Winterstone is ideal for larger sculptures. It is applied like clay to a frame then carved into final shape while curing.
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Tower of Dreams
(2.4 m high) The City of Guelph asked me to host a sculpture building event at RBC Market Mornings during August 2014. The public was invited to build clay dream tiles and carve their dreams onto them. Once dried, we glued them to a wood pyramid painted black. Thanks to my creative team: Nicolas Traquair, Faith Angeles, Nicola Tourangeau, Olivia Tourangeau, Annie Zhang, Claire Hopkins and Sarah Hopkins whose assistance made the project a huge success and memorable for the 200 participants. Thanks also to local author Jeremy Luke Hill wrote a poem for the project on one of the larger tiles. The plan is to display the Tower of Dreams in various locations throughout Guelph for a year and then donate it to a final home. Let me know if you have any suggestions for a suitable final home for this sculpture.   |
Paper Bag Princess Sculpture
(1.2 m high plus two levels of slate base)
I invited the public to help apply the Winterstone clay layers to this sculpture and had the pleasure of 60 people helping. "When this project started, it involved building a tribute to Robert Munsch. But, as I talked with the people building the princess, I realized we were building memories. When I saw the sparkle in their eyes as they smoothed the clay with their fingertips I realized we were also inspiring young artists. Listening to the chatter of strangers as they worked together I discovered that we were also building community. Building the Paper Bag Princess was much more than building a sculpture, it was about building pride, memories, artists, and strengthening our community.”
(1.2 m high plus two levels of slate base)
I invited the public to help apply the Winterstone clay layers to this sculpture and had the pleasure of 60 people helping. "When this project started, it involved building a tribute to Robert Munsch. But, as I talked with the people building the princess, I realized we were building memories. When I saw the sparkle in their eyes as they smoothed the clay with their fingertips I realized we were also inspiring young artists. Listening to the chatter of strangers as they worked together I discovered that we were also building community. Building the Paper Bag Princess was much more than building a sculpture, it was about building pride, memories, artists, and strengthening our community.”
Robert Munsch with me and the Paper Bag Princess Sculpture at the Guelph Public Library.
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The life size sculpture waves goodbye to the scale model in my studio.
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Celebration
(2.5 m high including base)
This is the script for Celebration's unveiling during the GYMC Gala.
"Ben McCarl is a sculptor who carves stones such as soapstone, alabaster and clay for display inside homes. He decided to try his hand at carving a larger sculpture for public
display and chose to donate his first to GYMC."
"Why GYMC? Many years ago at his daughter’s piano recital he fell in love with the architecture and mission of the GYMC. Through conversations with Brenda Gibson, this focal location on the stairway was selected for the sculpture, a female form jumping up in
the air with hands above head in celebration. This inspired the name for the new sculpture, Celebration."
"Natural stones this large are very heavy so he opted to try something new called Winterstone for this project. It consists of a metal frame covered with foam which is carved into shape and covered with wire mesh then coated with tinted Winterstone and sealed. You can see the progress and read about Ben’s thoughts, successes and
difficulties along the way by visiting the blog on his website www.benmccarl.com."
"He actually made a smaller version of Celebration first to test his plans and learn how to work with Winterstone. She has joined the multitude of other sculptures adorning Ben’s home."
"Ben enjoyed creating this sculpture for public display so much that he intends to make many more. Now that he has
experience with Winterstone, a host of ideas of varying complexity, size and colour are brewing in his head. We
at the GYMC are thrilled and honoured
that he chose us for the first in this series.
(2.5 m high including base)
This is the script for Celebration's unveiling during the GYMC Gala.
"Ben McCarl is a sculptor who carves stones such as soapstone, alabaster and clay for display inside homes. He decided to try his hand at carving a larger sculpture for public
display and chose to donate his first to GYMC."
"Why GYMC? Many years ago at his daughter’s piano recital he fell in love with the architecture and mission of the GYMC. Through conversations with Brenda Gibson, this focal location on the stairway was selected for the sculpture, a female form jumping up in
the air with hands above head in celebration. This inspired the name for the new sculpture, Celebration."
"Natural stones this large are very heavy so he opted to try something new called Winterstone for this project. It consists of a metal frame covered with foam which is carved into shape and covered with wire mesh then coated with tinted Winterstone and sealed. You can see the progress and read about Ben’s thoughts, successes and
difficulties along the way by visiting the blog on his website www.benmccarl.com."
"He actually made a smaller version of Celebration first to test his plans and learn how to work with Winterstone. She has joined the multitude of other sculptures adorning Ben’s home."
"Ben enjoyed creating this sculpture for public display so much that he intends to make many more. Now that he has
experience with Winterstone, a host of ideas of varying complexity, size and colour are brewing in his head. We
at the GYMC are thrilled and honoured
that he chose us for the first in this series.
Celebration - scale model
(90 cm high) |
A proud sculptor.
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Front view of the two Celbration sculptures in our living room on their final day together.
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View from the side/back.
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