(Sculpture) Clay bust Zamil in progress

Bust Zamil in progress
( click the pic to get a clear image)

I usually complete a life size clay bust in four to six weeks and add at least one more week for molding and casting. Now, I've been working on this clay bust for almost seven weeks and it's not even close to finish. I think it'll need two more weeks. I've set a goal that I'll have seven plaster cast busts by the end of November. Now, probably I'll have to extent the deadline to December. I think one of the reasons why I'm taking longer is because my recent model is taller and his shoulder is four centimeters wider than my previous model. 

Oil based clay bust
52 x 49 x 23 cm

( Plein air) Haulover River in the Afternoon

Oil on canvas  46.5 x 35 cm

"Haulover river in the afternoon"!
Yes, this will be the name of this plein air painting. With my two dear friends, we went to Haulover River fishing this afternoon. Of course, I brought my plein air equipment. The scenery was beautiful. There were hundreds, thousands of green colors intersecting with sky blue. And, the tiny sparkles from the water surface and the sky holes were dancing with the hot moist air. Yes, it was hot but greatfully, there were breezes. I felt like i was painting in heaven. I hope I didn't exaggerate too much because i was painting while drinking a cool nice beer. It certainty was a wonderful experience.

(Plein air) Poetry night

Oil on canvas  46.5 x 35cm

Lately, I've been working with my models in my studio. I do miss the smell of oil paint, thinner, and the open air of outdoor painting. With that in my mind, I went to a poetry gathering with my plein air equipment tonight. It took me about one and half an hours to have this oil sketch done. All I needed to do was to breathe and focus. I miss plein air painting and can't wait to go back to its routine once I've completed six busts by the end of this year.

I took this photo at the end of event. You can see people tiding up the place. Great night with wonderful friends!! 

Clay head statue Zamil( end of 2nd week)

Oil based clay bust Zamil

The reason why I wanted to have my model's eyes opened especially for this bust is because I saw a piercing gaze that I dont usually see from the people I work with. With flickers in his eyes, they stared into the distance. To me, those eyes seemed contemplating into their own thoughts and time freezed. But, later, I began to notice there's a pair of soft warm eyes surfacing from my model's face. I would describ the two different gazes with colors such as light blue and light orange. The mood of tempture of my model has changed. Very interesting. There are two more weeks to go with this bust. I can't wait to see when it's completed. 

Clay bust Musa & Zamil(2nd week)

Oil based clay bust Musa(front) and Zamil(back)

For some reasons, I decided to sculpt them at the same time. I work with Zamil for almost four hours in each morning session and then Musa about three hours in the afternoon. It has been almost two weeks that i work two sessions per day. I thought I could do it effortlessly but the truth is that I'm physically and pschycologically challenged especially in the afternoon session. Yes, my body's tired. My model teases me that I'm turturing myself by working so hard. I'm not sure whether I should laugh at myself or cry. There are moments i almost quit but guess I'm a stubborn person and i don't surrender that easily. It's the second week now. There are two more weeks to go. I'm not quite sure yet but hopfully i can finish them by the end of this month. 

Head statue Zamil (third session)

Oil based clay bust

This morning is the third session of my head statue Zamil. While listening to my music, my model Zamil explains how he prepares his Cuban food for his family and friends. I can see that he has a great passion for cooking. I really appreciate the time and effort my models put into being part of my work. 

Third & forth statue in progress

(Click the pic to get a clear image)
My third and forth clay statute are in progress at the same time from this week. I can't wait to have them both completed at the end of this month.