Wanda and her husband Daryl have relocated from New Bremen, Ohio to Salida, Colorado. Wanda now devotes even more time to art in her new studio. She continues to sculpt but also is devoting more time to painting.
The life size sculpture “Partners” (the boy leading a mule) has been installed in front of the lock keepers house on the towpath of the Miami and Erie Canal in New Bremen, Ohio. It is located near the Southwest corner of S. Rt. 66 and St. Rt. 274. Wanda’s clay original was cast into bronze by Roger Smith at Michiganartcastings.com. This bronze is now a part of the Komminsk Legacy Park. The small version of Partners (as seen on this website) can also be seen at the Lock keepers house and the New Bremen Public Library.
Wanda is currently working on a small sculpture of a blacksmith from the 1800’s (see works in progress) and a lifesize small boy in a cowboy outfit on a 3 wheel antique horse head scooter.
It starts with an idea in my head. There is really no logic here. It just needs to be something that I see in my mind, and feel inspired to do. I often make some preliminary sketches. I look at hundreds of photos in books, magazines, and catalogs to find the expression and positioning that I want. A mirror or live model also can prove to be very valuable tools.
I make a metal armature and cover it with newspaper, aluminum foil, and masking tape. Sometimes I use a high density foam depending on the project. This step is to give me the general shape and support, without the cost and weight of the clay. The armature must be very sturdy and have good support. My husband Daryl is very helpful with this step.
I use a plastiline clay that never hardens and stays workable. I use many sculpture and dental tools but the most valuable tools are my hands. I may spend hundreds of hours sculpting and refining until I reach the results I am happy with.
After all of my work is complete the sculpture is now ready to go to a mold maker to begin the bronze casting process. For an explanation of the casting process click on the “bronze casting” tab for an overview of the process.