Blog Post #2: The Stallion Sculpture – Overcoming Setbacks and Pushing Forward

Creating a piece as monumental as my partial life-sized bust of a stallion during my Artist in Residence program with Joel Prevost at Vancouver Island Sculpting Studio has been an incredible journey. It’s going to be a massive undertaking and a true testament to the power of collaboration with a world-class mentor. From the very beginning, this project has pushed my limits, and I know there will be many more of those moments before the piece is complete.

However, as with any ambitious artistic endeavor, setbacks are inevitable. One of the most significant challenges we faced came when we attempted to build a superstructure to support the sculpture. We had hoped this would provide the stability needed for such a massive piece, but unfortunately, it failed. A deep crack formed, and nearly 400 pounds of clay separated from the main form and crashed to the floor. When we returned to the studio, we found a massive lump of collapsed clay on the ground—stopping just short of another beautiful piece, nearly destroying it on the way down. Seeing so much effort undone in an instant was difficult, but in sculpture, as in life, the true test is how you respond to failure.

In moments like these, having a trusted mentor makes all the difference. Thankfully, Joel Prevost was by my side, offering invaluable guidance. With decades of sculpting experience, his perspective helped me stay focused when things didn’t go as planned. He knows how to approach these challenges, and together, we took a step back, reassessed, and learned from the mistake. Instead of letting the setback derail us, we viewed it as an opportunity for growth.

We rethought our superstructure, made the necessary adjustments, and are now back on track. The key to success in both sculpture and life is persistence, problem-solving, and the ability to adapt. With Joel’s mentorship, I’m confident that this sculpture will emerge even stronger than before.

The journey to create the Stallion continues, and I’m excited to share more updates as we make progress. Have you ever faced an unexpected setback in your creative work? I’d love to hear your experiences—let’s connect in the comments!

Stay tuned for the next chapter as we continue shaping this monumental Stallion into reality!