Traditional Stone Carving & Sculpture Techniques- Iris & Hummingbird direct carving GA Blue Granite

Sculptor AC Button of http://www.carolinasculpturestudio.com direct carves his original Iris with Hummingbird composition in Georgia Blue Granite. The goal of the Traditional Stone Carving and Traditional Stone Finishing videos is to preserve this heritage craft by preparing individuals for further in-studio training and apprenticeship.

First cartooned with line drawing before being sketched in plastilina clay in 1:1 scale, the project is direct carved in stone in a 1 1/2" deep niche. The composition was specifically developed to provide adequate support for the different elements while still conveying the feeling of natural flow and lightness. This project was done 100% in the traditional manner with hand held chisels and pneumatic hand machines. No diamond tools of any kind were used.

Among professional memorial sculptors, hand carved floral work holds a unique position. The delicacy and spontaneity of actual flowers are at great odds with the medium of granite. During his youth, Button often heard his grandfather, Master Finisher Edward G. Melvin, criticize hand carved roses in granite that looked like "a head of cabbage" or worse. Stiff, needlessly heavy detail is as inappropriate as detail carved so thin that it readily breaks. Producing the proper balance between delicacy and durability is a goal shared by those in the profession who seek success in this specialty work. Certain stylized detail lends credibility to successful work as it conveys a level of professionalism to those who do the work. The Old Masters who specialized in floral carving have long since passed Carving nice floral work is a worthwhile goal.

For more information about the traditional work of Sculptor AC Button and Carolina Sculpture Studio, visit http://www.carolinasculpturestudio.com .