“Arizona Highland Ambush - Painted Horse and Mountain Lion”

by Harvey Bodach

Original Sculpture - Only One Edition

Water based Clay, Bisque Fired, and finished with Acrylics Paint

8” (W) x 13” (L) x 6” (H)

(20 cm x 32 cm x 15 cm)

Completion Year - 2010

For Limited Time Only - No HST

As a result of seeing the Arizona landscape and some of the wild horses running wild among its many ranges, the concept for this sculpture formed. One of my favorite horses is the Painted Horse also known as a Pinto with its many patches of brown or black colours on a dominant white background coat. The Mountain Lion is equally impressive with a beige fur covering on top and light bottom. I tried capturing the moment when the two meet, the Mountain Lion striking from a position at the top side and the Painted Horse below and riveting away to the side. You can see the action, with the animal mussels straining away in opposite directions.

When building a base its important to keep the drying process in mind in order to avoid explosions when fired. Therefore, you hollow out major sections from underneath but keep a thickness to about one half inch to maintain strength, The landscape is built up in stages, using clay to form tree trunks, broken branches and loose ground materials to fill the base surface. Fine semi-dried clay chips can also be added after the surface has been wet down with a mixture of water and a thin layer of slip (creamy clay) which helps elements adhere to the surface. This adds an element of realism to the texture of the sculpture.

When the basic design has taken shape, the refinement of various details becomes the focus. As the sculpture’s drying process begins, the artist can use fine scrapers and cutting tools to chip out landscape shapes, antler surfaces and animal fur textures. Applying the wet brush again to these surfaces makes this process easier. The animals, in most cases are created separately and then positioned and attached later using various slip thicknesses. Important supports are needed when placing them. The Sculpture is then allowed a two week drying period before it is ready for a 1200 decree bisque firing. A final check is made for any imperfections and then placed into the kiln very carefully. After six hours it is taken out and cooled. With the help of both sketches and photos, the sculpture is given its colour. Multiple layers of acrylic paint build the rich colour tones.

(Science Name: Equus caballus and Puma concolor)

IMAGES BELOW OFFER SIX VIEWS OF SCULPTURE AS WELL AS ITS DIMENSIONS

For Limited Time Only - No HST

The original artwork and photography on this website by Harvey Bodach is protected under copyright law. Each original artwork has a screened watermark to help prevent copyright infringements. You must not use this website to copy, store, host, transmit, send, use, publish or distribute any of its materials.

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