Time...one day we turn around and realize that it's like the wind blowing through Wyoming mountains on a cold winter day, brisk, etherial and gone in a flash without really knowing how much it impacted our lives. Sometimes I secretly wish that I could take a butterfly net and catch the time I've lost. I wonder how much of it would fit in the tiny net and how much would fall through the holes.
I have wasted much time in my life, but then again there were moments when I got it right and lived to the fullest in every way possible despite the eliments that surrounded me. Creating the sculpture proved to be one of these moments.
The clay sculpture went through its appropriate transition into bronze at a foundry in Sarasota.
http://www.bronzart.com/ It has since been placed on its final resting place at New Port Richey's Trinity Memorial Gardens. The sculpture towers over the grave of Mr. and Mrs. Bissi on a beautiful headstone that holds a massive pedistal of Georgia Green granite. To tell you that I cried when they placed the sculpture "Eternal Love" on its pedistal, would be an understatement. I cried the kind of tears that stem from deep down in ones soul and seeps through a plethora of emotions. Mine were not the first tears shed for this was also the first time Mr. Bissi had seen the sculpture since it had been cast into bronze. The moment was so dear that I'll never forget that May 8 day. I have a feeling that I am not the only one that will cherish the memories made.
Have I told you that I absolutely adore Mr. Bissi? I do, very much so...He was is one of the kindest souls I've ever known and it isn't any wonder that his wife loved him so much. I also adore his kids, especially Doug whom I've had the pleasure of getting know on a more personal basis. We spent a lot of time together going back and forth to the foundry that is located in Sarasota, 87 miles from my home. Doug and I fretted over each step of casting. We fretted over the stone, over the color or the bronze, it's placement and just about everything imaginable We are both natural born fretters that happen to love fretting. But what we did not do was take Mr. Bissi to the foundry because of the hours we spent there and the fact that the trip would have been too much for him. Besides this, I think it would have been difficult for him to see the stages that the clay went through. You'll see what I mean in the photographs.
Now please do not think he is a frail man, because he is anything but frail or fragile. Mr. Bissi works every day at his business, remains a loyal and devoted father, lives alone and visits his wife's grave every week. This may not sound so unusual, but if one considers the fact that this fine gentlemen is 92 years young, well need I say more? He is strong and willful. He is proud and very capapble of doing anything he wants. It is with this knowledge that I will share a very special moment with you.
Taken May 8, 2008...This was the moment of truth, one I shall never forget.
In Colorado...
/1/08 The clay started last year at my Dad's house. I worked from only a portrait photograph of the mural that I painted for the Bissi's. It was here that I sculpted both heads and the hands.
In Port Richey.
10/26/08 Back home at my studio I began sculpting the two bodies and arms so that I could attach the heads and hands.
It's all about growth, dedication and fearlessness.
11/7/08 Photo by John Tischner
April 28, 2008 My friend, photographer and newspaper editor, John Tischner.
12/20/07 Photos by Larry Gerkin
April 28, 2008 The finished clay complete with wedding rings, texture and refinement.
April 10, 2008 Mold taken from clay sculpture.
April 22, 2008 Sculpting stand holding wax figure to determine
the best placement of the final sculpture.
April 24, 2008 Gated wax head of Mr. Bissi.
April 27, 2008 Raw bronze just before welding pieces together.
May 5, 2008 Welded raw bronze getting the first layers of Patina.
May 6, 2008 Finished patina on sculpture. Beautiful transition!
May 8, 2008 My birthday, the installation day.
May 11, 2008 Dedication of Eternal Life.
Time Passages: A moment that describes what happened in my life this past year; a year that I somehow managed to not waste. A year full of moments that I will always cherish and remember...
