The Rolling Cart of Metal Body Parts

The conspicuous seam-welded patches are “windows” that were cut during the wax stage (then cast seperately) before dipping the rest of the sections (ceramic shell) and casting them all—to allow the sculpture to be cast hollow. Once cast in bronze, the windows were welded back in place. The next step is to file and grind out the weld seams, then assemble & weld all of the bronze sections together to complete the sculpture. I’m looking forward to returning to the foundry next week to supervise the weld-up!

Wintry Mix of New Maquettes, Somewhere Out West...

Cooking up NEW work while Griffon & Crazyhorse are “cooking” at the bronze foundry. I feel good about how my wire drawings scaled-up, but I know from experience that once I start to add mass and articulate the negative space(s) each piece often changes significantly, and therefore has about a fifty percent chance of success. So let’s see how they shape up…time will tell!

Griffon Lands in Bronze this Spring

Officially, I am spending the winter/spring out West (again) to supervise my bronze castings. Unofficially, however…

I signed the waxes for four new bronze sculptures last Friday: Griffon (44h x 32w x 12in), & Crazyhorse (45h x 28w x 13in). Currently in the gating stage of casting, the first two of each of these editions (limited to 5 each) will be ready by April. Meanwhile, it’s great to be out West—catching up on a bit of climbing and snowboarding!

Introducing: Fugue #2/5, Bronze

The original Fugue—painted magenta—featured in Love Life/S1 E8 Sara Yang (2020): Shown here with scene partners Syrinx (yellow/an early work) & Anna Kendrick. I love the visual punch of the bold, opaque colors I use on all of my original steel & resin works, but the surface and molecular characteristics unique to bronze make it the preferred final medium for my sculpture. Ideally suited for articulating my signature compound curves and dagger-sharp edges—most importantly—this radiant, ancient alloy has a limitless capacity for expressing beguiling, translucent patinas!

Fugue, bronze #2/5 (36h x 12w x 7in) by Dave Stevenson. Contact for purchase info/availability.

Strike up The Band

When I left CA (circa 1998) circumstances dictated that I had to leave a large bronze in the backyard of my friend Craig French, a Los Angeles sculptor. 25 years later, Strike & I have reunited in NYC.

Re-Introducing: Strike, bronze, #1/3 (1996/2023)!

Strike, Blood on Fire, Curves Are Female

Gallery @ my first studio: Hingham, MA circa 1990.

Studio (detail)

Shelves of maquettes inside the Hingham, MA studio, in the house I shared with the members of my rock band (1990).

Santa Cruz, CA (late nineties)

After selling a bronze to Pfizer did I invest in a Roth IRA? Nope. I left Santa Cruz for Bozeman to snowboard for two years. Did the money last? Nope but I learned to rock climb!

When in LA, do what the Romans do...

Sweating over a bronze restoration in Los Angeles?Renting a powerful Italian motorcycle will make it go F A S T E R!!!

Introducing GRIFFON

Two years in the making, my 7’h chimera is complete. (Aqua-Resin®/foam/steel, 84h x 65w x 22in). The pattern and puzzle of Griffon’s folded wings introduced a new level of complexity to my portfolio. Imposing asymmetry onto a symmetrical body is a challenge I’ve tackled before (e.g., Crush, Raptor, Balloon). This time I explored it within the constraints of an historic, iconic creature. I am eager to realize it in bronze—its edges honed sharp—finished with a radiant, translucent patina. This work was such a fun challenge, I’m now pondering a mischievous companion piece!

Griffon in the studio’s backyard. While setting up my tripod for this shot, a bald eagle swooped down and hovered above before disappearing to grab lunch at the neighbors farm. I was flattered it recognized its half of the chimera…

Griffon Portrait, behind StudioDave

Griffon profile, behind StudioDave in the Catskills (84h x 65w x 22in)

jigGRIFFONsaw

I scanned my 45”h steel & resin Griffon (shown here painted gold), then created an 84”h CNC milled foam enlargement of it @ Digital Atelier (NJ). Each color of the digital file (see detail image) represents a separate section of foam—like a 70-piece puzzle—that I have begun to glue together and assemble using steel rods for reinforcement. The completed work will be sealed with resin, then top coated with paint before molding and casting it in bronze.

Year of The Griffon

Chimaeras have been haunting artists' portfolios since antiquity. Now they've infiltrated mine! An enduring symbol of courage and protection, the Griffon is an apt mascot for 2021. Six months in the making, this has been the most challenging abstraction I have tackled to date. I am currently enlarging my original sculpture from 44 inches to seven feet high in foam & resin by 3D scanning/CNC milling. From there it will be molded and cast in bronze. Fortify your dominion with a pair of Gothic Chimaeras! For pre-sale details: call or write

3D scan digital rendering: life-sized scaling of Dave Stevenson’s new Griffon sculpture.

Mirror-image digital rendering of new Griffon sculpture by New York sculptor Dave Stevenson

As Cuddly As a Cactus, Mister Grrrrr-iffin

And Then the Tiny Elf Clutched His Tiny Tools...

…with His Tiny Hands to Make a Tiny…

Cabri (wild goat), in-progress. Inspired by the impish little beasts that frolic among the hills of St-Barth, F.W.I. (Pendant available in sterling silver, & 18k gold.)

New Sculpture!

Jellyfish (46” x 10” x 41”h) Original, steel & resin sculpture (prototype) for molding & casting in bronze. Coming soon!

How to Make a Monumental Bronze (in 44 seconds)

Acrobat @ FMC Tower/Cira Centre South in Philadelphia

Last spring, my 9’ h bronze Acrobat was purchased by a developer before I could share it here in New York City through NYC Parks’/Art in the Parks program. While I am delighted that it found a permanent home in Philadelphia, I am now confronted with the prickly decision of either creating another Acrobat (#2/3) for the exhibition or enlarging a completely different sculpture instead. 

Repeating the same work would be easier and certainly less expensive; however provided it is financially feasable, creating a new monumental sculpture would be more professionally fullfilling. I intend to reach a final decision shortly. Meanwhile, here are a couple images of the completed Acrobat as installed in front of the FMC Tower at Cira Centre South. It’s on public display so you can visit it the next time you’re in Philly!

Almost Done...Final Step? Build The Base!!

Here's a detail shot of the gorgeous patina we just completed at Polich-Tallix Foundry with patina artist Rosemary Rednour. We started out with my classic Fireball Patina but ended up with what I'm calling Rattlesnake because the final mix reminds me of the timber rattlers and copperheads we encounter when climbing at the Gunks. 

What's the final step? Build the base & schedule installation! I'm leaning towards a steel, trapezoidal design that will raise Acrobat about 21"-26" above ground level...

If you would like to contribute to The Acrobat Project, peruse the Sculpturezoo Art Gallery to purchase my original art & jewelry, or click on the RED donate button on the Sculpturezoo homepage. Thank you for visiting. Enjoy the Zoo!

Go Fish