A Survival Guide for Bronze Sculptors

Gabe Gabel has written the book she wishes she had been able to find when she started her professional career thirty years ago. It is really a two part book. One part concentrates on the bronze sculpture. Art collectors will find the step by step explanation of the casting process extremely educational. Artists who wish to learn more about doing a bronze sculpture will not only like that part, but the complete how-to-do-it discussion will cover everything they need to know about taking a sculpture all the way through. It starts with the placement of the armature and finishes with the decision of the number of the limited edition they choose to cast. The information is all there, the basic tools, the different choices they have in methods and materials, and why Gabe prefers the ones she does. There are sources, and expenses, and many ways to save money that she has learned over the years. Many options are discussed, there are suggestions for solving problems that can occur, and attention is paid to safety concerns that artists face that are rarely mentioned. Nearly any bronze sculptor is likely to learn some tips that they will appreciate, no matter how experienced they are. Dont look for how to create your art. The reader has to bring his or her own artistic ability to the sculpture table. This is not the book to show you how to do a horse sculpture, though the book does follow one horse original from armature to bronze. This is a book to show you how to bring your own creations to casting ready sculpture. But if you do want to sculpt a horse, you will come out with some great ideas to make yours even better. For artists who use other media, there is a great deal of wonderful information on all aspects of marketing and managing your art business. It is a business, and Gabe feels that is must be treated as such if an artist wants to make a profit and to make a living selling their work. It is all there, how to start and utilize a mailing list; there is a discussion on show vehicles and various art displays, (with information on building your own,) show clothing and manners, types of shows, galleries, your home office and computer. Look for letters to Dear Aunt Gabby and her often rather pointed advice. Aunt Gabby has heard it all, from artists and buyers to show promoters. Aunt Gabby is not an art critic,( she thinks there are enough of those), but she can be highly critical of artists and their behaviors. In short, this is a book by an artist for artists, though Gabe does hope that art collectors will find it irresistible, too. Please visit her personal web site, gabegabel.com to enjoy her work in full color, see her show schedule, and read her newsletters. She also welcomes comments through e-mail at gabegabel@hotmail.com