- The completed larger version of Echoes took two years to complete, from the first phase of enlarging the sculpture in clay, through molding, ceramic shell, casting, and finishing the bronze.
- Echoes was first born as a vision in Andrew's mind's eye in Chicago after a day of sketching at the Joffrey Ballet. After viewing their performance that evening, the vision of Echoes appeared to Andrew.
- That sketch became a bronze in 2014 and was used as the maquette for the larger version of Echoes. This Echoes is an edition of 8 four have now sold.
- In May of 2017 an art collector commissioned Echoes at this size. Andrew and Bill Carey used the studios' pantograph to measure the enlargement.
- Once the sculpting was completed the clay model would be cut in different sections. The figure was cast in six different sections, two arms, head, upper torso, lower torso and lower legs with the feet.
- Andrew applies a coat of rubber mold material to the upper torso.
- The lower torso and legs with one side of the rubber completed.
- Once the rubber has cured a plaster back up molds are put over it.
- Andrew opens the head mold to reveal the original clay.
- Wax is cast into each of the molds. These are hollow wax castings. Each one must be chased, finishing out the mold lines and any air entrapment in the surface of the wax.
- The waxes are then taken into the ceramic shell room. Several coats of dipping into the slurry and applying stuccos builds the ceramic shell molds.
- That wax is then melted out and the molds are checked for any cracks or faults before casting the bronze into them.
- Andrew is shown here pouring the lower torso section of the Echoes.
- The arm of Echoes in bronze.
- Bronze chasing the feet of the large Echoes.
- Different sections of the sculpture on the welding table.
- Welding the figure of the large Echoes.
- The body minus the head welded together on welding table.
- The bronze was hoisted into the air several times in order to finish the welds and chasing.
- Andrew begins forming the Mobius strip that will suspend the figure in the air. All the sections have to be hand formed with wax strips, shell molds were made, those molds were then cast and welded and chased.
- The figure is hoisted into the air again for welding the sections together.
- The final sections of the Mobius strip are welded on.
- The completed Echoes with the Mobiust strip in the air!
- Andrew heats the Mobius strip in preparation for the patina on the Mobius strip. the figure which has a different patina was wrapped in aluminum foil preventing any change to its patina.
- The finished front view of Echoes.
- the left side view of the Echoes.
- The back view of the Echoes.
- The right hand side view of the Echoes.
The clay for the roundel featuring the portrait of Catherine A. Doherty for the first Soldier ON Women Veterans’ community has been finished and approved! The clay model will now move on to the rubber mold process, and once that is done, to the ceramic shell molds. The final stage of this process is preparing them for the bronze pour. After the pour, and final bronze finishing, the completed bas-relief portrait will be unveiled at the veteran community’s dedication in Pittsfield, MA, planned for the fall of 2019. The exact date has yet to be announced, so please stay tuned!
Soldier ON commission
- Sculptor Andrew DeVries models a portrait of Catherine A. Doherty
- Clay roundel portrait of Catherine A. Doherty
- Sculptor Andrew DeVries works on the lettering for a roundel of Catherine A. Doherty
- Nocturne holds the ribbon for the dedication of the new River Studios!
- A crowd gathers before the cutting of the ribbon. Andrew holds the giant scissors.
- Patrica Purdy (Andrew's wife and gallery director) along with Harold Rudin (long time friend and collector) cut the ribbon!
- Lester (left) Andrew and Bob Crupi. Longtime collectors and Bob helped Andrew build and raise the walls of the new studios last summer.
- Rosie Porter and Tommy LeBeau play music inside the new modelling studio.
- Andrew leads people through the bronze process in the new casting studio.
- Andrew hugs John Jesse after John gives him a birthday cake!
- Steve and Robyn have a laugh with Andrew.
- Relaxing in the shade after seeing the new studios!
River Studio Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!
On June 30th and July 1st the new River Studios were dedicated with a ribbon cutting ceremony. This marks the completion of the new studios where Andrew sculpts the clay models and also casts his bronze sculptures.
A crowd of friends, collectors and supporters gathered both days to witness the event and see the new studios which rose up from the ashes of the fire that destroyed the original studios in 2016. (see other post in What’s News) Andrew thanked everyone both there and those who could not attend, those who had both volunteered their physical labor and who sent in gifts of dollars that made the new studios possible.
Andrew’s wife and his longtime friend and collector Harold Rudin did the honors of cutting the ribbon. afterwards people entered the new building and Andrew answered questions while leading people through the bronze process. Music by Rosie Porter and Tommy LeBeau entertained a crowd in the modelling studio.
A wonderful article appeared in the Berkshire Eagle about the new studios which you can read here.
Andrew also sent a letter to the Editor of the Berkshire Eagle which was published Sunday July 8th which you can enjoy here:
Thank you to our community and The Berkshire Eagle
Nearly two years ago our bronze casting studio was destroyed by fire. The journey began with friends who collect our artwork sending us monetary donations, while others volunteered their physical hard labor to begin the large task of rebuilding. The Lenox Chamber of Commerce held a fundraiser at Ventfort Hall, who donated a night in their beautiful museum increasing the funds needed for the project. Donations came in from everywhere in many forms which provided not only the necessary monies but most importantly the inspiration to move forward.
