I am a Navajo artist raised in Phoenix Arizona. I have always been artistic. I
started sculpture in ceramics as a freshman at Maryvale High School in Phoenix,
where I studied for four years. During my senior year I participated in a show at
the Heard Museum in central Phoenix. There I won a competition of student work
and learned to sculpt Alabaster stone by an artist based in Sedona named Tava.
After taking a number of years off school, I enrolled in the University of
Arizona in Tucson. There I continued my study of art in two and three
dimensional work, studying Photography, Drawing, Painting, Woodworking,
Metal work as well as others. Over the last few years my focus has become Bronze
figurative work. I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2001.
I currently reside in Goodyear, Arizona spending time with my beautiful wife ,
two wonderful daughters and our son.
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About Me
The "Lost wax" Process
The "lost wax" method of casting bronze is an ancient art, dating back at least
5,000 years. Except for some improvements in materials and casting techniques, the
process remains essentially the same today.
Casting bronze sculpture begins with the finished work of the artist. first a
mold is made of every part of the finished sculpture. Sometimes the mold can be
made in one piece; sometimes many more pieces are required. After the mold is
made, the original sculpture is kept to use as the artists proof, against which all of
the edition casts are compared. Hot wax is poured into the mold to form a hollow
wax copy, identical to the original sculpture. A soft wax copy is required for each
piece that will be made of the edition.
Next, wax gates, vents and spurs, which allow air to escape and bronze to flow
into every part of the mold, are attached to the wax. The wax is now ready to be
"invested." Investing is the process of building a shell of silica, a ceramic-like
material, around and into the hollow wax pattern. The wax is alternately dipped into
liquid silica and powdered silica, allowing each coating to dry for a day or more.
After as many as twelve coats the silica mold is thick enough to hold molten bronze.
This step can take weeks to complete.
The soft wax copy, now encased in the silica mold, is placed in a 1500º
Fahrenheit oven where the wax melts out, leaving the hollow negative of the original
sculpture mold ready to receive the molten bronze, thus the “lost wax process." After
the mold cools and is inspected for cracks, it is reheated. At the same time, bronze
ingots are melted to 2600ª Fahrenheit and the molten bronze is poured into the hot
silica mold. After the piece is allowed to cool thoroughly, the silica mold, also called
the ceramic shell, is removed with a hammer, then the bronze casting remains. If the
sculpture is cast in more than one piece, the parts are welded together and the
resulting seams are removed with careful grinding and sanding.
The bronze sculpture is now ready to be finished; patina is added after a final
sandblasting. Patinas are created by applying liquid chemicals to the surface of the
bronze after it is heated with a blow torch. The colors can vary depending on the
reaction to the bronze alloy and the intensity of the heat. Often, many coats are
applied until the desired color is obtained. Acrylic washes can also be applied in same
manner to obtain colors not available through the chemical process. The sculpting
process is complete with the application of several coats of wax or sealer to enrich the
color and protect the bronze.
Cast bronze sculpture is a durable and ageless work of art, which can provide
interest, value, and beauty indoors or out, for generations to come.
michaelkelleybronze.com
The "lost wax" method of casting bronze is an ancient art, dating back at least
5,000 years. Except for some improvements in materials and casting techniques, the
process remains essentially the same today.
Casting bronze sculpture begins with the finished work of the artist. first a
mold is made of every part of the finished sculpture. Sometimes the mold can be
made in one piece; sometimes many more pieces are required. After the mold is
made, the original sculpture is kept to use as the artists proof, against which all of
the edition casts are compared. Hot wax is poured into the mold to form a hollow
wax copy, identical to the original sculpture. A soft wax copy is required for each
piece that will be made of the edition.
Next, wax gates, vents and spurs, which allow air to escape and bronze to flow
into every part of the mold, are attached to the wax. The wax is now ready to be
"invested." Investing is the process of building a shell of silica, a ceramic-like
material, around and into the hollow wax pattern. The wax is alternately dipped into
liquid silica and powdered silica, allowing each coating to dry for a day or more.
After as many as twelve coats the silica mold is thick enough to hold molten bronze.
This step can take weeks to complete.
The soft wax copy, now encased in the silica mold, is placed in a 1500º
Fahrenheit oven where the wax melts out, leaving the hollow negative of the original
sculpture mold ready to receive the molten bronze, thus the “lost wax process." After
the mold cools and is inspected for cracks, it is reheated. At the same time, bronze
ingots are melted to 2600ª Fahrenheit and the molten bronze is poured into the hot
silica mold. After the piece is allowed to cool thoroughly, the silica mold, also called
the ceramic shell, is removed with a hammer, then the bronze casting remains. If the
sculpture is cast in more than one piece, the parts are welded together and the
resulting seams are removed with careful grinding and sanding.
The bronze sculpture is now ready to be finished; patina is added after a final
sandblasting. Patinas are created by applying liquid chemicals to the surface of the
bronze after it is heated with a blow torch. The colors can vary depending on the
reaction to the bronze alloy and the intensity of the heat. Often, many coats are
applied until the desired color is obtained. Acrylic washes can also be applied in same
manner to obtain colors not available through the chemical process. The sculpting
process is complete with the application of several coats of wax or sealer to enrich the
color and protect the bronze.
Cast bronze sculpture is a durable and ageless work of art, which can provide
interest, value, and beauty indoors or out, for generations to come.
michaelkelleybronze.com