Edit

For those on the subscription, I got the website wrong on the last post - I've edited it but in case it came through to you wrong, the CORRECT address is www.ress.org

Progress Report

The Hyacinths are out - it's officially Spring!!!

They smell SOOOOO gooooood!!!

Firstly I'd like to welcome everyone who's recently signed up for email updates from this blog, Welcome! I hope you enjoy reading about my trials and tribulations, successes and (usually monumental) disasters. Comments are welcome (keep them clean!) and I will happily swap links to your blog if you're in the hobby too :o)

Here's a quick update on what's been happening recently:

• Below are a couple of photos of the latest cast I've made of Frodo, and in my eyes the most successful. I've been looking for a material that will both bring the sculpture forward off the background, whilst keeping the background interesting.
• I used a brown metallic paint flake (similar to glitter, but much finer - used in the car industry) for the background, and cold-cast polished aluminium for the head. I love using the metals for this sculpture as they bring out the textural detail so well.
• I've shown two photos, the first in natural light and the second in flourescent light to illustrate both the background and the shiny metal. Both photos are of the same model.

• And this is another sneak-peek of the new medallion, it is progressing well and should be ready in time for the RESS competition deadline if things go well. I'm quite determined not to unveil it fully until it's cast and I have one painted but I simply cannot resist showing off these little teasers!

• I also have an update on Jasper (trad. Percheron model that I've been working on for a few years now) - I have accidentally amputated his rear off-side leg (the raised one). It wasn't intentional but has brought lots of benefits, for instance it's so much easier to work on his hoof in my hand, than trying to sculpt it in-situ! I also have easier access to his other rear leg, and the back of both front legs, plus his belly. I'll update with pics soon.

The RESS Winter newsletter "The Boat" came out today, I can highly recommend this society as the knowledge of the member base is second-to-none and with it's 196 page newsletter (in .pdf format, so paperless too) it has to be the most in-depth and informative newsletter I've ever received from any organisation!! For just $25 a year I believe that becoming a member is wonderful value for money! I have an article in The Boat on medallions, and the Mare and Foal medallion makes an appearance in there too (little plug, hehe). I hope to put Jasper in for the Wind Ward program too. Go to http://www.ress.org/ for more info.

Another Sneak Preview

• I'm going back to the bullets, I hate having no paragraphs!!
• The medallion is coming along nicely, I'm not getting as many chances as I'd like to work on it but progress is steadily being made.
• Here's another sneak preview :o)

Valentines Project (shhh, it's a secret!)

I'm sending this email out as a sneak preview on my latest project - it's a new medallion and I'm quite excited about it! This medallion will become my entry into the RESS Bas Relief competition that runs this Spring. . It is inspired by the current romantic season, though is not romantic in itself - it illustrates a calm moment that should be an interesting and slightly challenging little project to paint up. The breed is non-specific so the colour choices for this one will be unlimited! . I plan to cast these myself, and I am REALLY hoping I can get one or two painted up before it's release too. I've not yet seen any of my previous two medallions painted up and I've not had a chance to have a go myself. . Finally I just have to show off one of my latest acquisitions, he's just so darn cute!! I'm fast falling in love with this mold, I have three already and two more should complete the set (so far, hehe!). I was very lucky to be able to nab this little guy (he fits inside a 2" square!) and I love him to bits!!

TIBBP Medallion is now casting!!!

• Well, the title says it all - The International Blessed Broodmare Project official medallion is now in production at Resins by Randy!!
• I don't have more photos of the resin castings yet; you can just about see that Randy has now added "The International Blessed Broodmare Project" text to the banner along the bottom of the medallion.
• It is priced at $35, which for a medallion measuring 5" wide by 4" tall and 2" thick, isn't bad at all! I will be speaking with Deb Buckler about getting a few sent to the UK for UK buyers to possibly save on postage (depending on how customs view the parcel!). $15 from each sale will be donation to TIBBP and forwarded to a selection of charities that help rehome horses that originated in the PMU farms. The remaining money from each sale is spent by Deb and Randy buckler on the materials used to produce the medallions. I won't take any money from the sales - I will be rewarded with seeing the medalions painted up (I LOVE that bit!) and by knowing that the medallion is making a difference to the PMU horses that need help.
• I hear that the orders have started coming in, I will unashamedly say that I hope we sell thousands of these medallions, as every one that we sell is one more bucketful of dirt we move from the mountain that is the safe placing of ALL horses that leave the PMU industry - they've given women around the world a better life, it's time for them to enjoy the rest of theirs.