Dawna Robertson
Canadian Wildlife Stone Sculptor
Wildlife & Dog Carvings "In Progress"
A number of people are curious as to the steps involved in sculpting soapstone and alabaster.
I developed this section to educate the general public on how my sculptures evolve.
I hope you enjoy seeing the process!
COMING MARCH 1st - MIXED BREED DOG COMMISSIONED SCULPTURE
Featured in this section:
Soft Wheaten Terrier & Poodle Sculpture - Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada
Alabaster Polar Bear Artist Large Size Card Holder
Soapstone Heart Sculpture
Scotland Robin - Commission Scotland, UK
Scotland Baby Beaver(Kit) "GENEVIEVE" - Commission Scotland, UK
ALSO - New Beaver Kit Sculpture ("Casey") can be found on my Beavers Page
"Mother's Pride" Siberian Tiger Sculpture
"Atlantis" Orca Whale Sculpture - Chlorite Stone - Ontario, Canada
"Quibble, Denzid & Audrey" - Beaver Family Sculpture
"Whiskers" - Beaver Kit
Great Grey Owl - "Gandalf"
American Kestrel (Falcon) - "Katy"
Fox Sculptures: "Mom's Watchful Eye" & "In the Eyes of the Beholder
Baby Porcupine - "Porcy"
Stone Cut for Porcupine Log
Sculpting has begun!
Sculpting Stages with quills achieved by making deep grooves with power tools and files..
Original porcupine base was removed and porcupine is now on a seperate rough stone. It will end up being a sitka willow tree log with part bark/part log showing. Porcupines at AIWC love to sit on logs to eat their branches from the Sitka Willow Trees.
The Real Life Story of "Porcy":The Baby Porcupine
"Porcy" was a baby porcupine who came to AIWC (Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation) as a result of being orphaned in the wild. Everyone at AIWC was very excited about our new porcupette - both staff and volunteers looked forward to having a chance to feed him or clean the cage of our new charge. His lovely "mewing" sounds that he would make while feeding on his bottled formula were enjoyed by all who had contact with him.
My favourite memory of "Porcy" is of one day being asked to take him outside to an enclosure for him to get some fresh air and exercise. I sat there in total enchantment as "Porcy" chewed on some grass - a young creature who was now alone and was quietly going about the business of just trying to survive in a world that is becoming ever more dangerous for creatures such as this to live in. All of us at AIWC looked forward to the day when "Porcy" would be released back into the wild - but unfortunately this was not to be. His little spirit decided to depart from us one early summer morning - probably to find some delectable treats like his favoured willow branches in a heavenly woodlot in the hereafter. His short little life had a profound effect on both AIWC staff and volunteers alike - and none that came to know and love him will ever forget him. It is to his memory that this sculpture "Sacred Innocence" is dedicated. Dennis Hanna, AIWC
Rough Block of soapstone which I started carving the baby porcupine in. This is brown soapstone from British Columbia, Canada
I hope you have enjoyed seeing a glimpse inside my studio works.
It will be updated on a continuous basis. If you have any enquiries,
please do not hesitate to email me by clicking on:
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GENERAL WEBSITE GUEST BOOK Entries
August 21, 2008 - stone rough sculpted to simulate a cut log. Left picture shows the bark peeling away from an old log. Notice the trees "rings" and layer of bark on the top of the log - middle picture.
More detail added to Sitka Willow Branch which "Porcy" ate.
"Porcy" sitting on his new log - Aug. 21/08
Fine Filing & Sanding soon to begin!
Wet Sanding Completed.
Wax applied, polished and buffed by hand. Lighter areas of quills were accomplished by etching the polished stone.
"Porcy" weighs in at 16 lbs.
Total Sculpture including log weighs 44 lbs.
Finished Sculpture dimensions: 16" high including the custom stained pine turntable.
Pendants
Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation
Inspires the fox sculptures!!!
My inspiration has always come through the form of seeing wildlife either in person, through books or on the internet.
As the saying goes...everyone loves a good story so on that note, you might enjoy reading this one! As a result of selling a spirit bear pendant through the "Spirit Bear Youth Coalition" website to Dennis Hanna, my need to find out more about the animals behaviour and temperament was finally granted. Dennis wrote me to thank me for supporting the spirit bears through my pendant sculptures. It wasn't long after the first email was received that he told me he is a Rehab Volunteer for the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) and he said he would be happy to send me photos of some of their animals and share a bit about their personalities and characteristics. Needless to say, I was overjoyed as it now offered me an inside look into the animals I sometimes sculpt. The stories and photos he has shared with me over the years have brought tremendous value and a connection to my artistry I was missing. Many thanks to Dennis for your friendship and willingness to enhance my sculptures with your rehab stories. As a result, I have now done two great horned owls (1 Donated - one commissioned) and the baby porcupine you will be seeing below. In this case, Dennis sent me photos of the fox kits they had come into the centre and they were rehabilitated as my sculptures of the foxes were created. Step by step, the spirit of the fox families came alive. Many thanks to Dennis Hanna of Calgary, Alberta and the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation for all of the tremendous work they do for our animals and the heart and soul which encompasses such dedication to the cause.