We wish to thank The Berkshire Eagle, its business reporter Tony Drobrowolski and photographers Ben Garver, Gillian Jones and Stephanie Zollshan for covering the story through to its successful ending.
We also wish to thank the Town of Middlefield for their support in our efforts.
Art builds a community. The Berkshires has always been a place where artists of many different forms and diversity can thrive because of the community. Patricia and I wish to thank everyone in our community who has helped us in getting back on our own artistic path.
Sculptor Andrew DeVries and Patricia Purdy
Progress on the Echoes commission
Echoes Commission Progress
“When I take the clay into my hands, it’s like taking a deep breath, says Andrew, and as the figure becomes more complete I feel the expression of the original vision being brought to life.”
After so many months spent on rebuilding River Studio, Andrew is now steadily focused on enlarging the clay of Echoes, his bronze sculpture showing a male dancer suspended within a Mobius strip at the moment of his reaching for eternity. Commissioned by Richard Chorney, President and CEO of the Grove School for his home in Madison, Connecticut, this sculpture will be in an edition of only three, with Richard receiving the very first casting in the edition. This edition will be reaching a height of seven feet from the bottom to the top of its bronze Mobius curve. (See photo of original below). The original version of Echoes is in an edition of eight, with only four left in that edition.
The pantograph (the device shown in the picture above) was used to measure different points intended to be transferred from the original bronze maquette to the new sculpture. As you can see from the picture, the pantograph is still in use at this stage, with the ‘point up’ of the Echoes armature completed and the first layer of clay applied. Andrew has now begun modeling the figure itself, and as these progresses, he will use the pantograph less and less, relying more on his artistic vision to bring the work to life. The Mobius strip will be sculpted once the clay figure is completed. The sculpture will be the first work poured in bronze at the new casting studio and is scheduled to be completed and installed at Richard’s home in Madison during the summer of 2018.
- A tragic fire destroys the original River Studio on September 23rd, 2016.
- Our friend Bill Kelly comes in early spring to measure and draw out new plans.
- A fundraiser at Ventfort Hall helps raise over $18,000 towards rebuilding costs.
- Cement blocks arrive for the four foot knee wall in May.
- Sean Noonan and his assistant lay the block knee wall.
- Jeff Donovan works the excavator, Andrew begins the first stud wall.
- The new casting studio walls are up.
- Bob Crupi comes to help with the modelling studio walls.
- The common wall is up.
- Now the first of the modelling studio walls is beineg raised.
- Up.
- Up.
- Up.
- Almost there!
- All the walls are up and the rafters are being placed.
- Setting the rafter.
- Kurt helps on the rafters.
- The rafters go up on the casting studio overhang.
- We are racing against the oncoming winter.
- One of the last sunny warm days - the roof cap on the peak goes on.
- The last piece of the roof!
- Siding.
- The windows and doors are nearly all in.
- January! We beat the winter but more work inside remains. By spring we should be up and running again at the new River Studio. Our thanks to Everyone!
Rebuilding River Studio!
This presentation documents the rebuilding of River Studio.
The journey, installation and unveiling of the 15 foot Other Side of Eden
This presentation shows the incredible transportation of both the fifteen foot tall Other Side of Eden from sculptor Andrew DeVries’ studio to the home of Tom and Mary Steffek Blaske in Ann Arbor, Michigan in September. 2017. The unveiling at their home took place on October 15th.
My deepest thanks to Tom and Mary for this commission – a work that took three years to complete and the work that first appeared in my mind’s vision some 37 years ago.
Also my thanks to Allen Williams of Chester Granite whose skills made the the transport and installation of the sculpture possible.
Most of all my gratitude to my wife Patricia Purdy whose belief in the artwork never fails.
Hello There is the hit of Open Studio!
Hello There, the most recent bronze relief was unveiled at Open Studio in August. In a matter of one week 9 of the edition (12) were sold! Andrew is currently sending the last 3 through the ceramic shell mold process and hopes to have at least one ready for the Holiday Reception to be held at DeVries Fine Art International in Lenox, MA on December 2nd.
- Some of the sections chased and ready to be assembled
- Cutting off the gates on the front arm section
- Hand chasing the face with file
- Chasing the hand section
- Another view
- The bottom section is finished it will be transported to the quarry to set for the holes in the plinth
- Fitting a section of the back leg
- Welding inside the piece, the front knee shows
- Fitting part of the stomach section
- Fitting the chest section
- Welding, the chest section is on
- Welding the back head section on
- The back head section
- Fitting the front face section
- Chasing welds, the front arm is strapped to the upper beam for security
- Welding the back leg on
- Chasing the leg welds
- Welding the last corner section on
- Rough chasing one of the last welds, the sculpture is now on its side!
- The last section of the wall has been welded in and is being chased