What is more American than the bison. Years ago, when I was studying these dudes, it was news to me that they roamed from Canada to Mexico and from the Rocky Mountains to the Mississippi River. Legend has it that these animals migrated north to what is now known as “Buffalo Minnesota”, (because it was shallow there), and crossed the Mississippi River to Eastern grazing lands.
This is how you scrub your buffalo…..at the car wash.
Drove about 25 hours “one way” for delivery. As my Uncle Grant would say, “Go easy like a frog a walk’in.” I wanted no problemo’s, so I took the long way through Utah….Logan to Lehi to St George…….then through Las Vegas, Nev and on to Tempe, Tucson, spent night in Willcox, Az….on to El Paso, Van Horn, south to Marfa….arrived at Cibolo Creek Ranch.
Happy to have the first casting of this sculpture completed.
After one year of work….this bad boy is finally ready for patina. He weighs in at 1700 #’s. 6′ 9″ high.
I call him, “American Bison”.
Grateful for a great team of men who make the molds, pour the waxes, pour the bronze, chase the metal.
“American Bison”
Notice the stainless steel supports underneath. They go up inside the buffalo to minimize lateral movement.
When the tail is being attached….you know it’s getting close to being finished.
The mold has been started on the buffalo monument. I thought it be fun to show on my blog the step-by-step process.
The sculpture has been divided into sections with shims. Many coats of latex rubber (usually six) are then added.
It’s an amazing experience to finish a piece and then be alone with it. Its often numbing. There comes a quiet that is beyond words. A feeling of expansion takes over….a humility.
Finished.
AMERICAN BISON
Just completed this maquette of a buffalo that will now be enlarged into a 7 ft monument. We all know what I’ll be doing for the next five months. “Buried up to my neck in clay”.
If anyone has a suggestion for a title….please pass it on.
Title suggestions:
American Bison
Thunder Rolls
