This past week I have been busy putting on the finishing touches of this life size female Navy Officer saluting the flag. The clay original measures 68 1/2 inches tall and will be cast in bronze over the next few months. The life size sculpture is designed to be installed near an American flag. The sculpture is the second saluting soldier I’ve made, the first being an Air Force Sergeant that was originally sculpted in 2018.

A day to Remember and Honor

Memorial Day; a day to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country. We should always remember this day as that and not how I remember it growing up as a kid with a day off from school or work, backyard bbq’s, poolside activities and music. It’s a day to honor the lives lost fighting for our freedoms. Not a happy day by any means.

Over the past ten years I’ve been honored to have many of my sculptures take center stage during the Memorial Day weekend, as well as other major holidays that honor our service members. While it gives me joy (for lack of a better word) that my sculptures can help people heal from their loss, on the flip side of the coin it helps me see that there are so many families that have lost loves ones during battle.

Making military themed sculptures creates a yin and yang of emotions in me, it has to. As an artist, you have to create something powerful and real so the viewer can connect with the artwork. This requires a lot of hard work as well as passion for what one does. Good anatomy, movement and strong composition are some of the elements that make for great art. But as an artist you also need to connect with your subject and what it feels like, for example, if you are in battle or lost a friend during battle. Without connecting deeply to what the subject is doing the artwork fails. I am fortunate to know quite a few Veterans who, like my late father, have shared with me their feelings of loss and war that they hold deep inside their heart. The yin is in the strength and power of the sculpture. The yang is the emotions it evokes in the viewer.

Memorial Day; a day to remember and never forget.

I take pride when I can create a sculpture that evokes an emotional response in people. It means I’ve done my job well. Below are photos of various monuments during Memorial Day 2022.

All Schools Day-May pole dance

The May pole dance sculpture located outside the McPherson Community Building’s north-west plaza in McPherson, Kansas was installed on April 26-27, 2022. 

The monument consists of five life size bronze children dancing around a twelve foot tall aluminum May pole, two granite tablets and two granite benches. Each of the playful bronze kids are gripping colored streamers in which they crisscross around the pole. The children, ages 8-13 are the central design within the plaza. Two seven foot tall black granite tablets have images and text that highlight past events. Today, the annual event gathers up to 30,000 people from neighboring communities. Each of the two benches holds a six inch diameter porcelain tile that illustrates the All Schools Day button designs; one from 2002 and one from 2022. 

Brief history

The community celebrated its first graduation ceremony with an event that honored 8th graders in 1914. Since then, it has grown into the largest annual celebration in the state of Kansas that recognizes high school and college graduates from McPherson and neighboring communities.

McPherson Mayor Tom Brown spearheaded the project in order to preserve some of the rich and unique history of McPherson. The May pole dance sculpture is installed in the opposite plaza of the Globe Refiners outside the community building where the first Olympic Gold medal winning basketball team used to practice in the mid-1930s.

 

Portrait sculpture is more demanding then other type of sculpture. Not only do you have to have proportions and composition spot on, 50% of the time is usually spent on the face. It is demanding work, but it’s rewards are great. With more time spent on the face, I usually ask for an additional 2 or 3 months when dealing with likenesses compared with regular life size sculptural works. This life size portrait sculpture of Allen Ginsborg is a case in point.

Portrait sculpture of Allen Ginsborg

The sculpture of Allen holding a fish is a project that honors a local business man and developer Allen Ginsborg who passed away in July 2020. I have been working with his family and friends as well as an art representative out of California to create the life size likeness of Allen in doing what he loved most; fishing. When completed the bronze sculpture will be installed in a large fountain at the shopping mall he built; Village at the Peaks in Longmont, Colorado.

Cherish those small moments with those you love. Accept others faults and always be there if someone needs to talk.

This project has made me realize the importance of holding those you love closer then ever. Never take for granted those that are in your life. One day they will not be with you. Working with the people that knew him the most and seeing interviews, photos and hearing stories has made it clear to me that Allen was a well-loved, intelligent, kind business leader who gave back to his community in many ways.

For the past few months I’ve been working on a 31” tall clay model of Theodore Roosevelt in the Dakota Territory. I don’t get many opportunities to sculpt maquettes for large projects mainly because of tight deadlines. With no given timeline on a life size version there was time to create a detailed maquette. 

The maquette was designed from an old photo from the 1880s. From around the time he first visited the Dakota Territory to experience the American West. The experiences he had in what is now North Dakota shaped him into the man we know of as our 26th President. For more information about Teddy in the American West, click here.

Although the primary inspiration for the clay work was the photo of Teddy, there were some things that I changed. It was important to incorporate the feel of the future Presidents’ larger than life personality and confidence. Putting his foot on a rock, adding a few more years and squinting his eyes were a few of these minor changes.

The project, if it happens, will be my first monument to a President. More details at a later date…stay tuned.

