Angel Duty - GLORIA !
She watches, delighted, as the figures find their show spot, and the scene takes form. Yes...months of joyful work will share a fine message with all now.
Gathering of the Players in the Story
The money, the materials, the task, the time - happily simmering along for months, now plated and served to 'edify' indeed!
More
The scene is life-sized and I could not get them all in ONE image...these two shepherds and two of the Lambkins were set at the right, in street view, or left if viewed by the Holy Family in the stable.
Another view of two shepherds
The mills that helped build early America can be seen in the background ...my studio at the falls is there. But the marvel was dismissed by most as brain damage to me from the fumes.
I stood my ground as they do - like it or not: When the weather snapped cold, there was a color change to the paints - they darkened, almost as it might on a live person. I found it unnervingly realistic. When the sun shone again, the normal rosy hues returned. Yikes.
More Waiting ... and waiting...and meditating
Devotion to these two "true hearts" is never overdone.
The time approaches ..
The inner lights warm.....
We are here ...
As important as is the shepherd, then and now - how many of us know even one?
Not all of them mind sheep - they guide and protect and feed and steward and empower. Lost? find one....they are everywhere.
A friend, a banker, an attorney, a priest, a nun, a counselor of the medical sort, a teacher. Even the humblest save a life, given the chance.
Thank you to all who helped in this scenario. Always Grateful artist, ElleSmithFagan
Ready to Roll ...
The figures nearing completion, rowed up for transport to the Manger site.
Watcher at the Site
It seemed only right to accept the supervision from one of the Magi...wise men welcome
Offering
another of the magi
Almost ...
The Infant figure needed much restoration. Missing thumb and two large holes in one arm, and more. But what a privilege to clean and reconstruct soundly , prime, paint and seal...and , en route to the site, one last bit of blush at the holy cheek. Yes...life brings grace.
my work things and two helpers
the shelves were there when I arrived to set up for the work thank goodness - the supplies were fancy and the garage locked when I was not there....but with the figures of the Holy Power Team on site, I lost no sleep.
The Team
Today's children see shows about assorted power teams that save the world - how 'bout this one?
The artist at work
The rest of me is covered in gear or paint and not to be seen - bragging, not complaining
The Figures ready to be moved to site
Took lots of these from varying angles....more to come.
Finished figures
more....
Kneeling Magi
closer shot of the king with palm gesturing to the treasure chest at this feet.
My Jesus
The light makes Him seem undone in spots or something....it may be so....he required more steps in the process, so His was last to be done and satisfactory.
Wise Man and Shepherd
Recalling the pleasure - devotion to the task is liberating...as is Devotion to the Child at the Center of the Story.
Gold Magi
Offering coins in his open palm and supporting the bag of the rest of the coins, he is humble and proud.
Lambkin and his Shepherd
Happy pair !
Seven of the Figures in final stages
Since I could only work with paints a few hours a day, the photos really helped - I could study the photos when I got back to base and what I learned from them would save time and work the next day.
Another angle of some of "the Team"
We never see the whole team - it includes every soul that lived before or since. YOU are part of the team.
Dick Wiken's famous WPA/FAP Doll head
Artists were "drafted" to design things to be manufactured / mass-produced, thereby making JOBS after the great depression...per FDR's WPA/FAP project. This dollhead Became famous - made designed by Dick Wiken. Unemployed, mostly women, would be taught to use scissors and sew the cloth body, and then stuff and assemble it with the head and hair. These items are now national treasures.
The Sculptor's popularity won ads in things...
Dick Wiken, when first I saw his name engraved on the figures, did not mean much to me....then I googled him...YIKES !
This silly ad was NOT so silly, because it meant he must have been well-known enough to be asked to endorse the product.
So I got more serious about the search and found the rest and new friends at NARA and PortWashington Wisconsin USA where the Fiberglass "Blo-Mold" figures were made.
The Wiken Biography
I can recommend this book. We remember Mister Wiken best for his famous creations as part of Depression hero-President Franklin D. Roosevelt's WPA / FAP projects. Work Progress Administration and Fine Arts Project works created items that were then mass-produced in repurposed factories, by the unemployed.
Saving the world is the job of all of us I guess....the artist, the employer the Infant of the Holy Family
Data about the Dick Wiken book so you can find it.
I enjoy my copy and think you may find that this biography enlightens in many ways - about art, about USA in the Depression and ACTION done to fix the issues. Worth the read.