Friday, January 8, 2010

studio visit with Chris Walsh


I have just returned from a month in the UK visiting family and friends. One of the highlights of my trip was meeting fellow sculptor Chris Walsh in his hometown of Liverpool! He shared his work and process info with us back in October so if you missed it, please click here. He was kind enough to share his time and work with me in person, so I wanted to pass it on to you.

Chris is insanely talented and extremely modest.... and his Amy Winehouse sculpture kicks ass!

It was a treat to see Chris's sculptures close up. They are so much bigger than I'd expected.

There's something amazing everywhere you turn. Hiding up on one of the shelves I saw Bill Shankly, a legend in Liverpool but if you don't follow football (as in soccer) then you may not be familiar with him.

Chris was commissioned to make Shankly for a client and then created a mould so he could cast several of them.

Chris taught himself how to do this by watching a mould making & casting workshop dvd. This process has always intrigued and terrified me at the same time. I don't know that I'm brave enough to try it but Chris made it look and sound so easy.

His cake toppers blew me away! He's working on one right now of a rock climbing couple.

Chris pulled out some sculptures that have been hiding away for too long, like this lovely lady who's a bit dusty but totally incredible...

...and this fascinating fella lurking in the corner.

The visit with Chris was so inspiring and fun. Thanks Chris for letting us into your world!

4 comments:

  1. everything you do looks perfect. even your casts look perfect. I love that liz showed us work in progress and a bit of your studio space. It's fascinating to see how you guys work.

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  2. Thanks Rich! It was a pleasure meeting with Liz as I've been a fan for ages, one of 2009's top 3 days! Thanks for posting this and taking such an interest in my work Liz. I hope we get to see some more of this type of stuff on the blog.

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  3. Congratulations Chris and Liz!!!
    Thank you to show this great work with us!!!

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  4. Chris, you are AWESOME! thanks for letting us all into your world.

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