J Tucker Bailey: www.tuckerbailey.com
Tucker Bailey’s sculptures and paintings are strongly influenced by her life experiences. She was born in northern Minnesota and spent her early years along the ruggedly beautiful shores of Lake Superior. It was there she developed a deep love of nature and animals.
She has devoted her life to the study of animals and art and has studied with sculptor John Paul Harris and painters such as Sally Strand, Heiner Hertling, Valerie Hinz, and Guan Weixing.
Tucker’s work is found in private and corporate collections across North America and abroad, including many bronzes at the North Carolina Zoological Park.
Renewal (2001) J. Tucker Bailey Bronze Sponsored by Klaussner Furniture Industries, Inc. in memory of Michael Carlisle.
This family of giraffes is placed at view 1 of the Forest Edge overlook so that live giraffes may be seen simultaneously while viewing the sculpture. This piece serves as a memorial to a young boy, whose favorite animal was the giraffe.
Arctic Fox (1999) J. Tucker Bailey Bronze Sponsored by Muriel J. Fox in memory of her husband, William Howard Fox.
The Fox’s playfulness in using their namesake over the years, did also in commissioning this arctic fox which now sits in front of the Artic Fox exhibit at the Rocky Coast.
Giraffes (1998) J. Tucker Bailey Bronze Sponsored by the J. Richard and Sybel F. Hayworth Foundation
Elephants (1999) J. Tucker Bailey Bronze Made possible by a gift to the North Carolina Zoological Society in memory of David Wayne Holt: Several small animal art works function to help visitors with sight impairments. By touching these detailed, realistic sculptures a person might be able to “see” an animal’s overall shape and texture.
Courtesy of:
Artist photo and info: www.tuckerbailey.com
News Article: The Courier Tribune
Zoo and animal: The North Carolina Zoo, Tamara Hill
Bronze Casting Photo: Pixabay.com
The Lost Wax Bronze Casting Process
Step 1 Making the mold from an original work of art: this step is by far the most critical. All the detail which appears on the original sculpture must be captured in this mold.
Step 2 Making the wax casting: Molten wax is poured into the mold to form layers of wax. This wax mold is an exact duplicate of the original sculpted model.
Step 3 Chasing the wax: the wax is poured from the mold and hand chased (re-detailed) by the artist.
Step 4 Spruing: Wax rods (gates) and a pouring cup are attached to the wax casting in just the right positions. This will assure a full metal pour.
Step 5 Casting the ceramic mold (ceramic shell): In a temperature-controlled climate, the wax casting is dipped into liquid ceramic shell material. On the first dip a fine powder is applied. On the next dip a course ceramic sand will be applied. This step is repeated several times, each increasing the coarseness of the material to create the ceramic mold. Between each dip, the ceramic layer must cure (dry) before another layer can be applied.
Step 6 Burn Out: the ceramic shell is placed in a kiln ad fired. The shell bakes and the wax is melted (lost) from the shell. This creates a hollow ceramic mold. Thus, the term “Lost Wax”.
Step 7 Casting: The ceramic shell mold is removed from the kiln and immediately the molten bronze is poured into the shell. At the time of pouring the bronze is 2100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 8 Break-out: After the casting has cooled, the shell is carefully broken away leaving the unfinished bronze.
Step 9 Sandblasting: any fragments of the ceramic shell are removed by sandblasting.
Step 10 Assembly: At this time, all the pieces of the sculpture are welded together by a skilled craftsman.
Step 11 Chasing: All the weld marks are chased and re-detailed.
Step 12 Sandblasting: After all the metal finishing has been performed the sculpture is sandblasted for a final time to ensure an even bronze finish for the patina.
Step 13 Patina and Waxing: The bronze is first heated with a torch and then the patina chemicals are hand applied by a skilled artist. Several applications are applied in order to achieve the color qualities desired. The piece is then waxed with heat and polished to ensure a beautiful luster.
Step 14 Mounting: The sculpture is then mounted on wood or marble and the final inspection will take place before being installed in its new home.
