by Jo Barnes | photos by Scottee Giles and Azara Effect Productions –
He has floppy ears, a shiny brown coat and bright eyes. His head is turned inquiringly to one side, as if to say: “Can we go for a walk now?” He is so realistic you might forget for a moment that he’s made out of bronze.
“Joy of Life” is a bronze piece local sculptor Joanne Helm created of her pet dachshund, Krispy Kreame, and one of many in her collection that depicts a variety of subjects including dogs and people.
“I like doing three-dimensional representation of things, and I cast in bronze. A lot of my work has to do with dogs,” she shares.
Joanne has sculpted two pieces depicting her dachshund. Each one shows the little dog in a different situation such as walking or even balancing on a board over a pipe. In each case, the size of the sculpture is lifelike, but you won’t find any of these little dogs waggling their tails or nuzzling your arm anytime soon!
For over 40 years, Joanne has been an Airedale terrier dog breeder. As well as raising these dogs, she has also entered many of them in dog show competitions. As a result, she has extensive experience in grooming, an activity she likens to her art.
“I breed Airedales. I like grooming. With dogs, you take the time to shape the hair and that can make for top quality dogs. Sculpting is like this. In fact, a lot of groomers are good artists.”
Creating these captivating bronze pieces is work that requires time, attention to detail and precision. “I draw it first then I use oil-based clay to sculpt,” she notes.
Careful measurements are taken to ensure accuracy. A keen eye and a fine sense of perspective contribute to her drawing skills, an innate ability that Joanne has nurtured over time. “I did a course on engraving glass and my instructor said ‘you can really draw’,” says Joanne. “I read books, looked at YouTube videos and took classes from local artists.”
For her, shaping the piece is like grooming her dogs. It involves proportion, balance and perspective, all of which can be challenging. “Often your eyes will lie to you. Your eye will complete what you see, things that aren’t there,” she says. “If you walk away then come back, you have a better idea of what it looks like. I use a mirror which is really helpful.”
Joanne knows it’s important to understand anatomical detail in her subjects, and says: “You need to learn what’s underneath the skin. For instance, there are numerous ligaments and muscles that produce the human smile. Learning these things makes you a better sculptor.”
She was first introduced to sculpting as a child. “When I was growing up, I loved to work with clay or plasticine. I always wanted to work with it,” she notes.
After drawing the design and shaping the form, Joanne applies rubber onto the sculpture and covers it all with plastic. Subsequently, she pours wax into the interior of this mould. Care is taken to make sure there are no imperfections in the wax casting such as air bubbles. “I spend a long time on the wax process to get it right,” she remarks.
The piece is delivered to the foundry where it’s coated with ceramic and cooked in a commercial kiln. The wax melts off in this procedure, hence the name “lost wax process.” This ceramic shell is then filled with bronze. It’s a long journey from concept to final product, sometimes taking as many as six months to complete.
Always keen to learn and grow in her craft, Joanne has taken numerous courses both locally and abroad, often working with talented artists like contemporary figure sculptor, Melanie Furtado. A member of the Vancouver Island Sculpture Guild, Joanne has showcased her work at Sidney’s Art Walk, McTavish Academy of Art, the Sidney Museum and Mary Winspear Centre, and leased sculptures to Castlegar, Port Alberni and Oak Bay.
Joanne also enjoys sharing her love of art with others. “I’ll be at ‘Sculpture Splash’ at Gorge Park Pavilion giving a ‘From Clay to Bronze’ workshop. I’m also on the ArtSea committee for the Sculpture Walk in Sidney,” she says.
Recently, Joanne sculpted a piece called “The Ghost Dale.” It’s an idealized bronze Airedale, another opportunity to pay tribute to the four-legged friends she has loved over the years and to share an activity that has so positively impacted her life. “I am lucky, and I want people to know how rich it’s made my life and how much pleasure it gives me,” she remarks.
From top to bottom, or as often is the case, from nose to tail, it’s this very joy that exudes from Joanne’s sculptures.
Those interested in purchasing Joanne’s sculpted pieces can visit: www.joannehelm.wixsite.com/joannehelm.