 

According to Wikipedia, creativity is defined as “the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work”. But we are all creative in our own individual ways even if you aren’t an artist. Whether you are remodeling a home or being creative with your time, creativity is a big part of our lives. Furthermore, I’ll bet the majority of people are maintaining a creative mind on a daily basis but don’t consider themselves creative.

Being creative as a sculptor can sometimes be a chore. Since making sculptures is expensive, time consuming and requires a certain amount of space (both physically and emotionally) it can be tough to bring an A-game every day. Creatively speaking, it is easy for sculptures to get stale. Especially when you cast in bronze!

Here are some of the things that I do to maintain a creative mind as a sculptor:

• talk about art with friends. I am fortunate to have a couple of studio mates that I talk art with on a daily basis. Furthermore, every Friday we discuss art in depth during lunch. Sometimes our conversations can go for 2 hours! Since we share artistic likes we can usually go into the depths of art and art history. It is a great way to end the week too.
• Go for walks. Being in Colorado means there is a plethora of hiking trails and parks to explore. But because I’m a creature of habit, there are two parks that I frequent. Whether walking during the cold brisk air of January or on a hot summer day, walking frees my mind and allows me to step back.
• Learn to compete with yourself, not anyone else. While I am naturally competitive I have had to learn to turn this inwards for the most productive output (as well as for people to not hate me). I believe if you aren’t naturally competitive you can learn to compete with yourself. There are books on this topic. When I compete with myself, I begin to learn and appreciate what I’m good at and what I’m not good at. I can take this awareness and focus on improving on it or ignoring it. But awareness is crucial. 
• When I create a sculpture I alternate between having reference and not having reference available. When I don’t have reference available questions begin to form right away. Such as what happens to the flexor muscles of the legs when the leg is bent vs. straight. Then, when I go to use reference, these questions are answered. On the contrary, if you always work from a model or photographs, you don’t learn to develop questions. As such, the final artwork can become stale because you haven’t really learned why you are doing what you are doing. 
• Rise early. Not everyone agrees with the phrase “the early bird gets the worm”. I do. I am up every day at 5am sometimes earlier. To me, there is something magical about the early morning hours.
• Draw, draw, draw. From your imagination. From life. Then repeat.
• Go and “read art”. Study poetry, music and art that inspire you. Why are you so drawn to Beethoven’s piano sonatas? What makes John Singer Sargeant’s paintings so good? Is it in the composition or is it in the handling of the brushstrokes? What makes Rodin’s Thinker so appealing? Don’t just read other peoples points of view, develop your own opinion.
• Quiet the mind. Whether it’s in front of the fireplace with my three kitties and Jessica or just laying in bed daydreaming. Allowing my mind to “de-stress” is equivalent to refilling my creative gas tank. It is a Yin and Yang approach to life and crucial to maintaining a creative mind.
• Stay positive and keep on moving. One day it will take you somewhere.

  

All Schools Day

Since early 2021 I have been busy working on a large sculptural project honoring the 107 year history of All Schools Day in McPherson, Kansas.

In 1914, the community came together to celebrate the graduation of McPherson County 8th graders. Since then, the parade has become the largest celebration in the state of Kansas and has grown to honor high school and college graduates, as well as 8th graders. The completed monument will be permanently installed in early 2022 in time for the event.

COMPOSITION

The composition of the five kids dancing around a May pole was inspired by traditional ceremonies of the May pole dance with a more modern take. Traditionally, school age girls wore long dresses with flower crowns and were the primary entertainers. However, I felt it was important to include both girls and boys in order to be “all-inclusive”.

Although each of the five kids are walking in the same direction doing the same thing for the most part, I was concerned with creating each of them in a unique pose with unique clothing and slightly different facial expressions. As such, each child maintains a sense of happiness and playfulness throughout while maintaining a sense of individualism.

In the center will be a 12 foot tall aluminum flag pole. And attached will be five colored streamers mounted to the top that each kid holds to create the unique weave pattern. 

At the rear of the May pole will be two 7 foot tall black granite tablets. Each tablet will be laser etched with text and images of the unique history of All Schools Day in McPherson. Off to the side will be two black granite benches that will hold two large circular shaped discs. These porcelain discs will have historical illustrations by two children commemorating the annual event. 

Linear pavers will be laid in a similar design and shape as the plaza of the Globe Refiners monument. Last of all uplighting will bring the monument to life at night.

UNIQUE ATTRIBUTES

• As in all of my sculptures, I pay close attention to little details. As such, buttons, shoe laces and hair have as much detail as a dress or shirt. Generally, I spend about 40% of my time on the facial details. I am amazed at how little movements in facial expressions can affect the feeling of a monument. Undoubtedly a simple smile can easily convey a sense of joy from the slight raise of an eyebrow, for example. 

• One of the children is straight from the 1930s depression-era, with his newsboy cap and suspenders. Importantly, I included this historical figure to connect our past to the present day.

