Eel Walker

[MarkNewman]

This is a personal piece I recently finished and brought to the foundry to be cast in bronze. I was inspired by Edward McCartan sculpture called 'Diana' 1923 pictured here. I sculpted the eel separately of course and put them together in photoshop in the first image to show the final composition.
This is about 16" tall by around 23" long.
I'm still trying to decide what the edition size will be.

[rika]

Interesting work. What makes it unusual is not just the idea of the eel as a pet, but the sheer scale of it, it holds the attention over the very pretty and classically rendered girl, and that's quite an achievement. Bravo!

[grommet]

bizarre & wonderful. love the addition of small sci-fi decorative details.

[The Forge]

That is really an enthralling idea. I just want to keep looking at it. Perfect execution. Please post other views.

[sculptor]

wow
really inspiring
thanx

love the caress
excellent counterpoint to the chain

[mantrid]

Mark that is fantastic. The detail is unreal.
Some questions, hope you dont mind.
What is the size?
What material is it sculpted in?
How do you acheive the decoration on the hips etc.
How long did it take?

[timblacktim]

BREATHTAKING WORK!!!.........eel walker" just dose'nt give it the quality name it deserves.....what about " The Beauty from the Loch? or Andromeda etc?
Its great 2 see it in modelling clay....Im sure in bronze you will sell them easily! Keep us Inspired...good luck... TBT

[GlennT]

Yeah, that's a winner! The title is actually good because it is so understated, and the sculpture is so NOT understated. The movement in the eel is wonderful, as is the theme. You started with a great piece and raised the ante.

[MarkNewman]

Thanks everybody for your feedback. Here are some more pics of the sculpture earlier in the composition of the sculpt. I really wanted this piece to have a real classical feel with a splash of fantasy without being too fantastically sci-fi-ish.
sculptor: Yes, the caress. I didn't want the 'master and pet' feel to this but more of a connection between the two.
mantrid: Around 16" tall and around 23" long.
This is sculpted in oil base clay. J-mac classic clay. Medium grade.
The decorative patterns on the figure were drawn in with a small ball tipped tool.
This was a work in progress for about a year but actual condensed sculpting time I guess around 3 or 4 weeks.
GlennT: The name Eel Walker was a 'working name in progress' but I liked it more and more. I didn't want the name to be too pretentious sounding.

[rika]

Nice to see the detail on these pictures. The hand, the twist of the arm and her face are so beautiful. The face seems idealized, but wonder have you used a real model for the girl?

[MarkNewman]

No I did not use a model for this piece. She is indeed idealized.
I also drew inspiration from Cirque du Soleil.

[evaldart]

Very accomplished in all respects: figuration, anatomy, realism, narrative. Whats left to say?, great work.

[The Forge]

Now that I have seen the piece from the other side, I am even more in awe of your work. The original name fits it perfectly. In the Sci-fi area, it could be a figure from a Frazetta illustration. That is truly a winner in my book.

[lee]

This is inspiring work. Beautifully executed. Do you make your own molds or does the foundry do the final work?

Lee

[MarkNewman]

Thanks for you comments I really appreciate your enthusiasm on this piece.
I'm making a series of sculptures with this look and feel. I'm really digging it.

Lee: I have the foundry make the molds, cast the waxes which I check carefully, and cast -n- chase. I'll be there to attach the Eel to the figure and
work with the patina artist.

[rika]

Originally Posted by MarkNewman

I'm making a series of sculptures with this look and feel. I'm really digging it.

Mark, that sounds great. When I looked at your site I thought this piece was an innovative synthesis of your fantasy and classical sculpture. With your degree of skill added to the mix it's a fantastic combination. Quite inspiring.

Originally Posted by MarkNewman

I'll be there to attach the Eel to the figure and
work with the patina artist.

I wondered about the balance of the piece. How you're gonna achieve that?

[MarkNewman]

The eel brushes up against her on her right butt cheek (Gluteus Maximus ).
Where it'll be welded. Also at her left wrist where she's touching the eels fin. That should be sufficient to hold the weight, also the way the eel snakes around her helps balance the weight.

[Alfred]

I've said it on the other forums my friend, but this is a spectacular piece of sculpture. Truly inspiring, and humbling all at once. I hope I can see this in person some day.

Cheers!!

Alfred

[racine]

there was a young lady from ongar..
who was attacked in the sea by a congar,
when asked how it feels to be felt by an eel,
she said 'just like a man only longer'

traditional limmerick...

[MarkNewman]

Originally Posted by Alfred

I've said it on the other forums my friend, but this is a spectacular piece of sculpture. Truly inspiring, and humbling all at once. I hope I can see this in person some day.

Cheers!!

Alfred

Thanks a lot Alfred, I appreciate it.

[MarkNewman]

Originally Posted by racine

there was a young lady from ongar..
who was attacked in the sea by a congar,
when asked how it feels to be felt by an eel,
she said 'just like a man only longer'

traditional limmerick...

( Crickets chirp )

..... thanks ...... I guess.

[Berinje']

Mark, I absolutely love it, love it, love it!!! Can't wait to see the series. I think you're really on to something, if the other ones in the series also have this Cirque du SoleilI feel with "a real classical feel with a splash of fantasy without being too fantastically sci-fi-ish."

Much creativity to you,
Paula