Terrier Commission: Bronze Garden Sculpture

The owners of 'Duka' for over 14 years, wanted to celebrte his life with an everlasting memory of a commissioned bronze sculpture.

I was fortunate to spend time with Duka before he passed and this gave me insight into his character and behaviour. From this, I started on developing a maquette (scale model) made in clay. It's a very implortant  stage of the development for me to understand proportions, stance and scale.

Once I am satisfied with the direction that the piece is taking, I then start on the main sculpture. I start with a metal armature – a structure that provides support and stability. I apply the resin to the core structure and finalise with the finishing touches. Replicating fur is not an easy process, especially when you need to attain a good likeness.

Once complete, Duka heads off to my foundry where he is cast in bronze using the lost wax process. It can take up to 14 weeks from delevery to completion and I visit to check both quality and progress.

Finally the piece is coloured using heat and acids to attain just the right colour. Once cooled a layer of wax is applied to protect it from the outdoor elements and finally he is installed in his new home.

The clients were over the moon with the piece and adorns their garden, a place of rememberance and a mark to the memories they had together.