Working on two memory boxes with Italian Greyhounds on them. I rarely venture into the Italian side of Greyhounds. Cause they are hard.

Not the breed, they are nice little dogs.

But sculpting them is hard on my brain.

As I was working, trying to keep my frustration in check, I kept thinking about why. Why are they difficult? Greyhound in miniature, right? Oh if it only were that simple.

But, really, it’s not the details of breed type that raise the level of difficulty. Or not that I haven’t practiced their form like I have with Greyhounds. The problem lies in one area – I lack experience with IGs.

I’m sure that’s it.

Because so much of my art making practice comes from the experiences I’ve had with my dogs. Those experiences are like a big pool to draw inspiration from from which to draw inspiration. With every memory box – I think of Sterling. Here’s the secret : Every box I make for him. Not to dwell in the pit of mourning for a dog long departed, but as a thank you for the experiences that he gave me.

The sculptures are totally influenced by my Greyhound experiences. Modern Day Hunter (above) is Winchester. The Greyhound who would love to hunt the neighborhood cats, or jackrabbits, or Pronghorn antelope, but instead has to “hunt” stuffed bunny rabbits instead. This piece isn’t a portrait of Winchester – but it’s heavily influenced by him and living with him..

Sketches and photographs and measurements just don’t do it. I need life experience.

Now back to work on these IGs…