Sculpting class with Philippe Faraut

Recently, my dad and I had the privilege of attending a figure sculpting class with Phillippe Faraut at The Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota Florida.

From his website bio:

Philippe Faraut received his degree in woodcarving and the construction of French fine furniture from Germain Sommeillier in Annecy, France, his boyhood home. An avid traveler, Philippe's destinations have allowed him the opportunity to study the cultures of many countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, thus influencing his work in portraiture sculpting. After establishing residence in the Chesapeake Bay area of Virginia, he developed an interest in modeling the head in clay. Soon thereafter, he relocated his studio to New York State and began teaching sculpting classes.

The class had 20 or so students who had traveled from all over to attend this class. Some of the students were taking one of Phillippe's classes for the second or third time.

We started by creating clay"sketches". These 10-15 minute sculptures really helped work on gestural poses and anatomical proportions while becoming familiar with the medium. 

I was not used to using the water-based clay. 

Because of drying issues, I have always used an oil-based clay. 

We started our larger piece by sculpting a lone torso. 

No arms, legs, or head yet. 

Dad is concentrating on his craft.

The second day we were allowed to proceed with the head and neck as well as the legs and the feet. Before starting a new part of the body, Phillippe gave a great demonstration on how to attack each area. I was surprised at how much of the class concentrated on anatomical lessons. Taking several anatomy classes at SCAD, I thought I knew a lot. I was quickly aware of how much I need to learn.

I really enjoyed learning about how to sculpt feet!

Here, Dad is getting some hands-on help.

On the last day, we added the arms and hands. We also learned Phillippe's technique for surface texture as well as how to protect water-based sculptures as they dry.

Because Dad and I elected to fly to and from Sarasota we were not able to bring our pieces home. Dad destroyed his. Always the conservationist, he cut his sculpture into pieces so that the clay could be reused by the next class. Before I could cut my piece up, a fellow student asked if she could have it. I was very happy NOT having to destroy it.

Over the Mantel Opening

A few weeks ago, a new gallery opened in Columbia South Carolina. 21 artists, including myself, showed work for an opening night crowd numbering in the hundreds. Many of the artists share studio space right next door to the gallery at Studio Carlisle.

The wine, snacks, music and people poured out the door of the gallery and into the street. 

The work shown represented various artistic backgrounds and styles. There were nonobjective pieces, abstracted still lives, charcoal sketches, as well as traditional watercolors and oil paintings. I had seven pieces in the show.

So if you are in the Columbia area, head over to Carlisle Street, off Millwood, and check out the Over the Mantel gallery.

803) 719-1713

TOWN MAGAZINE 12/13

Last year, as a part of Artisphere in Greenville, The Greenville Journal hosted an online art competition. Local artists' work was posted on the Greenville Journal Facebook page. Individuals could then vote (only once) for a painting or sculpture as their choice for Best in Show. I had two paintings in the show. "Garibaldi's"

Oil on Canvas

95"x 65"

and

"Billiard Players"

Oil on Canvas

30" x40"

"Billiard Players" received lots of votes but did not win the contest. "Garibaldi's" however, received more than 1,100 votes and WON the contest!! A few months later, TOWN magazine, who is owned by the Greenville Journal, decided to write a short article about yours truly.

Check out pages 56-57 of the December issue of TOWN magazine!!

Another Favorite

Sydney Laurence's oil paintings are some of my all time favorites. He was an American artist whose most notable work was created in the early 1900s. Laurence was classically trained in New York at the Art Students League of New York. He later moved to Alaska where he would live and work until his death in 1940. 

These Alaskan landscapes are amazing. It is easy to see why many people love his work so much! 

Early Anchorage, Alaskan Salmon Cannery

oil on canvas 

Fishing Vessel at Sea

oil on board

Mount McKinley (1921)

oil on canvas

To learn more about Sydney Laurence visit here:

SYDNEY LAURENCE

Fear Not

I recently sketched a few sculpture ideas for a potential client. I filmed one of the drawings. The theme for the piece will be courage in the face of danger and drawing strength from your protector. 

Fear Not

by Charles Pate Jr

Sacred Heart

My dad and I recently worked on a sculpture for St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greenville, SC. They wanted a depiction of the sacred heart of Christ. This is an image that is seen throughout art history.

As always, the first step in creating a sculpture is building an armature. This one was especially difficult. The figure had to be 8ft tall, and because we were going to have to transport the clay to the foundry ourselves, we decided to make an armature that would allow the piece to be taken apart and transported in thirds. There are seams at the shoulders and waist.  A foam silhouette cut-out of the figure was made to size our armature.

The structure is made of wood, steel, and pvc pipe. Wire mesh was used to make a surface to which the clay could adhere. The rest of the hollow form was stuffed with insulation foam. This provides a sturdy shape without adding much additional weight.

The sculpture is starting to take shape.

Here, my dad measures some of the figure's proportions. With him in the picture, it is easy to see how large the piece is.

As previously stated, the figure was built so that it could be separated into thirds. We put the pieces onto my truck and drove to Atlanta. 

The bottom third was loaded onto a forklift and raised to the second floor mold-making area. 

My dad and I spent a few more hours repairing the minor bumps and scratches that occurred during transportation. We also put the three pieces together and smoothed in the seams. 

In this picture, the seam at Christ's waist has been hidden but you can still see a line across his neck.

After several weeks, we went to Atlanta to approve the wax stage of the project.

For more information about the casting process you can refer back to some of my previous posts.

After the sculpture was cast in bronze, it was delivered and installed for 

 St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greenville.

This is the beautiful base that Christ is mounted on.

The sculpture was unveiled and blessed with the brand new columbarium by Father Newman.

Christ of the Sacred Heart

Road and Cotton Field

My dad has painted many cotton fields. I think this inspiration comes from his childhood in rural South Carolina. I too am inspired by these wide open spaces. 

This cotton field is one that I worked on. It was a wedding present commissioned by the bride's parents. What a great idea for a newly wed couple. Its never too soon to start your art collection.