QUALITY STATEMENT & CARE INSTRUCTIONS
STATEMENT OF QUALITY
“I have had the opportunity to work in a vast array of materials, but I have chosen to focus on bronze and steel.
I believe the timeless message of the work is enhanced by the permanence of these materials. Their finishes should sustain the energy that emanates from the sculpture.
The selection of patinas responds to my desire for the outer expression to compliment the inner content.
I strive for my work to emanate energy, even though sculpture is often regarded as inanimate. From the first recorded art found in Paleolithic caves such as Lascaux, artists have sought to capture and contain spirit. In Latin, Spiritus is analogous to breath and life.
Art, represented through symbols, has proven throughout time to be a language connecting the beholder with the mystical. It is in this tradition that I create my sculpture.”
Lynn Rae Lowe
All artwork is hand-finished.
All patinas, by their nature, vary slightly and will age based upon climatic placement.
Occasional irregularities and shadings should not be regarded as defects, but as characteristic of the processes that give the artwork its beauty and dramatic movement.
THE BRONZE PROCESSES – Lost Wax
Lynn Rae uses the Lost Wax method of ceramic shell investment casting to produce her bronze sculptures. This process allows the fine detail and intricate configuration of the artist’s original sculpture to be faithfully reproduced in bronze.
The original sculpture is created from clay or wax. A rubber mold is made of the original sculpture. Wax duplicates of the sculpture are created from this mold. These waxes are dipped into a liquid slurry that hardens into a ceramic shell called the investment. Molten bronze is then poured into the shell. Inside, the wax melts escaping the shell as a liquid via small tubes called sprues.
What remains is a detailed impression of the sculpture inside the ceramic shell. Once the metal has cooled and hardened, the ceramic shell is broken apart, leaving an exact replica of the artist’s original sculpture in bronze.
The cleaning up and final removal of the ceramic shell is referred to as de-investment. Metal chasing removes casting sprue marks. Complex sculptures are cast in separate pieces, just as they are sometimes molded in separate pieces. If this is the case, all the bronze pieces are now assembled and welded together.
The final step involves giving the sculpture its coloration or patina. The metal is heated with a torch and then treated with various chemicals to achieve the desired coloration.
This is not a paint, which would only cover the color of the metal. Patina chemicals react with the metal and actually change the color of the bronze. When the desired coloration is achieved, the sculpture is brushed with a paste wax and buffed with a soft cloth to give it a pleasing luster. The number of duplicates the artist allows to be cast from the original determine the edition number.
CARE OF BRONZE SCULPTURES
Bronze is synonymous with durability and requires minimal upkeep. Wash sculpture with a non-ionic soap such as Simple Green. With a pure boar bristle brush, apply a Carnauba wax (all available at any hardware store.) Be careful the wax does not collect in the recesses. Let dry for 5 minutes. Buff with a soft cloth to desired shine, indoors once a year, outdoors two times a year.
The patinas on bronze are sensitive to, and can react with the environment. Moisture can cause oxidation, ultraviolet rays of direct sun can dull the patination, and heat can melt protective wax coatings.
THE STEEL / ALUMINUM PROCESS
Lynn Rae begins the steel / aluminum process by drawing her vision on paper. This design is then transferred into a computerized outline, which is downloaded to a laser cutting machine. The laser cutter carves the design out of mild steel or aluminum sheets. Once the design is cut and cooled, the edges are ground to a smooth finish. The piece is then “activated” by removing the top opaque layer, which leaves the surface open to receive transparent dyes. The finish, or patina, is applied using solvent dyes that contain UV inhibitors. Finally, the finish is protected with a clear sealant.
CARE OF STEEL / ALUMINUM PIECES
These pieces of functional art were created with easy maintenance in mind. They have a water repellent finish. However, cleaners, especially those that are ammonia-based, can react with the finish. To remove dust, simply use a feather duster or wipe with a dry cloth. To remove wax, heat the surface with a hair dryer and wipe with a soft cloth
Please use care after heating with the hairdryer, due to the nature of the metal, the surface can become
To help prevent wax drip, try freezing your candles before lighting them.
A few moments a year can help protect the lifelong beauty of your fine art investment.