Original Sculpture - Only One Edition

Water based Clay, Bisque Fired, and finished with Acrylics Paint

11” (W) x 19” (L) x 10” (H)

( 28 cm x 48 cm x 24 cm)

Completion Year - 2009

For Limited Time Only - No HST

Time is made to stand still within this sculpture, a life and death situation is being captured. It is a moment when three members of a Wolf Pack have pushed a stalwart Bull Moose to the very edge of its survival within a dried up swampy enclave.

On the end of a rock mound with no more room to run, this Bull Moose stands ready to turn and fight, creating a reaction of hesitation within the minds of the wolves, who are anticipating swinging antlers and projecting hooves of the moose.

The original concept formed as a result of seeing a Bull Moose and Wolf Pack interacting with each other in similar situations. Here, a moment in time is frozen with the top image angle conveying the story best. A weary Moose set in a defensive posture, surrounded and trapped by a Wolf pack ready to strike. With no where to go, this becomes the bull’s last stand.

When building a base its important to keep the drying process in mind in order to avoid explosions when fired. Therefore, you hollow out major sections from underneath but keep a thickness to about one half inch to maintain strength, The landscape is built up in stages, using clay to form tree trunks, broken branches and loose ground materials to fill the base surface. Fine semi-dried clay chips can also be added after the surface has been wet down with a mixture of water and a thin layer of slip (creamy clay) which helps elements adhere to the surface. This adds an element of realism to the texture of the sculpture.

When the basic design has taken shape, the refinement of various details becomes the focus. As the sculpture’s drying process begins, the artist can use fine scrapers and cutting tools to chip out landscape shapes, antler surfaces and animal fur textures. Applying the wet brush again to these surfaces makes this process easier. The animals, in most cases are created separately and then positioned and attached later using various slip thicknesses. Important supports are needed when placing them. The Sculpture is then allowed a two week drying period before it is ready for a 1200 decree bisque firing. A final check is made for any imperfections and then placed into the kiln very carefully. After six hours it is taken out and cooled. With the help of both sketches and photos, the sculpture is given its colour. Multiple layers of acrylic paint build the rich colour tones.

(Science Name: Alces alces and Canis lupus)

IMAGES BELOW OFFER SIX VIEWS OF SCULPTURE AS WELL AS ITS DIMENSIONS