''WYOMING COWBOY BOOT''

''WYOMING COWBOY BOOT'' This is a 9 foot cowboy boot I painted a few years ago for a fundraiser for the Train Depot in Cheyenne. The McMurrys purchased it and donated it to the University of Wyoming where it is today.

. Well it is time to turn around and ride back to Wyoming.

''COWBOY CODE'' bronze. Well it is time to turn around and ride back to Wyoming. I can not wait to get back home. chrisnavarro.com

''CLOUD DANCER'' the clay original is finished.

Now that I have the base finished. I position the eagle the way I want and attach him to the base. Attaching the eagles top wing I use the negative space beneath the lower wing to give a feeling of flight and movement to the composition. ''CLOUD DANCER'' the clay original is finished. Now to mold the sculpture and cast in bronze. When the bronze is finished the sculpture will be 20.5'' in height and 10.5'' in length in a limited edition of 50. I will be offering ''CLOUD DANCER'' in a precast bronze price of $1850. If interested please contact me at chrisnavarrostudio@gmail.com or (307)259-7305 Hope you enjoyed the sculpting process. Here is a short video to show the bronze casting process I will use to cast ''CLOUD DANCER'' https://youtu.be/NNNNjQbKjOA

Combining realism with abstraction

I heat the clay using warm water to get it soft and malleable. I then use my hands and push it on to the armature. I want a very loose and organic look to the surface. I want to artistically simulate the clouds using only my hands. I want the base to have a flowing S design. I want the base and the eagle to have very contrasting compositions and textures. Combining realism with abstraction giving it a unique look and feel. Tune in tomorrow I will finish the sculpture

Now to begin building the base of the flying eagle sculpture.Using 6 gage aluminum wire I thread it through a 1/8'' plumbing tee. To keep it in place I wedge 4 sheet metal screws between the wire and tee. I then wrap everything with smaller wire to help the clay bind to the wire. I then attach it to a armature slide constructed of two 1/4'' threaded plumbing pipe.  Check in tomorrow for more on  the base construction. chrisnavarro.com .

My eagle is now finished.

The last step of texturing the surface. I use a soft bristle brush and blend everything together. My eagle is now finished. Now to come up with a design and composition for the base of the sculpture. I want to create a base that will not only hold the eagle up in the air but give a feeling of movement and flight. Tune in next time and see what I come up with. chrisnavarro.com

Check in tomorrow the eagle sculpture will be finished.

In creating the texture and finish of the clay. I take small pieces of clay and place them on the eagle overlapping one layer over another. I then put textures lines on them and blend them together using a small rake. Check in tomorrow the eagle sculpture will be finished. 

Here I show the tools that I will use to work the surface of the clay

I have the eagle sculpture refined enough that I will start adding the finishing details to the sculpture. Here I show the tools that I will use to work the surface of the clay to finish the sculpture. I will also build a small armature of aluminum wire for the eagle’s feet. The end is in sight. Tune in tomorrow for the next step. chrisnavarro.com

I start defining the planes of the feathers.

Now that I have the armature covered with clay and the shape of the eagle roughed in. I start defining the planes of the feathers.I will build up the layers of the clay and start refining the primary and secondary feathers. Check in tomorrow for the next step. chrisnavarro.com

I now start putting the clay onto the armature and start roughing in the basic shape of the eagle's head and body.

I now start putting the clay onto the armature and start roughing in the basic shape of the eagle's head and body. This is my favorite part of creating the sculpture making the composition and gesture trying to get the essence and movement of a flying eagle with my hands.Check in tomorrow for the next step. chrisnavarro.com

I next make an armature for the eagle's head.

I next make an armature for the eagle's head. I want to have his mouth open so I make a  armature from 11 gage aluminum wire and wrap it with wire so the clay will stay on and also use it for his lower beak. Now I am ready to start putting the clay on the armature. Check in tomorrow for the next step. chrisnavarro.com

I then take 9 gage aluminum wire and hammer it flat

I then take 9 gage aluminum wire and hammer it flat and attach to the underside of the leading edge of the wing by drilling holes and threading it with smaller wire this gives me the ability to shape the wings and the extra strength to hold the weight of the clay in place. Check in tomorrow for the next step. chrisnavarro.com

Next I take a screwdriver and score the sheet meta

Next I take a screwdriver and score the sheet metal I want to make the steel rough so the clay will stick to the surface. I then drill a ¼’’ hole into the sheet metal. I use a 12’’ length of ¼’’ all thread and using flat washers and ¼’’ nuts I attach to the sheet metal and tighten I then put epoxy on the assembly to keep it from moving. Check in tomorrow for the next step.  chrisnavarro.com

Next step I have transferred my outline drawing onto the sheet metal

Next step I have transferred my outline drawing onto the sheet metal. I then cut it out and make it ready to install to my armature stand. Check in tomorrow for the next step.  

My next step is to cut my drawing out and use it as a template

My next step is to cut my drawing out and use it as a template. I place my drawing over a piece of thin gage sheet metal and transfer the outline of my drawing on to it . This will be my armature support for the wings and tail. Check in tomorrow   for the next step.

I am often asked how I start a sculpture

I am often asked how I start a sculpture so I thought I would show the process from the start and post the steps one at a time in a daily post. I will show how I start a flying eagle sculpture. The first step. I decide on my scale I will be doing a 1/6th life size eagle. I then make a drawing of the eagle so I can build my armature that will support the clay I will use to create the sculpture. Check in tomorrow for the next step.

''ALL OUT'' this sculpture is the winning trophy for the Steer Wrestling at the Calgary Stampede

''ALL OUT'' this sculpture is the winning trophy for the Steer Wrestling at the Calgary Stampede this year. I wanted to show the original clay sculpture and the finished bronze.