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A portrait sculpture of my sweet boy, Mateo.

NYDDB

Well-Known Member
I have finished the clay portrait of my boy (except for a bit of final finishing before molding and casting.)

Working on this has been an emotional journey, for sure...working through a flood of memories, tears and smiles. And even though I know I will never completely capture the essence of who he was, I wanted to at least give it a try... <3IMG_4227.JPG IMG_4225.JPG IMG_4232.JPG IMG_4250.JPG
 

Bailey's Mom

Super Moderator
Super Moderator
Very beautiful, Suanne. You are a very gifted artist. Mateo was a very fortunate boy, he was very lucky and blessed to share his life with you. I hope you'll let us see the finished work.
 

NYDDB

Well-Known Member
Thank you for the kind words--- and yes, for sure I will post the final sculpture after it's cast and mounted on a nice base.

How lucky am I that I have his nose to kiss again.... :)
 

DragosMom

Well-Known Member
This was so amazingly beautiful. I was blown away. He was a blessed boy to have you. I know he's with you always, so pls take comfort in that. Love n prayers to you!

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Siloh

Well-Known Member
That is a striking likeness! Just so you know, Mateo was the most beautiful dog I've ever seen. Truly. The most beautiful. I loved seeing his pictures.


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NYDDB

Well-Known Member
That is a striking likeness! Just so you know, Mateo was the most beautiful dog I've ever seen. Truly. The most beautiful. I loved seeing his pictures.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Once in a blue moon, a dog will come into your life...steal your heart and teach you things you didn't even know you needed to learn. All in a few short years.

I have lost a few dogs in my life, but Mateo....omg, do I miss that boy. I simply have no words...

But thank you, Siloh. You know, I could not walk a block without strangers commenting on what a beautiful dog he was. He had a certain charisma, that's for sure!
 

Boxergirl

Well-Known Member
Once in a blue moon, a dog will come into your life...steal your heart and teach you things you didn't even know you needed to learn. All in a few short years.

I have lost a few dogs in my life, but Mateo....omg, do I miss that boy. I simply have no words...

Oh my gosh, this is so true. I've lost my share of dogs too, but when you lose that extra special one - well, there just aren't words.

The sculpture is fabulous work. I know that a lot of yourself went into it. I hope that you are able to smile more than not now. I also hope it helps to know how much Mateo impacted the lives of those around him. He truly was a special gentleman.
 

dpenning

Well-Known Member
I have finished the clay portrait of my boy (except for a bit of final finishing before molding and casting.)

Working on this has been an emotional journey, for sure...working through a flood of memories, tears and smiles. And even though I know I will never completely capture the essence of who he was, I wanted to at least give it a try... <3View attachment 58811 View attachment 58812 View attachment 58813 View attachment 58814

What is the molding and casting process? It is a stunning likeness of a fabulous boy! What will he be cast in? Do you take commissions?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

NYDDB

Well-Known Member
Oh my gosh, this is so true. I've lost my share of dogs too, but when you lose that extra special one - well, there just aren't words.

The sculpture is fabulous work. I know that a lot of yourself went into it. I hope that you are able to smile more than not now. I also hope it helps to know how much Mateo impacted the lives of those around him. He truly was a special gentleman.

I have never had a dog that was so loved, by so many.... People I barely knew, that had met him once or twice, have broke down sobbing after I tell them the news.... The breeder where I got him from wrote a long post about how she has had so many people calling her and saying they met 'a Dogue named Mateo' in NYC and wanted one like him, lol.

So, yes--- that he had touched so many people, in such a short time...made them light up and smile-- that is heartening. I was (am) so proud of the gentle, confident, stubborn, easy-going.... happy, happy spirit he was, and continues to be for me. :)
 

NYDDB

Well-Known Member
What is the molding and casting process? It is a stunning likeness of a fabulous boy! What will he be cast in? Do you take commissions?


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Hi Dawn,

The finished clay sculpture is considered the 'original' artwork. In order for it to be created into a more permanent material, a silicone rubber mold must be made of the original (this duplicates exactly the sculpting that was done in the clay.) Once the mold is finished, it is cleaned out, and then a casting is made. Here you have so many options, from regular plaster (or plaster-like material), to resins, to wax, to bronze. Bronze of course would be fabulous, but very pricey (I do, however, have a gorgeous technique for producing a bronze patina on almost any material...)

Once the casting is done, then there is just some finishing, the patina is applied (even a naturalistic option is available, to exactly match the coat and eye color, if desired.) Then if it's a portrait head (as opposed to a full body), it will need to be attached to a base (many options there, as well.) And then, you have a permanent work of a one-of-a-kind, custom-made sculpture for ever and ever... :)

And yes, I do commissions (human and animal--- dogs, being my favorite!)

Please feel free to send me an email: nycdogue@gmail.com

Or check out my Facebook pages: Black Dog Studio: Canines
Black Dog Studio: Humans

You can send a pm over there, too.

P.S.: My Mateo will be molded and then cast into a water-based resin material (I use one that is very strong, and produces fabulous detail), and I am thinking I would like to do a warm bronze finish/patina. That suits him.

Thank you for your kind words!