"In the Eyes of the Beholder"
The Carroll Family - Woodbridge, Ontario
Avaiato add text.
#2 Fox Sculpture
"Mom's Watchful Eye"
Commission Valerie Clark, Calgary, Albertahere to add text.
Fox Sculpture after alot of carving hours.
When stone is carved, it is in its raw stone colour & state. The finished colour is not fully known or appreciated until countless hours of wet sanding by hand have been completed and the sculpture is sealed with wax to bring out and hold it's natural beauty.
Finished Sculpture sealed with a natural wax, etched (scratched) hairs and leather dye used to dye the "socks" of the foxes.
Note how there are rough marks on the sculpture. These are smoothed use by hand using a variety of hand rasps (files) and then rough sandy the shape by hand using drywall screen and the pressure of my fingers to shape the skin and coat of the foxes.
My general rule of thumb is to only use my power tools for 15-20% of the sculpting process. I don't like the noise nor the vibration it causes within the stone. I use a Foredom Sculptors PowerTool for major stock removal and for finer details I use a dremel tool. Once the power carving is complete the entire remaining part of the process is done by hand using chisels, alot of rasps and all of the sanding (60 grit to 2000 wet sanding grit) is done by hand - mostly with my thumbs!
Valerie's Fox Kit Pendant
Click on:
The Evolution of
"Katy" - An American Kestrel
Destination: Bearsden, Scotland, UK
Inspiration behind the Raptor Sculpture
The original photo below I took while visiting the Mountsberg Raptor Centre in
Milton, Ontario, Canada. A kestrel is the smallest falcon in all of North America
and is the only falcon who can hover in mid-air.
I was absolutely taken when I saw "Katy" at the MRC. Please check out the wonderful work of the Mountsberg Raptor Centre - Conservation Halton and the special raptors in their care.
The beginning of the habitat or in this case a perch of old decaying branches being carved on the base
Rough block of brown soapstone from British Columbia, Canada
which I started with.
Shaping of Kestrel has begun
Stone next to some of the "bits" I use to do the power carving parts
Head and wings refined more
Different angles of the Katy the Kestrels head are honed for proportion
Hand Files will now be used to shape and define. Then the sanding will begin!
Tail is "graduated"
Eyes are shaped with hand file
Beak takes on contours
Feathers around face have been sculpted.
Wings have been more defined. Now ready for finer hand shaping with drywall sandpaper using thumbs to sculpt and shape.
"Katy" the Kestrel Completed! January 13-14, 2009
Flight Destination - Alan Cowie - Bearsden, Scotland, UK
The late "Sir Gandalf" - Great Grey Owl from
the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation
Wildlife Educator "Jody" shown having a chat with Gandalf
Starting Block of Soapstone
First cut into the stone
Power Carving has begun. A dual respirator is required for lung safety while sculpting.
Starting to emerge from the stone
Photo Courtesy of Dennis Hanna - taken at the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation
The Evolution of
"WISE COUNSEL"
BOREAL OWL
BC SOAPSTONE - Owner - Colin Chant, Windsor, Ontario
Progress up to March 9/09
Wet sanding and polishing to follow!
Photos Courtesy of Dennis Hanna
Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation
Gandalf's starting block of BC Soapstone
Some corners have been
removed with hand saw
Finer shaping as well
as the habitat
Initial shaping of body and head
using Foredom Power Tool
The REAL LIFE Story of "Sir Gandalf" - Great Grey Owl
Written by Dennis Hanna - Volunteer - The Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation
Gandalf came to AIWC in the spring of 2006 as a young great grey owlet that had fallen from a nest due to a severe windstorm. He had a seperated right shoulder, ear warbles, and some bruising. He was tended to with the proper treatment with the hopes of eventually returning him to the wild. Unfortunately his wing injury never properly healed which would not allow this to happen. The decision was then made (under very strict AIWC protocols) to train him to become one of AIWC's educational animals. In his young career as an ed animal for AIWC Gandalf made his way into quite a few classrooms where his comedic antics always amazed both students and teachers alike who were usually left spellbound after meeting him. As well, both staff and volunteers at AIWC loved to work with and around Gandalf - his gentle and quiet nature made him a favourite of all who met him. His favourite habit was to give each person a "hoot hoot" greeting as they entered the center for a shift. Unfortunately, in the fall of 2008 he succumbed to a very fast acting and system wide infection even though staff and volunteers worked diligently to combat it. The shock of his much too early demise left most staff and volunteers at AIWC simply thunderstruck. There is however one word that everyone who knew Gandalf thinks of when he comes to all our minds - and that word is "LOVE"!!!
