EquineXpressionsBringing Equine Beauty to the world
EquineXpressionsWhat goes into creating the exclusive piece? A lot of work, time and resources. EquineXpressions cannot just snap the fingers and a new sculpture is available. No, a lot of planning, people and work is involved.
First, an idea is formed. What kind of breed or type is wanted? What will the figure be doing/represent? (And is there a special reason for creating the piece?)
Then, an artist is found. But not just any artist. Although EquineXpressions is willing to work with almost any artist, the artist selected needs to be willing to collaborate with the EquineXpressions' reviewers as well as being able to execute the idea in a timely fashion, for a reasonable investment, in a cooperative manner.
The idea is discussed and fleshed out between the artist and EquineXpressions. Via photos, books, and drawings, the final plan is charted. This may include discussions with the caster to ensure that the final "gait"/pose selected is suitable for casting in resin and/or production in other mediums, as well as there may be things that can be done to make it easier for casting, and the desired scale (finished physical size) of the piece. How large the run will be as well as whether unpainted pieces will be made available are discussed. And of course preliminary negotiation of compensation for the sculpting work (which can include monetary compensation to unpainted pieces, or even a per produced piece royalty).
A contract is then drawn up, with a member of the state bar supervising the writing, between the artist and EquineXpressions. It lays out the basics of what the piece is, when/where/how it will be provided to EquineXpressions for production; types, timing, and sizes of payments to the artist; and other limitations and restrictions on the piece. For instance, the sculpting artist may want "veto" power over who gets to paint their piece.
Now the artist goes to work and creates the raw sculpture. Depending on the speed and availability of an artist, this could take hours, days, or months working their preferred medium. Some artists work in clay, others work in "sculpy" or other baked material.
Now begins the iterative review cycle. This is done to ensure that the finished product is the highest quality that can be produced, both in an artistic/workmanship sense as well as eliminating as many as possible of the faults of bad anatomy, bio-mechanics, conformation and breed standards that might be introduced. The desired result is a piece that is as humanly and economically viable "perfect" a piece that can be produced*. The artist provides images of the in-progress piece to EquineXpressions. EquineXpressions will comment on some general conformation or pose/gait issues. Once these are addressed, the next phase begins. Photos/images are provided to anonymous reviewers for their critique, along with a description of what was desired as the end result. These anonymous reviewers are top sculptors in their own right, many NAN and open LSQ championships from their sculptures, who may not otherwise associated with EquineXpressions. These paid reviewers write detailed comments about anatomy, conformation, bio-mechanics, breed standards, gender features, expression and overall impressions. These comments are reviewed by EquineXpressions and sent on to the artist. The comments are reviewed between EquineXpressions and the artist and a plan of action is developed. The agreed modifications are made, and the review cycle begins again and continues until the artist and EquineXpressions are satisfied with the results. This phase takes weeks of work, and hundreds of dollars to complete, for each iteration.
If the sculpture is created in clay, a waste mold is produced and a casting is created. The artist will prepare this produced copy for production casting. This may include removing flashing, filling air bubbles, filling ears and mane, or whatever is required to make the piece ready for casting. A waste mold may cost hundreds of dollars to produce one copy.
The piece is sent or transported to the caster. The caster EquineXpressions select is the one who can do the best job in producing quality pieces, in a timely fashion, and is flexible and friendly. Due to the demand on a caster's time, a piece may be waiting for molding anywhere from one week to three months or more. The caster creates the mold, which may take up to a week to produce once started. Once a mold has been created, cast copies are produced. This phase, depending on scale, can cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. EquineXpressions exclusive uses Resins by Randy for casting.
These casts may be sent directly to a painter , or sometimes sent to a prepping service and then on to a painter. Pieces are also held by EquineXpressions until such time that painters are available/able to paint them.
Now the painting artist gets into the act. Normally, pieces are painted "artist choice", which means that the artist can select the color/pattern that they want to paint on the piece. Sometimes, due to the breed of the piece, or the number already in stock, limitations may be placed on the color (but not often). The artist returns the completed piece to EquineXpressions. (Infrequently, pieces are received that in the opinion of the EquineXpressions' proprietor are not suitable for sale. In that case, the piece is returned to the artist for further work.) This phase takes weeks to months and may cost up to hundreds of dollars per piece.
Finally, the piece is photographed and made available for sale.
A quality product that is ready to make an impression in the show ring, or grace a mantle or display case.
To give you an idea of the time involved, Bruno's "gestation period" was nearly eleven months in duration from concept to first painted copy. U Know, a modification of Bruno, took about four months, spread over a twelve month period.
* Unfortunately, it is my considered opinion that as many as two thirds of the pieces reproduced for the hobby (circa 2001) currently either are so significantly flawed in ABCs and/or breed standards they have no "business" being cast, or have flaws that should have been corrected prior to casting, but those involved did not take the time to ensure that the piece was "as perfect" as possible before casting through reviews. (In 2002, the quality of work released has for the most part improved.)
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