Give the Lady a hand...

Lady Justice with her new arm and hand.

The dowel support is standing on the base to hold it in

position till it is dry enough to support itself,

especially while it is wrapped up for night.

(I think she's too serious, maybe a joke...)

I was on my way to the studio knowing that the next step would be critical in the development of my "Lady Justice". Her left arm and hand.

First of all I found out the angle I'd begun when I first made the initial arm was not a good angle. I wrapped it in wet chamois and let the arm soften with moisture for a while. During this time I worked on details like making her ears, having them stick out from under the blindfold and smoothing her out, removing rough edges etc.

Then back to the arm,  To get the arm into the right angle, I cut the arm at the elbow and experimented with a new angled cut. After a few tries I got the correct angle and reattached the arm. Then I took new clay and build up the arm, checking it for correct body proportions etc. Then I came to the wrist. Taking some fresh clay I fashioned a hand looking like a mitt, and connected it to the arm. After this, I had to make a brace standing on the base to hold up the arm and the hand in its correct position. The extension of the arm make it impossible for the arm to stay in its correct position, especially with the weight of the plastic used to wrap her up for the next day.

Then on the next day (which was today) I found the arm much dryer and was able to begin carving the correct form of the arm and the details of the hand. This hand will be holding the scale so it needs the fingers going down into a "holding" position.

Tomorrow I build the DNA morphing out of her side into the arm. This will be structured in such a way that it will not only make the symbolic point in the sculpture but will be a main support for the extended arm. (Double duty eh? I like that!)

It has been going well but slow due to the extreme extension of the arm. 

"The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!...." 1 Cor. 12:21

Lady Justice Has Changed...

My new (incomplete as yet) Lady Justice, 24" high.

See her right arm and the sword morphing into DNA.

Her left arm will hold her scales.

A detail of the arm and sword.

Notice the clay brace on her foot to keep her from collapsing while drying.

This is a detail of the "stand" beginning with law books and binders

of the old order mophing into DNA at the top.

I was on my way to my studio and I had an idea. As I've been thinking about the trial I mused about "Lady Justice", goggled her and realized it's mostly "old school"! Yes, there has been some efforts to bring her up to date, new clothes, new "sexy" looks and so on, but from my experience I see the whole justice system moving, in some ways kicking and screaming, into the digital age. This is my effort to express the incredible change and impact DNA has had, in a very very short time. Looks to me like everyone is kind of reeling with the dizzying possibilities and results of DNA on and in the justice system.

The sculpture is not finished, the scales and what they will weigh is another decision. I have some ideas floating around...

Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?" Gen 4:9

Surprise Reasons for Vacationing...

   Don't worry how he looks, he's happy I'm back!

So I went to my studio...

as soon as I could after we got back from our vacation trip. I could not wait to see all my guys, see how they were doing and bringing them up to snuff on everything. I noticed that they had not changed a lot. Other than having dried some in the heat, things seemed much the same.

Except, I realized I’d changed. I had to explain that I’d actually gained a new perspective, or two.

For example I had to admit that I really missed my studio. That I had thought about it a lot, and according to my traveling companion I also talked about it all the time. That I was possibly a bit too anxious to get back home I suspect, for her liking.

Also, that since the art show was about 7 months away it was important to kind of step back and prioritize my creative work. Discipline myself to make a list of artwork that might be “relevant” for the show in Feb. What feelings and issues did I really want to express? I could tell all my guys in the studio thought that had been a good idea.

Then I had to do some thinking and planning about how I would go about making enough time for myself to make all of these items. I explained that I had a plan that I could realistically implement. I could hear the applause.

So, now that my business stuff for the end of July is done and I can get down to it. I’m  glad I had the vacation and I’m glad I’m back. Let’s turn on the music, the coffee maker and get busy....

“The slave drivers kept pressing them, saying, "Complete the work required of you for each day...”   Exodus 5:13