Ponds Rx LLC

From the Artist Objective: To create fish sculptures, with or without habitat as realistic and anatomically correct as possible. Materials used: I use as much of wood as is practical. All fish, rocks, shells, baitfish, crawfish, worms etc. are either tupelo or basswood. Eyes are glass and paint is lacquer and/ or acrylic, method of application being airbrush and or artists brushes. All driftwood is found wood and altered to fit the occasion. Driftwood is normally the attachment point for the fish. Reeds, grass, cattail leaves, etc. are usually either reed or bamboo cut and shaped. Gravel is natural from creek bed and is sifted to 3 grades, cleaned and mixed back to desired consistency. Earthen banks and mud bottoms & debris are made from dried coffee grounds and/or dried tealeaves. All bases are also hand shaped of various types of wood and finished in oil and wax. Procedure: First I decide what I want as to specie, size, activity, and what habitat if any. Then I create a pattern of that specie and size. The pattern should come from a photograph to help insure anatomical correctness. I need a body pattern, both side and, top profile, which is transferred to the wood. It is then band sawed both ways. Corners are worked down and sanded to form the shape of the fish. Finn patterns are transferred to wood stock thick enough to carve in any desired curvature needed for realism. Fins are the fit to body and a slot is cut in the body to receive a tab on the fin. All detail work is then done on the head and body including setting the eyes and burning in the scales. Fins are thinned down and shaped. Fin rays are carved in final sanding is done but fins will not be permanently attached until ready to paint. Meanwhile I am working on the habitat. After driftwood is selected and an attachment point is determined it is temporarily attached to the base wood with screws. Fish is the fit using dowel rod or wire. Driftwood is then removed for the shaping and finishing of the base. After finishing the base driftwood is reattached along with all the other elements of the base such as any gravel, sand rocks, shells, etc. When everything fits, fish is assembled, painted and when dry attached to base. Tools and materials: Band saw, flex-shaft tool and terminal burrs and bits, cordless drill and bits, palm sander, lots of sandpaper of various grits, compressor, air brush, auto detail gun, artists brushes, wood burner and anything else which will help me accomplish my objective. Each piece is an original in that everything is individually done on each piece. There are no reproductions or molds used. My background: I spent 11 years in factory work, 26 years in the life insurance business, and 6 years as proprietor of a taxidermy business before I began doing the fish sculptures at age 63. While in the taxidermy business I became interested in the carving of fish and did three pieces. I enjoyed it so much that I sold the taxidermy business and began doing the sculptures full time in June of 1994. My objective at that time was to complete work as realistic and as anatomically correct as possible. Over 500 pieces later I find that is still my objective. I am self-taught in that I have attended no classes or been instructed by anyone else. I have read everything I found on the subject. (in my early days there wasn't much) My primary teacher has been a very severe one--- trial and error. My inspiration: Whatever inspiration I might have must come from my love of nature and the outdoors. For most of my life I have spent many, many pleasant hours on streams, rivers, ponds and lakes observing and enjoying the creatures of that world. Most of my creations are extensions of what I have seen and experienced. If you have a scene in mind you would like, tell me about and I will see what I can do or I will help you create it. My present status: I have slowed down somewhat in that I don't do as many shows or as much work for galleries as I once did. I am still working though mostly by request. I still enjoy doing this work as much as ever but I find more and more I am enjoying teaching what I have learned. I do seminars both demonstrative and hands on. What I enjoy most working with the individual one on one, and watch the wonder as he begins to realize, " I CAN DO THIS." This work is not too difficult once some techniques are learned. If you would like to learn the techniques of my work as I apply them, at your place call me and we will talk.

About the Artist