Check out the wonderful work that the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation does on a daily basis!
See photos of the tribute to Gandalfs life below!
"Porcy"
"Katy"
Gandalf's eyes get depth and
general shape
Gandalf's natural habitat is carved
More detailed hand filing on the body and face are next. The talons will be added as well.
Photos as of March 12, 2009 Feathers, Body and Face reshaped
"Gandalf" Completed March 17th, 2009
Destination - Calgary, Alberta
Farewell to Gandalf before his last flight destined for Calgary, Alberta Mar 27, 2009
Finished size 11"x11"x10"
International Commission
"Whiskers" the Baby Beaver Kit
Destination - Leeds, England, UK
I am using a rubber mallet and tooth chisel made by G-Gibson Tools in Leeds, England.
My clients OWN G-Gibson Tools!
If you want to use only the
BEST of the BEST
of Stone Masonry Tools click on:
The beginning of "Whiskers" the Baby Canadian Beaver "Carving in Progress" as of April 2, 2008
"Whiskers" was given his name by my clients Trevor and Gail Timmons. He is named after there cherished four legged cherished canine family member named "Whiskers".
I have now completed all of the filing and started to sand "Whiskers" with 320 grit wet/dry sandpaper! I have to confess, this little bundle of joy has been just that - a bundle of joy to carve! Every part of the process has been what I would refer to as "sweet" and "gentle" - just like the nature of the beavers themselves! How about that!? It never ceases to amaze me how the process of sculpting mimics the nature of the animals themselves! I am truly blessed!
Just starting to get the shape of the beaver kit without having to remove much stone.
The beaver tail is taking shape
Starting to detail the "habitat" as well as "Whiskers" fur
Texture is added to tail
.
The "movement" of the moment
is starting to unfold
Eye and face detail have been completed and arms are starting to form
April 3, 2009
Detailing of habitat, face, ears, tail and engraving of "whiskers" name are now completed. The first stage of sanding has begun!
Is it me or is he not the sweetest little thing?! I think I am just a little too attached!!
Our Canadian Emblem for Canada is the Beaver and only in Canada can we manage to have snow in early April (as seen on the trees behind!!!
Our Canadian Nickel (5 cents) features
the beaver.
WISE COUNSEL IS COMPLETED!!
Finished Stone Sculpture
"Wise Counsel" the Boreal Owl is a Special Graduation Gift/Heirloom for Colin Chant who is graduating as a Litigation Lawyer in Windsor, Ontario, Canada
"Gandalf - Simply the Best"
Great Grey Owl Memorial Tribute
Last Flight Destination Calgary, Alberta, Canada
"Quibble, Denzid & Audrey....
a REAL LIFE Story of
True Love, Gentleness & Devotion to Beavers"
A long overdue but very special tribute...
To our beavers:
Thank you for our Wilderness & Ecosystems...for without you we would have none.
This sculpture was inspired by the movie "GREY OWL" directed by the famous Director Sir Richard Attenborough's compelling movie starring Actor Pierce Brosnan about a REAL LIFE PERSON named "Archie , Grey Owl" whose life started his living as a Trapper of Beavers and ended up showing society that they serve a great purpose on our planet. His life's story was in fact created by his childhood play and ended up becoming his life. This sculpture is based on the point in this movie where his life completely changes direction for the better and he anxiously tries to save a baby beaver kit which has just innocently appeared out of a hollow log. I could not help but sculpt this "kodak moment" as I call it as it was this change of his heart and purpose in life - not only to himself but to the Beavers and the planet as a whole. Unfortunately, when "Grey Owl" was alive and also when this movie was released in 1999, the world was not open to accept the greater purpose and beauty of this planet created by our beavers. There is hope in my heart that one day together we can continue the efforts of "Archie Grey Owl" and perhaps one day we will be able to proudly say that the Beavers of our planet are as legally protected as the Bald Eagle and allowed to fulfill their purpose on our planet....
wild, free, deeply respected, understood, loved and appreciated for their work and gentle spirit.
Friend of the Beavers, Dawna (Below see this sculpture unfold from stone!)
A sustainable part from nature Canadian Soapstone
Top part of beaver and hollowed log starting to take shape
Head & Nose taking shape
Proportion being "worked out"
Beaver Fur and face shaping
Story unfolding
Tail and habitat taking shape
Eyes and ears carved in
Other side of "Quibble" taking shape
Finer detail work on opposite side
Anatomy and tail being shaped.
The log starts to be hollowed out and the stone revewals the beaver kit named Denzid!! This is exciting!
