxes"; you will like it. Because they are made by me and have that hand made feel to them, much better than some cardboard. It kind of a home for the sculpt that should last for many a move."

The boxes arrive and are indeed a work of art in and of themselves. Beautifully hand crafted and not a rough edge to be found anywhere. It almost kills me to wait a week and not have a peek. I had already decided she would be a surprise and an unveiling for the both of us on Christmas morning. Luckily the boxes were that heavy, I couldn't have peeked even if I wanted to.

When I tease Hubby about his Christmas surprise, he frequently says, all he ever wants is me, tied in a big red bow. I thought that it would be interesting for him to get two red bows this year. Can you believe this? Kevin was even thoughtful enough to enclose a huge silk red ribbon along with a most beautiful letter and full rights to his latest wondrous creation. :)