Big Ben Memorial

Creating detail in wax

1) starting the project

2) building the form

3) creating detail, casting

4) the unveiling

By the time that Jean left, the left half of Ben bore a striking resemblance to the real horse. Stewart had Ian ready to mount. Ruth stayed another month, perfecting the entire surface. When you put your hand on the Ben's bronze flank, you almost expect it to flinch, as Ruth's detailing is that real.

Ian and Lynn Millar arrived December 6, 2004 for a look. They seemed really happy, and spent most of an hour experimenting with the look of tack on Ben.

Marcus Knoespel from Arcast arrived January 18, 2005 to cut up the wax and take it away for casting. The procedure seemed to take only a minute. Months of work vanished into the fiery unknown of the foundry. Artcast is, in fact, well known for their expertise, and Big Ben emerged in the spring looking great in bronze.

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