Baby "Denzid" the Beaver Kit is born!
Peaking out of the hollow Aspen log
...and then there were three!!! Baby Beaver kit "Audrey" appears in the other end of the hollow log!
Beaver Kit "Audrey" is peaking out
to see if it's safe.
Leaves for a symbolism of our environment.
I decided to incorporate the use of the Celtic Eternity Symbol as it is also symbolic of the Ontario Canada Provincial Protected Flower - The Trillium. Etched below the eternity symbol is "Loved for Eternity"
This photo shows "Quibble" .
The stick you see "Quibble" holding is one that a real beaver named "Denzid" chewed and cleaned. This moment in time is showing when Quibble breaks the sticks to make his family's dam
"Denzid" sculpted into stone (the one that actually chewed and cleaned the sticks that I used in the composition of this sculpture.
"The lettering above the hollow log he is in reads "To the beavers: Thank you for our Wilderness"
A beaver kit named "Audrey"
The beavers tale depicts the interesting texture it has.
Leaves to symbolize the environment are sculpted hanging down on the right side beside "Quibble".
Another close up of "Quibble"
Real "beaver sticks" on top of the hollow log are the real beaver sticks "Denzid" carved. The brown is to represent the mud they use to pack down their sticks and form their dams, much like clay.
You will notice I engraved "Grey Owl" just above the eternity symbol, beside a leaf. In real life Archie Grey Owl became a legend when he changed his thinking from that of a 1930's Trapper to one who fights for the gentle beavers and spreads the word to the world on all they bring to our planet and ecosystems.
Tear Drop coming down from Denzid's eyes to show that they too have the same emotions as humans.
Grey Owl etched in stone
here...
The Evolution of
"Mother's Pride"
Siberian Tiger Pride
Brazilian Soapstone
Owner - Donna Merlin, Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Owner - Donna Merlin,
Brampton, Ontario
June 09
This blue jay was carved starting at the base of it's tail working up to it's beak. the beak will be one of the last things carved. Next step will be defining feathers and eyes. Still in progress!
Additional photos of "Jay" the Blue Jay can be viewed on my "Sold Gallery" Section of my website.
The Evolution of
"Jay" The Blue Jay
Destination - Vancouver, BC
Click "Toby"
The River Otter Pup
A Cherished Memorial of Gail & Trevor Timmons Cocker Spaniel named "Toby" whom reminded them of the sweet and gentle river otters
Destination - LEEDS, England UK
Starting Block of Brazilian Soapstone
Inspiration & Spirit of the River Otter
As of July 20th/09
July 21st photos - more proportion and shaping being worked out. Details of the eyes and hair also taking shape! Toby's tail has 0een tapered as well.
As I was taking the photo our wild bunny named "bunnykins" ( not too original I know!) came up to check if I was feeding a new animal it's carrot!!
How cute is this
little munchkin!!!?
EVOLUTION OF
"ATLANTIS"
ORCA WHALE (Commission)
Black Chlorite from BC, Canada
This page was last updated: February 22, 2010
Starting Block
Stone "log" heated, waxed and etched to reveal some of the dark and light areas. Log alone weighs 28 lbs.!
Took flight 145 for Calgary - September 9, 2008
"Carving in Progress" Guest Book Comments
BIOGRAPHY AND WEBSITE SAMPLER
This is the natural colour of chlorite (shown wet with water) prior to hours of wet sanding to 2500 grit
Introducing "Atlantis"
The Orca Whale
Completed
Sept. 13, 2009
Owners: The Nixon's
Click here tBaby Beaver (Kit) "Genevieve"
Commission for Bearsden, Scotland UK text.
Starting Block of Soapstone
Finer Detail taking Shape
Ready for finer hand detailing with rasp and sanding!
"Genevieve" the Scotland Baby Beaver (Kit) Completed! November 2009
This is a real stick that a beaver by the name of "Denzid" from Canada chewed.
Perfect compliment for this special sculpture! She's even sweeter in person!!! Ut oh! This one will be hard to part with too!
Destination:
Bearsden, Scotland!
Scotland has re-introduced the beavers this year after 100's of years of absence. Scotland places a high importance on the beavers natural ecological value and went to great lengths to export the beavers from Norway! There are a number of great on line articles from BBC telling about the lengths and measures they had to go to in order to study which beavers belonged to which families so they did not seperate any family member! Amazing and beautiful story!
Scotland Robin
"My Wee Lamb"
Brazilian Soapstone
Commission - Bearsden, Scotland, UK
This soapstone sculpture is all one piece. The snow is also all stone achieved my texturizing the stone.
I will be adding new sculptures as they progress on this page which are commissions or available for purchase. If you would like to commission a wildlife or dog sculpture, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your interest and time! Dawna
