Here is a portrait I’ve started on of my daughter, and need to complete before she grows too much bigger. She is now two years old and I started this when she was 18 months old. Where does the time go?

Toddler portrait: beginings

Toddler portrait: a little farther along

A little farther along…

If I could just get her to sit still for me. Is that too much to ask? : )

This summer I had the opportunity to sculpt some portraits (1/2 life size) of two friends and art patrons of mine, Francois & Sharon. I started the portrait of Sharon at a demonstration I did at the Lake Oswego art festival in Oregon and it was only natural to have her make it to my studio to finish the portrait and also sculpt her husband Francois.

Sharon

Francois

Sharon & Francois

Sharon

Another view of Sharon

Bob (Papa)

Rita (Grandma)

My Grandparents, Bob & Rita Wilkins

During August my grandparents came for a visit from Houston, Texas (they so enjoyed the break from the heat). Shortly before they left I had them each sit in my studio for a few hours while I quickly sculpted their portraits. I have been wanting to sculpt them for years and didn’t want pass by the opportunity I had this time.

Rita (side view)

Real Carriage Door Company introduces the Artist-in-residence series of handcrafted doors. Rich in tradition and material, these wood doors with custom bronze panels boast an unmatched uniqueness for both private residences and public arenas.

http://www.realcarriagedoors.com/bronze-doors.php

Pictured:
Dawn and Dusk by sculptor Mardie Rees. The Art-nouveau inspired bronze panels contain the allegorical figures of Dawn and Dusk, cyclically welcoming each other as time passes in earthly rhythm. The dark tones of Mahogany give these art pieces the frame they deserve.

Dawn & Dusk were recently installed on a beautiful arched entry door built by Real Carriage Door Co. (designed by my talented husband, Jeremy Broderick) that recently shipped to New Orleans for the AIA Convention May 11-15, 2011

We are all excited to hear the reception of this beautiful harmony of handcrafted wood and rich bronze.

Before the door shipped we took advantage of a beautiful Saturday. We took the door into the woods – not an easy task beacuse the door weighed 200 lbs! Here are just some quick photos taken with my phone. The professional photos coming soon!

The logistics of getting it down a small trail and over a fallen tree trunk!

My daughter wondering what all the fuss is about!

Aren’t they beautiful?

How did the door get there!

On April 12th, I joined Stuart (Shawnigan Lake Alum 1948) & Mary Milbrad, along with their daughter Sharon (Strathcona Alum) for a trip to Seattle. We took the newly completed maquette (size 21.75 x 13.25 x 12.75”) of C.W. Lonsdale & Dog to a meeting for alumni and guests put on by Shawnigan Lake School. I had a moment to share about the process of creating the work and a little background about Christopher Windley Lonsdale. The sculpture is now in Canada on view in the office of Shawnigan Lake School. It also is taken to various fundraising events and meetings that discuss the upcoming centennial celebration!!!

Stay tuned as we approach the making of the larger than life size sculpture! Shawnigan Lake School and alumni are in the process of raising funds to complete the piece, a tribute to their founder which will sit in a prominent location on campus!

Front view

rear view

I’ve been so busy finishing my panels I haven’t had a chance to continue posting the process, so now that I am done sculpting them I thought I’d post how I got there!

Here is where the idea began – a drawing I did in 2009. They originally were designed to go in an entry door made by Real Carriage Door Company. I’ve worked on this piece off and on between commissions and after each commission I would come back and change an aspect of the design. It has been evolving over the past two years.

Where I was in early January of 2011

Detail

Working on getting the leg of Dusk in the right place.

Dusks drapery is complete.

My Husband, Jeremy Broderick, really helped with the project being the perfectionist that he is!
He designed text, determined placement, and sculpted the text. Jeremy helped stay true to the organic yet perfect balance of the Art Nouveau style!
I couldn’t have completed it without him!

Above are pictures of completed Dawn & Dusk in clay before we started the molds. They are now at the foundry (2 Raven Studio in Tacoma, Washington) and being cast in Bronze for Real Carriage Door Company in Gig Harbor, Washington. The door has been awaiting the bronze panels for quite some time now.

Poem Credit goes to my sister: Kim (Rees) Smith on bottom right and left panels. She is also the beautiful model for Dusk. She is always an inspiration to me and I don’t tire of sculpting her.

Sculpture dimensions: 21.75″ x 13.25″ x 12.75″ (1/3 life size scaled model)

Detail of the German Shepherd

We arrived at Shawnigan Lake School to present the maquette (1/3 life size scale model) on October 23rd. It was the schools Founder’s Day & Alumni Reunion. There were Alum there who had graduated as recently as 2000 all the way back to the 1940s.

Mardie Rees with sculpture!

C.W. Lonsdale & Dog – was presented to the Gold Club (Alum for 50 years or more). The class of 1960 had an induction ceremony and all members listened to my presentation on the sculpture.

The maquette was presented on a base to better depict how it will be installed in bronze.

SUSA Fund (Shawnigan USA) members and also Gold Club Members.
From Left: Sharon Elmaleh,  Stuart Milbrad, Francois Elmaleh, Mardie Rees (sculptor), Katharine Burr, John Burr.
Missing: Mary Milbrad and my husband, Jeremy Broderick

Many alum had a good look at the sculpture at the Alumni Banquet on Saturday night!

Banquet and Reunion drawing to an end Saturday night in Marion Hall

The maquette was crated back up for the return trip home by ferry from Vancouver Island, Canada. It survived the trip there and back without any large cracks!

We are getting prepared to present the sculpture at Shawnigan Lake School this weekend for Founder’s Day (Oct 23rd).

I’ve got 3 more days to finish last minute details.

Here is my husband, Jeremy, making some measurements. Because of the height limitations the maquette and gray base he built will have to be assembled on site.

Portrait still has a lot of work…but look at the dog! = )

After a little more work on the portrait.