This is the Christmas Card from the University

How nice. Thanks for sending it to me Dr. Talley.

The unveiling of the panther.

What a great ceremony for the unveiling. They did a good job installing it and we are so glad it is done. I'm also elated that the school says it is female. We did not actually "show" the gender. Having it female adds some specialness to this project, you see it was all women who worked on it. Here I am with two of my girls who helped me on the piece- Shirley, and Allison. I call them my Towanda girls. Lots of female energy in the piece!

I am smiling with these two men, but I must say there were many a hectic time when I was trying to receive what I needed to proceed to the next step that these guys did not make me smile, but in the end, we are all so very relieved that it is over, we can't help but smile.

I was wondering what the sculpture would look like at night. I was a bit concerned that it was being lit from below and it really should be lit from above. I had to fight to keep the eyes the way that I sculpted them and I did so for this reason. The sculpture has intensity.

We did it! I can't wait to hear what others think about the piece. Please feel free to send me your comments, or post to the blog. And go back to the beginning of this blog to check out the progress, from start to finish. Oh yes, If you pose with the sculpture send me your photographs and I'll be sure to post them on the blog.

I would like to thank photographer Bill Petty for sending me these photographs.

About Bridgette Mongeon

I found this video of dedication of the Panther Sculpture

Delivery

Some take a first glance and an early photo opportunity. Then we make a panther fly. The panther is mounted on the pedestal. It is almost ready for the unveiling.




About Bridgette Mongeon

Packing a cat

We wake up very early to get the panther ready for the trip to her home. After loading up the panther into the uhaul we have a little bit of a problem getting the trailer out of the foundry. The wet ground from the previous rains make it difficult. But soon we are on our way.



About Bridgette Mongeon

The coloring of a panther.

Once the sculpture is complete and approved by the artist, the foundry does one final sandblasting and then begins the patination. Patinas are created by putting chemicals on the hot bronze. Once the patination is on a coat of wax is put over the entire sculpture. The sculpture will have to be waxed on a regular basis to maintain its finish.


About Bridgette Mongeon

Pieces of panther

Each of the many pieces of bronze must be welded together. The foundry man is a master craftsmen, he must match the texture. The artist monitors the entire process being sure everything is going together the way it should.


About Bridgette Mongeon