The name of Clarke's company, Hungry Thumbs Studio, Vancouver, Canada, refers to the way he starts his projects, with clay mock-ups (an artist's thumbs are the primary tools when sculpting clay). He works with his clients using clay models to refine ideas and start the process. Next, he creates hard plaster casts from which he makes flexible silicone rubber molds. A rigid fiberglass cradle supports the rubber mold. Clarke doesn't worry much about mold draft (draft refers to the taper given to a pattern so that work can be easily removed from a mold) because his molding rubber can be pulled and stretched to release negative shapes. He's developed intricate connections between the molds and their cradles so they don't move during the casting process. Clarke works with plaster, bronze, clay, and glass. But his material of choice is concrete because of its mold-ability, strength, and durability.
Fleishman likes sculpting concrete around armatures. This process involves shaping rebar and diamond lath into armatures that both create the shape for a sculpted piece and supply the tensile strength needed for the concrete. Care is needed to ensure that concrete consolidates around both rebar and lath reinforcement--a process Fleishman performs with his hands.
Fleishman also casts concrete in forms larger than needed, stripping them before initial set occurs and then hand carving the desired shapes. This method of sculpting is especially good for statuary. He cautions that you must carefully place steel reinforcement so that it won't interfere with the final shape, adding that timing is everything with this approach.
Concrete home building is becoming more of a fine art, too. Designers reference the landscape for the shape of the home; homes show more sculptural details in carved and cast accessories. These two, sculpture and concrete, homes share a common purpose—to create beautiful form. Today's artisans find more ways to sculpt with concrete, and their work finds its way into gardens and living areas. Manufacturers have more products that contribute to sculpting and provide the training to use them.
