Marten
Year Completed: 2026
Medium / Materials: Bronze
Dimensions: 6” x 8” x 10”
Status: In Personal Collection
Exhibition: Metal Transformed - d-Art Center, Norfolk, VA (June - July 2026 )
The Process
I started by making several small clay forms, sketching out the marten's anatomy in three dimensions to really understand its agile movement and balance. By working through these quick studies, I could figure out the precise posture I wanted before pouring all my focus into one highly refined, final clay model. Once I had the biological form dialed in, I built a flexible mold around the sculpture to capture every subtle texture of muscle and fur, which allowed me to cast the hollow wax replica that serves as the bridge between clay and metal.
With the wax positive ready, I attached a network of wax sprues and vents—essentially creating a circulatory system to guide the molten metal in and let trapped air escape. Then, with a partner, I tightly packed the sand mixture around the wax in wooden frames. The, the wax was melted away and molten bronze was poured into the negative space, an intense transition which turned a fragile, empty space into something permanent. I personally helped in this process by being the “skimmer” who removed bronze waste particles by hitting skimming with a rod and hitting it on the ground.
After the metal cooled, I removed the sand shell to reveal the raw bronze underneath. It comes out rough and covered in those casting channels, so the real heavy lifting happens during the chasing phase. I cut away the bronze sprues, then used welding, grinding, and fine metalworking tools to meticulously reconstruct the surface and restore the exact textures from my original clay model. To finish the piece, I applied a cold patina and sealed it using wax and a blowtorch.