• In an attempt to connect the nearby Globe Refiners monument with this monument, one of the girls is wearing low-top converse shoes. Details of the bronze converse shoes on the Globe Refiners monument was recently included in a book by Rich Hughes “If The Shoe Fits: How Sport Stars Fashion The Sneaker Culture”. by connecting two very different monuments in this subtle way and tipping the hat to the first Gold Medal Olympic basketball team, it is a show of respect albeit in a small subtle way.

Remembering Heroes (Vietnam War) is a life size bronze military sculpture and the third life size kneeling soldier in the Remembering series. The bronze sculpture is a Vietnam era US Marine with his hand against a wall. Remembering (War on Terror) is also a life size bronze military sculpture and the first sculpture made in the series. 

Both bronze sculptures are life size. Each of them remembers the sad and unfortunate cost of war and honors the fallen. The Vietnam soldier has an M16 rifle and the modern War on Terror soldier has an M4. Both are clutching a helmet in right hand although the Vietnam soldier has a pack of marlboros strapped to his helmet. Both have an outstretched left arm designed to rest against a stone wall. In addition, both are US Marines. But they are from two different wars separated by 30 years.

Remembering (War on Terror)

When I created the Remembering (War on Terror) sculpture I never imagined it would lead to creating other military sculptures. Remembering was the second military themed sculpture I had created (the first being a Tuskegee Airman). From the moment it was installed, I started getting inquiries about it and creating new sculptures. I get great joy in connecting with people and hearing their responses to Remembering. However, it is sometimes followed by a personal story of loss. 

Without a doubt, Remembering (War on Terror) was the first time I felt a sense of purpose with my art in honoring service members. I think a part of it was from my dads connection to the sculpture and what he did for Veterans. What I had created gave him joy, which in turn gave me a sense of purpose. And this continues to this day.

As a US Marine, my dad Dave Betti felt proud and honored at what I was creating and the direction I was going with my art. Enough so, that he visited me in Colorado in 2013 to see the sculpture in its early stages. As President of the Vietnam Veterans of Ventura county, it gave him joy to see what his only son was working on. A closer bond was formed, then had been previous. Sadly it would be the last time I’d see my dad. 

Remembering Heroes (Vietnam War)

Remembering Heroes (Vietnam War) bronze sculpture was created at the 6 year anniversary of my dads death. As such, the sculpture has a different meaning for me then it does to the Veterans who reflect on it. Although it is designed to remember the heroes we lost during the war in Vietnam, it is also a personal homage to my late father and all that he did for the Vietnam vets in Southern California. 

Gold Star Mother at Gracelawn Cemetery is a tribute to all of the Gold Star families that have lost children in war. The sculpture honors the families in the US, but its design was inspired by old European cemetery art. 

Beautiful and Old

Some of the most beautiful sculptures I have seen are located in old historic cemeteries. Many of these aged sculptures show great craftsmanship and talent. Often times the subjects are of grieving women and angels and are usually ignored by the art seeking public. It’s easy to understand why they aren’t revered as great art; sculptures in cemeteries are usually somber figures representing the non-living. Nothing joyful or hopeful about them. They don’t represent dreams or ambitions but instead death, something we all try to avoid. 

All too often, these outdoor statues don’t have any kind of maintenance plan in place. But perhaps their neglect makes them even more beautiful. With the oxidized surfaces of blues and greens adding to the emotional scene maybe they were intended to age naturally. This does make me wonder though; how did they look when they were fresh from the art studios that made them.

It makes sense that these old sculptures have been neglected. After all, the people that they represent are long gone. And it’s likely that the family or friend that commissioned the statue are also long gone.

But these uncared for bronze sculptures don’t have to be ignored. The cemeteries that own the artworks can take steps towards maintaining their collection. As much as they spend on maintaining the grounds, I can’t imagine not having funds to clean and wax the sculptures. If there is no plan in place eventually the oxidation process will morph the patina into greens and blues. In time, the sculpture will not look as young and pretty as it once did.

Looking in the Past for Inspiration

In 2017, I created concept sketches for a sculpture to honor Gold Star Mothers. The sketch I created was inspired by these oxidized and neglected cemetery sculptures. One sculpture, in particular, caught my attention and inspired me with my final designs. A grieving woman kneeling at a grave and clutching a flower in her hand captured my attention and imagination. Who is she and who is she grieving for? What’s her story. Although the history of this old sculpture is unknown and appears to be uncared for it is nonetheless a beautiful and great work of art. At least in my humble opinion.

Full Circle

The finished life size bronze sculpture of Gold Star Mother was installed at Gracelawn Cemetery in Edmond, Oklahoma in the Spring of 2021. Established in 1895, Gracelawn Cemetery contains the graves of some of Edmonds prominent leaders. The sculpture has become the heart of the cemetery, as I was later told. It has received visitors during Memorial Day and Gold Star Mothers Day since it’s installation earlier this year.

On Memorial Day, Josh Spinger, a photographer from Oklahoma captured the sculpture during a small ceremony. The photographs are vivid and full of emotion. They remind me of the sculpture that inspired her and the full circle it made. Inspired by an old cemetery sculpture and installed at an old cemetery.