Parachute Goddess Journey

This is my newest sculpture, Parachute Goddess.

Michelle Szynskie, my sister-in-law, commissioned me to create a sculpture of her granddaughter, Brenna, donning a parachute dress. This project is inspired by the creative concept of the Parachute Goddess Project, conceived by Laylonna Hurley.

The pose draws inspiration from a photo captured by Christina Weeks in Times Square, New York City. This is Brenna in a parachute skirt.

This newsletter is a brief synopsis of my process.

Brenna was posing in my studio, adorned in a petite parachute skirt.

Here is the progress at the end of the second session.

I removed the head of the sculpture to facilitate work from various angles. In this photo, the head in my hand illustrates its minute size. I crafted a sculptor’s tool by modifying a toothpick to address the intricacies of this small scale. I wear magnifying glasses when working at this scale.

I filled in the gap between the legs with gray clay. I opted for my stiffer red clay for the body, driven by two considerations. Firstly, at a 1/6th scale, the hands and facial features are notably small, and the stiffer clay excels in preserving these intricate details compared to my grey clay. Additionally, I strategically applied the softer gray clay for the dress over the red clay of the body, molding it gently around the stiffer clay. This approach enhances the visibility of the body shape beneath the dress.

Next was the blocking out the skirt and corset.

I started the foundation of the skirt base.

Creating the fabric of the skirt started with just one fold. Then more and more folds were added. Completion of the corset elevated the overall sculpture, bringing it closer to its final form.

Done!!!!  (In clay)

My efforts over this two and one-half year duration and 110 hours of sculpting have paid off. I had 40 sculpting sessions, only five with the model. Here is the finished clay piece, and I am very happy with it. After two mold-making processes, the pouring of the molten bronze and a time span of four months, the clay piece becomes a bronze sculpture.

Parachute Goddess in Bronze

20” H x 22” W x 22” D

To learn more about the model, photographer and The Parachute Goddess Project, follow these links.
Brenna Michelle Dancer, Model, Actress, Photographer   https://www.facebook.com/brennamichelleonthego
#cristinaweeks https://www.facebook.com/christinaweeksphotography/ | https://www.instagram.com/christinaweeksphotography/
Laylonna Hurley https://www.facebook.com/theparachutegoddessproject